Autism: moving beyond labels
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Furthering her discussion of different minds, Grandin introduced four types of thinking used by those with autism: photo-realistic visual thinking, pattern thinking, verbal logic thinking and auditory thinking. Grandin explained how each thinking type has its respective strengths and weaknesses.
Individuals with autism who are photo-realistic visual thinkers tend to do poorly with math, while pattern thinkers tend to do poorly with reading. The verbal logic thinker typically struggles with drawing, while the auditory thinker tends to struggle with visual perception.
Grandin identifies herself to be a photo-realistic visual thinker who struggles very much with understanding algebra.
“I’m worried that our visual thinkers are getting screened out by some of the strict algebra classes,” Grandin said. “I think it’s just ridiculous. Let them take geometry; I’m not suggesting no math — I’m not suggesting that — but I think there’s some pattern thinkers that think you could have algebra in order to think. It didn’t make any sense to me; there are no pictures.”
Grandin identified what she believes to be many issues with the educational system. One of these was the top-down, verbal culture that doesn’t cater to some visual thinkers and individuals with autism or dyslexia, who she said are often “bottom-up” thinkers.
Grandin said bottom-up thinkers learn concepts on the basis of specific examples, which requires a high volume of data.
The audience was widely comprised of educators or parents of children with autism. In terms of working with diagnosed children, Grandin emphasized the importance of hands-on work, which allows them to develop work ethic.
Grandin said one of the worst things schools have done is take away hands-on courses like culinary and woodshop.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman