We’re proud to be participating in Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026.
Founded by Siena Castellon in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
Eikon support for Neurodivergent children and their families
At Eikon, our team of Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners specialising in neurodevelopmental needs support neurodivergent children and young people — with and without a formal diagnosis. We also work closely with parents, carers and education professionals to help everyone feel supported.
One of our programmes, Making Links, brings together neurodivergent children aged 8–11 to build confidence, form new friendships and explore their own (and each other’s) needs. These small groups take part in child-led, often sensory activities like baking, crafting and slime‑making — all designed to help them connect and thrive.
Umbrella Activity
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week our Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners spent brilliant sessions with the Making Links group, where young people and parents reflected on their strengths and the challenges they’ve overcome.
Together, they wrote inspiring quotes about their achievements, talents and the things that make them feel most confident. Displayed beneath a colourful umbrella, they formed a vivid representation of the neurodiversity umbrella and the wide spectrum of strengths and differences it celebrates.
Creating a Mental Health First Aid Kit
In another activity as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, our Making Links group created Mental Health First Aid Kits. These kits contain a selection of resources to help young people manage their mental health when life starts to feel more challenging, such as ways to distract themselves, relax or calm down, and pointers to further support. Each Mental Health First Aid Kit is unique to the young person and building a kit can help children discover what makes them feel good, and things they can try out during tougher times.
It was really important to the young people to include all of our senses in their Mental Health First Aid Kits. They also discussed the importance of being able to share how they are feeling, without having to say it (this is where the emotion cards then came into play).
The items suggested for the first aid kit by the young people in the group, described by our Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner –
Playdough/putty – we created our own playdough and added different scents to increase the sensory experience.
Fidgets – we created our own fidgets out of lolly pop sticks, beads and pipe cleaners. The young people identified fidgets as a way to calm down if they are feeling anxious, angry etc.
Positive quotes – the young people highlighted that sometimes, in the moment, it can be difficult to see the positives of a situation. The positive quotes that they chose may help to improve their emotional wellbeing by giving them a focus.
An emotions card – we created red and amber cards. We talked about what emotion we may feel for each of these colours and ways that other people may be able to help by writing tips on the cards. This means that if a young person does not feel they can verbalise how they are feeling, they can hand the card to a trusted adult, who will then know how they can support them.
Helpful contacts
Information on Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Advice, support and help for children and young people with Neurodiversity Needs – Neurodevelopmental needs :: Mindworks Surrey
Mindworks Surrey provides a dedicated out of hours helpline for parents and carers of children with suspected, or diagnosed, neurodevelopmental needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It is free to call and open from 5pm-11pm, 7 days a week. The number to call is : 0300 222 5755
Family Voice Surrey champions the needs and rights of SEND families in Surrey: families with children or young adults up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs, chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions, or disabilities – Home – Family Voice Surrey
