Neurodiversity in Education Project

We’ve officially changed our name from the New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education to the Neurodiversity in Education Project! 🙌 While our name has changed, we'll continue and expand our services and programmes to better meet the needs of our community. Stay tuned for updates on our growing initiatives and how we’ll keep working to make a positive impact for our neurodivergent rangatahi. 🚀

Connecting Communities: Supporting Neurodiverse Tamariki at Back to School Fest We're excited to announce that our team will be participating in this afternoon’s Back to School Fest at Te Papapa School, part of the Te Iti Kahurangi Kāhui Ako!   This community-centred event, arranged by the school's Lalaga whānau group, brings together local services, educational resources, cultural performances, and family activities to support the diverse needs of our community.   Our representative, Madelaine, will be on hand to share information about: ⭐ Creating neuroinclusive learning environments ⭐ Supporting neurodiverse students in mainstream education ⭐ Resources for educators and whānau ⭐ Our various programmes including MindPlus and Building A Neuroinclusive School   At the Neurodiversity in Education Project, we believe that every child deserves an education that supports them to thrive, regardless of how their brain is wired. Community events like this are crucial for building awareness and understanding of neurodiversity in our education system.   We look forward to connecting with educators, whānau, and community leaders at this wonderful event!   #NeurodiversityInEducation #InclusiveEducation #CommunityEngagement #TePapapa #TeItiKahurangi #NeuroinclusivenessForAll

We're hosting Building a Neuroinclusive School: Community Cafe - Setting Up For Sensory Success. Make sure you register to attend this FUN, FREE & PRACTICAL online event this Thursday, February 27 ☺️

We're excited to welcome 16 outstanding schools to the MindPlus YourSchool programme, expanding our nationwide community of practice and building specialist teacher capability across Aotearoa! 🎓 These schools are making a significant investment in their journey toward becoming neuroinclusive schools. Through YourSchool, their teachers join our specialist training programme while connecting with other teachers and students with like minds across New Zealand. We're particularly proud to celebrate our fourth year of partnership with Murrays Bay Primary School, whose teachers have become amazing champions for their neurodivergent learners. Through MindPlus YourSchool, these schools will receive: · Our proven MindPlus curriculum · Specialist teacher training and certification · Access to our comprehensive Learning Platform · Connection to our nationwide community of practice · Ongoing support and resources Welcome to: · Murrays Bay Primary School · Gulf Harbour School · South Makirikiri School · St Martins School (Christchurch) · Porirua Montessori School  · Lyall Bay School,  · Te Kauwhata School  · Awatapu College  · Pt Chevalier School · Pareawa Banks Ave School · Brooklyn School (Wellington) · Halswell School · Te Puna School   · Awakeri School   · Patumahoe School · Taita College Together, we're building teaching capability and a more inclusive education system that recognises and nurtures the potential of every learner. #EducationInnovation #NeurodiversityInEducation #GiftedEducation #TeachersNZ #NZEducation #BuildingANeuroinclusiveSchool

Building a Neuroinclusive School: Community Cafe - Setting Up for Sensory Success Join our first FREE Community Cafe of 2025 on Thursday, 27 February (4-5pm) where we'll explore how to create sensory-friendly classrooms that support all learners.   We'll share ways to set up your classroom for sensory success for your neurodivergent learners. We'll explore why this is fundamentally important and share easy and practical tools to notice, recognise and respond to sensory needs. Perfect for school leaders, teachers, and learning support professionals who want to make meaningful changes that benefit neurodivergent students. Our Community Cafes bring educators together to share experiences and build capability in a supportive environment. Join our growing community of practice! #NeuroinclusiveEducation #SensoryLearning #TeachersOfLinkedIn #BuildingANeuroinclusiveSchool

Excited to announce our CEO Justine Munro will be facilitating at #Ignition25! 🌟 Join us this Friday at Ember Innovations' UnConference where we'll be exploring innovative approaches to mental health and neurodiversity in Aotearoa. Experience our Welcome To My Brain workshop, visit our Sensory Room, and connect with changemakers passionate about creating more inclusive spaces. Mental health and neurodiversity are key focus areas for 2025. Let's work together to implement fresh ideas that enhance wellbeing for all New Zealanders. Final call to book your spot today!: https://lnkd.in/ghJ9finZ #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Innovation #WellbeingNZ #EmberInnovations

