Terminology
'Autistic' is an example of what type of language
Identity first language
Normal/Abnormal
Neurotypical/Neurodivergent
Fix them
Support them
Who determines what type of language is used to identify folks? (Identity first vs. person first)
The individual themselves
That student is too loud
This student has difficulty with regulating their volume
What is person first language?
Terminology that is phrased to separate the person from their diagnosis (e.g., person with ADHD, person with dyslexia)
Symptoms
Traits/ Characteristics
Autism awareness
Autism Acceptance/Appreciation
What contributes to stereotypes with neurodiverse individuals?
Physical attributes, social differences, pathology paradigm
This student has consistent bad behavior
This student has difficulty with class expectations as set by the teacher and requires additional support in [form] to have full access to the curriculum
Challenges
Stereotypy
Stimming/ Regulating
Obsessions
Special/fixed interests
Why is society shifting from the medical model to the social model?
Neurodivergence has become a paradigm, where culture, social expectations, and community have become and integral part to folks identity. It's more than a diagnosis that can be invalidating and something to be 'cured'
This student is interrupting too much
The student is making connections to the material presented. Although, the student has difficulty with response inhibition in a larger classroom setting.
What does the term 'Neurodiversity' actually mean?
The neuro in neurodiversity is most usefully understood as a convenient shorthand for the functionality of the whole bodymind and the way the nervous system weaves together cognition and embodiment. So neurodiversity refers to the diversity among minds, or among bodyminds. (Walker, 2021)
Verbal/Non-verbal
Speaking/ Non-speaking
Challenging behavior
Specify and describe the beahvior and the reasoning as a result of the environment/ support
What makes the terminology verbal/non-verbal different than speaking/non-speaking?
When discussing a person who is speaking, we are acknowledging that a person is using a set language with words and phrases that indicate a concise message. When discussing a person who is verbal, but non-speaking, we are acknowledging that they can use verbal cues (i.e., grunting, laughing, groaning) to communicate.
The student won't stop talking about dungeons and dragons and it's annoying other students
The student has a special interest in dungeons and dragons and uses it to connect with classroom content or make connections to the material, which I can more clearly connect with modeling and support.
Define the Pathology paradigm vs. Neurodiversity paradigm
Pathology paradigm: starts from the assumption that significant divergences from dominant sociocultural norms of cognition and embodiment represent some form of deficit, defect, or pathology
Neurodiversity paradigm: starts from the understanding that neurodiversity is an axis of human diversity, like ethnic diversity or diversity of gender and sexual orientation, and is subject to the same sorts of social dynamics as those other forms of diversity—including the dynamics of social power inequalities, privilege, and oppression
Walker, 2021
High-functioning vs. Low-functioning
Low support needs vs. high support needs
iPad for speech
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Speech generating device, alternative form of conversation
Why do we use the terms needs instead of functioning?
A person functions at differing levels in different environments. Taking the perspectives of what their level of supports needs gives a more accurate representation of how much support a person needs to be independent, not how they function generally.
The student is low-functioning and nonverbal. They use an iPad to speak to others.
The student requires additional support needs to access their environment, which includes using a speech-generating device to bolster their communication with others, as they are non-speaking. They typically communicate with laughing and high pitched laugh-like noises to express their enjoyment.