Neurodiversity Information and Resources

BVSD is proud to share our Neurodiversity Policy AN as a part of our districtwide work to support diverse students in all aspects of their education. Boulder Valley School District recognizes all students as unique individuals with diverse learning styles, abilities, and needs. Neurodiversity describes the natural variation of human brains and nervous systems and the differences in how people gather, process, and interpret their sensory and cognitive experiences. Neurodiversity explains the richness and complexity of the human brain as inherently neutral, not positive or negative, and as facets of individual identity.

Although Neurodiversity is not special education specific, our department is sharing this landing page as a bridge to help provide information on this topic for community awareness and partnership. 

BVSD Resources: If you are interested in exploring your own child’s neurodiverse needs, these resources may help offer a starting point. These links represent a place to start in learning more about neurodivergent brains and some related resources available in BVSD.

• Literacy: More information regarding BVSD Literacy including intervention information and parent resources.
• Equity To achieve excellence for every student, we recognize that we much focus on equity. That is why equity is the center of our "All Together for All Students" strategic plan.
• Gifted:  Part of the natural variations in human brains includes those who are gifted and talented. Learn more about BVSD Gifted Education here.
• Mental Health: Shared resources around mental health wellness. Check out this website for information on BVSD Counseling.
• Assistive Technology: BVSD has a lot of available assistive technology, both for universal use and for unique accommodations. 
• Multi- Tiered Systems of Support: Layering systems of support for all students is one important way the BVSD supports all students. Check out this site for more information.
• Child Find: For students aged 3 to 5 and those in private schools, our BVSD Child Find Office can consider evaluations for special education. Each BVSD school can also offer evaluations for students who we suspect have a disability. Even though the Social Model of disability is important, it is also helpful to know that the special education system nationwide works on a Medical Model where needs must be identified in order to offer services.
• Autism Programming: As a Medical Model system, this page further describes some of the types of support that BVSD offers for those that qualify for special education services in the area of autism. 
• Procedural Safeguards: Link to the state safeguards for students with IEPs.
• BVSD Special Education Parent Resources: Join us here for a welcome packet for families new to special education services as well as videos and links to more information for families. 
• Training: BVSD has several courses available for staff around neurodiversity and neuro-affirming practices. These courses were developed in partnership with the BVSD Autism Advisory team.
  • BVSD Neurodiversity in Our Classrooms: Video Link
  • Creating Sensory Friendly Classrooms and Climates
  • Fostering Connection 
  • Neuro-affirming Practices in Our BVSD Classrooms
  • Trauma Informed Prevention Behavior Strategies
  • Co-Regulation (coming August 2025)

General Resources:

• Framework: Sonny Jane Wise Neurodiversity framework helps us define core principles of neurodiversity and language that we can use to discuss this work. 
• Terminology: learn more about neurodiversity terms as you explore this topic. Also check out this video or “Let’s Raise the Roof.” Both videos that help define neurodiversity and explore the medical and social model of disability.
• Executive Functioning: Check out this guide on executive functioning to learn how this need is important as we understand the neurodivergent brain. 
• Sensory Needs: Learn more about sensory needs at this link. The Colorado Dept of Education also has some resources for sensory processing training here.
• Auditory Processing: Check out this website from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
• Co-Regulation: Co-regulation is important for adults and students to learn more about as we all work together to learn about the neurodivergent brain. The Department of Humans Services has a great resource. Please also check our resources by Ginger Healy on this topic for additional information. 

Common Questions: We know labels are important for many individuals and we often get questions about various disability labels. Here are links for more information on the top three disability labels that families and schools inquire about: Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism