Neurodiversity: From Phenomenology to Neurobiology and Enhancing Technologies

332 Pages·2021·3.085 MB·English

by  Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.

Neurodiversity
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Neurodiversity: From Phenomenology to Neurobi- R
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ology and Enhancing Technologies
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addresses the totality of neurodiversity through positive explorations
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of “invisible diversities”—from ADHD and savantism to autism and dys- H
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lexia. Edited by the director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, the N FROM PHENOMENOLOGY
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book emphasizes strengths-based approaches to clinical practice and
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investigates interventions to improve the lives of neurodiverse individu- E TO NEUROBIOLOGY
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als. Following a compelling foreword by Temple Grandin, the book pro- O
ceeds to address neurodiversity in four parts: frst, an introduction that L AND ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES
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presents neurodiversity’s differences in brain function and behavior as G
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part of the normal variation of the human population; second, presen-

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tation of the strengths-based model of neurodiversity (SBMN), includ- O
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ing positive psychology, neurobiology, and SBMN in savantism, autism, N
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ADHD, and dyslexia; third, a discussion of neurodiverse individuals in U
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the real world, including higher education and employment; and fnal- Or
ly, a review of technologies that enhance our abilities to maximize the Bo
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potential of neurodiversity, including inclusive design and assessment
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tools that provide support for neurodiverse young adults seeking mean- Ov
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ingful employment.
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Neurodiversity: From Phenomenology to Neurobiology and Enhanc-
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ing Technologies provides clinicians, educators, and other professionals Dy

with cutting-edge, practical, and positive information to understand and E
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assist their patients, students, and other neurodiverse individuals to op- H
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erate from a position of strength. N
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Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D., is Director of the G

Stanford Neurodiversity Project and an Assistant Pro- T
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fessor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford C
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University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. N
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Edited by
Cover design: Tammy J. Cordova Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
Cover image: © royaltystockphoto.com
Used under license from Shutterstock
Neurodiversity
From Phenomenology to Neurobiology
and Enhancing Technologies

Neurodiversity
From Phenomenology to Neurobiology
and Enhancing Technologies
Edited by
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Stanford Neurodiversity Project
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, California
Note: The authors have worked to ensure that all information in this book is
accurate at the time of publication and consistent with general psychiatric and
medical standards, and that information concerning drug dosages, schedules, and
routes of administration is accurate at the time of publication and consistent with
standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the general medical
community. As medical research and practice continue to advance, however,
therapeutic standards may change. Moreover, specific situations may require a
specific therapeutic response not included in this book. For these reasons and
because human and mechanical errors sometimes occur, we recommend that
readers follow the advice of physicians directly involved in their care or the care of
a member of their family.
Books published by American Psychiatric Association Publishing represent the
findings, conclusions, and views of the individual authors and do not necessarily
represent the policies and opinions of American Psychiatric Association Publishing
or the American Psychiatric Association.
If you wish to buy 50 or more copies of the same title, please go to www.appi.org/
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Copyright © 2021 American Psychiatric Association Publishing
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
First Edition
Manufactured in the United States of America on acid-free paper
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American Psychiatric Association Publishing
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www.appi.org
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Fung, Lawrence K., 1970- editor. | American Psychiatric Association,
publisher.
Title: Neurodiversity : from phenomenology to neurobiology and enhancing
technologies / edited by Lawrence K. Fung.
Description: First edition. | Washington, DC : American Psychiatric Association
Publishing, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021001921 (print) | LCCN 2021001922 (ebook) | ISBN
9781615373024 (paperback ; alk. paper) | ISBN 9781615373956 (ebook)
Subjects: MESH: Neurodevelopmental Disorders—genetics | Nervous System
Physiological Phenomena—genetics | Biodiversity | Neurobiology—methods
Classification: LCC QP360 (print) | LCC QP360 (ebook) | NLM WS 350.7 |
DDC 612.8—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021001921
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021001922
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP record is available from the British Library.
Dedicated to
Michele, who has been my companion in this journey of neurodiversity;
Zachary, who has inspired me to devote my life to
the field of neurodiversity; and
Hannah, whose whipped coffee has gotten me through
some challenging times.

Contents
Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xv
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
CHAPTER ONE
Neurodiversity: The New Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
Nancy Doyle, Ph.D.
CHAPTER TWO
Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based
Approaches to Neurodiversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D.
CHAPTER THREE
Strengths-Based Model and Savantism. . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Matthew Doll, Ph.D.
Darold Treffert, M.D.
Thomas Fabricius, M.D.
Edward Jedlicka, Ph.D.
Vivian Hazell, LPC
Tara Geier, M.A., BCBA
Bryan Mischler, LCSW
Erin Whittington, B.A.
CHAPTER FOUR
Strengths-Based Model of
Neurodiversity and Autism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
CHAPTER FIVE
Strengths-Based Model of
Neurodiversity and ADHD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
CHAPTER SIX
Strengths-Based Model of Dyslexia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Nicole S. Ofiesh, Ph.D.
Henry B. Reiff, Ph.D.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Neurobiology of Neurodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Support for
Neurodiverse Individuals and Professionals. . . . . . . .175
Nancy Doyle, Ph.D.
CHAPTER NINE
Specialized Employment Initiatives for
Neurodiverse Individuals: A Model Program . . . . . . . 201
Jose Velasco, M.S.
CHAPTER TEN
Technologies and Difference: Insights from
Education Breakdown and Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Jutta Treviranus, Ph.D.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Using Technology to Provide Transition Support
for Neurodiverse Young Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
Steven M. Keisman, M.A., M.S.
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Contributors
Matthew Doll, Ph.D.
Director of Behavioral Health, Outpatient Services, Treffert Center, Fond
du Lac, Wisconsin
Nancy Doyle, Ph.D.
Research Fellow, Birkbeck College, University of London; CEO and
founder, Genius Within, London, United Kingdom
Thomas Fabricius, M.D.
Research Director, Family Practice, Treffert Center, Fond du Lac, Wis-
consin
Lawrence K. Fung, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Stanford Neurodiversity Project, and Assistant Professor of Psy-
chiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine,
Palo Alto, California
Tara Geier, M.A., BCBA
Behavior Analyst, Treffert Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, Colorado
Vivian Hazell, LPC
Senior Psychotherapist, Treffert Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Edward Jedlicka, Ph.D.
Senior Psychotherapist, Treffert Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Steven M. Keisman, M.A., M.S.
Senior Vice President, Identifor, Mendham, New Jersey
ix