In this world people are conditioned at a young age to feel as though
something is wrong with them. If you are not the dominant race,
gender, or brain type you will face difficulties your whole life. As
times change and evolve people with any intelligence realize that
diversity is something to embrace. This also is true with
neurodiversity. Not everyone thinks the same and that is what has
allowed us to prosper in this world. In earlier times there was not a
specific name for certain types of thinkers. Many geniuses before our
time had diverse brain types that allowed them to think outside the
box. Neurodiversity is a gift. If everyone had the same kind of brain
the human population would have been stagnant and died out long
ago. Diversity is equal to evolution. Problem solving that is included
in survival would have not been possible without certain scientists
with 'special' brains.
b Noone should have to change who they are to conform to society.
It is not really a question of should or shouldn't they; it is just a reality
that people are made different, and they are how they are. To say
that someone changes for others would mean that they are living a
lie. Noone asks to be a certain way. We are all trying to live our
truths as we were made to. If a person on the autism spectrum has a
major focus on how cancer cells are made and reproduce it is likely
that they will spend many more hours on this topic compared to
someone who is not as focused. This could mean a potential cure for
cancer. Although this is a hypothetical scenario, it may very well be
true regarding many different issues. Different spectrums of
neurodiversity are not new and will not be extinct anytime soon.
b I have always had a hard time interacting with others in a 'normal'
fashion and have always felt that there was something wrong with
me. I have a brother that is extremely awkward in social
environments but is a genius with computers and how they operate.
Although it is hard to communicate with him, I have learned to accept
him the way he is. This should be societies take on the situation
considering that such a huge number of the population has a
different way of thinking and interacting. We can all benefit from
everyone's contributions.
b After all of the studies from all different types of people it seems
obvious that the public should understand that not all brains are
wired the same way. There is no real 'normal' that exists. Now as
more information comes to light people should realize that people's
brains have always been different. There just was not a name for it. It
is helpful for people with neurodiverse brains to take a stand and
speak about their life experiences to inform people of the reality of
our world. Treating people with respect is so important for a
prosperous society throughout the world. As people on different
neurological spectrums try to adapt for your comfort the same
should be shown for them. This is how we will live in a just and
ethical world. By accepting each other, even when we do not
understand them.
b Understanding and accepting one another is not just a social
issue. It affects people's basic needs to survive. If someone who is
wrongly judged by their neurodiversity is not able to get a job or go
to school, they will not be able to live. What options do they have?
My mind was opened so much by the Shawn Brown Tedtalk video
about his experiences dealing with dyslexia. It made me realize so
much about my son's learning style that I never noticed before. I
would also like to share a saying from a friend with a daughter who
has autism. She shares a hashtag saying, "Different not less." I think
this something we can all take in and embrace while spreading love
and compassion.
Neurodiversity: an untapped resource for future
inventors | Shawn Brown | TEDxTruro
https://youtu.be/uecEdkEoY4E
