Frankfort-Schuyler CSD Champions Neurodiversity Awareness During March

For the first time, the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District is celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Month during March. The month-long celebration is an opportunity for the school community to learn more about what it means to be neurodiverse and to promote understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals.

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe differences in the way that people’s brains work. The idea is that there is no correct way for the brain to work; instead, there’s a wide range in the ways that people perceive and respond to the world around them, and these differences should be embraced.

Individuals living with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, autism, sensory processing disorder and more all fall under the “umbrella” of neurodiversity. As part of its awareness efforts this month, the Frankfort-Schuyler CSD is participating in the Neurodiversity Umbrella Project, an uplifting, visual representation of all different minds.

Colorful umbrellas have been strung together inside and outside of the elementary and Jr./Sr. high school buildings. The displays are designed to represent the one in five individuals who have a neurodevelopmental condition, with the goal of changing the perception people have about neurodiverse people and celebrating the many strengths that come from thinking differently.

"Celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Month reminds us that every student’s mind works in unique and valuable ways,” said Superintendent of Schools Joseph Palmer.

In Holly Kingstrom’s class at the Jr./Sr. high school, she noticed that her students had reactions ranging from surprise to curiosity as they listened to facts about neurodivergency and neurodivergent celebrities during the morning announcements. She felt it was important to dispel some misconceptions about neurodevelopmental conditions, especially since some of her students, their peers and school staff are neurodiverse, whether or not they identify with it or make that information public.

On March 19, students in Kingstrom’s class played educational games to learn more about what neurodivergency means, the definitions of different neurodevelopmental conditions, and various facts and statistics about the conditions. Students also completed a brief informational profile on a neurodevelopmental condition of their choice and created a paper umbrella poster to be displayed in the hallway. Some students chose conditions they identify with having, while others chose conditions they simply wanted to learn more about.

“Projects like this are so valuable because they have the power to shift the individual as well as shared mindset from one of having or being a disorder or disability, to being able to recognize and celebrate the positives of neurodiversity,” Kingstrom said. “It's helped me, and I hope it helps my students feel and show up more confidently in all their different spheres also.”

Celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Month isn’t the only effort the District has made to better understand and support neurodiverse students. This school year, Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School has been benefiting from the expertise of local psychologist Dr. Joanne Joseph, who has been volunteering her time to work with teachers on the topic of neurodiversity at no cost to the district.

Dr. Joseph is a social and clinical psychologist with diverse interests in the areas of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, resilience and physical health. She teaches at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and regularly consults for healthcare agencies and K-12 schools. At Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary, Dr. Joseph volunteers her time to consult with elementary teachers on the topic of neurodiversity in the classroom and offers strategies for teachers to use in their efforts to meet the needs of all students.

 “Our District is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all learners feel seen, supported and empowered to reach their full potential,” Superintendent Palmer said. “By embracing neurodiversity, we create a stronger, more compassionate school community – one that recognizes differences not as obstacles, but as strengths."

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