22: Theo's Friday Neurodiversity Roundup

This week my Linkedin feed and inbox exploded.

I had a brainwave end of last year to create a website where we can recognise people in the ND community because the algorithm on social media platforms isn't always kind and it can over-index on certain people and profiles.

Also the media still love to shine a light on dead white men from the dark ages. Or at least from a time before little baby Theo came into this world.

Well F**K that for a laugh, anybody who knows me will quickly realise I'm not, or at least no longer, a conformist!

But I do love people ?

So this was my little gift back to you the ND community. I asked them who they would follow and they didn't disappoint, I received over a 100++ names and I had them broken down by country and recognised them in two lists UK and Global.

This weeks fun...

I've just been recognised as one of?#LinkedinTopVoices?2023!

To celebrate I offered an opportunity to join a Live careers hints and tips session with me,?Yasar Ahmad?VP Talent?HelloFresh?and?Steve Jacobs ?????Dir Talent?Kbrw.

It was the first time ever I'd ran a Linkedin Live session, so please be kind with the feedback ;) But it was a lively session.

You can watch the replay here.

Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow 2023 goes live

Too often when we read articles about prominent Dyslexic, ADHD or Autistic people, we keep seeing lots of names of white men who are DEAD! Men like Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison to name a few. And for all these men achieved, it has been a while since they achieved them.

Neurodiversity today in 2023 is for me about the future sustainability and advancement of the human race! Some of the most incredible scientists and activists of modern times are neurodiverse, and yes it transcends, gender, race, ethnicity & age

People putting themselves on the line like Greta Thunberg, Dr Mae Jemison and Noami Klein, to name but a few.

I wanted to shout out some of the people the ND community love and respect.

Here's our list of the 80 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow UK in 2023!

Validation from the ND community

This means a lot to me, especially from people I respect. Had a great call with Mike Bedford yesterday. He shared with me his copy of my book and boy he'd put it through the mill! With plenty of notes, highlighter marks, and sticky notes.

He then provided Amanda and me with this fantastic review of our book.

2023 will be the year of hyper-growth collaboration with my fellow ND crew...

Why is Lego so often associated with neurodiversity?

Well playing with Lego can provide a sense of accomplishment, routine, and structure, which can be helpful for people who are ND.

It's also a fun and creative way to develop social and cognitive skills, like problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor control.

But for me it plays to the inner child and allows us to build worlds, environments and things we might otherwise never experience.

Spending time with my kids recently playing with Lego, and in?Minecraft?and on Bloxburg on?Roblox, has shown me that not only are they having fun, but they are also incredible learning tools.

As adults we can also learn a lot from these games. For example, the ability to think outside the box and create something that is completely unique. And it can also be a great way to de-stress!

So, whether it's for neurodiversity or just fun, Lego and associated online gaming, offers an incredible opportunity for creative expression and learning. It’s also a great tool to help people of all ages to problem solve and to develop new skills in the modern world.

I also get the chance to own a supercar ;O)

the LEGO Group

Image:

A man (Theo Smith) with a cap and a short beard, standing next to a Lego Bugatti, taking a selfie.

Top 7 tips for a neurodiverse friendly meeting...

Provide clear agenda and objectives: Clearly stating the purpose and goals of the meeting in advance can help neurodiverse individuals prepare and feel more comfortable participating.

Encourage active participation: Encourage all attendees to actively participate in the meeting by asking open-ended questions and providing opportunities for input and feedback.

Be flexible: Be open to different communication styles and ways of participating. Some neurodiverse individuals may prefer written communication or may need more time to process information and respond.

Avoid multitasking: Avoid conducting or allowing other activities during the meeting, such as checking emails or browsing the internet, as it can be distracting for neurodiverse individuals.

Follow up: Send out meeting notes and action items after the meeting to ensure that everyone is on the same page and to provide a reference for those who need it.

Be respectful: Avoid making assumptions or stereotypes about neurodiverse individuals and be respectful of their needs and communication styles.

Be patient: It's important to be patient and to allow time for neurodiverse individuals to process information and respond to questions.

Image description:

A man (Theo Smith) standing in an open office with a blue blazer and t-shirt. There is a slightly blurred background with people working at their desks.

Seeing life from a different perspective.

We're often so engrossed in our own day-to-day lives that it's easy to forget there are many different viewpoints.

A different arc might be lurking around the corner, and never before realized opportunities could take root if we flipped our expected perspectives.

Taking a few steps back and examining things from a new angle can open us up to clarification we may have never had before.

Change is inevitable, so having insight into multiple perspectives has become increasingly important for acheiving success.

Reframing your view can grab the inner potential of life by the horns and provide deep, powerful meaning to even the most mundane tasks.

It's definitely essential to keep your eyes open and break away from your circular patterns, ready for an entirely fresh outlook!

How do you change your viewpoint and perspective?

What helpful suggestions do you have for others.

The Power of Neurodiversity: Why We Need ADHD, Autism & Dyslexia?#Shorts

In this video, we take a look at the Neurodiversity Movement and discuss how ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia are valuable to society and to the future of the planet. We argue that they should be valued and celebrated.

Content:

Neurodiversity pollinator of ideas since the beginning of time as more and more Bees vanish from our gardens and our fields. The pollinators of our crops, of our flowers, and of the air that we breathe. Biodiversity is directly impacted as is the future of our planet. As more and more creative, neurodiverse brains become locked out of our system, our education system, employment and political environments.

The brains that have solved some of the most complex problems and influenced some of the greatest activism in the world will be impacted.

We're gonna slowly and painfully dissipate diversity of thought, speech, and life itself.

Thank you :O)

Well I hope you've enjoyed my weekly roundup and I welcome your comments, thoughts, and insights or you're welcome just to continue quietly reading in the background.

Hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

See you same time next week :O)

Theo Smith

Neurodiversity Evangelist at?Dynamis Group,

Neurodiversity advocate, founder of?Neurodiversity at Work Ltd & Neurodiversity World, author of?‘Neurodiversity at Work: Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce’??and podcast host of?Neurodiversity – Eliminating Kryptonite & Enabling Superheroes!