It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
Neurodivergent minds offer remarkable strengths such as creativity, innovation, hyper-focus, and out-of-the-box thinking. Yet, too often, these differences are misunderstood.
This week has been about more than awareness; it’s about true inclusion. Let’s continue to recognise the value of diverse minds in schools, workplaces, and communities, every single day.
🎉 Celebrate differences 🧠 Challenge stereotypes 🤝 Make space for everyone
As this week comes to a close, it’s still important to continue these conversations.
Hear from Izzie, Year 12 pupil, who shares what it’s really like living with ADHD — the struggles, the strategies, and the small wins that make a big difference
Neurodiversity – Embrace the different by Izzie L, Peer Mentor
What’s the best test result you’ve ever had? I got 97% in my ADHD test! Amazing result, right? The pass mark was only 40%. I was so proud of myself… until I realised this is one of those tests where the lower the result, the better. Okay, so I have ADHD - 97% makes that pretty conclusive!
My name is Izzie, and I have ADHD. But I’ve also been called other names: naughty, disruptive, daydreamer, noisy, impatient. All of these words chip away at my self-esteem. But I’ve learned to build coping strategies that help me every single day.
In the classroom, I have to think about where I sit. I need to be near a teacher or a positive role model, but away from doors and windows because I get distracted so easily. I have to set realistic targets and break tasks down into small, manageable chunks. I list every step and make frequent checks on what I’ve achieved so far.
I know I annoy others sometimes because I forget things and need instructions repeated. You’ll often find me retracing my steps, searching for my pencil case, a charger cable, or something else I’ve left behind. But I absolutely love a task list - there’s nothing more satisfying than ticking things off.
I also need stretch breaks to reset my brain and help me refocus, and I get extra time in exams for that reason. One thing at a time works best for me; giving me a long list just overwhelms me, and I’ll forget the first instruction. I have to concentrate hard on what to do, rather than what not to do.
Rewards mean a lot to me; I work hard for merits. But a behaviour note or sanction can really throw me off and send me into a panic.
A study buddy is a lifesaver - someone who can text or call to remind me about PE kit, food tech ingredients, or homework deadlines. I also love highlighters and post-it notes. Highlighting key points and blocking out unnecessary information really helps me focus.
I learn best when I can see, say, write, and do things. You might catch me talking to myself - that’s me reminding myself what I need to do. I’m a kinaesthetic learner, and hands-on learning makes everything more fun and memorable.
Homework is another challenge. I need to be strategic about how I manage it. I try to avoid lots of deadlines at once, this is difficult as I tend to be very eager and get started straight away then forget about it and have to rush it at the last minute. So pacing myself is really important.
Lastly, concentrators and fidget objects like stress balls, fidget spinners, and blu-tac are part of my toolkit. They help me stay calm and focused, and sometimes they’re exactly what I need to stay on track.