My original intention was to seek a doctorate to develop better digital writing tools for students, without specializing in autism or other special needs. Right now, it seems I’m heading towards disabilities and writing. I wish I could educate far more teachers on developmental disorders and brain injuries so we…
Category: Education
Posts on teaching, studying, educational systems, and institutions.
For a graduate course in curriculum, we have been asked to experiment with “mind mapping” software. I believe any organizational tool might help autistic students. They probably help most students. As my previous post reflects, I’ve never been comfortable with such maps personally, though I realize many people find the…
I like my routines. Actually, predictability and safety are what I like. It isn’t that I follow the same routine every day, just that I like to have things available to me in case I feel stressed. I want my radio programs at the times I expect. I hate it…
I wasn’t even thinking about writing on or talking about my story until I arrived in Minnesota. Here’s one reason that changed: “You’re not really helping anyone if you become some sort of activist or motivational speaker.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. A professor was suggesting I not tell…
There are people I consider mental health hypochondriacs. They read a list of symptoms or personality traits and self-diagnose themselves with everything from attention deficits to autism disorders. If there’s a way to excuse a lack of success, self-control, organization, healthy relationships, and general contentment, these people will find it…
Probably the most difficult decision anyone with a developmental disorder can make is who to tell and how. I certainly do not have a good answer for either question, since I resist the labels experts have offered. There are benefits to disclosure, based on the experiences of others. First, you…