To explain neurodivergence to my neurotypical child

[Itssodark]

Hi,

My 6 year old has started spotting that some kids have fidget toys for chewing due to SEN. He's asking why.

I think my child is neurotypical, I probably have adhd but only realised in adulthood. How do I explain what autism and adhd are without my child either feeling like they're superior or inferior?

Any tips thanks.

I’m a primary teacher and I explain it as all of us are different and all of us, at times, need things to help us with activities. Sometimes you can see the things we are given that help us and sometimes you can’t. For example, I wear glasses and that helps me to see like someone who doesn’t need glasses. It doesn’t mean I can see better than someone else. Someone who has autism / adhd might be really good at xyz [insert child specific quality - eg listening, being a good friend, being great at singing etc] and they sometimes need help with xyz [insert child specific support - eg focusing, sitting on their bottom, settling into the classroom in the morning] which is why they [insert support given - eg are given a focus tool to use when they need it, have movement breaks more regularly, use a laptop for writing, wear tracksuit bottoms rather than school trousers]. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong, it’s just different and we respect them for all they are. For what it’s worth, we call fidget toys ‘focus tools’ so children recognise them as being more of tool for support rather than a toy someone gets to play with. Children are fantastic at accepting differences, I’m always endlessly proud of how the children I teach support everyone to feel welcome. Hope that helps!

Thanks It does help. Though last time I tried and said x boy is autistic. He finds reading easy but struggles to understand what to say at certain times. Then my child said so people with autism are good at reading, isn't y good at reading.

It all got a bit confusing but I'll try again.

We're all ASD and we find it confusing too.