Neurodiversity is not just a new word, it’s a concept, a scientific and human based approach to neurological differences; it’s a movement to destigmatize and empower a large group of our population. When we speak of neurodiversity, we are asserting that our neurological differences are as fundamental to our humanity as the colors of our skin, the cultures and beliefs that shape us and our orientations.
Have you heard some of these common myths about autism… “Everyone with autism is ‘anti-social’ and doesn’t want friends,” or “People with autism are all pretty much alike,” or “People with autism don’t feel any emotion?”
Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences such as Autism, ADD, and ADHD are the result of naturally occurring variations within the human genome. Neurodiversity promotes and embraces our differences. This way of thinking focuses more on accommodating and supporting the neurodiverse population rather than looking for a cure or a way to "fix" the behaviors exhibited by those with neurological differences.
Images, stereotypes, and ideas of diagnoses, we all have them. If I were to name a few, I imagine that a few images might be conjured in your head. For example, if I mentioned Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you might picture a boy running around the room while a teacher is struggling to teach a class. If I brought up the term, Reading Disorder, you might picture a young girl reading a series of letters in the wrong order. If I said, "he has an anxiety disorder," you might picture a man struggling with leaving the house, shivering in a corner.
One of the most important aspects of adult life can be finding a rewarding career that provides the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow personally and professionally.
We took a short survey of a handful of our students and asked them how they decorate and add those touches of personality and comfort to make their apartments a home. These are their responses and some pictures of the very personalized abodes of some of our students.
In the ILS Department at CLE, we work with student roommates on various living skills in their apartments.
Everyday stories of adulting induce a collective sigh in millennial culture and are important for acknowledging the gap between achievement, expectation, and reality. Growing up is hard, and the challenge isn't rooted in grit, character, or ownership – it's in resources and opportunity. Young people today have been protected more than they've been prepared, and it's time that we take a different approach.
Throughout our lives we experience a variety of "firsts," some big and some small. New students at CLE experienced an abundance of "firsts" this past month. Just to name a few: they started the first day of classes, the first day meeting their tutors and instructors, and the first day living in a new apartment.
Jack has held a few different positions since his time at CLE and is now gainfully employed as an Uber driver! In addition to employment, Jack spends much of his time acting in plays for his local community theater. This is all to support his goals for his dream career. What is that?
