Writer and Neurodiversity Advocate Jonathan Mooney says that his basic message to kids who learn differently (also the title of one of his books) is “normal sucks.” He tells kids that they’re not the problem; they are okay just as they are. That is not to be in denial about challenges, rather find ways to mitigate them with help and accommodations but identify and focus on strengths.
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Transcript
When I talk to people, whether that be in a formal setting, whether that be a young person that I meet in my personal life who is neurodiverse and having a hard time, I don’t beat around the bush. [laughs] That’s not how I, that’s now how I roll in the world. My message is normal sucks, you know. You’re not the problem, you’re okay as you are.
Now, does that mean we should be in denial or naïve about challenges? No. It means we should understand our challenges, mitigate our weaknesses through teams, accommodation, and help. But we should define ourselves and build a pathway, not around what’s wrong with us, but what is right with us.
And my message to young folks is when you do that, acknowledge the weakness and accommodate it, identify the strength and celebrate it. When you do that, you have a bright future, not despite your neurodiversity, you have a bright future because of it. That’s my message to young folks.
For more information about learning disabilities, please visit LDOnLine.org. This video was made possible by a partnership between the National Education Association and WETA.