Learning about neurodiversity at school (LEANS)

Learning about neurodiversity at school (LEANS) is a multi-session curriculum, with a mix of hands-on activities, storytelling, and resources.

The aims of the curriculum are to:

• increase the knowledge of pupils and staff around neurodiversity terms and concepts

• develop more positive attitudes towards neurodiversity and neurodivergence in schools

• increase individuals’ positive and inclusive actions within the school community.

The free LEANS resource pack includes:

• all resources for delivery, including PowerPoints, worksheets, posters and more
• a teacher handbook for delivering the curriculum
• a template letter to parents and carers
• detailed teacher notes

LEANS was developed by a neurodiverse team of researchers and educators, led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh.

Using this resource

This resource is designed for:

• use by education staff in mainstream primary schools
• use with whole classes

Because LEANS is such a comprehensive resource, we would recommend that teachers set aside some time to familiarise themselves with the content and to prepare for delivery.

Please note that because this resource is so extensive, it has not been fully quality-assured by our team. The University of Edinburgh is a trusted source for content with significant expertise in the neurodiversity field, so we have still included it. Before delivering the resource, we would recommend looking through it and assessing whether it is suitable for the pupils that you work with.