Thinking Differences

The all-school readings for 2019 are chosen to highlight the growth and joy that all individuals in a neurodiverse community can experience when it includes and embraces a wide variety of neuro-expressions. This year’s selections highlight the strengths and challenges of three neural patterns that are often labeled as disabling. We hope that engaging with these texts and their characters will illuminate the many ways in which minds that are disabled under some circumstances are extraordinary in others, and how opening ourselves with warmth, curiosity, and vulnerability to others who appear to think differently from us may result in lasting personal and community growth.

How To Build A Hug | Autism Spectrum

From Simon and Shuster

As a young girl, Temple Grandin loved folding paper kites, making obstacle courses, and building lean-tos. But she really didn’t like hugs. Temple wanted to be held—but to her, hugs felt like being stuffed inside the scratchiest sock in the world; like a tidal wave of dentist drills, sandpaper, and awful cologne, coming at her all at once. Would she ever get to enjoy the comfort of a hug?

Then one day, Temple had an idea. If she couldn’t receive a hug, she would make one…she would build a hug machine!

The World Needs All Kinds of Minds

TedEd | Temple Grandin

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mayo Clinic Radio