Learning Support

It is believed that genetic and environmental factors contribute to neurodiversity. This term includes conditions that an individual is born with and are not considered to be a health condition. 

Several brain studies have shown that people with learning or thinking differences are "wired" differently than their peers. In other words, some children are born with brains that think, learn and process information differently than others. 

There are many different types of neurological differences in people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD among others, where people quite literally think differently. For some, once they understand their difference and how they learn, this difference can become their "superpower." 

A 2022, Harvard University study found that neurodivergent conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are 'overrepresented' in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.

Up to 15 - 20% of the world's population are thought to be neurodiverse. Here, at Ellesmere College, our identified neurodiverse population is approximately 8- 10%. However, we are quite often identifying students who meet the criteria for neurodiversity. The most common types of diversity are:

• Autism, or Autism Spectrum Conditions.

• ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder.

• Dyscalculia.

• Dyslexia.

• Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Dianne Knops

Learning Support Coordinator/HELA Learning Support