Support for neurodivergent kids AND educators


Over the years, school districts have become increasingly aware of what neurodivergent folks need in order to do their best work.

But have you ever wondered why those supports are usually provided to students only, and not to staff?

We expect teachers to differentiate instruction, but don’t personalize teacher support or ensure that every individual educator has the resources they need to thrive.

So, I got curious about whether educators think accommodations are needed, and if so, what it would look like for schools to be neurodivergent-friendly for staff.

I decided to write an article + record a podcast episode about it, sharing:

  • What we mean when we talk about neurodivergence
  • Why neurodivergence isn’t a deficiency, just a difference
  • What teachers say about accommodations that are (and aren’t) happening in their schools
  • The legal rights that U.S. teachers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • The types of supports you can request and the logistics of making them happen

I’ll also talk about 5 ways schools can offer support to neurodivergent educators, and what these recommendations look like in practice.

Additionally, I’ll make the case for universal design: that what’s good for neurodivergent educators also benefits neurotypical educators, and that these practices can (and should) be implemented school-wide.

Read or listen in to hear more about what’s helping neurodivergent teachers thrive, and how to advocate for the support YOU need in your school.

To support neurodivergent learners, check out this free training.

It shows you how to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to meet the needs of all students in ways that have only recently become possible.

In this 45 minute video training, I'm demonstrating how you can:

  • Use AI in responsible, ethical ways to support neurodivergent learners
  • Discover free AI tools for differentiating texts and assignments, giving personalized feedback and next steps, and create leveled activities instantly
  • Uncover the possibilities of AI chatbot tutors to guide students through activities and provide support and scaffolding in a safe environment

You’ll walk away with practical strategies and a clear understanding of how to incorporate AI tools into your regular teaching routines to differentiate and support neurodivergent students.

I conducted this training live over the summer, and you can watch it on-demand below:

When schools design with neurodivergent students AND educators in mind, everyone benefits. Let’s start imagining—and building—that type of learning environment together.

Angela

Angela Watson

Stay connected on social media:

Podcast | Curriculum | Books | Courses | Speaking

P.O. Box 175, Bushkill, PA 18324
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Truth for Teachers

Join over 92,000 teachers who receive our Sunday night emails, and get inspired + informed for the week ahead.

Read more from Truth for Teachers

Even young students can learn how to understanding and combat misinformation, and it’s a key information literacy skill in 2025. To go deeper in this topic, I talked with Melanie Trecek-King of Thinking is Power, because I love how her approach to the topic of misinformation is characterized by compassion and empathy. In our conversation for my Truth for Teachers podcast, Melanie emphasized that everyone is susceptible to misinformation, and falling for it doesn’t indicate a lack of...

Starting the school day doesn’t have to be chaotic or rushed. In this article + podcast episode on Truth for Teachers, I’m sharing how soft starts are transforming classrooms by offering a calm, low-pressure beginning that allows students to ease into their day. Soft starts accomplish more than just setting a calm tone—they’re a powerful tool for: promoting social-emotional learning giving kids the autonomy they need to feel in control of their learning fostering self-regulation,...

I think we’ve spent far too long centering everything in schools around the needs of students—no matter the cost to educators. We hear “students first,” “whatever it takes,” and “do it for the kids.” While the intention is good, this short-sighted approach ignores something vital: Kids are deeply impacted by the physical and emotional well-being of the adults who teach them. If their teachers are exhausted, frazzled, disrespected, overworked, and micromanaged … there’s no way they can...