Diverse Pathways

Welcome to the Diverse Pathways for Early Childhood

Diverse Pathways of Development is a strengths-led, neurodiversity-affirming project offering developmental insights that honour the lived experiences of neurodivergent children. Grounded in early years expertise, disability justice, and collective advocacy, we are not here to fix the SEN(D) system, we are here to reimagine it entirely.

Our mission is to resource educators, parents x carers, therapists, and professionals with accessible guidance and continuing education that upholds ethical, affirming, and non-pathologising practice. We support those working with neurodivergent children to shift from deficit-based models toward developmental frameworks that affirm difference, dignity, and possibility.

IN SOLIDARITY STATEMENT

Diverse Pathways of Development is rooted in values of justice, equity, care, and liberation. We affirm the rights of all children to live, play, learn, and thrive, free from violence, occupation, and systemic oppression.

As a collective committed to neurodiversity-affirming practice and anti-oppressive approaches, we recognise that child development cannot be separated from the contexts in which children live. We cannot speak about neurodiversity without acknowledging that we live in a time of horrific atrocities being committed against children globally including Palestine, Sudan and the Congo. It is a human rights emergency which has profound and devastating impacts.

We are currently in the process of forming a collective response as a team, which will reflect our commitment to justice, care, and international solidarity. This is part of a broader reflection on how our work must not only affirm individual differences, but also stand against systemic harm.

We believe that advocating for peace, dignity, and freedom for all children. Early education is not and must never be politically neutral.

CHILDREN NOT NUMBERS