New Public Lecture - March 2026

Professor Mary Hanley's talk was 'Why are so many autistic learners struggling in mainstream schools? And what can we do about it?'

School can be a really difficult place for autistic learners – there’s so much to contend with beyond academic learning. There are now clear indicators that many autistic and neurodivergent learners are struggling particularly in mainstream schools. What underpins these challenges? In this lecture, I will present studies from a programme of research that has focused on the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent learners in schools, on critical issues such as school distress, attendance, attention and sensory differences, inclusion and school success, will argue that we need to reframe our understanding of difficulties at school in terms of a mismatch between needs and environment. With evidence from our Triple-A training for education professionals (www.tripleadurham.co.uk), I will discuss how research on attention, sensory arousal and anxiety can change understanding of these needs and practice of support, leading to positive impacts for school staff and the autistic (and neurodivergent) learners they support.

The talk was very well attended. 

For more information on the Centre for Neurodiversity & Development Public Lectures, please go to: Public Lectures