Written by Jermaine Magethe
Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17-23, 2025) is a week to recognize and celebrate the diversity of how people think, learn, and experience the world. This global movement, which commenced in 2018 when Siena Castellon established it, it aims to fight against stereotypes and to highlight the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for disorders such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourette’s syndrome. About 15-20% of the world population are neurodivergent, meaning they experience the world differently. While society usually focuses on their challenges, this week is all about celebrating their strengths—problem-solving, innovation, creativity, and resilience.
For some kids, being neurodivergent means that school and social interactions are not the same as for their peers. Some may have trouble reading and writing, while others may be overwhelmed by loud sounds or have a hard time paying attention in class. But neurodivergent kids also have some special gifts to offer the world—many are excellent at creative problem-solving, storytelling, or thinking outside the box.
In countries like the UK, schools are adapting to accommodate neurodivergent students by making their environments sensory-friendly, adopting various learning approaches, and providing assistive technology. How about in Kenya?
While neurodiversity awareness is growing, the majority of Kenyan schools lack specialized support systems for neurodivergent children. Teachers are not necessarily qualified to recognize conditions like dyslexia or ADHD, and most schools lack Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that cater to different learning needs.
A few schools are starting to make changes. Some schools, for example, are introducing special needs classes, speech therapy, and learning supports to help children who don’t manage well in mainstream settings. Such provision, however, remains in short supply, especially in state schools and rural areas.
During this Neurodiversity Celebration Week, let’s recognize neurodivergent children’s unique abilities and ensure that they get the support they need to thrive.