Talk and discussion on Neurodiversity – The Core of Creativity at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia on 25 January 2017 from 6 pm to 8 pm
A similar discussion took place at AUT Colab in Auckland, New Zealand on 3 December 2016.
Details and registration
https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-KMLF/events/236233649/
Description of the session
The neurodiversity movement asserts that neurological differences should be recognized and respected as a social category on a par with gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability status. It frames autism, bipolar disorder and other neurotypes as a natural human variation rather than a pathology or disorder, and its advocates believe them to be authentic forms of human diversity and valuable sources of human talents and innovative potential.
The session provides an introduction to the topic of neurodiversity based on current scientific evidence and first hand experience. The audience is welcome to ask questions and offer further experiences.
Key items to be presented
• No serious discussion on the topic of innovation, learning, and collaboration can afford to ignore the relevance of neurodiversity. In particular people on the autistic spectrum learn and play differently.
• Discrimination against autists is comparable to the level of discrimination against homosexuals 50 years ago. The pathologisation of autism has led to what some critical researchers refer to as the autism industrial complex.
• Autists communicate and enjoy themselves by sharing information and knowledge, and not by negotiating social status. Over the last two decades it has become increasingly clear that autistic cognitive lenses are apparently an essential element in all human societies, especially in the context of innovation and in terms of reducing spurious complexity in human culture.
• Today autists are still advised from a young age to mimic neurotypical behaviour. It is time to liberate autism from the pathology paradigm. This can only be achieved if autists take ownership of the definition of autism and share their experience of human cultures through an autistic lens from a first hand perspective.
Participating in this event will enable you to
• See value and creative potential where mainstream society currently perceives and attempts to contain or neutralise pathological behaviour
• Understand the essential role of neurodiversity as a driver of innovation
• Appreciate the unique portfolio of strengths that autists bring to any collaborative endeavour
17 Jan 2017, 5:18 am
