Neurodiversity
Is True Nature and the Sudbury model suitable for young people who are neurodivergent?
At True Nature we embrace all neurotypes by giving choice, voice and flexibility to our students. Neurodivergent students often thrive at our school as it allows them the flexibility and freedom to be themsevles and pursue their own personal interests without pressure to conform. However we are not a therapeutic school and, due to the nature of the autonomous and child-led learning environment, we are unable to adequately support students who require regular one-to-one support. All students must be able to function safely and independently in our school environment, communicate well enough to understand and follow our community agreements, and engage in our restorative processes for resolving conflict. Rather than creating individual accomodations for neurodivergent students, the students themselves continuously create and update the community agreements to ensure they're neuroaffirmative, inclusive and accessible for all members of the community. If you have questions about your child’s fit for this environment, please take some time to read and watch these resources from our partner Democratic Education (DemEd) Ireland network schools which outline in more detail why the democratic and self-directed model can be an excellent fit for neurodivergent students.
Check out resources from other Democratic Education Schools
Wicklow Democratic School:
WDS isn’t a school for neurodivergent people, but neurodivergent students have consistently thrived at WDS - click here
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=918690837213930
Research: https://wicklowdemocraticschool.ie/research/
West Cork Sudbury School:
https://www.westcorksudburyschool.ie/post/blindboy-and-the-love-of-learning
Is True Nature and the Sudbury model suitable for young people who are neurodivergent?
At True Nature we embrace all neurotypes by giving choice, voice and flexibility to our students. Neurodivergent students often thrive at our school as it allows them the flexibility and freedom to be themsevles and pursue their own personal interests without pressure to conform. However we are not a therapeutic school and, due to the nature of the autonomous and child-led learning environment, we are unable to adequately support students who require regular one-to-one support. All students must be able to function safely and independently in our school environment, communicate well enough to understand and follow our community agreements, and engage in our restorative processes for resolving conflict. Rather than creating individual accomodations for neurodivergent students, the students themselves continuously create and update the community agreements to ensure they're neuroaffirmative, inclusive and accessible for all members of the community. If you have questions about your child’s fit for this environment, please take some time to read and watch these resources from our partner Democratic Education (DemEd) Ireland network schools which outline in more detail why the democratic and self-directed model can be an excellent fit for neurodivergent students.
Check out resources from other Democratic Education Schools
Wicklow Democratic School
WDS isn’t a school for neurodivergent people, but neurodivergent students have consistently thrived at WDS - click here to access a recent video. Further research is available here.
West Cork Sudbury School
https://www.westcorksudburyschool.ie/post/blindboy-and-the-love-of-learning