Students with diverse needs require teachers with a diverse set of skills. Neurodivergent students with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and executive function disorders can succeed with intervention and accommodation, but they need teachers and school staff with the training to serve their unique needs in an inclusive school community.

Specialists trained in techniques to improve executive function skills can improve student outcomes by directly addressing many of the unique challenges they face. But even non-specialist educators can benefit from training to better handle neurodivergent students. That is where professional development training provided by independent education specialists can help.

School administrators have only so many resources. As a former district-level administrator from a large school district, I understand the limits schools face. But that is why outside, independent training consultations are so valuable. Instead of devoting resources to hiring specialists, districts can continue to be fiscally responsible by training their existing faculty, administrators, and classroom teachers, and districts can augment that work by holding sessions for parents.

Here are some of the reasons hiring an outside consultant will make sense for your school:

Professional Training Is An Affordable Solution

Meeting state and federal requirements is not an easy task, especially when educating students with neurodivergent conditions who require accommodations and specialized instruction. We know district leaders want schools to succeed, and we know they want students to succeed, but resources are always in short supply.

That is why there is often funding to pay for supplemental professional training through grant programs. Grant funding, particularly IDEA funding, is a great way to pay for outside training and often is not available for expanding full-time staff members. Consultants are a service, and usually qualify. And since a consultant is not a full-time employee, there are no benefits or long-term costs for bringing them into the school, and no recurring line item to pay month over month, year over year.

Another cost-effective way of extending value for schools is through a mix of hybrid training sessions. That is why at Abramo Advising, I developed a four-week cycle that combines in-person training, virtual training, and asynchronous training to maximize the benefit to participants at a minimal cost to school districts. I also developed half-day and full-day programs that can lay the foundations for improving outcomes in quick, intensive training–and this also reduces the overall costs by shortening the time spent on trainings.

Flexibility and Customization

Drawing on independent consultants also provides greater flexibility to meet the needs of your school. Curriculum can be customized based on the students enrolled at the time and the needs of your department. Creating customized lessons avoids the pitfalls of the one-size-fits-all training and makes for a more engaging experience. Educators learn new skills and gain practical solutions for their specific needs.

Full-time staff members often have a broad set of skills–and this is essential for day-to-day schooling. But students with executive function disorders often need specialized skills that may not be evident to staff accustomed to standard teaching practices.

I begin my four-week sessions with an in-person assessment precisely because every school has a unique set of needs to address. This approach also keeps the training program more engaging for participants because I can speak directly to their needs.

Broader Experience

Consultants also typically have more experience and draw from a wider number of case studies. That means an independent training consultant is more likely to have encountered the same types of challenges faced by the educators in your institution.

For example, as a training professional and certified coach, I draw on experiences from working in a classroom, as a district-level supervisor, as a state-level consultant, college professor, and from working with private clients. I specialize in training teachers, particularly in best practices to support students with diverse needs in both general and special education settings. Since I also work directly with neurodiverse students across different teaching platforms, I have encountered just about every kind of challenge facing neurodivergent students. My first-hand knowledge of their needs allows me to translate these experiences into pragmatic and tangible action items.

Objective Perspectives

More importantly, outside consultants bring an objective perspective to the needs of the educators in your school. Internal team members may be hesitant to speak up when they see a problem develop, either because they are concerned about personal relationships with their coworkers, or over concern it might present difficulties in their professional careers.

As an outside party, I can assess, objectively, the strengths and areas of need of your team members and build a customized program to improve teacher self-efficacy, while directly supporting student success.

Faster to Deploy

Training programs can also help existing teachers get up to speed faster than hiring a dedicated staff member. Whether it is a single-day session or a four-week cycle, training sessions from outside contractors use your existing resources–people already in the classroom– and impart techniques that they can start using the next day to help their students.

I have already built out the framework for many different training programs and delivered those programs to hundreds of participants. Even with the time it takes to create customized lesson plans, executing this programming can happen faster than the hiring process to bring on a full-time, specialized staff member.

Reaching neurodiverse students requires a unique set of skills. You and your staff can learn them.

Students with diverse needs can succeed with the right structure and assistance. Sometimes their needs require extra attention or a different approach to teaching them. Most educators know the broad stroke overview, but lack specific training for commonly diagnosed disabilities like ADHD, dyslexia, and executive function disorders. That's why outside consultants can support your staff, and that's how Abramo Advising can help.

I offer programming designed for teachers with students who have executive function disorders and neurodivergent learning challenges. My approach is practical–my years teaching, administering on local and state level, and helping my ADHD-diagnosed loved ones–have all given me the insight I need to offer pragmatic solutions. As a private client tutor, I have encountered many unique learning problems and developed custom solutions. Whether it's a one-day intensive program or a multi-week cycle, I pair my practical experience with formal education to offer customized curriculum for every institution, school district, and individual school's needs. Check out the curriculum I offer to see how I can help.

Outside consulting offers the flexible, cost-effective solution administrations need to help their students who struggle with neurodiverse needs. If that sounds like something your school needs, let's talk. Even if Abramo Advising isn't the right solution for you, I can direct you to the right outside consultant you do need.

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