Celebrating Neurodiversity: Understanding, Acceptance and Empowerment
By Lori Barrett, Neurodiversity Program Lead
Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design, and Da Vinci Science came together to celebrate the first-ever, collaborative Neurodiversity Celebration Week! A series of events were held throughout the week that emphasized that there is no ONE correct way to think, learn, or experience the world. The focus was on normalizing differences and creating inclusive, accepting spaces for students with disabilities such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and Tourette Syndrome, while fostering a culture of understanding and support.
Da Vinci Science students pioneered this celebration in the spring of 2024 during Autism Acceptance Month. They formed the Neurodiversity Student Committee (NDSC), which included both neurodivergent students and allies. This initiative was so well received by students and faculty that two additional Neurodiversity Student Committees were established at Da Vinci Communications and Da Vinci Design this year. Based on student feedback, the Neurodiversity Celebration Week was moved to January to allow more time to apply newly learned information throughout the school year.
Throughout the celebration week, students bravely shared their stories, engaged in various activities organized by the NDSCs, such as creating personalized neurodiversity buttons and fidgets, made slime to explore sensory processing differences, wore #redinstead for Autism acceptance, and participated in knowledge-based games.
Key highlights of this year’s celebration included the introduction of the Sensory Wall, Sensory Room, and Quiet Quadrant, which provides students with peaceful spaces during busy school days. These spaces were enthusiastically embraced by students seeking a break from the daily hustle. Teachers also facilitated discussions about notable individuals with disabilities in their fields, including authors, scientists, mathematicians, and politicians.
The theme "Nothing About Us Without Us" highlighted the importance of including neurodivergent voices in the planning and execution of this week. All students with disabilities had the chance to share their experiences anonymously in writing or at a Teacher Lunch and Learn, where they could offer insights to educators, helping improve our teaching methods.
The best part was the conversations that naturally took place throughout the week. Here’s what some students shared about the week:
- "Learned a lot, thank you!
- “Hope to see more events like this in the future!"
- "I love the sensory wall; we should keep it forever!"
- "I was glad to be a part of this week and help spread information about neurodiversity.
- “Best week ever!"
- "Having dyslexia, I thought the presentation did a great job of educating people. It also made me feel better knowing others are informed, so when I tell people I have dyslexia, I know they won’t think differently of me. Thanks for the representation!"
- "I understand neurodiversity now.”
- “This was such a great celebration of the neurodivergent community!"
- “Thank you for making me feel heard :)”
- “I’d like to work in the Psych field so I appreciate this!!”
- “Thank you for teaching my peers more about ADHD, a lot of people don’t know the extent or parts of it and it’s helpful for me to not have to explain it all the time.”
We are grateful to the Exceptional Kids Organization (EKO) for their generous grant, which funded many aspects of this event. EKO supports individuals with special needs by offering social and educational enrichment opportunities in a safe and inclusive environment. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the faculty committee advisors for their guidance, the administrators for providing the necessary time and space, and the Central Main Office for embracing this new initiative.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the hard work of the student committees that collaborated to create a strong community consisting of neurodivergent individuals and allies to support the implementation of this celebratory week. One of the most impactful outcomes was the establishment and growth of a strong neurodivergent student community-- along with their allies-- across three schools, who collaborated to bring this event to life. The DV Neurodiversity Collective: Jennifer Barba, Yamara Barba, Lori Barrett, Alicia Galindo, Alison Gomez, Lissette Hernandez, Pryia Jittu, Vivi Navarro, Lynn Rodriquez, Gesse Quincy, Carolyn Ruiz, Kelsey Vazquez, and Leslie Villafana.
In celebration of Neurodiversity Week, the FUTURES students at Communications are showcasing their creativity by selling Wolves at Work T-Shirts designed by students themselves. This initiative not only promotes awareness about neurodiversity but also provides a platform for students to express their artistic talents.
Again, thank you to everyone who participated and supported this incredible event—let’s continue celebrating and supporting neurodiversity every day!
