by Arman A. '27

As a neurodiverse student—someone whose brain does not fit the “normal” ways schools often expect students to learn—I have experienced how easily difference can become exclusion. Prior to LWHS, I encountered microaggressions from students and teachers alike, often rooted in misconceptions about accommodations and neurodiversity. My classmates shared similar experiences, describing how accommodations they were entitled to were modified or denied at other schools. These systemic barriers denied us equitable access to learning, and perpetuated the harmful idea that our brains were somehow deficient because they were “abnormal”.

I recognized that the problem was not the diversity of brain types, but a lack of understanding and acceptance. Neurodiversity is the idea that natural brain variations and learning styles exist along a spectrum. This concept applies to everyone, but too few people understand it.

In sophomore year, I aimed to change that by launching Love Your Brain (LYB). I initially imagined an affinity club for neurodiverse students. But I quickly realized the need was broader than this group. Those who understood neurodiversity were already attending Learning Strategies Center (LSC) events. I needed to reach people outside of that bubble who might never seek out this conversation themselves. To foster genuine acceptance, I decided to bring neurodiversity education to the whole community.

Love Your Brain invites our community to embrace natural brain variation; the mission is to spread awareness of neurodiversity at LWHS and beyond. First, I collaborated with the LSC, Advancement, and Athletics departments to host lunchtime workshops on cognitive skills and accommodations. As you can imagine, not many students wanted to devote their lunch hour to learning about neurodiversity! So during junior year, I created a workshop for our annual MLK Teach-In day, to embed neurodiversity education into the school day and spread an inclusive message about brain types and diverse learners. 

From there, LYB continued to grow. I attended the inaugural Roots 2 Routes diversity conference in Philadelphia, presented my workshop at Harker’s Student Diversity Leadership Gathering, and adapted it for LWHS’s TEDx Talks. LYB also hosted Dr. Chris Jamora, a neuroscientist who shared how students can build a healthier and individualized dopamine toolkit. Many of the students (and adults) in attendance found the workshop enlightening, as expressed by Aiden W-J. '27:

[The workshop] was very helpful because I developed real strategies to optimize my time without burning out.

Together, these opportunities have made LYB part of LWHS’s rich cultural tapestry. 

LYB is about learning to understand ourselves and the people around us. Ultimately, I want everyone to understand that neurodiversity is not a dividing line between “normal” and “abnormal” brains, and there is no single standard for how a brain should work. Embracing neurodiversity means making room for every brain type—and recognizing that variety as beautiful.

Learn more about Love Your Brain! Visit the LYB website and watch Arman's LWHS TEDx Talk here.