In Their Shoes: Understanding Children with a Neurodivergence

 In Their Shoes: Understanding Children with Neurodiversities 

📝 Episode Description:
In this episode of Dominating Diversity, Brooke Tahir invites you to step into the shoes of neurodivergent children—those living with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other cognitive differences. 

Through vivid storytelling and compassionate insight, Brooke explores what the world feels like for these children, the hidden challenges they face in schools and society, and the transformative support they truly need. This episode breaks down common misconceptions, highlights the strengths of neurodiverse minds, and calls on educators, parents, and allies to create environments where all children can thrive—not just survive. 

Whether you're a teacher, carer, or curious listener, this is your chance to better understand the lived experiences of neurodivergent kids—and to become part of the change they deserve. 

🎧 Tune in. Feel it. Share it. Because when we champion every mind, we dominate diversity.  

Transcript

Dominating diversity. I'm your host, Brooke Tahir This is a podcast where real conversations meet radical inclusion. We go beyond buzzwords to explore the stories, struggles, and strengths that shape diverse lives in education, workplaces, and beyond. Global wide. Each week, we amplify voices that often get left out of the spotlight and unpacked what true diversity and equity and belonging really mean. So whether you're an educator, leader, parent, or just someone who cares, you're in the right place. Let's disrupt the status quo and dominate diversity. What if I told you that some of the most creative, passionate and insightful children in the world struggle every day just to belong? That's the reality for many children with neurodiversity. And that was a struggle for me. No matter how many children spoke to me, I still felt like an alien. I alienated myself to the point I got bullied because back then, diversity just wasn't seen how it is now. Awareness is the key and this is why I do what I do. Neurodiversity is a word that describes the natural and beautiful variety in the way the human brains work. Some of us think in words other than images, and some of us thrive with structure and others with spontaneous neurodivergent children might have autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's or other neurological differences. But they are not broken or wrong. They are simply wired differently and different is not less. To begin stepping into their world. Imagine you're in a noisy classroom. Fluorescent lights buzz above. Someone's tapping a pencil. Nearby, the teacher's voice echoes off the walls, and instructions are delivered too fast to catch. Now imagine you're trying to focus, but your brain is flipping between every sound, every movement, and every texture. You want to follow the lesson, but the collar on your shirt feels like sandpaper. The smell of someone's lunch from the bag next to you make your stomach turn. You hear the word assignment and anxiety spikes. This is everyday life for some children with autism or sensory processing challenges. Picture this you're asked to write a story. You know what you want to say. It's the their vivid, exciting in your head. But the letters get jumbled. Your hands hurt from trying. You hear your classmates finishing while you're still stuck on the first sentence. This is the daily battle for many children with dyslexia or dyspraxia. Now imagine you're living with ADHD. Your mind races. Ideas spark around every second, but the teachers want you to stay still. Focus on one task for a long time without moving. You're not bored. You're overwhelmed. But when you call out in class, it's not because you're trying to be rude, it's because you're afraid to say, if you don't say it now, you'll forget. These children feel deeply. They care a lot, but they're often told, calm down, stop fidgeting. Try harder. Stop being naughty. They are trying every single day. Many neurodivergent children can't always explain what they're feeling. So let's try to speak the words they can't often say. I'm not misbehaving. I'm overwhelmed. I want friends, but I don't always know how to connect. The way you speak is confusing. I need you to be clear. Just because I look calm, it doesn't mean I'm okay. I notice everything and sometimes it's too much. Neurodivergent kids often mask their true selves, copying behaviors to fit in, hiding their needs, and quietly melting down when they get home. This is called masking, and it's exhausting. Trust me, I have done it since I was a very, very young child and it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression even in young children. These children don't need toughening up, they just need to be seen. So what support can we give? Let's be clear first, neurodivergent children don't need fixing. They need support systems that understand and adapt. So what does that look like? Maybe it looks like safe spaces. Safe spaces where they can go when things are too loud, too fast, too much a quiet room, noise cancelling headphones, a weighted cushion. These aren't privileges. They're tools for regulation. Another one is predictable routines. So visual schedules, clear transitions, warning before change and knowing what's coming next to reduce anxiety. Flexible learning some children need movement breaks. Others need to speak answers instead of writing them. A children who struggles with handwriting might shine when giving a tablet or a voice recorder. Emotional support is teaching children to name their feelings, helping them find ways to self-soothe, acknowledging their emotions without judgment, just being there. How can I help? Another would be social coaching, supporting children in learning how to make friends, solve conflicts, and read social cues in a way that feels safe. And most importantly, adults who get it. Parents. Teachers. Carers. Professionals. People who believe these children can, who advocate for them, who say, I see you. You're not broken. You are brilliant. So what strengths do they bring? Well, neurodivergent kids are not just defined by their challenges. They are problem solvers, pattern finders, deep thinkers. Some see systems where others see chaos. Others connect emotionally in ways that leave adults in awe. Did you know that many people with autism have an extraordinary attention to detail? People with ADHD are often outstanding creative thinkers, and children with dyslexia may have exceptional spatial reasoning or storytelling abilities. But here's a catch they only shine when they feel safe to do so. So when we trip, sorry, when we stop trying to make them fit in a box and instead reshape the box, everyone benefits. Inclusive classrooms aren't just for neurodivergent students. Their students are also better for all learners. So what can you do? Well, you don't need to be an expert. You just need to care enough to try. Just care and be there. Here are five simple things that anyone can do. Listen first. Ask the child how they feel. Believe in them. Learn. Read. Watch. Ask questions. Stay curious. Don't be judgmental. It's just the environment. Instead of asking kids to change. Ask how you can change the space around them. Celebrate difference. Don't just tolerate neurodiversity. Embrace it and talk about it positively. Speak up. Advocate in your school, your workplace, your community. Be the voice that says these kids matter. Their needs matter. And lastly, neurodivergent children are not here to fit into the world as it is. They're here to change it. And we can do that. But first we must change how we see them. We must support them and love them. And in every classroom, every home, every playground is a child who just wants to be understood. I am still an adult. I mean, I have been an adult for a while, I guess, but I was one of these children and I still just want to be understood. So let's meet them with compassion. Let's walk beside them with patience. And let's build a world where every child feels like they truly belong. So from one now adult autistic child with ADHD. Thanks for listening to Dominating Diversity. If today's episode sparked reflection, insight or inspiration, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it, because there's much more where that came from. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or visit our website. For more resources and upcoming episodes. Remember, inclusion isn't optional. It's transformational. Until next time, stay bold, stay kind, and keep dominating diversity.