Brain Power

Neurodiversity. The word helps us examine the way we view a variety of strengths and challenges. As a science, it’s backed up by research from a variety of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology. As a working concept, it’s revolutionized our theories about education. It’s made our world richer and more complex and allowed us to see how environmental, social, and cultural norms infuse our understanding of human abilities. Through decades of study and several best-selling books such as If Einstein Ran the Schools, The Human Odyssey, The Power of the Adolescent Brain, Awakening Genius in the Classroom, and especially, The Power of Neurodiversity, Dr. Thomas Armstrong has trail-blazed a way for students, teachers, and other assorted humans to tap into and celebrate our infinitely resplendent and uniquely neurodiverse brains. Though each neurodivergent individual diverges from others in a very personalized way, what they have in common is a mutual need to look for and be supported by environments that accept them as they are as they try to adapt to the world around them. Rather than viewing neurodiversity as problematic, Armstrong looks through a positive lens, sharing insights about how these individuals can offer their own distinctive strengths, imagination, creativity, innovation, and talents. This is a population, which may be much bigger than we realize, waiting to be utilized, not ostracized, in the panoply of the human society. “We’ve become one-sided in our disease-based orientation to brain differences,” writes Armstrong in The Power of Neurodiversity, “and need to spend time exploring the positive side to correct this imbalance.” Critical of the medical model, Armstrong points out how this outdated approach has aimed to fix, cure, and provide remediation for those who have Learning Disabilities, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and other mental health conditions. Armstrong flips the traditional conceptions of these conditions by bringing to light the gifts that come along with these brilliant brains. Beyond debunking our problem-centric approach to differences, Armstrong reframes our perceptions about how we “think” and even what “thinking” is by referring to scientific research, in addition to social and cultural history. Armstrong’s message highlights what neurodiverse people are good at, and often where they excel above their neurotypical peers. He stresses that, “It’s important for individuals coping with their neurological differences to see that others like themselves have also struggled and ultimately succeeded on their own terms.” He offers readers examples to shift their paradigm and see ability, instead of “disability,” and thereby become aware of distinct advantages among the neurodiverse. In the chapter “The Joy of the Hyperactive Brain,” Armstrong notes the creative aspects of ADHD provide great advantages for brainstorming big ideas and inspiring innovation. “Hyper” individuals have an edge that others might not have. “Niche Construction,” a term Dr. Armstrong emphasizes in his work, helps an individual to hone and nurture one’s strengths and interests, carving out a life path that uses these abilities as tools to foster career opportunities and to seek supportive environments. These strengths can help neurodiverse individuals build skills in areas of challenge. [perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Armstrong wants to start a serious campaign to research the positives among people who are defined in terms of their negatives.[/perfectpullquote] Depression, too, very common among teens, can be seen as another aspect of neurodiversity. Armstrong writes candidly about times when he suffered severe depression. It opened his mind to other ways of thinking, new insights, and helped produce some of his best work, even as the work helped ease the depression. Although there is a healthy dose of optimism and encouragement in his work, Armstrong backs everything with science and offers a fresh perspective on how different aspects of neurodiversity can be used for innovation and creativity. Armstrong wrote this book to focus on the “hidden strengths” of mental “disorders.” He wants to start a serious campaign to research the positives among people who are defined in terms of their negatives. He is passionate. He is logical. His research is clear. His argument is strong. Neurodiversity must be acknowledged and nurtured in classrooms and workplaces so that all individuals can be recognized by their strengths, interests, talents, and curiosities. A neurodiverse world is a rich one, and Armstrong’s goal is for society to work together to keep our civilization, vital, interesting, and diverse.

–Holly Kincaid and Lisa Zaretsky

From The Power of Neurodiversity:

Armstrong’s 8 Principles of Neurodiversity

• 1: The Human Brain Works More Like an Ecosystem than a Machine
• 2: Human Beings and Human Brains Exist Along Continuum of Competence. 
• 3: Human Competence Is Defined by the Values of the Culture to Which You Belong
• 4: Whether You Are Regarded as Disabled or Gifted Depends Largely on When and Where You Were Born.
• 5: Success in Life Is Based on Adapting One’s Brain to the Needs of the Surrounding Environment.
• 6: Success in Life Also Depends on Modifying Your Surrounding Environment to Fit the Needs of Your Unique Brain (Niche Construction)
• 7: Niche Construction Includes Career and Lifestyle Choices, Assistive Technologies, Human Resources, and Other Life-Enhancing Strategies Tailored to the Specific Needs of a Neurodiverse Individual
• 8: Positive Niche Construction Directly Modifies the Brain, Which in Turn Enhances Its Ability to Adapt to the Environment