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Embracing Unique Minds – Jennifer Oaten

Neurodiversity

Most of us know someone who lives with conditions like dyslexia, autism, or ADHD, all of which contribute to neurodiverse communities. Neurodiversity Week is a global event that began in 2018 and was founded by Siena Castellon to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

As part of this worldwide movement, we are proud to recognise the different ways students think, learn, and experience the world. Every student brings something unique. This week highlights our goal to create a culture where everyone feels valued and supported.

This week, we focused on the many ways students think, learn, and interact. The four pillars of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Understanding Differences, Improving Diversity, Promoting Inclusion, and Celebrating Uniqueness, guided the activities on our theme “No Brain is the Same”.

Neurodiverse week

Our Actions This Week

The key opportunities to better understand neurodiversity we have offered include:

  • Launch by the Principal and an animated video called “Amazing Things Happen” with a focus on us all being unique.
  • A brain labelling and colouring activity highlighting differences and strengths of our brains.
  • Sharing images and quotes by neurodivergent people, highlighting their successes through posters and Vivi displays.
  • Conversation starters were provided to parents.
  • A staff story sharing the challenges they faced as a student and what strategies were helpful.
  • A student survey to gauge student understanding of neurodiversity.
  • Sharing this blog with families and a blog titled “Educators Supporting Neurodiverse Students”.
Every student brings something unique. Our role as educators is to create a culture where all learners feel seen, supported, and celebrated

Why Inclusion Matters

The Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In 2022, there were 290,900 (1.1%) Autistic Australians. More recent data estimates that 1 in 70 Australians may be on the autism spectrum.

This context helps explain why inclusion is so important, not just in schools but across society. According to the Ai Group, 34% of Australia’s neurodiverse community is currently unemployed. This may be linked to stigma and misconceptions surrounding neurodiversity in professional settings.

These statistics highlight the barriers neurodivergent individuals face, but they don’t reflect their potential. Many of history’s greatest minds were neurodivergent, proving that different ways of thinking can lead to extraordinary innovation and creativity.

Did you know these remarkable individuals were neurodivergent?

  • Albert Einstein – Physicist (Dyslexia)
  • Wolfgang Mozart – Composer (Autism)
  • Jane Austen – Author (Autism)
  • Michael Phelps – Olympic swimmer (ADHD)
  • Greta Thunberg – Climate activist (Autism)
  • Billie Eilish – Singer (Tourette Syndrome)
  • Charles Darwin – Biologist (Autism)
  • Cher – Singer and actor (Dyscalculia and Dyslexia)
  • Michelangelo – Artist (Dyslexia)
  • Justin Timberlake – Singer and actor (ADHD)
  • Sir Isaac Newton – Physicist (Dyslexia)
  • Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian (Autism)
  • Bill Gates – Tech pioneer (Dyslexia)
  • Jennifer Aniston – Actor (Dyslexia)

Their achievements remind us why it is so important to create environments where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

The Diversity Council Australia’s Inclusion@Work Index 2023–2024 also found that 42% of workers with disabilities experienced discrimination or harassment at work in the past 12 months. These figures remind us why inclusion must be intentional, ongoing, and supported from the classroom to the workplace.

Listening, Learning and Leading Change

We listened. Then we acted.

Last year’s Parent Voice session helped shape the actions of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. We recently shared more about our educator training in the blog Educators Supporting Neurodiverse Students. The blog introduces our new Staff PL Hub and includes insights directly from students to assist staff in understanding the classroom from the perspective of neurodiverse students.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy helps create classrooms that support all learners. Lunchtime Clubs provide welcoming spaces where students can connect, and classroom adjustments provide strategies that allow every student to do their best.

Parents’ Role in Building Inclusion

Parents play a significant role in helping children understand and support others. Simple conversations at home can build kindness and empathy.

Here are some ways to help:

  • Ask about feelings: “How do you think your friend felt today?”
  • Show kindness: Use respectful and patient language around your child.
  • Talk about fairness: Fair doesn’t always mean equal. Some people need different support to succeed.
  • Break down stereotypes: Remind children that everyone has different strengths.
  • Support new friendships: Encourage your child to mix with students with strengths and challenges.
  • Use positive language: Say things like “Everyone learns in their own way” or “No Brain is the Same”.

Our support for neurodiversity goes beyond this week. It is part of our everyday culture. We invite parents, staff, and students to keep the conversation going.

Together, let us celebrate the strengths that come with diverse minds this week and every week.

  • #diversityandinclusion, ADHA, autism, celebratingdifferences, Dyslexia, Empathy, fairnessinschools, Featured, neurodiversity

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation.  Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world.  Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD.  We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.

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