Embracing neurodiversity : a social work approach to building inclusive schools and communities / Sara Rodrigues.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rodrigues, Sara, author.

Series:

Oxford workshop series (School Social Work Association of America)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Neurodivergent children--Education.

Neurodivergent children.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations.

illustration

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2026]

Summary:

'Embracing Neurodiversity' offers a transformative framework for reimagining how educators, clinicians, and social workers support neurodivergent students. Grounded in social work values and the human rights model of disability, this book bridges research and practice to challenge compliance-based systems and cultivate environments where every learner can thrive. Drawing from lived experience, clinical insight, and current scholarship, Dr Sara Rodrigues invites readers to move beyond awareness toward action by integrating strengths-based, affirming, and trauma-informed approaches into everyday school practice. The book explores the intersection of theory and application, guiding readers through key areas such as identity and language, sensory and emotional regulation, peer connection, dedicated interests, and the systemic inequities that shape neurodivergent students' experiences.

Contents:

Models of disability

Language as a starting point

The neurodiversity paradigm

Communication

Recognizing strengths and challenges across neurodivergent profiles

Revisiting the theory of mind narrative

Centering dignity, strength, and self-determination

Applying the person-in-environment framework

Cultural humility in neurodiversity affirming practice

Accessible design for learning

Communication justice as a social work imperative

Reframing service

Person-centered practice

Applying critical disability studies in practice

Environmental fit and the ecology of inclusion

Narrative theory and the reclamation of neurodivergent identity

Intersectionality

Intersectionality as praxis in inclusive social work

Gender, masking, and the performance of acceptability

Neurodivergence and socioeconomic class

Neurodivergent cultural communication at the intersection of race

Cultural humility and reflexivity in practice

Advocacy in special education systems

Reorienting the system: unpacking bias

Beyond compliance

Reimagining behavior support in schools

Rethinking social intelligence

Modeling youth-adult relationships.

Accessible design for learning

Culturally responsive and sustaining practice

Designing accessible and inclusive social emotional learning

Transformative social emotional learning

Centering sensory inclusivity and student voice in neurodiversity-affirming SEL

Sustaining the work: burnout, compassion fatigue, and systemic support

Reciprocal inclusion

Social skills training

Cross-neurotype learning

Performative inclusion and the burden of adaptation

Authentic social development

Peer relationships and dedicated interests

Honoring dedicated interests as pathways to learning and connection

Peer rejection and bullying

Restorative practices and regulation-informed discipline

Reimagining family engagement through a neurodiversity lens

Supporting neurodivergent caregivers

Individual and in-session strategies

Spotlighting communication diversity as a strategy

Predictability

Sensory regulation

Executive functioning

Narrative work

Crisis intervention through a neurodiversity-affirming lens

Affirming report writing

Bridging individual work to systemic change

School social workers as policy advocates

Building coalitions and cross-system partnerships

Advocacy in a shifting political landscape

The ethical imperative of action.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (Oxford Academic, viewed on September 16, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version :

ISBN:

9780197843413

0197843417

OCLC:

1601042311

Publisher Number:

CIPO000408933

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license