April is Autism Celebration Month in ECSD!
Edmonton Catholic Schools is celebrating Autism Celebration Month in schools by fostering authentic belonging and positive identities around autism and neurodivergence. The goal is to help students better understand and appreciate the diverse ways we all think, communicate, move, and connect.
What are Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity is the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways that are different from each other. There is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving – in fact, these differences can be viewed as valuable strength rathers than deficits (Harvard, 2021).
This includes neurological differences such as autism, ADHD and others, which are sometimes called neurodivergence. They are all natural, expected variations in brain development - all equally valid and worthy of belonging.
Creating a welcoming community involves learning about other people’s ways of being, thinking and doing, as well as recognizing these differences as valuable. The goal is to understand, accept and celebrate neurodivergent people’s differences, while leveraging strengths and passions to enhance everyone’s work.
How is ECSD Celebrating?
Consistent with the Canada's Autism Strategy, ECSD is celebrating by encouraging schools to amplify autistic voices by sharing books videos and activities made by autistic and other neurodivergent people with students.
- Division Staff Book Contest: Schools and staff who deliver learning activities on neurodiversity in classrooms will be entered for a chance to WIN a book written by an autistic author.
- Autistic Author Read-Aloud: On Wednesday, April 30 Autistic advocate Tiffany Hammond will provide an virtual read aloud and discussion of her book, A Day With No Words! Schools across ECSD will be invited to stream her reading in their classrooms.
ECSD staff can find additional details on the internal portal, myecsd.net.
Families Can Get Involved!
Looking to learn more? The books below can help spark discussion with your child and family.
Find many of them at Edmonton Public Library: Autism Celebration Month Book List
Discussion Topic | Book Suggestions |
| Inclusion |
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| Curiosity & Highly Focused Interests |
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| Celebration of Neurodiversity |
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| Autism-Specific |
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| Communication Differences |
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Are you a neurodivergent person with lived experience, or have a child who is neurodivergent?
Consider reading to your child's class or school! Sharing your perspective is a great way to support understanding. Contact your child's teacher for more information.