Every Child Learns Differently

Let’s get real for a moment—kids don’t all learn the same way. They never have, and they never will.

Some kids thrive with flashcards and memorization. Others need to move, build, talk it out, or learn through real-life experiences. And some—especially kids on the spectrum—need something totally different: a teacher who is willing to take the time to understand how their brain works. But it’s important to remember that it’s not just kids on the spectrum who struggle with traditional, one-size-fits-all teaching methods. Even many neurotypical children find that the standard approach doesn’t always serve them well. Every child deserves an approach that meets them where they are.

That kind of teacher? The one who really sees you? They can change a life. I know, because one changed mine.

It wasn’t until 8th grade that I finally had a teacher who didn’t just teach at me—they taught to me. They took the time to figure out how my brain worked, what clicked for me, and what didn’t. They didn’t shame me when I struggled to learn in the “normal” way. Instead, they helped me find my own version of thriving—even if it looked unconventional. Actually, especially because it looked unconventional.

But here’s the heartbreaking truth: most kids never get that.

So many teachers are overwhelmed, under-resourced, and expected to teach 25+ kids using one method. They stick to the textbook. They do what they were taught. But what they weren’t taught is how to adapt. How to meet kids where they are. How to look at a child who’s “struggling” and realize—it’s not the child failing. It’s the method.

Kids on the spectrum, as well as countless neurotypical youngsters, are often the first to be left behind in this system. Because they don’t respond to standard strategies, they’re too often written off as disinterested or simply incapable of "keeping up." But that couldn’t be further from the truth. These kids are trying so hard—and many are just waiting for one adult to say, “Hey, I see you. Let’s figure this out together.”

And no, this isn’t easy. It might take 10 extra minutes a day. It might involve teamwork among teachers, therapists, or parents. It might mean failing a few times before you find what works. But isn’t that what teaching should be about? Helping each child find their way to thrive?

What if more teachers were trained to do this? What if teacher preparation programs emphasized adaptability and neurodiversity just as much as test scores and lesson plans? What if we created schools that prepared teachers to nurture real kids—regardless of whether they fit a conventional mold?

The truth is: it will take a team of dedicated educators, a shift in mindset, and a whole lot of heart. But if we want to raise a generation of kids who believe in themselves, who know they’re capable, and who feel seen and supported, we have to start teaching like every brain matters. Because it does.

And who knows? That little bit of extra time and effort might be the very thing that changes a child’s life forever—just like it changed mine.