Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities. NCW 2024 is taking place from Monday 18 March - Sunday 24 March. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

The initiative began with two aims. The first, to encourage schools to recognise the strengths and talents of neurodivergent students who think and learn differently, including students who are autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or who have ADHD. The second aim, to address the lack of training classroom teachers have in identifying and supporting their students with special educational needs by providing them with free resources. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is supported and celebrated by thousands of schools, universities, organisations, charities and individuals around the world, including the UN Youth Envoy.

Over 1,400 schools and 685,000 students worldwide have signed up to participate in Neurodiversity Celebration Week through themed events, guest speakers and raising awareness. In addition, hundreds of businesses and organisations also take part, including The London Stock Exchange Group, The U.K. Ministry of Defence, Deloitte, Savills, and AstraZeneca. The U.K. Royal Navy created a video in which Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Nick Hine discussed how being autistic has benefitted him in his naval career.

History
Neurodiversity Celebration Week was started in 2018 by Siena Castellon when she was 16 year old. As an autistic student, who also has dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, she experienced significant challenges, prejudice and bullying throughout her education. Her negative educational experiences motivated her to launch Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2018 to challenge the misconceptions and stereotypes that still prevent autistic people and people with learning disabilities from reaching their potential.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week has featured on ITV News, a Carmen Sandiego series 'Fearless Kids Around the World', the BBC, The New Scientist, The Guardian, and Forbes. In 2020, Siena Castellon was selected out of over 7,000 global applicants by the United Nations to be a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a two-year role that allows her to promote her neurodiversity advocacy work and Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Awards

 * Commonwealth Youth Awards 2021 Finalist
 * The Big Issue Top 100 Changemakers 2021
 * The International Children's Peace Prize Finalist
 * Shaw Trust - 2020 Disability Power 100
 * 2020 Special Needs Jungle Awards – Person of the Year
 * 2019 European Diversity Awards – Campaigner of the Year