Neurodiversity News
November 2023
Happy November!
Flipping the Script: From a Medical Model to Strength Based Lens
Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices
What are neurodiversity-affirming practices?
- Practices that embrace and honour the individual, their identity and interests.
- Viewing the individual's challenges as differences, not deficits.
How can I apply these in my classroom?
- Help reduce stigma for needed items like fidgets, wiggle cushions, or chair bands by offering them to all students or placing them around the room for students to try.
- Model the use of these items and talk about why they help you. For example, "You may see me fidgeting with my ring while I am talking to you. It helps me to focus on what I am teaching you."
- Incorporate Universal Design for Learning strategies.
"Human Neurodiversity Should Be Celebrated, Not Treated as a Disorder"
This 3 minute video helps explain why the shift to looking at an individual's strengths is so important to their success in school and society.
Examples of ASD Strengths
I am sure you can all identify many strengths of your neurodiverse students. Here is a list of common autistic strengths.
The Symbol of Neurodiversity
Why the rainbow infinity symbol?
- Represents the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits
- Created in 2005 by neurodiversity advocates, the infinity symbol represents the idea that neurodiversity is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured or fixed, but rather accepted and embraced
Classroom Strategies
Incorporating Neurodiversity-Affirming Topics in Your Classroom
English Class:
- Offer text choices written by neurodiverse individuals. Some young adult options are: Talia Hibbert, Jackie Khalileh, Mazey Eddings, and so many more!
- Explicitly highlight the neurodiversity of these authors
History Class:
- Help de-stigmatize neurodiversity by teaching about neurodiverse people throughout history
- Some famous historical figures that are thought to have had autism are: Michelangelo, Sir Isaac Newton, Emily Dickinson. and Charles Darwin. A quick Google search will help you find many more!
Math Class:
- Did you know Albert Einstein is considered to be autistic? As you introduce famous calculations and math principles that were discovered by neurodiverse people, tell your students about it.
- Did you know that some studies have found that autism is more prevalent amongst mathematicians than the average population? Show a statistic of this to your class and talk about why different brains may be better at math concepts.
Science Class:
- Many famous scientists over the centuries are thought to be neurodivergent based on how they have been described. As you teach these concepts to your class, mention that these people were neurodiverse. This will help build a strength-based lens towards neurodiversity!
- Some scientists who are thought to be or diagnosed as neurodivergent are: Henry Cavendish, Sir Issac Newton, and Albert Einstein.
Book Review By Dr. Kristin Fossum
The Power of Neurodiversity By Dr. Thomas Armstrong
In his book “The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing your differently wired brain”, Dr. Thomas Armstrong, PhD calls on readers to balance what is often a one-sided view of disabilities as primarily weaknesses to include the many strengths that neurodiverse individuals possess. Throughout the book, Dr. Armstrong highlights research illustrating the tasks that neurodiverse individuals excel at. He also suggests that lessons learned in other fields that focus on the importance of diversity (e.g., biodiversity, cultural diversity) apply to the field of neurology as well. Finally, Dr. Armstrong also sheds light on the cultural and social norms that shape our views on disorder and ability, and the practices derived from those views. For those wishing to expand their thinking around neurodiversity, this book is a thought-provoking read.
Kristin Fossum, PhD., C. Psych.
Further Reading
Community Resources
Email: metzgera@limestone.on.ca