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This book provides a fertile ground for having the collective voices of the autistic people to understand inclusion and the enigma of the autism spectrum from the neurodiverse lens. The book brings forth the first-person account of autistic adults and unravels various facts about autism spectrum disorder. It offers a fresh outlook on autistic adults, reflecting on inclusion, their challenges, and strengths presenting crucial elements for a successful inclusive model and the foundation of a robust and effective support delivery reinforcing the inclusion of autistic people in society. Through a range of neurodiverse voices, the book presents the world their unique perspectives. It offers valuable insights for future directions and strategic effective pathways stressing the need for a neuro-diverse lens and strength-based focus of support for manifestation and nurturance of abilities and strengths of people.Inclusive and incisive in its making, this book would be useful to the departments of Special Education, Psychology and Applied Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Public Health. It would also be an invaluable companion to special educators, in-service and prospective teachers, policy makers, parents, professionals from government and non-government departments, and researchers in the field of disability, diversity, and equity from around the world.

Supporting Neurodivergent Children and Families presents an innovative blueprint using academic literature, research and theory, to provide a best practice approach in equipping practitioners to support neurodivergent children and their families.The knowledge and insight provided in this book allows practitioners to effectively create supportive environments and plan appropriate practice responses, whilst never changing the child. By altering the system perspective and transcending the physical boundaries of space where the interaction occurs, a supportive environment is created, thus providing more positive outcomes. The blend of practice experiences, tangible case studies and theory prompts the reader to critically reflect on their practice and potentially integrate new, innovative changes to their approach.This comprehensive and thought-provoking read is not only ideal for students and professionals who interact with neurodiverse families, but also practitioners and educators looking to alter their practical approach to understanding neurodivergent children and their families.

In this honest and practical guide, autistic therapist Raelene Dundon explores and demystifies how neurodiversity affirming principles can be easily applied to therapeutic practice.Covering essential considerations for working with neurodivergent clients such as presuming competence, promoting autonomy and respecting communication styles, and providing advice on the best affirming approaches in therapy including how to accommodate sensory needs and encourage self-advocacy, Raelene provides easy-to-implement ways to make your practice inclusive and empowering for neurodivergent children and young people.The deficit model is out. It's time to become neurodiversity affirming.

National BestsellerA Porchlight Book Company Top New ReleaseAs seen on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard'An interesting read for anybody curious about the human story and our development in society.'—Irish Tech News'Groundbreaking guide...innovative and accessible.'—SanFrancisco Book Review In The Neurodiversity Edge, renowned Oxford-trained cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and business leader, Dr. Maureen Dunne presents a pioneering framework to harnessing the power of neurodiversity to navigate the most important human resources revolution in the modern era. Did you know that an estimated 1 in 5 people are “neurodivergent”—have a mind that works differently, such as the autistic, ADHDers, the dyslexic, synesthetes, and other unique neurotypes—and that the vast majority are motivated, capable, and unemployed? This indispensable guide is based on more than two decades of immersive cognitive science research, case studies, stories from neurodivergent voices, in-the-trenches work with hundreds of organizations from start-ups to global Fortune 500 titans, and Dr. Dunne's own lived experiences as a neurodivergent employer, entrepreneur, board member, and CEO. Too many unique minds and perspectives on the sidelines, and too many organizations beset by groupthink, innovation-stagnation, and a lack of access to qualified new candidates. The Neurodiversity Edge takes you all the way from why to what and to how, delivering practical insights that build on a new foundational framework: Cultivate a values-driven approach to building a culture of sustained authentic inclusion where everyone can thrive How to improve the interview process to avoid missing game-changing talent Develop a hybrid office protocol that works for everyone and a support infrastructure that aligns with universal design principles Discover why Google's Project Aristotle found that innovation and performance hinge on psychological safety Uncover and eliminate the destructive influence of unconscious cognitive biases Take a graphic tour into the wonders of the human mind Understand unique problem-solving abilities such as lateral thinking, visual-spatial thinking, multisensory thinking, leaps of creative insight, hyperfocus, and many more How to articulate and implement organizational goals and measure progress toward them The Neurodiversity Edge is an essential guide for executives, board directors, human resources professionals, managers, recruiters, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, allies, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone with an interest in better understanding neurodiversity, authentic neuroinclusion, and the human mind.

A deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society's narrow understanding of neurodiversity“A remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement.”—Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing AutismFor every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless “masked” Autistic people who pass as neurotypical. Masking is a common coping mechanism in which Autistic people hide their identifiably Autistic traits in order to fit in with societal norms, adopting a superficial personality at the expense of their mental health. This can include suppressing harmless stims, papering over communication challenges by presenting as unassuming and mild-mannered, and forcing themselves into situations that cause severe anxiety, all so they aren't seen as needy or “odd.” In Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price shares his personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. For Dr. Price and many others, Autism is a deep source of uniqueness and beauty. Unfortunately, living in a neurotypical world means it can also be a source of incredible alienation and pain. Most masked Autistic individuals struggle for decades before discovering who they truly are. They are also more likely to be marginalized in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other factors, which contributes to their suffering and invisibility. Dr. Price lays the groundwork for unmasking and offers exercises that encourage self-expression, including:• Celebrating special interests• Cultivating Autistic relationships• Reframing Autistic stereotypes• And rediscovering your valuesIt's time to honor the needs, diversity, and unique strengths of Autistic people so that they no longer have to mask—and it's time for greater public acceptance and accommodation of difference. In embracing neurodiversity, we can all reap the rewards of nonconformity and learn to live authentically, Autistic and neurotypical people alike.

The Neurodiversity Reader collection brings together work from pioneering figures within and beyond the neurodiversity movement to critically explore its associated concepts and how they might be translated into practice. The concept of neurodiversity can be traced to the late 1990s and the work of the autistic Australian sociologist Judy Singer (1998), with its origins within the autistic rights movement that had begun in earnest some years prior to that. In the 20 years since the inception of the concept, a strong international movement championing the civil rights of those deemed ‘neurodivergent'from idealised norms has grown, rallying behind the slogan ‘Nothing about us without us'. Alongside this political movement has been an increasing academic interest in the concept of neurodiversity and how such ideas can relate to practice and service provision. This collection will explore the history of the movement, the concepts that have shaped it, and where the future might lead to. Through a variety of accounts, the relevance and criticisms of these concepts in understanding ourselves and one another will be examined, as well as implications for practice.