suzanne
robertshaw
Author
“This book should be in every school library!”
Dr Tony Lloyd, CEO, ADHD Foundation - The Neurodiversity Charity
meet the author
Hi, I'm Suzanne
I'm a teacher and SENCO. I really want to raise awareness about learning differences. and how brilliant having a neurodivergent brain can be. I have a husband, a son and a dog called Bob.
Contact Information
Enquiries: Teacher Training/School Workshops suzanne@teachingwithadifference.com
Postgraduate Dyslexia Research and Practice
inventor of the gobblegark!
how i wrote a book
When I was a little girl, I loved reading and writing. I used to create my own magazines from scrap paper which included: puzzles, stories and even a problem page for animals.
Dream big!
All the students that I support have neurodivergent brains. Although they can find studying challenging at times, they always find new and creative ways to learn. They inspired me to write this book.
I didn't begin a writing course until I was 50 years old! I was determined to write a children's book about how brilliant neurodivergent brains could be. I was delighted when it was published.
never give up!
my students
reviews of the book
“A must-read for teachers and social workers who work with neurodivergent children.” (Teacher)
“Omg, this was such a gem to find! Thank you so much for the positive way neurodiversity is addressed.” (Andreanne P)
“A book full of ideas, affirmation and compassion that will help neurodivergent kids everywhere.” (Ruth C)
“This interactive book provides tips and tools for neurodivergent children to express themselves. It should be in every library!” (Sharon M)
“I have read many books on neurodivergent brains but this is the first one, for me, written for the child, rather than the parent.” (Peter T)
blog posts
the secret to learning
01
Our brains are not designed to all think in the same way.
02
When the brain is interested in something it produces dopamine.
03
Dopamine is a natural chemical in the brain.
04
Dopamine makes us feel good.
05
If we feel good, we want to feel that way again!
06
Find ways of learning that interest you.
07
If you can do this, your brain will feel good and help you to learn better!
@teachingwithadifference
Drawing
By moving
How do i like to learn?
Listening to music
Reading books
Telling stories
Writing
making friends
- Sometimes it can be really difficult to make friends, and to keep friends.
- The skill of making and keeping friends takes a lot of years to practise!
- The important thing is that you do practise.
- Try and find an adult or a family member that you trust to practise some of the skills that can help you to make friends.
- Don't give up! Remember, not everyone makes friends easily, but you WILL do it.
- Read Mikey's story, to see how he made friends.
www.reallygreatsite.com
mikey's 'making friends' Board
This is Mikey
Mikey sometimes finds it difficult to make friends. So he decided to create a 'Making Friends’ Board' to help him plan how to make friends.
@teachingwithadifference
This is Mikey's mum
Mikey and his mum decided to practise making friends. Mikey's mum pretended to be a child, and they decided together what Mikey could say and do to help make friends.
It is really helpful for Mikey when he makes a list of all the reasons why he is a good friend. He writes things like, 'I am kind and I can make people laugh.'
Why I am a good friend
Joining a club
People who share interests quite often become friends because they enjoy doing and talking about the same things. So joining a club is a good idea.
Watch friends on TV
It might sound funny but watching how friends act together on TV can give us really great ideas about how to be. Just make sure they are nice!
Practise!
Remember, making friends is a skill that everyone has to learn, so practise every day and you should find it easier to make friends.
at home
If you are neurodivergent, these things may make you feel a bit happier at home.
- Try and agree on some 'rules' the family will follow and pin them up on a wall where everyone can see. *Make them realistic and kind.
- If you feel unhappy or uncomfortable and don't feel like talking or need to be alone, agree on a sign or code word you can use to tell your family.
- Try and do something fun together as a family every week. *If it uses energy this will also help you all to feel more relaxed!
- Have a 'show and tell' evening where you can share something interesting about yourself that the other members of your family may not know. *This could be something amazing about your brilliant neurodivergent brain!
- Agree as a family that you will try and say something nice about each other every day.
why the neurodivergent brain is so brilliant!!
It can think of great solutions to problems.
It is really, really creative.
It can find patterns that others can't see.
It notices details that others don't notice
It can give you lots and lots of energy.
It can help you to be very kind to others.
It can think of really funny things to say.
It has great intelligence.
Write to me at: suzanne@teachingwithadifference.com and tell me why your brain is so brilliant!