What Is Neurodiversity? By Caroline Miller


        After reading and watching the short video, I have given myself a refresher about neurodiversity.  I always find this topis so interesting to read about and to watch documentaries because I feel like we have come so far but there is still so much we don't know...we can't see inside someone else's brain!

    I almost instantly thought of a documentary I had watched for another class This is Not About Me which was about a student Jordyn who was non-verbal and autistic.  She had trouble in her public schools and before she knew about the adaptive technology for speech, she would get frustrated and run out of the school for miles.  After her situation was under control and she found joy again, she was able to use running as a hobby and not a reaction to rage.  It was very interesting to watch how well Jordyn speaks when using her technology.  It is so fascinating to me that our brains are truly different yet the same, even though she can't speak, the words and sentences are all in her head. 

    I am also a graduate assistant for the special education department here at RIC and I was really excited when I fond out I was selected because I wanted as much knowledge and experience with special education I can.  It is so important for all teachers to be aware of what disabilities are out there so they can try to adapt the best they can to their needs.  A lot of these terms in this reading were familiar to me.  While I was working and creating a resource library, I found this Youtube channel with Sheldon H. Horowitz who is a director for National Center for Learning Disabilities.  These videos are very helpful and easy to comprehend, explaining just about anything!

        While working in this department, I was just introduced to "Americans with Disabilities Act Compliances" which take a while to go through as there are a lot of steps.  Now that I know a good portion, I notice myself being more cognizant of the fact that all documents or slideshows should be as close to accessible so everyone is able to understand.

        If anyone is interested in Accessibility with technology and what not (I barely use my computer) I was told to follow this Youtube channel.  His videos are short and sweet and he has a ton incase you need something specific!


Side (a tad un-related) note.  I just wanted to share that a student in my after school theater program who joined last year because he only wanted to help out with our Audrey 2 puppet in Little Shop of Horrors because he had made one himself is autistic.  We "made" him audition for singing, dancing, and acting this year and he is one of my favorite parts of the show.  I love how it seems like most people who are autistic are incredibly gifted with music.    

    He told us he didn't sing but he stepped on that stage and sang every note with perfect pitch and with perfect timing....something some other kids still can't grasp.

As this week is tech week for our show, it just really makes me so happy when he is singing in his number because it is perfect every time! 

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