How to Support Your Neurodiverse Child in Elementary School

Working With Schools and Outside Professionals to Build a Supportive Team

Raising a neurodiverse child means becoming an advocate, cheerleader, and often a bridge between school, home, and outside supports. Whether your child is autistic, has ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, or another neurodevelopmental profile, they deserve a school experience where they feel safe, understood, and able to thrive.

As a parent or caregiver, you don’t have to do this alone—but you do play a powerful role in building the team around your child. Here's how you can partner with educators, specialists, and outside agencies to support your child’s learning, confidence, and well-being in elementary school.

1. Start With Strengths, Not Struggles

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not working—but your child has unique gifts. Share these with the school. When educators understand your child’s strengths, interests, and personality, they’re better equipped to engage and support them.

💬 Try this at your next meeting:
“One thing that really helps my child feel confident is…”
“They light up when they get to work with visuals / hands-on tools / movement / music.”

2. Build Collaborative Relationships With School Staff

Regular, respectful communication builds trust. It’s okay to advocate, ask questions, and share your concerns—just aim to build a partnership, not a power struggle. Most educators want to help, and many feel stretched. Your insight can make all the difference.

✅ Try this:

• Ask for a team meeting to talk about how your child is doing.

• Keep notes of conversations and email summaries.

• Be honest about what’s working—and what’s not—at home.

• Use phrases like: “How can we work together to support them with this?”

3. Understand the Role of Outside Agencies

Outside professionals—like psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, or tutors—can offer insights that schools may not have the resources to fully explore. Assessments or reports from these professionals can help the school better understand your child’s profile and learning needs.

🧠 Common outside supports:

• Psychoeducational assessments to identify learning profiles or diagnoses like dyslexia or ADHD

• Speech therapy for communication, comprehension, or social language

• OT for sensory, fine motor, or regulation strategies

• Counselling or play therapy for emotional support

Bring reports to meetings and ask:

“How can this information be used to support my child in the classroom?”
“Are these accommodations something we can trial?”

4. Know Your Child’s Rights to Accommodations and Support

In most education systems, students with learning differences or diagnoses are entitled to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or other documented supports. These plans outline the accommodations, modifications, and goals tailored to your child.

📝 Examples of accommodations:

• Extra time for tests or assignments

• Access to movement or sensory breaks

• Use of visuals or assistive technology

• Alternate ways to show learning (e.g., oral, video, drawing)

Ask your school:

• “Can we schedule a meeting to develop or review their IEP?”

• “What supports are already available in the classroom?”

• “Can we track what’s working through regular check-ins?”

5. Support Executive Functioning and Literacy at Home

Many neurodiverse children struggle with executive functioning (like organization, planning, memory, focus) and literacy skills (especially if they have dyslexia or ADHD). Small changes at home can complement what’s happening at school.

📚 At home, try:

• Using color-coded folders or visual checklists for homework

• Breaking tasks into small steps and celebrating each one

• Reading aloud or using audiobooks to build comprehension and vocabulary

• Practicing self-advocacy phrases like: “I need more time” or “Can I try this another way?”

Ask the school:

• “How is the school supporting literacy?”

• “Are there any structured reading interventions available?”

• “Can we create some consistency between school strategies and home routines?”

6. Support Regulation and Mental Health

Neurodiverse kids often experience higher levels of anxiety, overwhelm, or shutdowns—especially if they’re misunderstood or expected to “fit in” without support. Regulation, not just behavior, is key.

🧸 What you can do:

• Practice body awareness: “How does your body feel when you’re upset?”

• Use visuals, timers, or calming kits to create predictable routines

• Advocate for your child’s sensory needs at school (e.g., headphones, movement breaks)

Ask:

• “Can my child access a quiet space when they’re overwhelmed?”

• “Do you use any co-regulation tools in the classroom?”

• “Would a sensory profile help inform classroom supports?”

7. Celebrate Neurodiversity at Home and in the Community

Show your child that their brain is amazing. Talk openly about differences. Connect them with mentors, books, and media that reflect their identity. This builds confidence and self-understanding—both essential for long-term success.

🧠 Say this:

• “Everyone’s brain works differently—and yours helps you see the world in a powerful way.”

• “Being neurodivergent is just another way of thinking, feeling, and learning.”

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be a specialist to be a powerful advocate. You are the expert on your child. When schools and families work together—and invite in outside voices when needed—we create wraparound support systems that help neurodiverse kids feel safe, seen, and set up for success.

And most importantly: your child doesn’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be understood.

Written by: Nicole Hagon
Educator | Special Education Specialist | Parent Advocate | Founder of The Neuro Nook