Organise your classroom and create environments where neurodivergent students want to attend school: ✅ Flexible learning spaces  ✅ Sensory-aware classrooms  ✅ Strength-based approaches  ✅ Understanding staff  ✅ Supportive policies Download our free guide:  https://lnkd.in/g_ZWEitN #SchoolAttendance #InclusiveEducation #NeurodiversityNZ #BuildingANeuroinclusiveSchool

✨ Champion Spotlight: Nikita Monteiro - Advocating for Neuroinclusive Education ✨ "As I navigated the world, it felt like everyone else had access to a shared, in-built understanding—a program that operated on the same level for all but me." These compelling words from Nikita Monteiro illuminate the challenges neurodivergent students face in our education system. Through a deeply personal narrative, Nikita shares the experience of navigating a neurotypical world while autistic - from feeling disconnected from peers to having their unique approaches to learning misunderstood by educators. But Nikita's story isn't just about challenges - it's about transformation and advocacy. Drawing from their experiences, our Young Neurodiversity Champions are leading the charge for systemic change in our education system. Nikita’s vision? A future where neurodivergent rangatahi are celebrated for their unique perspectives, where meaningful accommodations are the norm, and where neurotypical and neurodivergent students collaborate to create positive outcomes for all. Nikita's powerful advocacy reminds us that true educational excellence comes not from conformity, but from embracing and nurturing diverse ways of thinking and learning. Nikita’s work exemplifies the critical importance of including neurodivergent voices in shaping education policy and practice. Nikita’s message is clear: It's time for an education system that doesn't just accommodate neurodiversity - it celebrates it. #NeurodiversityInEducation #InclusiveEducation #EducationReform #NeurodivergentVoices #YouthAdvocacy #EducationPolicy #Neurodiversity #YouthLeadership

✨ Champion Spotlight: Jas McIntosh - Young Leader Advancing Neurodiversity Rights ✨ We're proud to spotlight Jas McIntosh, a former Young Neurodiversity Champion who exemplifies the power of youth advocacy in creating systemic change. Currently pursuing a BA in Politics at the University of Otago, Jas has already made significant strides in political leadership. She’s held key leadership roles, including Chair of Southern Young Labour, and served on the Labour Party's Policy Review Committee—all with a focus on creating a fairer society. In 2023, Jas led a transformative initiative, presenting a petition to Parliament calling for accessible and affordable neurodiversity assessments. Her advocacy is deeply informed by personal experience, having navigated the complexities of mental health and education systems before receiving her autism diagnosis. A respected voice in the neurodiversity movement, Jas has been featured across major media outlets including Radio NZ, Otago Daily Times, The Post, and Re-News. Her influence extends internationally, having participated in Learning Creates Australia's panel of young education changemakers. Jas embodies the change we need to see - young leaders stepping up to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all neurodivergent individuals. Learn more about Jas here: https://lnkd.in/g9Vq7gr4 #YoungNeuroChampions #NeurodiversityAdvocacy #YouthLeadership #InclusivePolicy #Changemakers #Neurodiversity #YouthVoices

Our Head of Programmes, Madelaine Armstrong-Willcocks, will be joining the distinguished Christchurch panel for Dr. Nancy Young's 2025 NZ Tour: "Meeting the wide range of literacy needs in classrooms." As a passionate advocate for neuroinclusive education and specialist teacher, Madelaine brings deep expertise in supporting both gifted and neurodivergent learners. Her involvement in this event reflects our commitment to ensuring structured literacy approaches work for every unique brain in our classrooms. 📅 Mark your calendars for January 20, 2025, in Ōtautahi Christchurch or Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, January 22, 2025 to see Madelaine. This transformative tour will visit: 🔹 Ōtautahi Christchurch (Jan 20) 🔹 Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (Jan 22) 🔹 Papaioea Palmerston North (Jan 24) Get your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/gjcA7E_c #NeuroDiversity #InclusiveEducation #LiteracyNZ #NZEducation #StructuredLiteracy