To be published February 2026...
All classrooms have neurodivergent children and young people in them and how you support them as a practitioner has a lasting impact. This book guides you in understanding and developing a system for supporting neurodiversity in your classroom.
The book introduces the concept of systems thinking to an education setting, providing tools and strategies to both broaden your knowledge of neurodiversity and to develop a framework to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners. Systems thinking will encourage you to get comfortable with uncertainty, to look for connections or patterns, and to be prepared to change if something isn’t working. By increasing your awareness and remaining curious about the individual needs in your classroom, you will enrich the learning experience for all. Chapters guide you to make plans, change practices, and take risks for learners to progress – considering a constellation of skills – with carefully selected tasks and practical interventions to help you to know when to reflect, when to apply knowledge, and when to discuss further with colleagues.
Systems of Support in Education Settings introduces a system for you, with you and your learners at its heart. It provides a hands-on approach to supporting neurodiversity in primary and secondary classrooms and will be essential reading for teachers, both new and experienced, who are keen to improve and invest in effective practice.
Exclusive first look at Systems of Support in Education Settings
There are six case studies in the book which provide scenarios which are common in education settings and take the reader, step-by-step through applying systems thinking to the problem. It demonstrates how applicable systems thinking is in education settings but also how accomodating it can be as an approach.
Systems of support provides education practitioners strategies to understand the complexities which are present in all education settings. It introduces systems thinking as an approach to support those in education that are not accessing as much of it as they deserve. It doesn't promise a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can offer a way to navigate situations, take action, provide support and reduce stress for everyone involved. This comes through understanding systems, being prepared to iterate, embracing uncertainty, and accepting that some questions don't have easily attainable answers.
The book has benefitted from multiple perspectives with each chapter containing at least one perspective from a subject specialist or lived experience professional. Their voices build on the themes in the chapter and provide reflection for the reader.
Multiple Perspectives
Systems of Support chapter overview
Case Studies
The case studies cover the following scenarios:
Case Study 1. A dyslexic/dyspraxic, ADHD learner struggling with reading
Case Study 2. A 17 year old learner with processing difficulties falling behind in science
Case Study 3. An NQT planning a new topic with literacy integration
Case Study 4. A learner who finds it difficult to access small group work
Case Study 5. A family applying for an Educational Health Care Plan
Case Study 6. A 14 year old with anxiety struggling to attend school.
