📘 Chapter 5 – Autism, ADHD & Neurodiversity (Module 4)

 

1. 📘 EASY READ VERSION (WITH SYMBOL PROMPTS)

🧠 Autism and ADHD

 

🧩 Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affect how the brain works

 

👶 They start in childhood

 

🧠 They affect learning, behaviour, and daily life

 

👉 Think: Different brain styles, not “wrong” brains

 

🌈 Neurodiversity

 

🧠 Neurodiversity means all brains are different

 

👥 Some people are neurotypical (typical development)

🧩 Some people are neurodivergent (different development)

 

✨ This includes:

• Autism

• ADHD

• Dyslexia

• Dyspraxia

 

👉 Think: Different ways of thinking = strengths + challenges

 

🧩 Autism (ASD)

 

🧠 People with autism may:

• Prefer routines and structure

• Find social situations difficult

• Have strong interests

• Be sensitive to noise, light, or touch

 

🔁 Like things to stay the same

 

⚡ ADHD

 

🧠 People with ADHD may:

• Find it hard to focus

• Be very active (hyperactive)

• Act quickly (impulsive)

 

🎯 Like new and exciting things

 

🔄 Autism + ADHD (AuDHD)

 

🧠 Some people have both autism and ADHD

 

⚖️ They may feel:

• Want routine (autism)

• Want change (ADHD)

 

😵 This can feel confusing

 

🏠 Everyday Life

 

People may find it harder to:

🧑‍🏫 Learn in school

🍳 Do daily tasks

🗣️ Talk to others

 

✅ With support, people can do very well

 

💬 Mental Health

 

🧠 People may also experience:

 

• 😰 Anxiety – feeling worried

• 😔 Depression – feeling sad

 

💡 This is often because of:

• Stress

• Feeling different

• Not being understood

 

🧠 The Nervous System

 

🧬 The nervous system controls how the body and brain work

 

📡 It sends messages around the body

 

⚡ In autism and ADHD:

• Messages may be processed differently

• This can affect behaviour, focus, and emotions

 

⏰ ADHD and Time

 

People with ADHD may:

⏳ Struggle with time

📚 Miss deadlines

😰 Feel stressed

 

✅ Support helps (timers, reminders, structure)

 

✅ Important Message

 

💚 People are not broken

💚 They learn differently

💚 With the right support, they can succeed

 

2. 🎓 POWERPOINT SLIDE CONTENT

Slide 1 – Title

 

Autism, ADHD & Neurodiversity

 

Slide 2 – What Are They?

 

• Brain-based conditions

• Start in childhood

• Affect learning and behaviour

 

Slide 3 – Neurodiversity

 

• All brains are different

• Neurotypical vs Neurodivergent

• Includes Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia

 

Slide 4 – Autism

 

• Social differences

• Needs routine

• Sensory sensitivities

 

Slide 5 – ADHD

 

• Inattention

• Hyperactivity

• Impulsivity

 

Slide 6 – Overlap (AuDHD)

 

• Some people have both

• Routine vs change conflict

• Shared challenges

 

Slide 7 – Daily Life

 

• School challenges

• Communication

• Daily tasks

 

Slide 8 – Mental Health

 

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Emotional stress

 

Slide 9 – Nervous System

 

• Controls body and brain

• Processes information

• Works differently in neurodivergence

 

Slide 10 – ADHD & Time

 

• Difficulty with deadlines

• Needs structure

• Benefits from support tools

 

Slide 11 – Key Message

 

• Different, not broken

• Strengths + challenges

• Support helps people succeed

 

3. 📝 WORKSHEET

Match the Word

Autism

ADHD

Neurodiversity

 

A. Difficulty with focus and impulsivity

B. Differences in communication and routine

C. Different brain styles

 

Fill in the Blanks

Autism and ADHD affect the ______

Neurodiversity means all brains are ______

ADHD can affect ______ and attention

True or False

Autism is a mental illness (True / False)

ADHD affects attention (True / False)

Neurodiversity means brains are different (True / False)

4. ✅ ANSWER SHEET

 

Match the Word:

1 – B

2 – A

3 – C

 

Fill in the Blanks:

 

brain

different

time

 

True or False:

 

False

True

True

5. 🎨 VISUAL DIAGRAM PAGE (DESCRIPTION)

 

Create a simple diagram:

 

🧠 Brain in center → label “Neurodiversity”

 

Arrows to:

• Autism (routine, sensory)

• ADHD (focus, energy)

 

Add:

• Emotions (anxiety, depression)

• Nervous system (signals/messages)

 

6. 👩‍🏫 TEACHING ACTIVITY

Activity: “Different Brains, Different Strengths”

 

You will need:

• Paper

• Pens

 

Steps:

 

Write one challenge (e.g. focus)

Write one strength (e.g. creativity)

Share or discuss

 

👉 Helps understanding and empathy

 

7. 💡 ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

 

• Use large font (14–18+)

• Use symbols and visuals

• Keep sentences short

• Use bullet points

• Avoid jargon

 

🌐 Helpful Websites (Add-on Section)

 

• National Institutes of Health

• CDC

• Autism Speaks

• CHADD