Chirp Sheet

“Neurodiversity” is a word used to explain the unique ways people's brains work. While everyone's brain develops similarly, no two brains function just alike. Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or “neurotypical” person.

It is estimated that between 15 and 20 percent of the population in the United States is neurodivergent.

"Neurodiversity is a term that encompasses a range of differences in brain development, such as autism or ADHD," explained Amy Chorley, the District's Executive Director who oversees Student Services. "It's a concept that acknowledges and respects the unique ways in which individuals experience the world."

In other words, different people have different wiring. In addition to autism and ADHD, neurodiversity can include ADD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia.

Examples and traits depend on the type of neurodivergence an individual expresses. Often these traits have been present since childhood, but not always. Some common traits of neurodivergence are:

• difficulty keeping up with the time
• hyper-focusing on one task or struggling to focus at all
• high sensitivity to external stimuli such as sounds and smells
• difficulty in learning settings, such as school or trainings
• abilities to solve advanced problems
• creativity
• synesthesia or sensory crossing

Neurodiversity Week may be the latest effort to bring attention to students with autism, ADHD and other differences in brain development, but it certainly isn't the district's first - or last - endeavor in recognizing and celebrating brain differences.

The LINKS program, for example, has been in place in several of our school buildings. It is a peer program in which neurodivergent students are paired with peer supports (called LINKS) during classes and social experiences.

“The LINKS program is a remarkable peer-to-peer support system that helps neurodivergent students feel a stronger sense of belonging, develop independence, and thrive academically,” said Amy Chorley, the District’s Executive Director of Student Services. “Peer mentors—neurotypical students—support their classmates not only in the classroom, but also during lunch, recess and other social settings. Both groups benefit: neurodivergent students build relationships and strengthen social skills while peer mentors grow in empathy, compassion and leadership.”

Siple Elementary implemented the LINKS program in 2017. The district has had LINK course offerings at the middle school and high school for about three years while Hahn Intermediate began the program in a more formal capacity last year. Gates and Hill elementary buildings also began LINKS programs last year.

"Our LINKS teachers and facilitators are amazing," Mrs. Chorley said.

Mrs. Chorley added that a special thanks goes out to the following individuals for making the LINKS programs happen:

• Siple: Kelly Fritz, Special Education Teacher, and Christen Kopp, Social Worker
• Gates: Special Education Teacher Jodee Collick
• Hill: Autumn Steinke, Special Education Teacher
• Hahn: Kathryn Kellogg, Speech and Language Pathologist
• DMS: Jenifer Green, Special Education Teacher
• DHS: Kathryn Kellogg, Speech Pathologist, and Nicole Illig, MTSS Behavior Coach

Students are chosen to become a LINK by undergoing an application process. Once selected, they are paired up with their PEER. Special activities such as pizza lunches, cereal potlucks, afterschool gaming/drawing and "lucky to have my buddy" events are held regularly.

Nicole Illig, the District Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Behavior Coach, said LINKS students are provided with information about neurodiversity and taught skills to support and connect with their peers, with the goal of building authentic friendships.

MTSS is designed to help schools identify struggling students early and intervene quickly. It focuses on the “whole child.” That means it supports academic growth, but many other areas, too. These include behavior, social and emotional needs, and absenteeism (not attending school).

"In essence, my job is to support teachers in working with students who present with challenging behaviors," Mrs. Illig explained. "I provide staff training on behavior interventions, consult with building student assistance and behavior teams, support staff with individual student needs, provide coaching to teachers on behavior/classroom management and do a lot of behind the scenes work with data analysis and MTSS system development."

Mrs. Illig is also one of the individuals coordinating the Neurodivergent Week activities. She and Kathryn Kellogg, speech pathologist at Hahn Intermediate and LINKS teacher at Davison High School, came up with the idea last year for the District to begin celebrating neurodiversity.

"I truly believe that when we know better, we do better," Mrs. Illig said. "Neurodiversity Week is an opportunity to not only celebrate our brain differences, but to educate students and staff on what neurodiversity means. The better we understand neurodiverse individuals, the more equipped we are to create an inclusive school environment where all students feel valued and supported."

Both Mrs. Chorley and Mrs. Illig said more work needs to be done to address the needs of our neurodivergent population. Continued goals of bringing Unified Champions back to the district and expanding the LINKS program into other peer-to-peer opportunities are at the forefront.

Students who participated during the first semester in the LINKS program share their experiences in their own words:

"I believe that the LINKS class and program has really been one of the best and beneficial experiences/classes that I have and will ever take at DHS."

"I think what it means to be a LINK is to be that person's friend. Not an educator or a person who would tell them what to do. A LINK is someone who gives their peer a reliable source as someone to talk to; to give them a feeling like they are seen."

"As a LINK I learned how to be mindful with my words and adapt to different personalities. I learned how to ask questions and listen, rather than doing all the talking."

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