Blog

Visiting AccessAbilities Expo? Come and pause with me at Stand 4218

Short summary: AccessAbilities Expo 2026 opens tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre. Here is where to find me, and why my stand is the quietest place in the hall. By Dr Sherley Louis Tomorrow, Monday 19 October, the 8th edition of AccessAbilities Expo opens at Dubai World Trade Centre and runs until Wednesday 21 October. […]

Beyond the sensory room: why calm has to be designed into every room

Short summary: Many schools now have a sensory room, and many of those rooms are rarely used. The room is not the problem. Relying on the room is. By Dr Sherley Louis Walk into many schools today and someone will proudly show you the sensory room. Soft lights, a bubble tube, beanbags, a weighted blanket […]

Two Minutes Before the Bell: The Classroom Readiness Check

You would never walk into a lesson without a plan. The objectives are set, the resources printed, the activities ready. But do you walk in with the room ready too? Before, not after In most schools, behaviour is handled after it happens: the incident, the response, the intervention. Yet the signals almost always come first. […]

Five Weeks In: The Student You Haven’t Noticed Yet

By now, you know your class. And if we are honest, you know exactly who has taken most of your attention since August. Where our eyes go Our focus is drawn to the students whose needs are obvious: the child who disrupts the lesson, the child who can’t cope, the child who needs us right […]

School Starts at the Car Door

Every year we prepare our schools from the inside out. We paint the classrooms. We print the timetables. We order the books. We assign the duties. Then, on the first morning, we open the gate and hope the outside takes care of itself. It never does. Here is what I keep coming back to. By […]

The Real Reason Smart Students Forget What You Just Taught

How Emotional Tools Can Help Educators Understand Neurodivergent Students

A few years ago, education student Suzie Alev worked closely with a seven year old boy named Evan, who was autistic. Like many educators, she wanted to help him learn and succeed. She soon discovered that teaching Evan was not only about lessons, schedules, or academic goals. It was about understanding his emotions. As Suzie […]

Why Some Neurodivergent Students Spend the Entire School Day Trying to Hold Themselves Together

A former educator once shared the story of a student who seemed fine all day at school. He followed instructions, and stayed quiet during lessons. He rarely caused disruption. To many educators, he looked like a child who was coping well. Every afternoon, the moment he got into the car after school, he exploded […]

How to Handle Tough Behaviors by Neurodivergent Child Using Positive Techniques

The Carters has a son, named Adam. He struggled with serious tantrums at home and school. He would lash out, scream, and refuse demands. With his behavior everyone felt defeated. But then they discovered a positive twist. They used behavior charts, praise, and a breathing strategy before meltdowns hit. Within weeks, Adam’s outbursts dropped. He […]

Why Inclusion at Home Is the Key to Unlock Your Child’s Potentials

When Sara’s son, Lucas, was diagnosed with autism at age three, the world went quiet. The school system gave her more labels than solutions. One educator even suggested Lucas might “never read or write like the other kids.” However Sara believed otherwise. She decided to homeschool. At first, it was hard. Lucas would avoid eye […]

Five Ways to Support Your Adult Neurodivergent Child

“I had no roadmap, it was just love, and a lot of trial and error.” That is what Cynthia said when she talked about her 24-year-old son, Devon, who is autistic and learning to live more independently. When Devon turned 18, it didn’t magically get easier. In fact, Cynthia says the hardest part came after […]

How to Truly Celebrate Your Child This Autism Acceptance Month

They said your child couldn’t learn like others. They told you to look for alternative centers. But deep down, you know your child is special. Not just because of autism, but because of who they are. And now, it’s Autism Acceptance Month. Everyone is posting gold ribbons. Sharing facts. Lighting up buildings. But you want […]

5 Key Benefits of Creating a curriculum for your child.

A short story about Sonya and her son. I want to share a personal story with you. I have a friend, let’s call her Sonya, who was struggling to find the right curriculum for her son. You see, her son, Alex, is suffering from autism. He was having a hard time staying engaged with the […]

5 Ways to Support Your Child’s Education at Home

As a parent, you want the best for your child’s education and future success. While teachers play a vital role, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. By being actively involved in their learning process at home, you can support their growth and academic achievement significantly. Here are five effective ways to nurture […]

What Schools Need to Understand About Sensory Overload

When the School Environment Becomes Overwhelming Inclusive education begins with relationship, attunement, and the willingness to see the world through each learner’s eyes. What if many of the behaviors we see every day in our schools are not defiance, avoidance, or a lack of motivation, but something far more important that we have been missing? […]