Psychology

When Dr. Thomas Armstrong wrote the first edition of The Power of Neurodiversity fifteen years ago, neurodiversity was an obscure term in the eyes of the public.  Since that time, the concept has grown exponentially as more and more people have become aware that individuals with disabilities deserve to have greater attention focused on their strengths, talents, and abilities.  In this completely revised and updated book, Armstrong adds hundreds of practical strategies and tips not found in the first edition to help those with neurodiversities create personalized environmental ‘’niches’’ that adapt the world to their own uniqueness. It includes such vital information as:

• What current research says about the specific strengths and evolutionary advantages found in people with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities mood disorders, and other neurodiversities;
• How to take advantage of assistive technologies and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) tools that help neurodivergent individuals ‘’work around’’ obstacles at school and in one’s career.
• Which career paths are best suited to specific neurodiversities (and which are bad matches);
• Why inclusive classrooms offer the best learning experience for neurodivergent children, and how strength-based instruction can make learning better for all;
• How to modify the workplace so that every employee, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike, can thrive;
• What resources (books, organizations, apps, films) are out there to support the lives of neurodivergent children, teens, and adults.

The Power of Neurodiversity is a manifesto, a keen look at disability, and must-read for parents, teachers, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone interested in learning more about the millions of people who make up the neurominorities of our culture.

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., an award-winning educator and expert on human development, offers a cross-cultural view of life's entire journey, from before birth to death to the possibilities of an afterlife. Dr. Armstrong cites both clinical research and anecdotal evidence in a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities we face at every stage of our development. His accessible narrative incorporates elements of history, literature, psychology, spirituality, and science in a fascinating guide to understanding our past as well as our future.

Based on psychologist Howard Gardner's pioneering theory of "multiple intelligences," the original edition of 7 Kinds of Smart identified seven distinct ways of being smart, including "word smart," "music smart," "logic smart," and "people smart." Now, with the addition of two new kinds of smart--"naturalist" and "existential"--7 Kinds of Smart offers even more interesting information about how the human psyche functions. Complete with checklists for determining one's strongest and weakest intelligences, exercises, practical tips for developing each type of smart, a revised bibliography for further reading, and a guide to related Internet sites, this book continues to be an essential resource, offering cutting-edge research for general consumption.

A new term has emerged from the disability movement in the past decade to help change the way we think about neurological disorders: Neurodiversity. The number of categories of illnesses listed by the American Psychiatric Association has tripled in the past fifty years. With so many people affected by our  growing “culture of disabilities,” it no longer makes sense to hold on to the deficit-ridden idea of  neuropsychological illness. With the sensibility of Oliver Sacks and Kay Redfield Jamison, psychologist Thomas Armstrong offers a revolutionary perspective that reframes many neuropsychological disorders as part of the natural diversity of the human brain rather than as definitive illnesses. The Power of Neurodiversity emphasizes their positive dimensions, showing how people with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other conditions have inherent evolutionary advantages that, matched with the appropriate environment or ecological niche, can help them achieve dignity and wholeness in their lives.