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A Personal Awakening
As a speech pathologist in social communication, I had a profound realization that triggered a significant shift in my approach. Despite my genuine intentions, some of the ways I was teaching unintentionally created standards catering to the neuromajority, sidelining the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals.
Unlearning and Embracing Neurodiversity
The path of unlearning was transformative, requiring shedding deeply ingrained bias to challenge the norms embedded in my training. The Neurodiversity community became my guiding light, offering invaluable insights, diverse perspectives, and compelling stories that compelled me to question the status quo and “one size fits all” approach.
Learning from Neurodivergent Voices
Seeking out and listening to neurodivergent voices brought profound lessons. Podcasts like “Two Sides of the Spectrum with Meg Proctor” became portals into the richness of the autistic experience. These insights shattered stereotypes, providing a nuanced understanding of the diverse minds constituting our world.
Books like “Divergent Mind” by Jenara Nerenberg, “We’re Not Broken” by Eric Garcia, and “Beyond Behaviors” by Mona Delahooke opened my eyes to the strengths society often overlooks in neurodivergent individuals.
Neurodivergent consultants such as Becca Lory and McAlister Huynh played crucial roles, providing specific feedback about my own authored resources, guiding me to ensure that the work I put out nurtured neurodiversity.
Guiding Transformation through Training
Seeking a transformative shift in my approach, I turned to training and consultants. Rachel Dorsey’s “Goal Writing for Autistic Students” equipped me with tools to craft meaningful goals for social and emotional development. Engaging with the Learn Play Thrive Summit exposed me to neurodiversity-affirming practices that now shape my teaching strategies.
Joining the Movement
In my commitment to make a difference and not just sit on the information I was learning, we sought out a focus group to hear the voices of neurodivergent individuals, educators, and parents to determine the next steps for the original Whole Body Listening Larry books and poster. The group encouraged the co-author, Kristen Wilson, and I to make a new poster and book that shifts the focus from compliance to regulation. So that is what we did.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Resources I highly recommend:
Podcasts: Voices of Empowerment and Insights
- “Two Sides of the Spectrum with Meg Proctor and Learn Play Thrive”: Delve into research, amplify autistic voices, and reshape perspectives on autism.
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“Uniquely Human with Barry Prizant”: Gain insights from autistic individuals and thought leaders.
- “Divergent Mind” by Jenara Nerenberg: Explore a paradigm-shifting study of neurodivergent individuals, highlighting strengths that society often overlooks.
- “We’re Not Broken” by Eric Garcia: A personal exploration of neurodiversity, challenging misconceptions and fostering understanding.
- “Beyond Behaviors” by Mona Delahooke: Understand behaviors as signals and learn to address children’s challenges within the context of relational safety.
- Becca Lory – Autism, Neurodiversity, & Inclusion Consultant: Learn from an experienced consultant specializing in autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion.
- McAlister Huynh, Accessibility Specialist: Benefit from the expertise of an educator, speaker, and consultant focusing on accessibility.
Embrace Progress, Foster Connection
Navigating the world of neurodiversity-affirming resources has empowered me to foster connections that celebrate the strengths and unique qualities of each individual. By embracing podcasts, books, training, and consultants aligned with this vision, we can listen to the voices of neurodivergent people and experts to learn and grow together.
Join the Movement
As we embark on a journey of understanding, acceptance, and growth, let’s actively seek out resources that align with our values of inclusivity and empathy. Neurodiversity-affirming podcasts, books, training, and consultants provide us with the tools to build bridges of connection and appreciation for all minds. Embrace these resources, engage with their wisdom, and be part of the transformative movement toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
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Thanks for being on this journey with me to make a positive change and shape a world that celebrates neurodiversity with open arms.