Neurodevelopmental Differentiation

“Andrew Fuller and Lucy Fuller have taken a practical but fact-based approach to the emerging work on neurodiversity and its implications for teaching and learning. As they state, we all dream of schools where ‘everyone gets smart,’ and for me, that means the students as well as the teachers, staff, and leaders who also inhabit those walls. This book, therefore, is for all of us to study and assess students from a positive point of view while we are also determining our own learning biases in leading classrooms and entire schools toward lasting achievements. Instead of taking us down the road of traditional student learning deficit planning, the authors encourage us to capitalize on student learning strengths as a way to cross-fertilize into other learning areas that are not quite as strong. Both teachers and school leaders will appreciate the logical, approachable way the authors not only develop an understanding of each learning strength but also share specific suggestions on how to build on that strength to strengthen the others. This book will become a useful differentiation manual to honor and capitalize on the beauty of each individual in our service and care.”

“Educators will want this strengths-based tool kit to help all students move from ‘I think I get it’ to ‘I’ve got it!’ every day. The neurodevelopmental differentiation strategies in this book provide the scaffolding for every student’s high-achievement journey. In other words, learning gets easier, and the brain’s processing centers get more efficient. For each brain system, or set of learning strengths, Andrew Fuller and Lucy Fuller give readers descriptions, characteristics, checklists, and how-tos for maximizing the brain’s capability for learning; the means to ‘cross-fertilize’ among the other brain systems; and at-home strategies for parents. What a gold mine of a book—a teacher’s dream to meet unique learning needs and increase motivation for every single student in the classroom!”

“In this book, Andrew Fuller and Lucy Fuller merge neuroscience and best practices to inform teacher pedagogy. When teaching becomes more intentional and transparent, students develop agency for their own learning experience. They understand their own cognitive strengths and how to leverage those strengths to lead meaningful lives in and beyond the classroom.”

“As research about brain science continues to deepen our understanding of how we learn, educators continuously improve their strategies, approaches, and systems to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Those who are looking to involve teachers, students, and families in harnessing the power of the brain to maximize and personalize student learning need look no further! Neurodevelopmental Differentiation: Optimizing Brain Systems to Maximize Learning provides a clear road map toward deep personalized learning. Andrew Fuller and Lucy Fuller’s strengths-based approach involves knowing our students’ learning strengths, cultivating those strengths to build additional areas of success, implementing strategies to deliberately differentiate instruction, and empowering learners to reflect on their growth and celebrate their learning.”