In this video, part of introducing people to my new book The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Neurodivergent Brain (Completely Revised and Updated Second Edition), I talk about seven different strengths associated with autism spectrum disorder. These include:- a gift for detail- enhanced perceptual functioning – doing better on the Raven’s IQ test than the WISC – savant gifts (10% of all people on the spectrum) – systemizing abilities – special interests – sensory sensitivities. I also emphasize how these gifts were probably evolutionary advantages in prehistoric times. For example, having sensory sensitivities would have enabled an autistic person to pick up on the sounds of an invading tribe, or an encroaching predator, or discriminate between poisonous and non-poisonous plants. For too long, people with autism have been seen in terms of their negatives. It’s time that we woke up to the many natural assets and advantages that people on the spectrum possess.
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For more information about neurodiversity, see my books:
- The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Neurodivergent Brain (Completely Revised and Updated Second Edition), and
- Neurodiversity in the Classroom: Strength-Based Strategies to Help Students with Special Needs Succeed in School and Life.
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