Let me share my story:

I grew up with an unidentified neurological visual impairment that made school confusing, anxiety-provoking and exhausting. When I became an elementary special education teacher in 2009, I wanted my students to have a better experience than I’d had. Drawing upon my experience with neurodivergence and the science of neuroplasticity, I developed a way of teaching that succeeded beyond anything I’d imagined was possible. I did it by observing my students’ everyday behaviors. I had just trained as a HANDLE screener, where I learned how to see behavior as communication about my students’ neuro-sensory needs. Using my ability observe my kids and understand what they needed, I created instruction that my students were able to learn from and implemented accommodations that helped them be comfortable throughout their day.

Little did I know at the time that both of these things were changing the way their brains worked, enabling them to learn from a wider variety of curricula, in a wider variety of environments and reducing their sensory discomfort even when they weren’t at school. That’s because the brain learns from our experience, so whatever we experience routinely, we get more of. By creating lessons and an environment that my students’ brains could easily make sense of, I was helping them rewire their brains so that everything in their lives began to make sense.

Kids who had never had friends began making friends. Kids whose parents had been told they’d never progress beyond elementary level academic achievement went on to take general education classes in middle and high school. Parents called me in tears to tell me their child had just had a conversation with them for the first time ever. After several years of teaching, I knew I had to share my knowledge with others.

That’s why I created my course, Understanding Neurodivergence. Each module covers a different aspect of teaching and caring for neurodivergent kids.

Will this class eliminate disability? No. The goal of this class is to give you information about sensory perception and the brain and to give you ideas about how to help yourself or your child.  It is not possible to make any guarantees as to the success of any approach, including this class, nor is it possible to predict how any individual will change.  All people are different and each person will respond differently to the methods taught in this course.

What might you gain from this course?  You may come away with a new understanding of yourself and your loved ones.  You may gain insight into their experiences and you may be able to implement accommodations to help yourself or your loved one live life more comfortably and easily, which could increase what’s possible for you to do.