LEANS Australia is a free neurodiversity education program designed for Australian primary schools. The program introduces children aged 8–11 to the concept of neurodiversity, helping students understand that people think, learn and experience the world in different ways. The curriculum uses interactive activities, stories, videos and student resources to encourage curiosity, empathy and understanding among classmates.
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LEANS Australia is a cultural adaptation of the Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) program, developed by a neurodiverse team of researchers an educators at the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre, University of Edinburgh. This original LEANS program gained international recognition for its engaging, classroom-based approach to neurodiversity education.
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Bringing LEANS to Australia
LEANS Australia is led by Reframing Autism, an Autistic-led organisation committed to reshaping how society understands Autism through lived experience, research and human-rights-based education.
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Supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aging under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund, the program is being adapted for Australian schools to ensure cultural relevance and alignment with the Australian Curriculum. This localisation process includes updating language, visuals and examples so that the materials resonate with Australian students and educators.
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The adaptation is guided by an advisory group that includes First Nations representatives, teachers, neurodivergent individuals and young people, ensuring the program reflects diverse perspectives and experiences.
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Supporting inclusive classrooms
Australian classrooms are diverse learning environments that include many neurodivergent students. However, there are currently few nationwide initiatives that help children understand and value these differences. LEANS Australia aims to address this gap by providing teachers with a free, classroom-ready program that supports shared learning and mutual understanding among all students.
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By introducing the concept that every brain works differently, and that these differences are valuable, LEANS Australia helps schools build more inclusive classroom cultures where every student can thrive.
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Looking ahead
LEANS Australia will be evaluated in partnership with researchers at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University, helping ensure the program continues to build a strong evidence base for inclusive neurodiversity education in Australian schools.

Once launched, the program will be freely available for educators to download and implement in classrooms across the country.