OU academics develop new hub to support neurodivergent children

The Open University has launched a new online hub designed to help parents, carers and educators better support neurodivergent children, developed with academics from the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies.

At the heart of the Supporting Neurodivergent Children Hub is the expertise of OU academics from the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport, Mel Green and Dr Poppy Gibson, who draw on their academic expertise in education as well as their personal experiences of raising and teaching neurodivergent children. The hub brings together practical strategies, lived experiences and learning resources to support those caring for and working with neurodivergent children.

With increasing awareness and diagnosis of neurodiversity across the UK, many families and education professionals are seeking guidance on how best to support children with different needs and strengths. The new hub aims to provide accessible advice to help create supportive and inclusive environments for children.

Practical strategies and resources

A key feature of the hub is a free toolkit offering practical strategies that can be used both at home and in educational settings.

Mel Green, Lecturer in Education Studies, said:

“When my son was diagnosed as neurodivergent, I wished someone would just hand me a manual. Something practical, honest, and empowering. Something that didn't pathologise my child but gave me real tools to support him. That resource didn't exist, so I helped create it. The bit I'm most proud of? It treats parents as the experts on their own children. Because we are.”

Dr Poppy Gibson, Lecturer in Education, added:

“We hope this toolkit offers not just practical daily strategies and accessible info, but makes space for safe conversations around neurodiversity, and continues to dissolve the stigma around what neurodivergence means.”