“Our grant focuses on building representation for neurodiverse readers. That can include ADHD, bipolar depression, students with anxiety or autism, so hopefully, our readers can find themselves within these books,” Librarian Janelle Schnacker comments. By reading these books, students can build empathy for their peers that are neurodivergent.
Madison Turner chose to read The Life Inside My Mind because, “While the stigma around mental health is still quite large, By reading these sorts of books, we can help the break the stigma and have a better conversation with everyone.”
Hudson Bell agreed, “Pretty much everyone I know has suffered mental health issues at some point.”
The range of books that Librarian Janelle Schnacker bought with the $2,000 NEEF grant varies from advice about relationships to dealing with family challenges, as well as topics such as sensory issues, PTSD, and more. Now, more than ever, teens need a plethora of resources to improve their own lives and the lives of their friends that are going through life’s challenges. These topics may deepen their understanding of the brain, and psychology, and broaden their base of knowledge, all of which will serve them in the years to come.
NEEF supports the advancement of learning at NEISD schools thanks to the thoughtfulness of its donors and sponsors.