RedGage

Niche Construction, Neurodiversity and Human Dignity

Neuro -of the brain, Diversity -the state or fact of being diverse;difference, unlikeness

Niche Construction : Success in Life Also Depends on Modifying Your Surrounding Environment to Fit the Needs of Your Unique Brain-Thomas Armstrong, PhD

A very dear friend posted a story for another friend on Facebook the other day that really made my blood boil.

This woman, whose son uses a wheelchair for transportation, was extremely upset by the way her son’s school Choir Director handled a recent situation.

The boy and his Mum live in the Atlanta area and the boy was due to sing in a Choir Concert. Because the venue was not wheelchair accessible, the boy and his chair were wheeled to the side of the risers where the choir members were standing. He was made invisible and a non-participant. Throughout the entire concert, the boy was left to the side, alone, a non-participant, sitting there with no function in this concert at all.

I am not writing about this because of any feelings of pity for the mother, the son, or any human with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is an example of a Neurodiverse state.

I am enraged, however, because of the lack of respect this boy was shown by his choir director. Having lived in Maryland and worked with a woman who is a Licensed Interior Planner, I know firsthand that the State of Maryland is a wheelchair accessible state-plain and simple. Laws are in place to support the rights of those Neurodiverse individuals who use a wheelchair to get around. This is an example of respect for people’s rights on a State-Level. How does that happen? When individuals come together and seek the highest good, laws are changed and people are helped.

How can this happen in Georgia, though? How do we change the perception of individuals who see someone in a wheelchair as an embarrassment or a liability? When I was a classroom Special Educator in Preschool, I worked at an Easter Seals-run Head Start Centre. This was also in Atlanta Georgia. The changes that were made to this older school that was refurbished were WONDERFUL! An elevator was installed to handle any issues with ramps that were not structurally possible, washrooms were modified, etc. As both a Special Educator and a person, I was very pleased to work in an environment that was a model of Niche Construction-literal niche construction 

The point I am making with all of this is that in order for Niche Construction totake hold as a matter of public policy, it must start within the minds and hearts of individuals. We must stop seeing anyone who is not blond, blue-eyed and fabulous as anything but fabulous too! Neurodiversity is the new Fabulous!

As a society, we have been at this far too long to keep giving into ego prejudices!There isnothing scary about a wheelchair. There is nothing scary about someone who needs a wheelchair to get around!

Here is a simple way to overcome your fears of the unknown: Ask questions!Be curious! I had never worked with an all-African American school population when I was first teaching middle school. I asked questions. From a place of respect, I asked questions!

Encourage your children to ask questions! Walk up to someone who is in a wheelchair and ask questions! Be respectful, be curious, and ask! The only way we learn is by learning! The only way to learn is by asking!

Curiosity implies wonder and openness-if we each stay curious and stay out of fear when it comes to people, places and things that are different-all the nouns-we can then, as a society, co-create Niche Construction as a choice rather than as the result of one more expensive law-suit.

What can you do today to promote curiosity and openness?

Love and Light to you!

Heather M. McCrae, MM MEd