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The Back-to-School Toolkit: Secondary School Edition
Supporting Your Neurodivergent Teen Through the New School Year

Secondary school can feel relentless for neurodivergent teens — and for the parents supporting them.

More teachers.
 More expectations.
 More pressure to be “independent” — often without enough support.

In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education, Ruth Smoker-Cornell shares a Secondary Back-to-School Toolkit designed for parents of neurodivergent students in Years 7–12.

You’ll learn:

• Why anxiety in teens often shows up as resistance, shutdown, or refusal
• How to reduce cognitive load without removing autonomy
• Flexible organisation systems that focus on function, not perfection
• What to advocate for before problems escalate
• How to redefine what a “good start” really looks like in secondary school

This is not about pushing teens to cope alone.
 It’s about building sustainable support, wellbeing, and connection.

🎧 A calm, practical  listen for parents who want to stand beside their teen — not behind them.

For more advice, support, to book a consultation or to find out more information please visit:

The Neurodiverse Education Hub Website

You can also purchase our e-book from the website:
e-book - Navigating Education: A Parent's Guide to Choosing the Right Primary School for your Neurodivergent Child

and our

Free Brochure - Transitioning from Kindergarten to Primary School for your Neurodivergent Child