challenges, and strategies that help at home. Teachers often appreciate this information, as it helps provide expectations and inside knowledge of what helps the child thrive in a new classroom setting. What schools can do Schools play a central role in shaping a neurodivergent child’s experience. Research consistently identifies three areas where support is most needed. They include behavior, executive functioning, and social connection. Predictability is a powerful tool that helps manage these experiences. When teachers post a clear daily schedule, preview changes, and explain assignments step by step, they reduce the mental effort required to keep track of expectations, which can be helpful for children with attention or learning challenges who process information differently. Executive functioning supports can also be built into instruction. Instead of expecting students to manage a large project on their own, teachers can break it into smaller parts, each with its own due date. Visual timers, planners, and subject-specific folders give students external tools to manage How families can help at home At home, parents can create conditions that reduce stress and build skills. Predictable routines such as consistent morning and evening structures, having clear transitions between activities, and providing visual and verbal reminders can be a source of security and stability. Children can also benefit from having a designated calming space with dim lighting or noise reduction, or a place they can retreat to when the world feels overwhelming. Parents can support the development of executive skills by working alongside their children on organization and planning. For example, a parent might sit with their child to map out the steps of a school project, demonstrate how to use a planner effectively, or practice setting small, manageable goals. These skills can allow children to thrive when parents are actively engaged and empathetically supporting their child’s differences. Another idea is to share insights with teachers. Many families write an “About Me” letter at the beginning of the school year that highlights their child’s strengths, 130 HAWAII PARENT November/December 2025 There’s no single way to complete a puzzle, just as there’s no single way children learn.
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