Those who experience a condition linked to neurodevelopmental disorders often experience moments of loneliness and invisibility, which can translate into social and school discomfort. This malaise can in turn feed a vicious circle in which the person with neurodevelopmental disorders tends to avoid situations that could highlight his or her difficulties, severely limiting his or her social participation and, consequently, his or her inclusion at school and in society.
Disclosure, if properly managed and accompanied, can become a crucial tool towards clearer and more inclusive relationships. Sharing one's condition with peers, especially classmates, leads to several benefits. In particular, it reduces shame and guilt, promotes the serene use of compensatory tools, such as tablets or conceptual maps, perceived as necessary and not privileges, promotes more transparent relationships between peers, reduces the risk of bullying and prepares for future academic and work situations by developing self-advocacy, i.e. the ability to express one's needs assertively.
The project ‘Each in his or her own way: improving the well-being of male and female students with SLD through awareness-raising and didactic innovation’, in which the middle school in Cevio is involved, is part of this direction. Through practical experiences and the development of inclusive teaching methods, the project is aimed at understanding the everyday difficulties of students with neurodiversity.