Not Your Typical
TEACHING GUIDE
PUBLISHED JULY 2025
This book is for everyone who teaches, guides, and supports people with a complicated and beautiful brain.
Tips and strategies to support common areas of challenge for people with complex neurodevelopmental disorders (CND) that can include attention and concentration, behavioural, social, emotional, mental health, and sometimes learning difficulties (i.e. ADHD, ASD, Learning Disabilities, FASD, Trauma, Attachment, etc.).
What Educators Are Saying
“Surprised and enlightened, but also, realizing that it could affect so many and we are simply unaware. With so many undiagnosed, universal supports NEED to be in place."
~ Educator, TVDSB
"Really enjoyed Angela's presentation and resources. She has an obvious deep empathy and compassion to support the FASD community. I was inspired by her experience.”
~ Thames Valley District School Board Principal. R.E.
"Great info... this needs to be widely shared across schools, educators, and support staff.”
~ Educator, TVDSB
"This will help me in my position in meetings in understanding that the 'symptoms' - not behaviours could be related to a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, and/or the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure."
~ Educator, TVDSB
Get the Book
This book is for everyone who teaches, guides, and supports people with a complicated and beautiful brain.
Price: $25.00 CDN
Available for purchase through Amazon.
Published July 2025
For every teacher who shows up, even when exhausted, to support students with puzzling, spirited, creative, and sometimes impulsive and reactive approaches to life.
This book was created with you in mind: the educators who are expected to be all things—teacher, counsellor, assessor, supporter, friend, caregiver—often without the training or resources to do so. We recognize that many of you are overworked, under supported, and doing your best. This guide offers a collaborative and compassionate approach, grounded in real-life classroom realities.
You are not expected to diagnose—but you can and already do observe, respond, and support. This book is full of practical tools to help you screen for and recognize students with a “complicated and beautiful brain.” These students aren’t being willfully difficult; they are struggling with symptoms. With your support, they can thrive—safely, with dignity and care.
This guide provides tips and strategies to support common areas of challenge for students with Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CND) that can include attention, memory, behavioural, social, emotional, mental health, and sometimes learning difficulties. These symptoms are often found with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Williams Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Trauma, Attachment and the effects of Prenatal Alcohol/Substance Exposure (PAE) including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).