At the Intersection of International, Neurodiverse, and "Different": Making Space for Inclusion and Belonging in Hong Kong

Despite the global commitments, efforts, and resources devoted to increasing belonging in school systems, countless students around the world continue to suffer from inequity and othering. This lack of effective inclusion is not due to the deficits in the biology of children nor the failings of their families, but rather, stems from the pervasive oppressive forces, including ableism and racism, that are deeply entrenched in the institutional philosophies, policies, and practices of schools—public and private, local and international. Anchored in the insights of DisCrit theory, Chinese cosmopolitanism, and the neurodiversity paradigm, this Dissertation-in-Practice seeks to improve the experiences of multiply marginalized students, in particular, those with additional needs, who inhabit a unique context: Sandy Field Elementary (pseudonym), an international school in Hong Kong. In this metropolitan, Asian setting, the cultural priorities of competition, achievement, and fitting in are inflated by the stigma of mental health challenges and neurodiversity—just as the compounding forces of discrimination intersect—creating a perfect storm for a “wicked problem.” Through application of a transformative leadership approach and Stroh’s four-stage change process, this endeavour to improve students’ sense of belonging and dignity commits to deeply engaging the school’s partner collaborators, including families and students, in a shared journey of inquiry, reflection, action, and transformation. This approach will leverage and empower the voices and hearts of school community members as they confront the current reality, co-construct a vision of hope, and expand and sustain reforms so that all students can benefit from changed mindsets and new practices around inclusion and equity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Van Borek, Aaron

• belonging
• inclusion
• DisCrit
• ableism
• Chinese cosmopolitanism
• transformative leadership

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/38638

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/38638