Building Our New Normal: Brain-Based Education

Students across Michigan and the nation are facing a dual crisis: declining academic performance and worsening mental health. Michigan ranks below the national average in both reading and math, while rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among youth continue to rise. These challenges affect both neurotypical and neurodivergent students, yet schools lack comprehensive education that addresses the cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of learning. More than 40,000 Michiganders live with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but stigma persists, depriving them of inclusion and equitable support. To address these gaps, we designed a K–12 curriculum that introduces students to key concepts in brain development, emotional regulation, and common NDDs such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Through age specifc lessons, students will learn inclusive communication strategies and develop empathy toward peers with diverse learning abilities. While formal evaluations have not been conducted, this curriculum provides comprehensive lesson plans that improve mental health awareness, increase academic performance, and enhance classroom inclusion. This type of model can address an urgent issue in both education and public health, while giving youth the ability and knowledge to be compassionate leaders in their communities. While education about neurodiversity does not guarantee these outcomes, it may be part of the solution.