What challenges do

neurodiverse children face at school?

There’s no denying that school is an important chapter in life for all children, but for those who think a little differently, it can be a difficult experience. Neurodiverse children, including those with common conditions such as autism-spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia often face unique challenges.

While educational settings typically do a wonderful job of accommodating all pupils and offering equal opportunities, neurodiverse children may struggle to navigate certain obstacles in school. These difficulties, if not addressed, can impede their academic success – as well as their social and emotional wellbeing.

Understanding these challenges is crucial for educators and parents, so they can work together to create a supportive and effective learning environment. Here, we explore some of the most common challenges neurodiverse children face at school.

Sensory overload

All children struggle with emotional regulation – it’s a natural part of learning how to navigate complex situations, demands and relationships as a human being. But for neurodiverse children, these age-appropriate challenges can lead to sensory overload. Classrooms are often bustling environments, filled with multiple layers of sounds, lights and movements. Neurodiversity can be compared to having heightened senses, meaning these children feel, hear and respond to stimuli more strongly than their peers. Understandably, this can be overwhelming.

Sensory overload can lead to anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and even physical pain and discomfort in the form of headaches or nausea. Without help to soothe their sensory systems and tackle their environment or task calmly, neurodiverse children can find it extremely difficult to concentrate or do what is required of them in school.

Unfortunately, this behavior can often be seen as wilful defiance – in fact, meltdowns, outbursts, or withdrawal is a stress response in children. Punishing them for these behaviors is ineffective; understanding and addressing the child’s needs without judgment is key to providing effective support.

Navigating social interactions

Social interactions are complex even for adults to understand, but for children with neurodivergence, they can be a significant hurdle. Especially in children with ASD, understanding social cues, making eye contact and engaging in productive conversations can be very difficult.

Such challenges can lead to a child feeling isolated and anxious, and can leave them prone to bullying. Children with neurodivergence may not understand their peers organically, and often need additional support and guidance from an adult to navigate social interactions and make friends.

ADHD and some other related conditions can also cause difficulties with executive functioning, meaning children may struggle more than their peers with organization, time management and impulse control. This can make it more difficult for them to complete tasks independently in a timely manner and follow instructions. Again, this can cause social isolation, so support is vital. As neurodiverse children grow, it’s necessary to support them to ensure they can keep up with assignments, meet deadlines and succeed socially.

Learning styles

It’s widely accepted these days that people learn in different ways, but neurodiverse people can also have specific learning difficulties that affect their ability to process new information. For example, children with dyslexia may find reading and writing particularly challenging, due to the way their brains decode words and comprehend blocks of text.

It’s vital to work with neurodiverse children as individuals, being willing to adapt traditional teaching methods where appropriate. Teachers and support staff should be open to training which can help provide them with a toolbox of effective techniques for helping neurodiverse children achieve their academic goals.

Promote compassion

By understanding the challenges that neurodiverse children face at school, caregivers can offer tailored support to enrich their learning experiences. Creating inclusive environments not only benefits individual children, but also promotes kindness and compassion in the classroom.