Higher Order Thinking Activities for Neurodivergent Learners- Ebook

This resource is a complete guide for designing and facilitating Higher Order Thinking (HOT) activities and Project-Based Learning (PBL) that work for all learners, especially neurodivergent students. Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use activities, visual planning tools, executive function scaffolds, inquiry journal templates, Genius Hour projects, and strategies for building emotionally safe, cognitively rigorous classrooms.

Who it's for:

• General education teachers, special educators, interventionists, or coaches who want practical tools to engage diverse learners in deep thinking.

What problems it solves:

• Reduces behavior issues caused by boredom, frustration, and anxiety.

• Helps neurodivergent students thrive by aligning schoolwork with their natural strengths in creativity, inquiry, and focus.

• Simplifies planning with flexible templates, strategies, and visual supports built for busy classrooms.

How it connects to the Neurodivergent Toolkit:

• Seamlessly integrates with the Toolkit’s pacing guides, regulation strategies, and EF scaffolds.

• Use the Behavior and Needs Detective tools (from the Toolkit) to troubleshoot engagement and participation during HOT activities.

Why it helps behavior issues:
When students are engaged in meaningful, authentic learning and their executive functioning needs are supported, disruptive behavior drops dramatically. Students stay focused because their curiosity is honored, their pacing needs are respected, and their autonomy is valued.

What teachers can expect:

• 60+ pages of flexible, actionable content

• Sample lesson plans across subjects

• Inclusive engagement templates

• Genius Hour and Inquiry Journal frameworks

• Planning tools to help scaffold executive functioning, autonomy, and belonging

• Encouragement, reflection questions, and troubleshooting advice

• Research-backed strategies you can implement right away—without redoing your whole curriculum

Reminder:
You won’t perfect HOT facilitation overnight — and that's okay. This resource is built to support you through the learning curve. Stay responsive, stay curious, and use the Neurodivergent Toolkit whenever you need extra support. You're building a thinking-centered classroom where all minds belong—and that work matters.