Re: Empowering all minds: Neurodiversity affirming practices in our classrooms, Teacher Led Workshops Kardinia International College 

What did you find most valuable about the workshop?

• The simple and practical tips Jade provided to help us to ensure that neurodivergent children are supported in our care.

• Case study and link to real world experiences, emotive and gave an unbiased reason for why it is important 

• The presenter was open to sharing her own story whilst providing practical reasoning. Resources and language used will help shape future teaching practice.

• Jade's presentation was vulnerable and honest. Her workshop provided a great base for all teachers to apply their own context, classrooms and students too. 

• Sharing her child's journey in Education and the reminder that our students are somebodies 'baby'. The S.A.M model - scaffold, adjustments and modification. And understanding the affirming language for all of our students.

• Sharing resources and personal experiences

• Sharing Jade's personal experience and perspective.

• Personal story and citing permission from Maxx to share it each time. Workbook and resources.

• Personal approach with practical ideas

• I loved Jade's story she shared and the insights she was able to provide from both a parent and teacher's perspective. The workshop was the perfect balance between listening to her story and time spent with colleagues working together and collaborating on neuroaffirming practices and language. 

• changing the language used in relation to neurodivergent children

• list of adjustments, modifications and scaffolds to put into place for children

• The resource shared

• A good overview of the latest thinking on Neurodiversity Affirming language and some practical strategies for use immediately. Will help staff when planning lessons for their LDI students. The table with the difference between Scaffold, Adjustment and Modification would be really useful for staff - perhaps we could make our own for JS to help with LOA, IEP adjustments and most importantly planning for our LDI students? Workbook to take away was a great idea. Case study put the topic in sharp focus, including the parent perspective which is so important - to understand the challenges at home and in trying to advocate with schools. I feel we sometimes aren't always very kind about some of our parents - they are trying their best! This is my personal inquiry topic this year so it was good to listen to Jade. 

• The brave, articulate and personal experiences of the presenter were informative and thought provoking.