Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom

This valuable book is bursting with practical tools, research-informed strategies, and vivid examples that empower educators to enable all of their students to thrive. Dr. Kara Dymond’s expertise, dedication, and compassion shine through. She demonstrates how to provide access to rich curricula and learning experiences for all learners and how to partner with students to support their success. – Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Teaching and Teacher Education Emeritus, Stanford University and President of the Learning Policy InstituteKara Dymond’s feel for neurodiversity is unmatched. This book beautifully integrates her decades of intense study, immense pedagogical creativity, and deep compassion for learners. In a world of artificial intelligence, Dymond’s leadership on how to affirm and fully develop human intelligence is essential. This is exactly what educators should be reading right now. – Dr. Laurie Faith, Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream), OISE/University of Toronto, Author of Executive Function Skills in the Classroom: Overcoming Barriers, Building StrategiesA page turner. I could not put the book down. So many interesting and practical ideas for creating a neurodiversity-affirming classroom. All teachers should get their hands on a copy of this wonderful read. Can’t wait to share with my staff. – Antonella De Roma, Elementary School PrincipalA career-changing read for teachers! Dymond offers an inclusive perspective on learning that will transform the way educators teach-not just neurodivergent students, but all students. Creative, engaging, and practical, this book is a must-read! – Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D. psychologist and Internationally known writer, speaker, consultant and clinician

As a neurodivergent person (Autistic, ADHD, and then some), this is the kind of book I wish my own teachers had access to. As a psychologist, I would wish for every teacher to read this as a part of their own curriculum.Kara proposes a student focused classroom; One that inspires students to want to be there, to learn about themselves as well as the subjects, and to embrace their differences as a group.It’s a learning environment I would want for everyone, regardless of neurotype.

Kara Dymond, OCT, Ph.D, is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD advocate, author, educator, presenter, and award-winning teacher educator from Canada. Kara is an experienced teacher whose work supporting autistic students inspired her books, Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom and The Autism Lens. At the University of Toronto, Kara researches Universal Design for Learning and teaches graduate courses on accessible and inclusive education, neurodiversity, learning differences, and mental health. She regularly presents to teachers, caregivers, and organizations on neurodiversity-affirming spaces, allyship, and accessibility needs. Kara co-hosts the Autistic Tidbits & Tangents podcast with Canadian autistic advocate Bruce Petherick and Maja Toudal, an autistic psychologist from Denmark. Kara is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a Governor General Award for service for her dedication to improving the lives of autistic people and their communities across Canada.