Neurodiversity

Yesterday a friend and I were talking about the ways in which our kids (who both have been given the label Asperger’s syndrome) are gifted in some ways, while being challenged in others. We were bemoaning our society’s narrow definition of “normal,” because it creates dis-abilities for people. Today I read in the NYTimes that there is actually a movement to support neurodiversity. The article includes some fascinating links off to other sites, including one that is a mosaic of pictures of adults who live on the autistic spectrum, and another which is a set of writings by women living with autism. I don’t know where this movement will go, but as a parent and a teacher I’m convinced that learning can happen in far more ways than our typical classrooms support. I think that recognizing that and finding ways to nurture multiple ways of knowing can only benefit us all.