The following article expands on highlights and insights from one of our Expert Series events, which are exclusive for Young Scholars and their parents.
Authored by: Dr. Liz Angoff, LEP, ABSNP
Brains are different in important and necessary ways. This brain diversity – or, neurodiversity – is what makes it possible for our world to evolve and thrive. In this workshop, you will learn about what makes your brain unique, what neurodiversity and giftedness mean for you, and what tools and strategies your brain needs to be at its best.
Introduction:
In this session we explored how all brains are different in important and necessary ways. This idea has a name: neurodiversity.
The word itself holds a clue. Neuro refers to the brain, and diversity means variety. Neurodiversity is the idea that every brain is unique, and that the world actually needs lots of different kinds of thinkers to work well.
Every human brain has the same basic parts, just like every body has a heart and lungs. Some parts help you think, plan, and solve problems. Deeper parts help with emotions, memory, and making sense of what you see, hear, and feel. These parts talk to each other through special cells called neurons, which connect using electricity and chemicals. Every time you practice something, those connections build pathways, like billions of tiny roads. In this way, you can think of your brain as “always under construction.”
In this session, we built a personal “brain map” with four sections: your Highways (things that come easily, or that you have worked hard to build), your Construction Projects (skills your brain is still building), Helpful Words to describe your brain like “neurodiversity” and “gifted”, and your Tools and Construction Crew (the strategies and people who help you grow).
We also explored giftedness as one kind of neurodiversity. Gifted brains often have superhighways, and they can also have common construction projects. Understanding your own brain map helps you make sense of yourself, explain yourself to others, and ask for what you need.
Highlights:
- All brains are different in important and necessary ways. There is no single “normal” brain. Everyone has a unique mix of strengths and challenges, and that variety is important to our world.
- Every brain is under construction. Neurons link up with electricity and chemicals to form pathways. The more you use a pathway, the stronger and faster it gets. For this reason, you can think of your brain as constantly growing and changing – or “under construction.”
- Highways vs. Construction Projects. Highways are what come easily or what you are proud of building. Construction Projects are skills still in progress. Everyone has both, and yours are likely different from your friends and relatives.
- Creating your own definition of neurodiversity. You can create your own definition of neurodiversity with this sentence starter: “For me, neurodiversity means that [my highways] come easily and I’m still working on [my construction projects].” For example, one student shared: “For me, neurodiversity means that thinking really fast comes easily and I’m still working on slowing down to check my work.”
- Giftedness is one type of neurodiversity. Gifted brains have highways and construction projects, too. Gifted highways may include reasoning, abstract thinking, or a strong sense of justice. Gifted construction projects may include perfectionism, knowing what to do with intense feelings, or getting ideas down on paper. It is completely normal to be gifted and still struggle with some things.
- Asynchrony is a real thing. It means different parts of your brain may develop at different speeds. You might read far above your age but find handwriting slow, or learn quickly but find it hard to be patient with others. This does not mean you are “less gifted.” Some parts of your brain are just taking their time.
- You don’t build alone. Your Construction Crew (parents, teachers, friends, coaches) and your Tools (lists, calendars, audiobooks, fidgets, a whiteboard, reviewing before a test) help turn construction projects into highways over time.
Things Students Can do to Explore This Topic Further…
Try it yourself
- Make your brain map. Fold a paper into four sections: Highways, Construction Projects, Helpful Words, and Tools and Construction Crew. Revisit it every few months and notice which construction projects are turning into highways.
- Share your definition. Use the sentence frame: “For me, neurodiversity means [my highways] come easily and I’m working on [my construction projects.]” Share your definition with a parent, teacher, or friend. It is a great way to help others understand you, and to ask for support.
- Run an experiment. Pick one construction project and test a new tool for two weeks (a checklist, a timer, speech-to-text for writing, a calm-down plan). Keep notes like a scientist: what worked, and what didn’t?
- Get curious about others. Ask family members or friends about their highways and construction projects. You may be surprised how different, and how similar, brains can be.
Resources
- ExplainingBrains.com/Parents: Brain-building resources for kids and families
- Our Brains: Empowering Neurodivergent Minds at ExplainingBrains.com/ourbrains
- @ExplainingBrains on social media
- Contact: Liz@DrLizAngoff.com
Speaker Bio:
Liz Angoff, Ph.D., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, providing assessment and consultation services to children and their families in the Bay Area, CA. She is the author of the Brain Building Books and Our Brains, empowering neurodivergent children to understand, celebrate, and advocate for their amazing brains. More information about Dr. Liz and her work is available at www.ExplainingBrains.com.
Permission Statement
This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.
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