Book: Neurodiversity in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2016/02/11 - Updated: 2025/05/31
Publication Type: Literature / Review
Category Topic: Neurodiversity - Neurodivergent - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This book, Neurodiversity in the Classroom: Strength-Based Strategies to Help Students with Special Needs Achieve Success in School and Life by Thomas Armstrong, presents a compelling framework for educators to shift from a deficit-focused approach to one that celebrates the diverse strengths of students with conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Armstrong, a seasoned educator with over 40 years of experience, draws on cutting-edge research to propose a strength-based model, offering practical strategies like positive niche construction to create supportive classroom environments.
The book's authority stems from Armstrong's extensive background as a special education teacher and consultant, combined with its grounding in scientific studies and real-world applications. It's a valuable resource for teachers, parents, and administrators seeking to foster inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities, by highlighting their unique abilities and providing actionable tools to help them thrive in school and beyond - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
ASCD is pleased to announce the release of Neurodiversity in the Classroom: Strength-Based Strategies to Help Students with Special Needs Succeed in School and Life by seasoned educator and best-selling author Thomas Armstrong. This new professional development book is available in paperback and e-book formats.
Neurodiversity in the Classroom shifts the focus of special education discourse from disability to diversity and explains how regular and special education teachers can create environments that nurture and amplify the unique strengths of students with special needs.
Main Content
Confronted year after year by the dilemma of providing support to kids in an environment that identifies them by negative attributes, special education teacher Thomas Armstrong saw a need for dramatic change in how we approach teaching students with special needs.
In Neurodiversity in the Classroom, Armstrong offers cutting-edge research on the strengths of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders. He also explains how instead of looking for ways to remediate students' problems, educators can construct positive, strength-based ecosystems - or niches - where these students can flourish.
Armstrong's innovative book explains and models how to use seven basic components of positive niche construction to integrate students and help them succeed. Readers will learn about each student group's positive attributes, connect with stories of neurodiverse adults who excel, and discover computer apps and strength-based learning strategies that can serve to support students.
Thomas Armstrong has been an educator for the past 40 years. He worked for several years as a special education teacher in the United States and Canada, developed courses in human development for colleges and universities in the San Francisco Bay area, and served as an educational consultant for schools in New York State. He is the author of 15 books, translated into 26 languages. For the past 26 years, he has been an author, keynote speaker, and workshop leader in 43 states and 20 countries.
This practical guide also enables readers to explore career paths that utilize students' gifts as well as discover existing support networks to tap into. Educators in states implementing the Common Core State Standards will also find tips on integrating strategies with the new standards.
"This is a must read for all educators ready to help each neurodiverse student flourish and understand his or her unique gifts," said ASCD CEO and Executive Director Dr. Gene R. Carter.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Thomas Armstrong's work challenges educators to rethink how we approach neurodiverse students, urging a move away from outdated, one-size-fits-all models toward environments that nurture individual strengths. By focusing on what students can do rather than what they can't, this book offers a practical roadmap for creating classrooms where every learner feels valued and capable. Its emphasis on evidence-based strategies and real-life examples makes it a vital tool for building truly inclusive education systems. As schools grapple with rising diversity in student needs, Armstrong's insights provide a timely reminder that embracing neurodiversity isn't just about accommodation - it's about recognizing the unique contributions each student brings to the table - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.