In this video I talk about Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and how it can help explain why the genes for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are still in the gene pool. I explore five possibilities including: the positive advantages of contemplation (”positive rumination”), a more realistic sense of life, higher creative expression,...Read More

In this video I emphasize the importance for neurodivergent individuals of creating positive and ”rich” social networks (which consists of all the relationships we have with friends, family, teachers, therapists, counselors, and others). Once we understand our network (and we can draw a ”sociogram” to give us a picture of it) we can ”tweak” so...Read More

In this video I describe six different assistive technologies for people with intellectual disabilities. They include (with the specific product highlighted and discussed in parenthesis): online tutorials (the Khan Academy), social media platforms (Hello, It’s Me), alternative augmentative communication devices (Proloquo2Go), indoor navigation apps (Evelity), emergency contact apps (Red Panic Button), and social problem-solving apps...Read More

In this video (#33 in my series ”The Power of Neurodiversity’’), I focus on the issue of employment for people with intellectual disabilities.  Only 19% of those with intellectual disabilities work, compared with 61% for neurotypicals. This isn’t right.  Many of those who do work, end up in sheltered workshops doing menial tasks like assembling...Read More

In this video (#32 in my series on The Power of Neurodiversity) I talk about the stereotypes that neurotypical people have about those with Down syndrome, which holds that they’re limited in what they can accomplish, that perhaps they can work at a sheltered workshop assembling cardboard boxes or bussing dishes at a fast food...Read More