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.