A key feature of neurodiversity is affording all humans a neutral and balanced understanding of their development and lived experience. However, in early childhood spaces, just knowing that a child has a developmental difference or disability can lead to educators only focusing on deficits, delays or impairments. The holistic profile is a framework for affording all children a balanced understanding of:

 

• Interests and Personal Motivations

• Unique Strengths

• Traits (and symptoms where appropriate)

• Differences 

• Needs 

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When we think about children through this holistic framework, we provide more opportunities to build on interests and strengths in order to meet differences and needs. The below overview and tools can be applied to your everyday practice.

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The below framework provides some initial prompts for embracing the holistic profile along with a downloadable tool.