Words Matter has created a new resource – Talking to neurodivergent children and young people – which has been released to mark the beginning of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18 – 24 March 2024). Written by a team of experts, the four page resource provides practical tips and guidance to help support parents, carers, teachers, and any adults around children to communicate in a way that will help build neurodivergent children and young people up so they can thrive.
Often used as an umbrella term, neurodiversity can come in many different forms. These include Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Approximately 15 – 20% of the population is estimated to have a neurological difference.
The team of neurodiversity experts includes:
- Jessica Narowlansky, Words Matter Advisory Board member and psychotherapist who has extensive experience of working with children and young people with neurological differences and the parents, carers and teachers around them.
- Julia Avnon, a Chartered Psychologist, Senior Clinical Tutor and Honorary Lecturer at the Anna Freud Centre and UCL with 20 years of experience of working with children, young people and adults with psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Fin O’Regan, an ADHD and neurodiversity consultant for a number of schools and organisations, an associate lecturer for Leicester University, NASEN, The Helen Arkell Charity and the Institute of Education.
- Pete Wharmby, a former teacher, an autistic speaker, writer, tutor and parent. Diagnosed as autistic at the age of 34, he has written two books on the autistic experience and is on a mission to improve autistic awareness and understanding.
Jessica Narowlansky, commenting says:
“Having spent many years supporting children, young people and families with neurodiversity, as well as adults later in life, I know how important the words and language used around them are. Although the experiences of neurodivergent children and young people are varied, there are common threads that can help us to think about why these young people may need a different approach to communication than their neurotypical peers. The way information is received and processed is different and we need to be sensitive to that.
“The language adults use plays a crucial role in a child developing their self-esteem, belief in who they are, and their mental and physical wellbeing for a lifetime. It is fantastic that Words Matter has created such a necessary resource that will help adults communicate with neurodiverse children.”
Pete Wharmby, says:
“As an autistic person myself, I know how important it is to use language carefully and thoughtfully. Autistic young people are particularly vulnerable to harsh or violent language, as they are likely to take statements at face value, which can quickly damage their self esteem and sense of identity. It is vital that adults are aware of how neurodivergent children perceive the world and process information, so that they can support them rather than feel anger towards their differences.”
Jessica Bondy, founder of Words Matter concludes:
“I am so grateful to Jessica, Julia, Pete, and Fin as experts in this field for giving their time to write this important resource. We need to celebrate differences and I am delighted that we have created this resource to support adults in the lives of neurodivergent children so they can help build them up, not knock them down.
“How we talk to children and young people can impact them for a lifetime. While harsh words and labels can be unintentional and unthinking, for a child and young person it can result in low self-esteem, feelings of shame and guilt, humiliation, and fear. Words matter. As well as caring passionately about making life better for children, we’re here for parents, carers, or people who work with children from every walk of life. More support can lighten the load for everyone and this resource is one of many we will be developing.”
ENDS