"Neurodivergent teachers bring valuable perspectives, and creating a culture where these perspectives are actively sought and valued is essential."
Graeme Donald, a teacher at our Sensational Learning Centre, shares his thoughts on supporting neurodivergent teachers.
Read the full article at the link in our bio.
Our Vibe service is mixing things up in their baking sessions! Now instead of one set recipe per session, the young people can choose from a range of sweet and savoury options.
All ingredients for every recipe are laid out at the front of the kitchen, which gives everyone the freedom to pick what they want to make and get started independently. From pizza to cupcakes, it’s all about creativity, choice, and having fun while baking. 🍕🧁
This new approach has made the sessions more fun and engaging, while celebrating individual skills and encouraging creativity.
The young people have become more independent in the kitchen, are developing stronger decision-making skills, and are more confident to try new things. They’re now leading their own baking journeys and building life skills while doing something they love.
To learn more about Vibe, visit the link in our bio.
#neurodiversity #baking
Every morning, the people we support have the opportunity to take part in a meditation session. With everyone arriving, the service can be quite busy in the morning, so taking time for a short meditation helps everyone to feel more settled before they move on to the day`s sessions.
At the beginning, some of the young people weren’t sure if mindfulness was something they would enjoy, but after being supported to try it, they found that they really liked the sessions and how they felt afterwards.
The team tailors the meditation sessions to be neuro-inclusive. They have also created a dedicated space for mindfulness and meditation, which features sensory lighting, comfortable seating, and a beautiful stained-glass effect on the window.
Two colleagues have had introduction to mindfulness training, and will soon be completing the next level of their training.
These sessions have become a positive way for people we support to start the morning, and feel ready for the day ahead.
Visit the link in our bio to find out more about the support our Gate service provides.
#neurodiversity #meditation #mindfulness
The young people supported at our Vibe service travelled through time on a recent visit to @dynamic_earth.
Going all the way back to before the Big Bang, they experienced a full-sensory journey through the story of our planet, including:
• feeling the ground shake beneath their feet during a volcano tour 🌋
• reaching out to touch a real iceberg in the Antarctic zone 🧊
• exploring the origins of life through sound, smell, and touch 🌊
• taking part in a 4D cinema experience 🎥
• gazing at the stars in the planetarium ✨
The team at Dynamic Earth has been running sessions at Vibe, giving young people the chance to learn about our world and universe in a way that’s interactive, inclusive, and unforgettable. To round off the sessions, the young people were invited to Edinburgh to experience the centre for themselves.
This wasn’t just a trip: it was a powerful, immersive – and accessible – experience. Multi-sensory learning helped to break down complex ideas, and hands-on exploration built confidence and curiosity.
The calm, engaging environments supported different needs and learning styles, and sharing this experience helped to strengthen connection and belonging among the young people.
This was learning without barriers: a chance for the young people to engage with science in a way that made sense to them.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at Dynamic Earth – the young people have loved every minute.
To learn more about Vibe, visit the link in our bio.
#neurodiversity #learning
Before the Easter break, our Vibe service hosted a fun, chocolate-filled Easter egg hunt. 🥚🍫
Young people collected eggs hidden around the service, including special gold eggs that carried bigger prizes. There was lots of laughter and shared excitement as everyone tried to find the most eggs in the hope of winning the special chocolate bunny!
This was a chance to bring everyone together for a little friendly competition before the break. Most importantly, it was all about fun, connection, and a little bit of pride in those hard-earned chocolate finds.
#easter #eastereggs
Fundraising Friday spotlight: on 24 May, Graeme Donald, Stephen Caulfield and Angela Evans (Donaldson Trust colleagues) and Sandy McGowan (a parent of a young person we support) will be taking on the Hairy Haggis Relay to raise funds for the Sensational Learning Centre. 🏃
Taking place as part of the @@edinburghmarathonfestival, the relay will see the team collectively complete the 26.2-mile marathon distance. This is a real test of endurance, and we will be cheering them on every step of the way!
The team is running to raise money for the Sensational Learning Centre, which supports neurodivergent children and young people who face challenges in traditional mainstream education settings.
To sponsor the team, visit the link in our bio.
#fundraising #edinburghmarathonfestival #neurodiversity
Since the United Nations General Assembly designated 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in 2007, the global movement has expanded beyond awareness to actively promote acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion.
On this World Autism Awareness Day, we’re looking at how taking action in education can better support young neurodivergent people to engage with learning.
Angela Evans, Head of Learning Services, was recently interviewed by @autismeye for a feature on Making Mainstream More Inclusive. In the article, Angela discusses how increasing school staff`s understanding of neurodiversity and reconsidering curriculum delivery are essential in developing truly inclusive classrooms where difference is respected, dignity is protected, and every autistic pupil can thrive.
Read the article in the link in our bio.
By embedding neuro-inclusion, we strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, helping to lay the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
Want to find out more about neuro-inclusive learning? Get in touch on info@donaldsons.org.uk or visit https://www.donaldsons.org.uk
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, and the arrival of spring, the young people we support at Gate made some beautiful bouquets to give to the important women in their lives. 💐
Everyone went for a walk to pick some daffodils, and combined these in bouquets with flowers bought at the supermarket. The young people learned about how to cut the flowers and arrange them, then tied their displays with ribbons and made gift tags.
This activity gave the young people the chance to try something new while making a thoughtful gift. Everyone was eager to take part, including one young person who had previously found it difficult to join in with group activities. Everyone was very patient and kind with one another throughout the activity, and they were very proud of their beautiful bouquets. One of the young people very kindly gave her bouquet to the team at Gate.
To find out more about our Gate service, visit the link in our bio.
