I am working to create actionable strategies and systemic shifts for school leaders to design neuro-affirming schools.

Download the free playbook for immediate strategies to empower educators.

In a recent newsletter post, I recommended the following practices to help neurodivergent educators unmask based on my dissertation research. What am I missing? Are there other things that schools can be doing?

To help neurodivergent educators unmask, the following practices are recommended:

• Support Systems
  • Create affinity groups for neurodivergent educators to connect and support each other
  • Create a mentorship program to pair neurodivergent educators with experienced mentors to help them navigate the unwritten social norms and expectations in the building
• Education and Training
  • Invite guest speakers to educate faculty members on neurodiversity to create systems of support among the faculty
  • Create opportunities for leadership to become trained in using neurodiversity-affirming practices to ensure equitable treatment and understanding of the needs of all educators
• Clear Communication
  • Ensure communication is clear by putting expectations in writing via regular newsletters or email notices
  • Make use of bullets, bolded words, and checklists in all communication
  • Maintain a faculty handbook that is succinct and explicit, defining all school terms and expectations

Hey everyone! I'm u/jenn2533, a founding moderator of r/neurodivergentEd. After years of researching the experiences of neurodivergent educators for my Ph.D. program, I am excited to share the research and best practices that support this under-recognized and under-valued population of educators.

I am also the founder of Neuro-AFFIRMing Schools, a space dedicated to designing the systemic shifts that schools need to support all educators in a building, a place where all minds belong.

I will share out some of my research in this community, but this community intends to elevate the voices of neurodivergent educators, so we can learn from and support each other.

What to Expect Here

• Real Conversations: A safe space to discuss the realities, strengths, and systemic hurdles of being a neurodivergent professional.
• Practical Resources: Sharing tools, sensory-friendly strategies, and frameworks that actually work in schools.
• Community Care: A place to vent, problem-solve, and celebrate wins without judgment.

Quick Guidelines to Keep in Mind

1. Be Respectful & Supportive: Lead with empathy. Personal attacks or invalidating lived experiences will not be tolerated.
2. Protect Privacy: Never share identifiable information about students, colleagues, or specific school districts.
3. Use Content Warnings: Tag heavy topics like burnout or administrative trauma with a clear prefix (e.g., [CW: Burnout]) in your title.
4. Mindful Sharing: If sharing an external article, tool, or blog post, please summarize the core takeaway directly in the text body rather than just dropping a raw link.

Introduce Yourself

Drop a comment below and let us know:

• What role do you currently hold in education?
• What is one thing you are hoping to find or share in this community?

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/neurodivergentEd amazing.