'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

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I have mentioned in various earlier posts from mid July to late August last year, beginning with this one, the ‘niche construction’ approach advocated by Dr. Thomas Armstrong. It is based upon the idea of modifying the environment to suit each brain’s unique needs (for example the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Such an approach would seem to be the opposite to the approach favoured by those who believe in treatments to ‘correct’ brain differences (for example for those people with Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Here is what Dr. Thomas Armstrong had to say on the matter in his blog:

…So I’m very interventionist when it comes to neurodiversity. There is a lot that we could and should do to help diverse brains thrive. For people with autism, that means help with social skills, communication, and problem-solving (adapting), and assistance in creating niches through sensory modification and interest-development among other things. I’m fine with research into the genetic causes of autism. We need to know more about this disorder/difference, and if there are things we can do to better the lives of people with autism, that’s great! Where I might start getting kind of nervous, however, is when people begin talking about genetic counseling for autism and other neurodiverse conditions (I suspect we’re still a long way from this).
It’s when we give people choices about whether or not to allow autism to exist, that I think we’re in dangerous territory…

Indeed, while accommodations for people with brain differences are no doubt gaining popularity (including in schools), conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorders are still something often seen as differences that need to be treated in order to ‘normalise’ these individuals’ brains. One well established school/program that seeks to strengthen brain weaknesses via an extensive system of cognitive exercises is that founded through the work of Barbara Arrowsmith Young…

…When a child or young adult is diagnosed with a learning disability, he or she is typically provided with a diagnosis that allows them or recommends for them some compensations in their studies–extra time on tests for instance. These compensations favor the stronger aspects of their mental capacities and give leeway to the weaker.

By a winding path at 28 Barbara Arrowsmith Young came across the work of Mark Rosenzweig of the University of Berkeley. Rosenzweig had compared the brains of rats raised in stimulating and non-stimulating environments and found that those raised with stimulation had formed far more neurotransmitters and were bigger and healthier. This gave Barbara the idea that she might help herself by working the weaker areas of her brain rather than allowing for them.

With countless hours of arduous self-designed training Barbara eventually trained and strengthened her brain to perform more effectively, countering her deficits until they disappeared. She co-founded the Arrowsmith School in Toronto, helping children with learning disabilities to reverse those disabilities with appropriate training…

(sources: Neurodiversity Forever | Dr. Armstrong’s Blog; Brain Fitness Pro Training Blog Blog Archive Norman Doidge ? Building A Better Brain)