FAQ

What is Neuroaffirming Microschool KC (NMKC)?

NMKC is a therapeutic, research-based, and sensory-safe alternative education program for autistic and ADHD students (ages 6+) in the Kansas City metro area.

This is an unprecedented framework focused on core values like: promoting autonomy, low demand learning, authentic connections, destigmatizing autistic behaviors, and mutual respect.

Which students can enroll?

Anybody who is autistic and/or ADHD – either diagnosed OR suspected – is welcome to apply. Acceptance is case-by-case, as our niche model is built to support certain neurodivergent profiles more effectively than others. Both Kansas and Missouri homeschoolers are welcome, and our program hours count toward state homeschool requirements.

Who runs NMKC?

We are a startup nonprofit, so NMKC is currently our only service. Every member of our team is autistic. That’s a lot of what makes our approach so powerful—we intuitively understand autistic and ADHD experiences, communication styles, and regulation needs. We also know firsthand what traditional schools failed to provide us, and we’re committed to building an environment that is what we all needed as kids. Kids deserve to feel safe and content at school. 

How is NMKC different from public or private schools?

Public and private schools are heavily regulated, rigid, and often fail to accommodate autistic learning styles or sensory needs. NMKC flips that model completely.

We emphasize emotional regulation, felt safety, autonomy, and social belonging as prerequisites to learning—because autistic people can’t truly engage when they’re dysregulated, disconnected, or feeling in any way unsafe.

NMKC is roughly 50/50 therapeutic and academic. Each student has a customized learning plan, with no forced curriculum or homework. We focus on mental wellness, sensory regulation, authentic connection, and student-led learning.

What is a microschool, exactly?

A microschool is a small, independent learning community—somewhere between homeschooling and private schooling. Ours runs Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Some students attend full-time; others part-time. Families get to choose how many days per week their kids attend. 

Microschools gained traction during the pandemic and are growing rapidly nationwide because of their structural adaptability and universal positive outcomes. NMKC’s model is explicitly neuroaffirming and therapeutic, designed for autistic and ADHD brains to thrive.

What does “neuroaffirming” mean?

It means we validate and support neurodivergent experiences instead of trying to “fix” them. We are:

• Pro-stimming
• Pro-autistic joy
• Pro-alternative communication
• Pro-mutual respect
• Pro-infodumping
• Pro-unconditional accommodation
• Pro-social justice
• Pro-community

Our program is built on compassion, flexibility, and autonomy. Students lead their learning; we adapt to them—not the other way around.

What kind of support do students get?

Each classroom has at least three full-time staff with a 1:4 staff:student ratio. One key role is the Sensory Support Staff, who focus on emotional regulation and sensory safety. They help students recognize and manage big feelings in the classroom before meltdowns happen, & provide 1-1 coregulation support when needed.

We’ll have multiple sensory zones—including both sensory-seeking items and quiet/dark spaces—and regulating equipment like hammocks. We don’t punish or use behavioral compliance methods like ABA, as that is traumatizing.

Instead, we emphasize trust, safety, and self-understanding. Emotional well-being comes first—academic growth follows naturally.

What values guide NMKC?

We center autistic joy, authentic individuality, community building, accessibility, social justice, community collaboration, & mental wellness.

Our framework rejects hierarchy and embraces decolonized education—meaning learning flows in all directions between students and teachers. Authority is not assumed, and teachers work with the students rather than forcing class activities. We believe kids deserve teachers who listen, respect, and adapt—not ones who control or minimize.

What research and theories shape the program?

NMKC is rooted in:

• The neurodiversity paradigm
• Community building
• Autistic joy
• Polyvagal theory
• Interdependence
• Psychological and sensory safety
• Self-determination theory
• DIR Floortime
• Intrinsic motivation
• Neurodiventurism

Does NMKC accept students with high support needs?

We assess every application for whether this program will be a good fit for them. We don’t support the use of functioning labels, including autism levels. All of us are too unique!

Our framework embraces PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), elopement, emotional outbursts, and students who are not yet potty trained. We don’t reject kids for “behaviors”—we understand that behavior is communication. It all depends on whether they would do well in our environment. 

How is NMKC funded?

We operate under a 501(c)(3) nonprofit but currently have no major funding sources. Services are fee-based for now.

Donations (including from our Amazon Wishlist or secondhand items in good condition) are 100% tax-deductible and go first toward building our sensory rooms.

Networking, collaborations, and fundraising support are always appreciated!

What is the tuition?

Spring 2026 semester (January-May)

1 day/week: $750/month

2 days/week: $1,500/month

3 days/week: $2,250/month

4 days/week: $3,000/month

5 days/week: $3,750/month

Class Schedules 

Monday & Wednsday class 9:30 – 3:30 

Tuesday & Thursday class 9:30 – 3:30

Friday class 9:30 – 3:30

Multiple classes can be signed up for.

What’s the bigger vision?

Public school creates trauma via coercive schooling; NMKC provides trauma-sensitive learning. We’re filling massive gaps in how neurodivergent people are educated, supported, and understood.

Our long-term goal is to expand services and community programs throughout Kansas City—creating safe, affirming spaces for neurodivergents of all ages.