Empowering Hearts and Minds
Preparing neurodiverse students to flourish as global citizens in a complex and rapidly changing world
Verita International S.E.E.D. Center
Verita International School is proud to announce the launch of its Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Developmental Center (S.E.E.D.), a program crafted to address the wide spectrum of educational needs that are consistently presented at international schools. The S.E.E.D. initiative underscores Verita's commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant educational atmosphere for a neurodiverse and exceptional student community.
The Center is expressly designed to acknowledge and honour the unique strengths and capabilities of each student, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their academic learning and social-emotional development.
At Verita International School, we embrace a positive and inclusive approach to neurodiversity, grounded in the understanding that every student brings a unique set of strengths, challenges, and perspectives to our learning community.
We recognize that the concept of neurodiversity applies to everyone, not just those with identifiable neurodevelopmental conditions. This recognition is central to our mission of providing a tailored educational experience that meets the individual academic and social-emotional needs of each student.
By acknowledging and celebrating the uniqueness of each learner, we aim to foster an environment where all students feel valued, understood, and supported in their personal and academic growth.
Our pedagogical approach to neurodiverse education is designed to identify and leverage the specific strengths and needs of each student, offering a differentiated learning experience that promotes independent thinking, critical problem-solving, and creative innovation.
We utilize teaching methods informed by the latest research in cognitive neurodevelopment and effective learning strategies, ensuring that our pedagogy is as diverse as our student body.
Schoolwide Inclusivity
Inclusivity is regarded as a foundational principle, not just a classroom practice, but throughout the entire school culture, ensuring every student feels valued and included. This approach transcends traditional educational boundaries, embedding inclusivity within the very fabric of our school community.
Professional Support
The Professional Support Team at Verita International School is a multidisciplinary group of professionals dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment. This team includes specialists with expertise in social, emotional, and ethical development, trauma-informed care, therapeutic and embodied practices, personalised learning plans, and neurodivrse needs support
Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs):
Customized learning strategies are developed for each neurodiverse student, outlining specific educational goals, accommodations, and interventions based on their unique strengths and challenges. These plans are crafted in collaboration with educators, specialists, and families to ensure a holistic approach to each student's development.
Adaptive Learning Environments
Classrooms and learning spaces are designed to be flexible and accommodating, ensuring that sensory, physical, and cognitive needs are met. This might include the use of assistive technology, sensory-friendly materials, and adaptable furniture to create an environment conducive to learning for all students.
Differentiated Assessment Methods
Verita has a network of external specialists who have experience, qualifications and the ability to perform standardised assessments designed for students with differentiated needs. The school also provide assessments in various formats, which allows students to showcase their understanding and mastery of subjects in ways that align with their strengths.
Parent and Family Resources
Recognising the vital role of families in supporting neurodiverse learners, we provide resources, workshops, and support groups for parents and caregivers. These initiatives aim to build a strong home-school partnership and equip families with strategies to support their children's learning and development.
Advocacy & Professional Development
The S.E.E.D. Center is fueled by the collective energy of educators, students, administrators, researchers, and other partners who are invested in our mission. The center will offer employment and internships to neurodivergent students, support student advocacy, speak about neurodiversity at schools, workplaces, conferences, and community organizations, promote neurodiversity-friendly hiring and employment practices, and write about our practices with neurodiversity inclusions in education for publication in external sources.
Furthermore, the Center is actively engaged in advocacy efforts with government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and professional organizations to support awareness and recognition of the value and benefits of neurodiverse learners. These efforts extend to influencing policy development and compliance in the greater community.
The Team
Demy Dede
Director S.E.E.D. Center, Student & Teacher Facilitator
- BEd in Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology - National and Kapodistrian University
- MA in Special Education, University of Nottingham
- Country Director, Greece - Emory University European SEE Hub
- Certified Social Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning Facilitator - The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University
- Certified Designated Safeguarding Lead, Level 3, The British Alliance
- National And Kapodistrian University - “Applications Of Developmental Disorders”
- Evrymatheia Centre of Special Education - “Emotional Intelligence Development”
Montana Olivia
Associate Director, S.E.E.D. Center, Adolescent Relationship Facilitator
- BEd in International Gender Studies - Boston University
- Adolescent Social Emotional Development - Harvard University Executive Program
- Student Coordinator - Emory University European SEE Hub
- Certified Social Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning Practitioner - The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University
- Certified Designated Safeguarding Lead, Level 3, The British Alliance
Racheli Goz
Student and Family Trauma-Informed Therapist
- BEd in Communication & Education, The College of Management of Tel Aviv
- MA in Art Therapy, The Academic College of Society and the Arts
- The Adler Institute “Parent Counseling”
The Parents’ Counseling Clinic- Schneider - Children’s Medical Center of Israel “Parent Counseling using the New Authority technique.”
- Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts “Art Therapy, Psychodrama technique.”
Irini Glezelli
Learning & Student Support Specialist
- BA in Linguistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- MA in Special Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications - Net Media Lab Demokritos, “Assessment and Interventions Programs - Special Educational Needs”
- Society of Special Pedagogy - “Dilemmas and perspectives in Special Education”
- University of Thessaly - “Contemporary Special Education Issues”
Vicki Alderson
Nurture Room Lead, Neurodiverse Support Specialist
- PGCE Lower Primary and Foundation Stage, University of Hertfordshire
- Post Graduate Therapeutic Play Accreditation
Post Graduate studies in Filial Coaching - Founder and Facilitator of the Hive Community Play Centre, Athens
- Awarded Early Years and NQT
Katerina Kokkinou
Affiliate Play Therapist, Student Support Services
- BSc in Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology, National University of Athens
- MSc in Education and Child Studies with specialization in Learning Difficulties and Impairments - University of Leiden
- Diploma in Play Therapy - Leeds Beckett University, PTI member
Certified in Applied Behaviour Analysis, ABA
Resources
Early Signs of Autism Video Tutorial
To improve recognition of the early signs of ASD, an autism researcher, Dr Rebecca Landa of Kennedy Krieger Institute has developed this free 9-minute video tutorial on ASD behavioural signs in one-year-olds.
European Agency for Inclusive Education
This site contains open-source publications, multimedia material, a glossary and online tools developed by Inclusive Education agencies throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Inclusive Education Position Paper
This position paper from Inclusion International explains what members think about issues that are important to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The position papers explain what we want the world to look like.
Time Together with your Toddler
Finding things to do with your little one at home that fit in with your busy family life can be difficult, so this booklet has been produced by Nasen to give you some ideas of places to look for activities from trusted and well-known sources.
Neurodiversity at S.E.E.D. Center
Neurodiversity is a concept and social movement that advocates for the understanding and acceptance of diverse neurological conditions as natural variations in the human brain rather than deficits or disorders. It encompasses a wide range of neurological differences, recognizing that each individual's neurocognitive functioning contributes uniquely to the rich tapestry of the human experience.
The term "neurodiversity" suggests that just as biodiversity is essential to ecosystems, cognitive diversity is crucial to society, bringing a range of perspectives, skills, and talents. This perspective challenges the traditional medical model of neurological conditions, which often focuses on pathology and treatment, advocating instead for a strengths-based approach that values differences and seeks to support individuals in ways that respect their unique contributions.
Professional Support
Emory University
The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics supports a research-based approach to educating both heart and mind. With programs grounded in a theoretical framework for the cultivation of competencies that lead to the prosocial behaviours and outcomes that support flourishing and well-being for individuals and societies
Neurodiversity Hub
Changing the narrative about neurodiversity through awareness and education. It is about facilitating a community of practice for universities, colleges, employers and service providers to work together to create these environments and opportunities for neurodivergent young adults.
The Compassion Shift
THE COMPASSION SHIFT is an initiative of the Dali Lama Center to promote human flourishing and advance a global culture of compassion through a research-based, scalable approach to the cultivation of compassion.
Dr Vana Papaevangelou
- Director of the Third Department of Paediatrics - General Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece
- Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine
Dr Eileen Luders
- Professor, Faculty of Science, Psychology - University Of Auckland
- Postdoctoral Fellow - University of California Los Angeles, Laboratory of Neuroimaging
- PhD/Doctoral Supervisor
Commitment to Integrity & Transparency
Verita International School encompasses a broad educational mandate and is not exclusively a special education or neurodiversity-focused institution. There are instances where the school might encounter limitations in capacity, resources, or specialized expertise required to address certain unique challenges. Consequently, it may not be feasible for us to accommodate every student seeking to engage with the S.E.E.D. Center. We pledge to maintain utmost transparency regarding our capabilities and the extent to which we can provide (or procure) the requisite interventions for a student's academic and emotional development, and we will communicate openly in situations where our capacity to do so is constrained.
In circumstances where a gap in our provision is identified, we actively pursue external resources or specialized educators capable of offering the necessary support and assistance for the individual students. This may incur an additional cost to the student's family. Our goal is to maximize the educational experience for every student, ensuring it is as comprehensive and beneficial as possible.