Learning about neurodiversity at school: A feasibility study of a new classroom programme for mainstream primary schools

Neurodivergent children educated in mainstream classrooms too often face poor outcomes compared to neurotypical peers. These may be caused, or exacerbated, by the negative attitudes and actions of classmates. One way to address these poor outcomes could be to educate all children about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and how these differences manifest in school. The LEANS programme is a comprehensive, whole-classroom resource for teaching about neurodiversity concepts. In this feasibility study, LEANS was trialled in seven classrooms in Scotland. Measures captured pupil knowledge of neurodiversity, and their attitudes and intended actions in relation to their classmates. Approximately 140 children took part in the programme, of which 62 (about 40%) had parent consent to submit data for analysis. Quantitative analyses were pre-registered. Children who participated scored significantly above chance in their knowledge of neurodiversity at outcome (mean = 5.08 correct answers) and increased their scores on the Attitudes and Actions Questionnaire (mean difference = 1.14, p<.001). Qualitative data revealed good feasibility and low risk of harms. The LEANS programme can successfully teach children terminology and ideas about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and this also increases positive attitudes and intended
actions. This feasibility study should be followed up with a fully-powered evaluation in a more diverse sample, which also captures long-term impacts of LEANS.