A Personal Stake
I have two daughters on the autism spectrum. I’ve seen firsthand that our schools have well-intentioned, thoughtful staff — but they don’t always have the resources or respect they need to serve children who don’t fit the norms.
Education is for everybody means the kids who learn differently too. We can do better.
What Needs to Change
- Resource gaps: Our staff are asked to serve neurodivergent students without always having the tools, training, or support staff they need
- Individualized approaches: Not every child learns the same way, and “one size fits all” programming often doesn’t fit neurodivergent kids at all
- Staff support: Teachers and aides who work with neurodivergent students deserve more training, more resources, and more respect
What I’ll Advocate For
- Increased funding and resources for special education and support services
- Professional development specifically for working with neurodivergent learners
- Flexible programming that adapts to different learning styles rather than forcing students to adapt to a single model
- Better communication between school staff and families — parents are the experts on their own children
- Creating a culture where neurodiversity is understood and respected, not just accommodated as an afterthought
The Bigger Picture
When we design education for the kids who need the most support, everyone benefits. Universal design in education means building classrooms that work for all learners from the start, not retrofitting accommodations as exceptions.