The Universal Sandpit

Teaching and learning look different for everyone. The Universal Sandpit is a collection of AI-powered tools built on neurodiversity-affirming principles, designed to support teachers and students in creating more inclusive classrooms. While these tools support all learners, there is a particular focus on autistic students, students with ADHD, and neurodivergent learners.

For Teachers

13 practical tools to help you plan, reflect, and design for every learner:

• Strengths & Interests — weave student passions into lessons

• Lesson Companion — add inclusion and UDL supports to a lesson you already have

• Bias Scanner — uncover hidden lesson assumptions

• Reflective Lens — prompts for tricky teaching moments

• UDL Lesson Planner — design using Universal Design for Learning

• Differentiation Levels — create multi-level rubrics

• Task Analysis — identify executive function demands

• Step Cards — printable visual step-by-step scaffolds for the desk

• Skill Chaining — build forward or backward learning sequences

• Visual Supports — generate support ideas

• Assignment Helper — structure tasks with steps and timing

• Social Script — create first-person social scripts

• New Day — turn a repeat pattern into a fresh, neurodiversity-affirming teaching plan

For Students

6 tools to help you get started, stay on track, and understand yourself:

• Floating Thoughts — break tasks into chunks

• First Strings — gentle nudges when stuck

• Student Multi-Tool — support for school tasks and social situations

• Concept Explainer — clear explanations and examples

• Spoon Theory Planner — plan your energy across the day

• Pathway — move from how you feel to where you want to be

Designed by Craig Smith, teacher and consultant in special education, accessibility, and technology.