Celebrating Neurodiversity: Our Approach to Personalised Tutoring

Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) is a research-informed educational programme developed by the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh. Launched in response to the growing recognition of neurodiversity within mainstream education, LEANS aims to foster greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity for neurodivergent pupils — those who may think, learn or communicate in ways that differ from the majority.​

Personalising literacy to make it accessible to neurodivergent learners.

Research Overview and Methodology

The LEANS programme was designed and evaluated using a participatory approach, bringing together neurodivergent and neurotypical researchers, teachers, and families. The programme was piloted in Scottish primary schools with pupils aged 8 to 11. It comprises seven carefully structured units, each exploring a core facet of neurodiversity, supported by a comprehensive suite of classroom-ready resources, including videos, lesson guides, activities, and materials for parent engagement.​

Each lesson encourages pupils to learn (Know), reflect (Think), and act (Do), progressing from building accurate knowledge of neurodiversity, to developing positive attitudes and inclusive behaviours.

Key Findings and Impact

Evaluation data show that LEANS achieves significant gains in pupils’ knowledge and attitudes toward neurodiversity. After participating in the programme, children demonstrated a better understanding of what neurodiversity is and developed more empathetic and inclusive perspectives towards peers with different learning or communication styles. Teachers noticed improved inclusiveness and were positive about the usability and impact of the resources, even when delivered by staff without specialist training in neurodevelopmental differences.​

LEANS’s open-access model allows schools to download all materials free of charge, improving accessibility for a wide range of education settings.

Strengths and Challenges

A distinctive strength of LEANS is its whole-class, universal delivery model, ensuring that neurodiversity education benefits every pupil rather than being restricted to targeted groups. Its participatory design and positive framing also set it apart from more traditional, deficit-oriented educational interventions. Teachers report that the structure is flexible enough to accommodate varying class needs.

Nevertheless, some challenges remain. Implementation fidelity can vary if staff do not fully engage with the background materials or if timetabling constraints arise. Long-term impact on school culture is also dependent on follow-through by the broader school community.​

Conclusion and Implications

LEANS represents a robust, evidence-based initiative for embedding neurodiversity perspectives into mainstream education. The programme not only equips children with the language and empathy to understand neurodiversity but also provides teachers and parents with practical tools to support inclusion. For parents, engagement with LEANS can mean more supportive, informed, and understanding school environments for their children, regardless of their learning profile.

At Literacy Steps

Our approach is rooted in valuing and celebrating the unique ways children think, learn, and communicate. Rather than seeing learning differences as challenges to be fixed, my philosophy focuses on recognising each child’s distinct strengths and supporting them to understand and advocate for their own learning styles. This means your child won’t just receive targeted academic support but will be encouraged to develop confidence and a strong sense of identity.

In all interactions, whether tutoring sessions, parent meetings, or school consultations, we prioritise language and practices that promote acceptance and understanding for every learner. The team uses evidence-based methods that honour neurodiversity, helping young people succeed academically and socially, while ensuring parents and teachers can appreciate the full potential of their children. This approach encourages positive relationships, boosts wellbeing, and creates pathways for children to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

When you work with us, you become part of a partnership grounded in strengths-based education. This ensures your child is supported in a nurturing, inclusive environment, and that you are equipped with practical strategies and insight to advocate for their growth within school and beyond. Our commitment is to help you and your child experience the benefits of a neurodiversity-affirming culture and to work alongside families and schools for the very best outcomes.

References and Further Information

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (2022). Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS). https://salvesen-research.ed.ac.uk/leans​

Autistica Foundation (2022). Evaluation of Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS). https://www.autistica.org.uk/downloads/files/Autistica-RF-2022-LEANS-evaluation-PDF.pdf​

Mentally Healthy Schools: Learning about neurodiversity at school (LEANS). https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/learning-about-neurodiversity-at-school-leans/​