NEUROLOGY &
Developmental Pathways
IN LEARNING



​A goal of neurodiversity is to provide needed support for kids who learn differently. 

Neurodiversity can help you and your child frame challenges as differences, rather than as deficits.

SOURCE: UNDERSTOOD.ORG


​In this Neurology section, you will learn more about many diverse learning abilities and challenges that changes how an individual learn.

The main focus is empowering the individual and you, with positive strength based strategies and focus on coping or harnessing them to be able to learn.

Neurodiversity:
What You Need to Know
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By Peg Rosen
Understood.org


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​Before we begin, let's have a look at the architecture of our brain.
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No two brains are alike.
No two neurons are alike.
There are a billion differences 
in our bodies.
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And so we all learn differently
and have different sets of abilities.
Neuro Transmissions
​is a channel on a mission to bring neuroscience to everyone. It's not rocket surgery, it's brain science!


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When we embrace the diversities of our brain, labels do not serve as purpose of being a deficit. It is in fact a through understanding of the individual's learning mode and way of processing the world.


Here are some simple videos to help you
​understand a little more about how our brain receives information.
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We are a whole lot of body systems working together. Here is a brief introduction to each of the 11 human organ systems including the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, integumentary, lymphatic/immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal systems.
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and the optic nerves. The central nervous system controls thought processes, guides movement, and registers sensations throughout the body.
Neuroplasticity

It is the understanding that experiences are able to change our brains, and that our brain’s structure and capacity are not fixed. ​
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There is no age limit for learning. Even when we are old, our brains are not fixed, nor is cognitive ability. Every individual has different neural pathways to learn something new every day. 

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An excellent infographic explaining neuroplasticity has been produced by Alta Mira, 
​a San Francisco rehabilitation and recovery centre.  ​


​STENGTH BASED APPROACH IN EDUCATION

The strength-based approach is a paradigm shift for educators, professionals and caregivers alike. Focusing on an individual's strength is not that easy for many, due to our cultural affects of negative feedback and shaming habits. The truth is, there is a huge difference with empathetic constructive criticism and pathological criticism. Most of us would have in some ways met with pathological criticism right in our report books. It goes straight into our weaknesses as a form of shame or bad thing about us. You might find that there is hardly any positive strength based encouragement in majority of the report writings. It is about fixing what is bad and not helping the learner find confidence and build self-esteem to cope with these weaknesses. 

Below are some articles about this topic that hopefully can help parents and professionals improve on this in our education settings.
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Strengths-Based IEPs: What You Need to Know
By Julie Rawe - Understood.org

In Search of a Strength-Based Approach to Special Education
By Marysa Enis - psychedservices.com

Strength-based approach GUIDE : A guide to writing Transition Learning and Development Statements 
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Melbourne 
(This is a very useful guide for all educators. There are detailed descriptions of underlying principles, what strength-base IS and what IS NOT, and the best part of it are the practical examples)