Speaker
Description
This roundtable will explore the often invisible challenges faced by autistic and highly sensitive (personality; HSP) students in Japanese schools. Many of these students mask their difficulties to fit in, leading to under-recognition and lack of support. Rationale: Japanese educational culture emphasizes conformity and academic performance, which can exacerbate the struggles of neurodivergent students. Autistic students with high masking tendencies often experience increased anxiety and depression due to the pressure to appear “normal”. Similarly, HSP students may internalize stress from overstimulation and social expectations, yet their needs are rarely acknowledged. Objectives: - Identify behavioral and emotional signs of hidden struggles - Discuss the impact of masking and cultural expectations - Share tools for early recognition and intervention - Promote empathy-based approaches in classrooms Format: - Brief presentation on masking and hidden needs - Case studies from Japanese schools - Group discussion: What signs are we missing? - Sharing of practical strategies and tools - Closing reflections and resource exchange Expected Outcomes: Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to identify and support students/classmates/family whose needs are not immediately visible, fostering more inclusive and emotionally safe learning environments.