NEU National CPD

The neurodivergent-friendly Classroom: Twelve simple shifts

Twelve evidence-based, low-cost strategies for teachers and teaching assistants who want to make their classrooms work better for neurodivergent learners, without waiting for whole-school change or a diagnosis. Grouped into four themes: language, environment, time, and task structure. 

By the end of this session, you will be able to: 

  • Use plain language and processing time to reduce confusion and pressure
  • Respond to dysregulation in ways that calm rather than escalate
  • Audit your environment to reduce sensory overload and cognitive clutter
  • Use routines, visible time, and transition scripts to reduce anxiety
  • Support task initiation through chunking, modelling, and structured starting points 

Can’t make it? Don’t worry! If you are unable to attend, still register to receive a recording link and watch within 14 days.  

Provider

Dr Pooky

Dr Pooky Knightsmith

Author and Director of Creative Education

Dr Pooky Knightsmith

Author and Director of Creative Education

This session will be delivered by Dr Pooky Knightsmith. Pooky is an autistic speaker, writer, autism assessor and educator known for her engaging, straight-talking style and practical ideas that make a difference the very next day. She holds a PhD in Psychological Medicine and works across education and health settings in the UK and beyond. Her work is grounded in both expertise and lived experience, and she specialises in helping professionals understand and support autistic and ADHD learners with empathy, insight and evidence-informed strategies.

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