Neurodiversity: a vantage point that views variations in the human brain regarding learning, sociability, attention, mood, and other mental functions as normal rather than deficits. Neurodiversity is often associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, and anxiety, along with others.
Autistic Community and the Neurodiverse Movement by 
First Class Support for College Students on the Autism Spectrum by 
Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Being diagnosed with autism is often seen as a tragedy. But for Jac den Houting, it was the best thing that's ever happened to them. As an autistic person, concepts like the Neurodiversity paradigm, the Social Model of Disability, and the Double Empathy Problem were life-changing for Jac. In this talk, Jac combines these ideas with their own personal story to explain why we need to rethink the way that we understand autism.
What do you think about, when you hear the word, “autism”? No diagnostic manual can truly explain the multifaceted experience of autism. It’s a neurological difference with a vast spectrum of representation within its population. It can come with remarkable gifts and skills as well as devastating traits. Autism does not necessarily equal disability and thankfully today, we have a word, that challenges this negative terminology. Neurodiversity. In her talk, Elisabeth communicates how it is to be autistic yet lead an independent and successful everyday life.
What kind of world would we have if we all realized what kind of mind we had and began appreciating it? What if we did the same for others? In this talk, Brian Kinghorn champions the cause of Neurodiversity, arguing that there is not just one “standard-issue” brain.
Having an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, Ph. D. candidate Brian Kinghorn advocates for greater understanding and acceptance, and reminds us that different does not have to mean less. Brian R. C. Kinghorn is pursuing a doctorate in Measurement & Evaluation at Teachers College, Columbia University. Kinghorn holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Arcadia University and an M.A. in Statistics from Columbia University. Besides scholarly pursuits and philosophical debate, Brian enjoys Mindfulness Meditation and is an Aikido practitioner.
