Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  best resources for supporting neurodivergent kids in an outdoor ed setting

    Posted 07-11-2025 11:25:00 AM

    Hi, all. What are some of your favorite resources for how to best support neurodivergent kids in an outdoor classroom, garden, or forest classroom setting? 



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    Em Shipman (she/her)
    Executive Director
    KidsGardening
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  • 2.  RE: best resources for supporting neurodivergent kids in an outdoor ed setting

    Posted 07-18-2025 12:42:00 PM

    I put a 3x3 raised Bug Bed in the garden full of rolly pollies, and another bed full of clay heavy native soil. Our neurodivergent students (and others with special needs) generally head straight for these two beds when they're distracted, escalated, or just need their hands occupied while listening to the lesson. Handling the soil and the bugs  is steadying and just kinda wonderful. Most all the students love it. TK-6



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    Kathleen Deyling
    4158680631
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: best resources for supporting neurodivergent kids in an outdoor ed setting

    Posted 07-21-2025 09:09:00 AM

    The American Horticultural Society recently released a Youth Sensory Gardening Manual that is a good overall guide for creating and using sensory gardens. I have shared this with our resource counselors to encourage counselors to use the outdoor spaces at our schools and to collaborate with our schools in creating these spaces by communicating how they can use these spaces with the students they support. The document is downloadable for free.

    AHS-Youth-Sensory-Gardening-Manual.pdf



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    [Karen] [Taylor]
    [Get2Green Support Specialist]
    [Fairfax County Public Schools]
    [Fairfax] [VA]
    [She,Her]
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    Original Message


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