For years, social skills instruction in schools has been built around compliance—teaching neurodivergent students to conform to neurotypical expectations. While often well-intended, this approach can inadvertently encourage masking, increase anxiety, and erode self-identity.

The shift to neurodiversity-affirming practices acknowledges that success isn’t about making students ‘fit in’—it’s about empowering them to navigate the world as their authentic selves.

This guide explores the core principles of neurodiversity-affirming practices and how educators can integrate them into their classrooms to foster inclusion, respect, and self-advocacy.

Understanding the Shift to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices

Traditional social skills interventions often prioritize compliance, encouraging behaviors like sustained eye contact, scripted social interactions, or behavior suppression. These methods can unintentionally dismiss a student’s natural way of communicating and interacting with the world.

Neurodiversity-affirming practices, on the other hand, focus on:

• Respecting diverse communication styles rather than enforcing neurotypical norms.
• Supporting self-advocacy so students can express their needs with confidence.
• Fostering an inclusive environment that reduces stigma and values neurodivergent perspectives.

📹 Watch our webinar on Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices

By integrating these practices into classrooms, we can move beyond compliance-based models and create truly inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued, understood, and empowered.

Key Concepts in Neurodiversity-Affirming Education

1. Masking: The Hidden Cost of ‘Fitting In’

Neurodivergent students often engage in masking. Masking occurs when someone suppresses their natural behaviors to blend in with neurotypical peers. This can include avoiding stimming, mimicking social norms, or downplaying sensory sensitivities. While masking can help students navigate social environments, it is mentally exhausting and can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and even depression.

Educators can support students by creating spaces where they feel safe to be themselves—whether that means allowing stimming, using alternative communication methods, or encouraging flexible participation in group activities.

2. The Importance of Teaching Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is a crucial skill for neurodivergent students, enabling them to articulate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate systems like education and employment. Rather than prioritizing compliance, educators should equip students with strategies to express themselves, ask for accommodations, and develop self-confidence in advocating for their well-being.

One effective tool for teaching self-advocacy? Video modeling. Research has shown that video modeling interventions help neurodivergent learners practice self-advocacy skills in real-world situations, reinforcing confidence and independence.

Here’s an example of a video modeling lesson from Everyday Speech that teaches self-advocacy:

3. Setting IEP Goals that Center Student Strengths

Historically, IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals have focused on ‘fixing’ perceived deficits—improving eye contact, adhering to social scripts, or reducing behaviors that make neurotypical peers uncomfortable. Neurodiversity-affirming IEP goals, however, should:

• Prioritize student choice and autonomy in communication and interaction.
• Build on strengths and interests rather than focusing on limitations.
• Include student input in decision-making about their own learning journey.

For examples of neurodiversity-affirming IEP goals, download our IEP goal bank: 

4. The Double Empathy Problem

Coined by Dr. Damian Milton, the Double Empathy Problem suggests that communication challenges between neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals stem from mutual misunderstanding—not a deficiency in the neurodivergent individual. When neurotypical peers and educators actively work to understand neurodivergent perspectives, they create a more inclusive and collaborative environment.

A simple way to bridge this gap? Model curiosity without judgment for neurotypical peers. For example, educators can say, “Jack, I noticed you like rocking in your chair. Does this help you focus?”—foster an open dialogue and normalize different ways of thinking and learning.

Practical Strategies for Creating an Affirming Classroom Environment

Implementing neurodiversity-affirming practices requires a shift in mindset and teaching approach. Here are key strategies to support neurodivergent students:

• Encourage emotional self-identification: Instead of labeling behaviors as ‘appropriate’ or ‘inappropriate,’ help students name and understand their emotions.
• Respect individual perspectives: Move away from rigid social expectations like mandatory eye contact or scripted greetings. Instead, honor students’ natural communication styles.
• Support autonomy: Allow students to say ‘no’ and set boundaries. Acknowledging dissent builds trust and self-confidence.
• Redefine success: Celebrate progress based on personal growth rather than conformity to neurotypical norms.
• Foster peer understanding: Facilitate opportunities for neurodivergent and neurotypical students to learn from each other in inclusive environments.

How Everyday Speech Supports Neurodiversity-Affirming Learning

At Everyday Speech, we’ve adapted our curriculum to align with neurodiversity-affirming principles. This means:

• Expanding video modeling lessons to include self-advocacy skills in school, work, and social settings.
• Shifting away from negative peer reactions in videos to focus on understanding different perspectives.
• Providing multiple strategies for students rather than labeling behaviors as ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’
• Hiring diverse actors to ensure authentic representation in our content.
• Creating lessons that help students articulate their unique needs to teachers, peers, and future employers.

As an example, here’s a full video modeling lesson from Everyday Speech geared toward middle and high school students: 

This video guides students through understanding their Individualized Education Program (IEP), highlighting its purpose, components, and the importance of self-advocacy in customizing their educational experience. 

You can also download the companion worksheet here →

Final Thoughts

Shifting from compliance-based interventions to neurodiversity-affirming practices isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessary evolution in education. By prioritizing self-advocacy, embracing student autonomy, and fostering true inclusivity, we equip neurodivergent students with the tools they need to succeed on their own terms.