More resources

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This page includes free resources related to the LEANS programme, and to neurodiversity more generally. Most are not part of the main classroom resource pack. They may be useful for educators, community members, families, and other professionals.

LEANS info flyers 

Quick info flyer for schools (Version B, April 2023) 

Spread the word about LEANS resources in a school or other organisation with our free info flyer (2 sides of A4), now updated to include information about support from the LEANS Champions, and to flag that parent/carer info is also available. This colourful flyer has basic LEANS info, but isn’t a comprehensive fact sheet—it encourages interested people to visit the website for all the details and downloads. 

Further reading 

Short neurodiversity 'explainer article' for young readers: A scientific article briefly introducing neurodiversity concepts, terms, and research examples - written by LEANS team members and colleagues from the NEST project, then peer-reviewed by young scientists. Most suitable for readers in upper primary school or early secondary. Free. 

Crompton CJ, Alcorn AM, Cebula K and Fletcher-Watson S (2024) Neurodiversity Can Explain Differences in How People Experience Everyday Life. Front. Young Minds. 12:1434143. 10.3389/frym.2024.1434143 

Neurodiversity reading lists: These lists were developed for educators and are included in the LEANS teacher handbook, but may be useful for anyone interested in learning more about neurodiversity, or deepening your understanding if you have already been introduced to the topic. They include a mix of free and paid resources - don’t forget to check for the listed books in your local library!

LEANS recommended neurodiversity readings for educators (154.88 KB PDF)

Community-suggested neurodiversity resources - updated for 2024!  This crowdsourced resource is version 2 of a list of neurodiversity-related items suggested by members of the public between Spring 2020-September 2023, via open calls for recommendations on social media and through LEANS project mailings. It focuses on resources for primary-aged children, educators, and parents. This list may help you get started with identifying neurodiversity content that meets your needs, in addition to (or instead of) the LEANS resource pack. The items on this list also cover a wider age range than LEANS itself, so it may be helpful for those who have asked about content for teens or younger children. If you are looking for resources focusing on specific diagnoses (e.g. a child-friendly book on dyslexia), you may find one here! 

Please note that this is a crowdsourced list, and IS NOT a list of items reviewed or endorsed by the LEANS project. Download the document to see more about the process of list creation.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre Book Reviews library: A list of books on topics related to learning differences and difficulties, curated and reviewed by academics working on neurodiversity research.

Book Reviews Library

Belonging in School inclusion resource

NEW in September 2023! Belonging in School is a free, downloadable resource that aims to support inclusive policy development at the individual school level, focusing particularly on including and supporting neurodivergent pupils. It is about offering a range of tools for reflection and planning - not giving schools lists of things to do.

Download Belonging in School, see the overview webinar, and find out more on the project website

Belonging in School is a ‘cousin resource’ to LEANS, developed by a team including LEANS Research and Impact Lead Dr Alyssa Alcorn, with colleagues at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.

Lists of support organisations for young people and families  

Updated for 2024! These lists include organisations relevant to neurodivergence (for example, those focusing on dyslexia, autism, and other diagnoses), and those focused on education, families, and children, because these are closest to the LEANS remit. There are separate lists for organisations based in the UK, and those based in the Republic of Ireland. We’re very pleased that this updated UK list now includes more organisations focusing on Wales and/or offering Welsh-language support.

These lists aren’t exhaustive - they are meant to be a place to start if you are looking for information or support. They do not include all organisations working in these areas, but has largely focused on larger or national-level organisations. Please note that appearance on the list does not constitute an endorsement by LEANS, or imply that the organisation has any relationship with LEANS.

LEANS information for families 

We now have a dedicated information page for parents, carers, and families.

LEANS for parents and carers