NSCSW Lunch & Learn: Sensory reels — Neurodivergence in the classroom

Описание: On December 10, 2025, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) invited members to learn ways to better understand neurodivergence and how to make supportive adaptations in social work practice.

Neurodivergence refers to a broad spectrum of significant differences in the way an individual’s brain functions. Societal understandings often reflect diagnoses such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. While differences throughout the neurodivergence spectrum vary widely, sensory processing differences are common throughout, influencing the way that neurodivergent individuals can show up in their own lives.

This lunch & learn took attendees through the process and findings of a research study exploring the sensory experiences of neurodivergent post-secondary students at Cape Breton University. Together, participants explored the implications of sensory experiences reflected in the built environment and management of post-secondary education, centering lived experience voices through short films and first voice presenters.

While the research focuses on sensory experiences at CBU, we also reflectedupon the avenues that we, as social workers and allied health professionals, are able to enact change and uphold accessibility rights across Nova Scotia, and how we’re able to integrate this knowledge into our daily practices.


Facilitators

Dr. Alison Grittner holds a PhD in social work. Previously educated in architecture, arts, and history, her transdisciplinary research involves working alongside structurally vulnerable communities to reimagine, codesign, and reconstruct everyday environments towards equity. Her longstanding work within the disability community focuses on understanding and communicating across abilities and lived experiences.

Chelsea Butler, MSW, RSW (she/her) is a therapist, researcher, and educator who is passionate about offering and advocating for inclusive, trauma-informed, and equitable services. Her specialty areas include Neurodivergence, chronic illness, cancer, and health care access through micro, mezzo, and macro applications.

Kate Power recently completed a Bachelor of Social Work at Cape Breton University and will graduate this spring.

Nicole McKinnon is from Cape Breton and is enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Cape Breton University.


Resource links

Presentation slides: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG6iwFv...
NSCSW safe(r) social work framework https://nscsw.org/about/safer-framework
NSCSW Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice (2026) http://nscsw.org/standards


Tracking professional development

For members of NSCSW, viewing and reflecting on this recording is eligible towards their annual requirements professional development related to anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. Members who've already completed those requirements for the year can track it as formal learning instead; a sample attestation template can be downloaded at https://nscsw.org/nscsw-attestation-o... for optional use as a verification document.

Visit https://nscsw.org/pd for more information about the professional development requirements for Nova Scotia social workers.

Land acknowledgement

Mi’kma’ki is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq, whose inherent rights were recognized in the Peace and Friendship Treaties that were signed from 1725 to 1779. This series of treaties did not surrender Indigenous land, resources or sovereignty to the British Empire, but instead established rules for an ongoing relationship between nations. The treaties were later reaffirmed by Canada in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and remain active to this day. The NSCSW joins our members and our communities in the labour of reconciliation, and we are grateful to live and work together as treaty people in Mi’kma’ki.