Back to school: does your child’s school know what the Sunflower means?
As children settle back into classrooms and routines, this is a good opportunity for families and schools to learn about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and why someone might choose to wear it.
The start of a new school year involves many changes, such as having new teachers, following new timetables, meeting unfamiliar people and getting used to new routines.
For some children and young people, adapting to these changes can be more difficult if the environment, routines or communication do not take account of a disability, condition, chronic illness or neurodivergence that others cannot see.
The Sunflower offers one way for a child or young person to indicate that they may need additional time, understanding or support.
What does the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower mean?
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognized symbol.
Someone might wear a Sunflower lanyard, pin, badge or another Sunflower product to discreetly indicate that they have a non-apparent disability, condition or chronic illness and may need additional time, understanding or support.
The Sunflower does not identify a specific disability or explain exactly what support someone needs. Wearing it is not an invitation to ask someone about their disability, diagnosis or condition.
Many disabilities, conditions and support needs are not immediately apparent. What matters is recognising that someone may experience things differently or may need support that others cannot see.
Wearing the Sunflower is always a choice
Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is entirely voluntary.
There is no expectation that someone should wear it simply because they have a disability or condition.
Some children and young people may find it helpful to have a simple way to indicate that they may need additional understanding without having to repeatedly explain themselves. Others might wear it only in certain situations, while some may decide it is not for them.
There is no right or wrong way to choose whether or when to wear it.
If you think the Sunflower could help your child, talk about it together. Explain what the symbol means and, wherever possible, involve them in deciding whether and when they would like to wear it.
What does a little more understanding look like?
Supporting someone who wears the Sunflower can begin with simple actions.
- Giving someone additional time to answer a question
- Speaking clearly and calmly
- Being patient if plans or routines change
- Recognising that busy, noisy or unfamiliar environments may affect people differently
If you are unsure, you can simply ask: “Is there anything I can do to support you?”
The Sunflower does not ask for a specific response. It indicates that some additional understanding, time or support may be helpful.
What about at school?
Although awareness of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower continues to grow, some school staff may not yet be familiar with what it means.
If your child chooses to wear the Sunflower, it can help to let their school know what the symbol means and, most importantly, what support would be helpful for your child.
The Sunflower does not replace any support or adjustments already in place.
A child’s existing rights, reasonable adjustments, education plans or other agreed support do not depend on whether they wear the Sunflower.
It is simply another optional way to indicate that someone may need additional time, understanding or support.
If your school is not familiar with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, free awareness resources can help start the conversation and support staff and the wider school community in understanding what the symbol means.
Find resources to help raise awareness
A conversation for every family
Back to school is also a good opportunity to help children understand what the Sunflower means when they see a classmate, teammate or someone else wearing it.
You might explain it like this:
“The Sunflower means that person may need some additional time, understanding or support.”
There is another important message too: we do not need to ask them what their disability is.
We cannot always know what another person is experiencing or what support they may need. Helping children understand that can encourage greater respect, understanding and inclusion both at school and beyond it.
You may already see the Sunflower in everyday life
Children and families may already encounter the Sunflower in many different settings.
It is recognized by organizations across travel, transport, healthcare, retail, education, sport, public services and other sectors around the world.
The more people who understand what the symbol means, the easier it becomes for someone who chooses to wear it to indicate that they may need support without having to repeatedly explain or disclose their disability or condition.
For schools and education settings
Schools and education settings that want to learn more about the Sunflower can access resources to help staff understand what the symbol means and how to respond when someone chooses to wear it.
Schools interested in staff training or joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program can contact us for more information.
Building greater understanding at school
As the new school year gets underway, helping children, families and school staff understand the Sunflower can support school communities where non-apparent disabilities and support needs are better understood.
Because you cannot always see when someone may need additional time, understanding or support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognized symbol that someone can choose to wear to indicate that they have a non-apparent disability, condition or chronic illness and may need additional time, understanding or support.
Does wearing the Sunflower mean someone has to disclose their disability?
No. The Sunflower does not identify a specific disability or condition. Wearing it is not an invitation for someone to ask about a person’s diagnosis, disability or personal circumstances.
Does my child have to wear the Sunflower if they have a disability?
No. Wearing the Sunflower is always voluntary. A child or young person may choose to wear it every day, only in certain situations or not at all.
Does the Sunflower replace existing school support?
No. Any agreed adjustments, education plans or other support remain unchanged. The Sunflower is an additional, optional way to indicate that someone may need additional time, understanding or support.
How can our school learn more?
Free awareness resources are available to help schools and education settings explain what the Sunflower means.
Schools interested in staff training or joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program can contact us for more information.