Some of the Strengths of the Dyslexic Brain
Here are some of the strengths of the dyslexic brain.
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Different, not disabled
Neurodiversity means that we are all different in how we think, feel, and learn, because our brains process information differently. Welcome different ways of learning by recognising children's strengths.
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“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”
-Haim. G. Ginnott (1993) Teacher and Child
RESOURCES
Books, Articles and Workbooks That We Recommend
Books
The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of your Differently Wired Brain by Thomas Armstrong, PhD.
A bestselling author and psychologist’s interesting look at the perceptions of our “culture of disabilities.” He normalizes the natural differences in the brains of those with neurological disorders and gives the parents, teachers and families of those people an understanding of the power inherent in the “differently brained.”
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
While people have been writing about neurodiversity for decades, this book seemed to break out of the Autism community and landed as a topic within the general population. The untold story of Hans Asperger and his “little professors” provides a historical background to Asperger’s syndrome that is equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber
Differently Wired is a how-to, a manifesto, a book of wise advice, and the best kind of been-there, done-that companion. On the one hand it’s a book of saying NO, and how it’s time to say no to trying to fit your round-peg kid into society’s square holes, no to educational and social systems that don’t respect your child, no to the anxiety and fear that keep parents stuck. And then it’s a book of YES. By offering 18 paradigm shifts—what she calls “tilts”
Downloadables
Videos
The World Needs All Kinds of Minds
Temple Grandin, diagnosed with autism as a child, talks about how her mind works -- sharing her ability to "think in pictures," which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids.
The Forgotten History of Autism
Steve Silberman points to “a perfect storm of autism awareness” — a pair of psychologists with an accepting view, an unexpected pop culture moment and a new clinical test. But to really understand, we have to go back further to an Austrian doctor by the name of Hans Asperger, who published a pioneering paper in 1944. Because it was buried in time, autism has been shrouded in misunderstanding ever since.
Human Neurodiversity Should Be Celebrated, Not Treated as a Disorder
One in 59 children are identified with autism spectrum disorders and millions of children have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. — yet psychologist Devon MacEachron, PhD believes that there is too little attention given to enabling people with neurologically different minds.
Websites
NEURODIVERSITY NETWORK
The purpose of Neurodiversity Network is to provide resources for neurodivergent job seekers and neurodivergent students, employers & universities, & the support of the neurodiverse community. Our mission is to consolidate various neurodiversity resources into one place. The goal is to enhance neurodiversity awareness and neurodiversity acceptance for neurodivergents to find meaningful employment and educational experiences.
ASCD - Learn, Teach, Lead
ASCD empowers educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Our diverse, nonpartisan membership is our greatest strength, projecting a powerful, unified voice to decision makers around the world.
Educators 4 Social Change
Neurodiversity is a fact of life that is often overlooked in the workplace, schools, and the community. Individuals who don’t pick up on social cues are considered “socially awkward.” Individuals who don’t make proper eye contact are called “rude” or “nervous.” Individuals who can’t sit still regarded as “hyper.” Individuals who have difficulty communicating are thought of as “slow.”
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