Out of the Box A one-stop guide to navigating neurodivergence

by Sparrow, Rebecca; King, Madonna

• ISBN13: 9780702268779
• ISBN10: 0702268771
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-01-29
• Publisher: University of Queensland Press

Summary

An increasing number of Australian children are being diagnosed with variations in their brain development. These can include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and dyslexia. Authors Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow have surveyed and interviewed almost 2000 Australians – including medical experts, educators, neurodivergent children and their parents – to gather together the best and most useful tips to ensure neurodivergent children take their rightful place in classrooms and beyond. Out of the Box offers best-practice advice on navigating diagnosis and ongoing challenges, such as finding friends and learning at school. It also provides vital advice for teens, including driving, living independently and applying for jobs. This essential guide provides hope, insight and practical help for the neurodivergent child’ s journey and the parents, teachers, friends and family who share it.

Author Biography

Rebecca Sparrow is a teen educator, the author of six books and the host of ABC’ s Parental As Anything, Teens podcast. Each year, Bec speaks to thousands of tweens and teens (and their parents) about how to recognise and nurture strong friendships, navigate conflict and set healthy boundaries. Her online friendship webinars are watched in lounge rooms across the world. Bec is also an ambassador for The Lady Musgrave Trust, which provides support and services to young women facing homelessness. Learn more at rebeccasparrow.com. Madonna King is an award-winning journalist and author, whose understanding of teenage lives is valued through speaking and writing engagements across the nation. As a journalist and commentator, she continues to work across TV, radio and online, and all her books are based on hundreds of expert interviews. Her best-selling parenting books give a voice to tweens and teens aged 8– 18 and include Ten-Ager, Being 14, Fathers and Daughters, L Platers and Saving our Kids. Madonna travels Australia, talking to school communities and students about the challenges that mark their teen years.

Table of Contents

Glossary ix A Note on Language xv Introduction: The Starting Line 1 1. Diagnosis, Labels and Language 9 PART I: FRIENDSHIPS 33 2. Friendships in Primary School 35 3. Friendships in High School 52 4. Schoolyard Dynamics 73 PART II: EDUCATION 85 5. Finding the Right School 87 6. The Power of a Teacher 106 7. To the Principal’ s Office 124 8. From the Teacher’ s Desk 141 PART III: SPREADING YOUR WINGS 159 9. Join a Club and Get the Golden Ticket 161 10. A Family Affair 172 11. Life After School 187 12. Dating and Driving 210 PART IV: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT 223 13. NDIS and the New Landscape 225 14. Research and the Way Ahead 238 Resources 252 Acknowledgements 274 Index 277