🧠 How Neurodivergent Kids Learn Best

Charlie O.
Sep 29
3 min read

Updated: Sep 30

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Learning Styles

Have you ever noticed your child remembering things better when they see it? Or maybe they can’t sit still but absorb everything when they’re moving?

That’s because every child has a unique learning style—and for neurodivergent kids, understanding how they learn best is one of the most powerful tools you can use to help them thrive.

At TLC Behavioral Consulting, we know that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why our therapists tailor instruction to how your child processes information—so they feel successful, seen, and supported.

Let’s break down what learning styles are, how they connect to neurodivergence, and what you can do at home to support your child’s natural strengths.

What Are Learning Styles?

Learning styles describe the way a person best receives and retains information. While no child fits neatly into one category, understanding your child’s dominant learning style can help you teach new skills in ways that stick.

Here are the four most common learning styles:

👀 1. Visual Learners

These kids learn best through seeing.

They love:🖼️ Pictures, charts, diagrams📊 Color-coded routines🧩 Visual schedules and modeling🎨 Drawing or watching videos to understand new ideas

Support them by:

Using visual schedules and first-then boards
Demonstrating tasks visually
Letting them illustrate or map out concepts

👂 2. Auditory Learners

These learners absorb best by listening.

They love:🎧 Songs and rhythm🗣️ Verbal explanations📚 Being read to📻 Repeating information out loud

Support them by:

Narrating steps during tasks
Using songs or chants to teach routines
Asking them to repeat back what they hear

🤸 3. Kinesthetic Learners

These learners retain information by moving or doing.

They love:🏃 Movement-based activities👐 Hands-on experiments or crafts🧱 Building, sorting, manipulating materials🪩 Learning through play or real-life practice

Support them by:

Acting out steps to a task
Using movement breaks during learning
Letting them "do it" instead of just watching

🖐️ 4. Tactile Learners

A close cousin to kinesthetic learners, these kids process information through touch and texture.

They love:✋ Sensory bins🎨 Art, playdough, fidget tools🪵 Tracing letters or numbers🧺 Real-life chores or tasks

Support them by:

Offering hands-on activities with different textures
Letting them fidget or hold sensory items during learning
Using sensory play to reinforce skills (like counting with playdough balls)

What About Neurodivergent Learners?

For kids with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays, learning style differences are often more pronounced—and more essential to respect.

Many neurodivergent children:

Process language differently
Have sensory sensitivities or cravings
Struggle with executive functioning (like following multi-step instructions)
Need visual repetition or hands-on modeling to fully grasp a skill

That’s why understanding how your child learns best isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.

And the good news? When we adapt how we teach, we unlock how they learn.

How TLC Supports All Learning Styles

In our Day Center and Bridge Program, we don’t just follow a lesson plan—we follow the child. Our RBTs and BCBAs:

✅ Use visuals, modeling, and repetition

✅ Incorporate movement and play into every learning goal

✅ Adjust tasks based on sensory needs and attention spans

✅ Reinforce learning through everyday routines (like dressing, snack time, or circle time)

We’re not trying to fit kids into a box. We’re building environments that flex to their needs—and celebrate how they learn best.

Try This at Home: Learning Style-Friendly Activities

Skill	Visual Learner	Auditory Learner	Kinesthetic Learner
Brushing Teeth	Picture steps by the sink	Sing a tooth brushing song	Use a vibrating toothbrush
Learning Colors	Color-coded charts	Say color names out loud	Match colors with blocks or toys
Getting Dressed	Visual “getting ready” chart	Verbal cue: “First shirt, then pants!”	Practice with dress-up clothes

Going Deeper: Discover Your Child’s Learning Style

Curious about how your child learns best? We’ve created a quick and insightful tool to help you get clarity!

🎓 Take our FREE Mini Learning Style Quiz

In just a few minutes, you’ll find out whether your child is primarily a Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, or Tactile learner—and receive personalized tips based on their style.

This quiz is perfect for parents of neurodivergent kiddos who want to: