10 Steps to a Neurodivergent-Friendly Classroom
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Ten simple steps. Countless positive impacts. Supporting neurodivergent students in schools has never been more urgent, nor more challenging. Amid rising need, limited resources, and shifting policy expectations, educators are under increasing pressure to create inclusive classrooms that are both effective and sustainable. This practical guide is designed to meet that challenge head-on.
Drawing on thousands of hours of training delivered to teachers, teaching assistants, and school leaders, education expert Pooky Knightsmith distils the core principles of a neurodivergent friendly classroom into ten clear, actionable steps. Aligned with current education policy, including the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme and the move towards needs-led support, this guide equips staff at every level to strengthen understanding, embed inclusive routines, and create learning environments where all pupils can thrive.
Each step offers immediately usable strategies, including "try this in the moment" boxes, classroom worksheets, and whole school team reflections. Written in Pooky's trademark warm, accessible style, this is a highly practical resource for anyone looking to make your classroom calmer, more predictable, and more responsive for neurodivergent students.
Drawing on thousands of hours of training delivered to teachers, teaching assistants, and school leaders, education expert Pooky Knightsmith distils the core principles of a neurodivergent friendly classroom into ten clear, actionable steps. Aligned with current education policy, including the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme and the move towards needs-led support, this guide equips staff at every level to strengthen understanding, embed inclusive routines, and create learning environments where all pupils can thrive.
Each step offers immediately usable strategies, including "try this in the moment" boxes, classroom worksheets, and whole school team reflections. Written in Pooky's trademark warm, accessible style, this is a highly practical resource for anyone looking to make your classroom calmer, more predictable, and more responsive for neurodivergent students.
- Published: Oct 21 2026
- Pages: 272
- ISBN: 9781399837569
Press Reviews
Cathy Wassell
Founder, Autistic Girls Network charity and The Haven specialist online school & author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young PersonPooky's ten steps are practical, principled, and long overdue. This is the book I'll be recommending to every school we work with.
Hannah Clarke
Director and Clinical Lead, Insight Psychological Assessments LtdThis book reflects everything I value in supporting neurodivergent children. It combines practical wisdom with deep compassion and understanding. It is full of thoughtful, achievable ideas that will help neurodivergent children flourish.
Neal Collard FCCT and Meic Griffiths FCCT, Directors of LeAFE Training
This book is a standout resource for educators at every stage and is loaded with trademark Dr Pooky goodness! It combines clear, research-informed guidance with practical, classroom-ready strategies that actually work and can be adapted to all classroom situations. The structure is intuitive, the examples are authentic, and the tools are easy to implement without overwhelming your planning time. As professionals who work day in day out with all flavours of SEN, we especially value how it centres student thinking and provides flexible routines. This is the book to keep within arm's reach.
Sam Wood, Co-Headteacher, Queen's Croft High School
Grounding theory in everyday practice is always the hard part, and this book actually does it. Pooky's ten steps aren't aspirational, they're the small, achievable shifts that make a real difference for neurodivergent pupils in a busy classroom.
Paul Dix, teacher, leader, teacher trainer, and author of When the Adults Change, Everything Changes
Pooky's deeply insightful guidance is teaching gold dust. Practical and reflective, it blends reasonable adjustments seamlessly with your teaching style. A book you will return to many times for many different children.
Hannah Cresswell, Advisory Teacher for Autistic Children & Young People, BELS
Written in her friendly style, Pooky turns big concepts into clear and practical steps that can be used by any teacher to thoughtfully understand and support neurodivergent young people in a meaningful way.
Gareth D Morewood, former SENCo, currently Education Advisor to Studio III
10 Steps to a Neurodivergent-Friendly Classroom by Pooky Knightsmith is a highly practical guide that will support anyone involved in education create more inclusive, supportive learning environments for neurodivergent pupils. Having known Pooky for a number of years, I am always amazed at how she continues to keep things relevant and offer new insights; this new book certainly doesn't disappoint; offering straightforward, low-cost strategies that will make a positive difference for all pupils, particularly those with additional needs.
Nerys Hughes (CEO) Whole Child Therapy
Pooky is passionate about creating classrooms where neuro-divergent children can thrive. This invaluable guide brilliantly distils inclusive practice into ten actionable steps. It equips educators with the practical, compassionate tools needed to create calm, needs-led environments where every student truly flourishes.