Neurodiversity and learning

Neuropoint is a group of young neurodivergent people who are using their experiences to change things for the better.

They work with Salvesen Mindroom Centre to help people understand and accept neurodiversity.

On this page, Neuropoint share advice about neurodiversity and learning.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a word to describe how some people think and behave differently because of how their brain works.

Everyone is different in many ways, and this includes people having different ways of thinking. We call this neurodiversity.

A person who thinks and behaves differently could be described as being neurodivergent.

They may have a diagnosis like autism, ADHD or dyslexia. However, many neurodivergent people don’t have a diagnosis.

We can also use the word neurodiverse if talking about a group of people.

top 5 tips

We asked Neuropoint to share their advice about neurodiversity and getting support at school.

Here are their top 5 tips:

Remember, you do not need a diagnosis to get support at school.

You can get support at school, no matter what the reason. You might need help with your learning, coping with the classroom, or dealing with stuff at home. Whatever it is, if you are finding school hard, you can get help.
Talk to someone you trust – and take someone with you.

There are no rules about who you have to tell, but it’s always good to tell someone. If there is a member of staff you like or trust the most, start with them. They can help you to take the next steps.

It can really help to take someone with you, too. This could be a friend or family member, or a professional advocate.
Prepare yourself – know your rights and think about what you want to say.

It can be helpful to take time to get ready for conversations or meetings about your support. There are lots of ways you can do this. For example, Neuropoint recommend making a list of what you need and why.

It can also help to include evidence or explanations so that adults can understand. Think about why the support you want will work for you, or the reasons why you are finding things difficult.

It might also help to talk through your list with someone you trust. You can take your notes with you to meetings or give them to someone you trust if you don’t want to go yourself.
Don’t be afraid to ask for more.

You have the right to support that meets your needs, and your needs can change. It’s ok to ask for more or different things if you think they might help you. As Neuropoint say – “no one knows your own mind and abilities better than you do”.
Sometimes you need to take things higher up.

If you have tried talking about your needs but you feel you are not being heard, there are steps you can take. Sometimes this means talking to someone with more responsibility – for example, a depute or head teacher. It’s also important to remember that you can always take someone with you to help you do this.

In conclusion, Neuropoint’s final piece of advice is:

“Never give up on getting the help you deserve!”

Find out more…

If you want to find out more about Neuropoint, then you can contact Mindroom’s Direct Help and Support Team at directhelp@mindroom.org or on 0131 370 6730.

You can also find out more by hitting the button below:

Visit the Mindroom website