Supporting a neurodivergent young person cont.
when a person’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered ‘typical’. It refers to the natural differences between people’s varying characteristics of neurodevelopmental conditions. Between 15% and 20% of the UK’s children and young people are thought to be neurodivergent (140). Types of neurodevelopmental conditions include Autism Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, executive dysfunction, dysgraphia, misophonia, and Tourette’s syndrome. Every classroom is neurodiverse, and this should be embraced. However, education settings can be anxiety provoking for neurodivergent young people. Just like anyone else, neurodivergent young people can have positive mental health. Due to discrimination, inaccessible social environments, and sensory challenges when interacting with the environment, neurodivergent young people do often experience poor mental health and low self-esteem (140). Some of the most common neurodivergent conditions in young people are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sometimes known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that makes executive functioning difficult. Executive functioning is the term for the tasks people do to help manage everyday situations, such as organising the day or setting priorities. ADHD can alter concentration and activity levels and increase impulsivity – which negatively impacts executive functioning.
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