PREFACE

I am convinced that the very factors that contribute to a unique learner’s disabilities are the same factors that cause his or her remarkableabilities. It isbecause they think differently, see the world differently and solve problems differently that they are capable of making a massive contribution to the world. The “normal” mainstream of humanity has created problems that “normal” thinking can’t always solve. We need a different approach and different is what people with autism spectrum disorder*, attention deficit disorder, Asperger’s* and hyperactivity do best.

Unique learners learn differently. The unique learners throughout this book provide examples of children and adults who process information differently and come up with unusual and surprising responses. It is important to remember that these individuals may have a different way of acquiring knowledge, but that doesn’t suggest that they lack intelligence. In fact, their responses are sometimes better than those generated from more typical learners. These individuals can become true difference-makers in our communities. Unfortunately, this optimism is seldom the general perception.

When students cannot follow the exact model of education made available, there is a tendency for them to be viewed as a problem. Sometimes unique learners are thought to be lazy or disruptive and, generally, an annoyance. When intelligent students who have a unique style of learning recognize themselves to be the class problem, their lack of confidence creates more obstacles to their own success. It is similar to a self-fulfilling prophecy: the adult sees them as a problem, so they become a problem.

Unique learners often feel a sense of shame. Older students whom I work with tell me that they are not what they “should” be, they are not “normal.” The capabilities and talents of this population tend to be marginalized. Shame can be one of the most painful experiences for unique learners and for the people who love them. Their particular skills and abilities frequently are not relevant to the requirements of traditional education leading to traditional careers.

The irony of this injustice is that these individuals could very well change the world because they have a unique perspective. These essential members of our society are capable of causing change, development, and advancement. T