What Changes When We Look Differently at Neurodiversity
About the workshops
When a child or teen is struggling, it is easy for the questions to become: How do we fix this? How do we stop this? How do we help them fit?
What changes when we look differently at neurodiversity and ask different questions?
Four workshops. Four ways of looking.
1 September — Questioning assumptions
Expanding possibilities through curiosity
We'll explore some of the assumptions surrounding neurodiversity, learning and behaviour, and what can become possible when we begin to question the rules and expectations we often don't notice.
8 September — Relationships
What changes when we stop looking at people in isolation?
We'll look beyond the individual to explore what happens between people, environments, expectations and experiences. Looking at how changing a relationship can change what becomes possible.
15 September — Movement
Before we ask how to stop movement, let's ask what it is.
We'll question some of the cultural assumptions we have about stillness, attention and participation, and explore what movement may be doing rather than treating it simply as something to stop.
22 September — Traces
How do we notice the patterns that were always there?
In the final workshop we'll bring the previous weeks together and explore a practical way of noticing the small patterns and traces of everyday life that can help us ask different questions.
These are participatory workshops, with room for discussion, reflection and practical activities. You don't need specialist knowledge, just curiosity and a willingness to look again.
A workshop series for those who live and work alongside neurodivergent children & young people. You can attend an individual workshop or join the full four-part series.
About the Presenter
Find out more about my work and Ponderables: https://www.ruth-gibbons.com/ponderables
FAQs
- Do I need to attend all four workshops?
No. Each workshop can be attended individually, or you can follow the full four-part series. The workshops connect with one another, but each is designed to stand on its own.
- Who are these workshops for?
These workshops are for parents, caregivers, whānau and professionals who live or work alongside neurodivergent children and young people. This might include teachers, SENCOs, RTLBs and others working in education or support roles.
- Does my child/ Student need to have a formal diagnosis?
No. A diagnosis isn't required. The workshops are about exploring neurodiversity, everyday experience and different ways of understanding what may be happening.
- Can I bring my child with me?
These workshops are designed for adults, and children and young people will not be able to attend the sessions. This allows us to have open conversations about parenting/ teaching experiences and the questions or challenges participants may want to explore.
- Are these workshops about a particular diagnosis?
No. The workshops aren't a programme for a particular diagnosis. We'll be exploring broader questions around neurodiversity, relationships, movement, participation and everyday patterns.
- Will I come away with practical things I can use?
You'll leave with useful questions and ideas to carry into everyday life. Rather than offering a set of defined techniques for managing behaviour, we'll explore what is happening - between your child, other people, expectations and their environment - because every child is different and every child has different needs.
- Will I have to talk about my child, students or personal experiences?
No. There will be opportunities for discussion and participation, but you choose what you are comfortable sharing. When discussing children or young people, we'll ask participants to protect their privacy and avoid any identifying information.
- What should I bring?
You're welcome to bring a book for notes but all other materials needed for the workshop will be provided.
- Who created the photograph in the images
Photo by Margot RICHARD on Unsplash
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