This document provides a 3-sentence introduction to the topic of neurodiversity and differences in neurology. It defines key terms like neurotypical (NT) and discusses how technology has allowed different neurologies to communicate and advocate for respect. The document is presented as an introduction to autism and neurodiversity created by an autistic woman and her neurotypical friend, with copyright belonging to their clinic.

1. Revision 1
ACCEPT = YES
Karla Fisher (ASD), with a little help from my NT friend
Cynthia Arnold (PhD)
Introduction to ASD and Neurodiversity for everyone
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credits

2. NEUORDIVERSITY INTRO
 NT = Neurotypical. This defines the
majority of people and how their brain is
wired. Sometimes referred to as
“normal”.
 Normal people rarely stand out. Many
people actually strive to fit in this
“normal bucket” but others would say
that, “normal is boring”.
 Today we understand that NT is just
ONE (a majority) form of neurology.
There are many, many more.
 Slowly, with the help of technology and
Internet, people with all types of
neurology are communicating.
 They are demanding to be heard and
respected - and it is a beautiful thing!
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

3. NEUROLOGY: BASICS LESSON #1 (SENSES)
General Detail
This is a spectrum.
People can fall anywhere on it.
There are + and - to both!!!
General (sensory)Thinker Detail (sensory) Thinker
1) Can very quickly come to a theme amidst a lot 1) Has enormous capacity to understand the details
of data 2) Has the patience to sort through the data underneath what
2) Processes the world in real-time and is able to everyone else sees = unique perspectives
+ 3)
4)
converse with others in a “flowing” manner
Is able to switch context/topics rapidly
Can filter out unwanted data (sights, sounds,
3) Can speak in a detailed manner in their area of interest
4) Does not miss details
5) Often leads with head (data)
etc)
5) Often leads with heart (emotion)
1) May only have a general understanding of any 1) Will take a very long time (comparatively) to reach the
subject general understanding. May seem “lost “in details
2) Is often unable to have detailed data 2) Often cannot keep pace in conversation with others
conversations 3) Will talk too deeply about their interest. Others cannot keep
- 3)
4)
Often has to consult with others for more
detailed information.
Often misses important details (sights, sounds,
4)
5)
pace and may not care.
Often gets overwhelmed due to sensory overload
May appear rude, insensitive to general thinkers
etc)
5) May appear stupid/irrational to detail thinkers

4. STRENGTHS AND CAREERS FOR DETAIL THINKERS:
Although general thinkers have advantages in real-time processing and conversations
(AKA: social skills), the fact remains that the world needs “detail” people! When
“exceptional” is the goal, details matter. Many careers require extreme capacity for details.
People with ASD often have advantages in these fields over NT people.

5. NEUROLOGY BASICS: LESSON 2 (CONTEXT)
Abstract Literal
In this simple example there was a knock on the front
door and the Mom yelled for the kids to open the door.
Note how differently the kids interpret Mom’s request,
“Open the door please!”
1. I hear someone knocking at the
front door.
2. Uncle Harry is coming for
dinner. 1.Mom wants me to
3. It is nearly dinner time. open the door.
4. Mom wants me to invite him in
for dinner.
Opens the front door for Opens the back door
Uncle Harry
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

6. SLEUTH… (DETECTING MISCOMMUNICATION)
Action Abstract Thinker Literal Thinker
Abstract person tells Literal Literal person’s communication is Terse is a good thing
person he is terse offensive (*insensitive). because it saves time. Why
is this other person mad?
Abstract thinker says, “This is I did not really like this work and we He likes my work.
good work, but I think we can do need to redo it completely.
something better”
Your Examples Here - -
If you are a literal thinker, spend some quality time
being aware of the fact that most people are more
abstract than you.
See if you can catch miscommunications in
conversations due to this.
Hint: If people get mad at you, or you think they are
stupid, there may be a similar miscommunication.
(Of course some times… people really are just stupid)
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

7. EASY “GETTING ALONG” STRATEGY…
 Be aware of these communication differences.
 Assume context misunderstandings instead of disagreement.
 Ask clarifying questions instead of getting angry with one
another.
Think about this!
An extreme literal thinker may
experience miscommunications
2 or more times a day!!!
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

8. PREVALENCE
 1 in 88 people have ASD today. This means that there are
likely to be Autistic people anywhere you go.
 One of the best “friend” skills you can learn is to find “like”
people. They will often accept you and “get” you without
all the work of trying to figure out different cultures.
How many ASD
kids are in your Do you know
school? who they are?
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

9. THE DISABILITY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT…
 If you research ASD, you will find a lot of really negative press.
This is due to an overall misunderstanding of Autism. For many, many years NT
professionals and parents did not take into account the perspective of actual
Autistic people when writing about us. This resulted in misinformed theories.
Today things are changing and many of us have been given a voice! We are
helping the world to see accurately.
 We need to be accepted and supported not cured or fixed!
Because there is so much confusion about ASD, there is also a lot of negative
press about finding cures or causes. This is mostly from people who believe that
if they could remove Autism, a better person would magically appear. Autism
cannot be removed from the person, it is not a disease.
 We must accept that we are already a great people….
Autistic people!!!
Of course everyone has room for improvement…
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
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10. ROLE MODELS
Look at some of these videos
and stories of amazing autistic
individuals making headlines  50 Inspiring Autistic People of 2011 (autistic role
today. models list by the AutCast)
Top 10 Autistics Known Today
Many of these amazing Freshman (HS) football player
individuals were assumed Different ...Not Less (book by Temple Grandin
incapable of achieving anything
due to their unique neurology
about adults on the spectrum who are working)
when they were younger.
9-year-old autistic singer/songwriter on heroes
(very real; Toys "R" Us commercial)
Teen doing the swim thing on HS varsity team
Autistic teen's graduation speech (top of his
class!)
Autistic teens on YouTube
Kyle Coleman, severely autistic singer
12 year old talking about advocacy to large
audience (very gifted, but considered IQ-
challenged at first)
Autistic Eagle Scout!
College valedictorian headed to Medical School
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit

11. THIS POSTER WAS CREATED BY A GROUP OF ASD ADULTS IN PORTLAND OREGON.

12. THE AUTHORS
 Karla Fisher is an ASD adult and mother
of two adult children. She has worked in
the high tech industry for more than 20
years. In her spare time she plays guitar,
cares for her horse, dog and python,
mentors teens…and writes about ASD!
 Join her on Facebook - Karla’s ASD Page
 Cynthia Arnold, Ph.D. is a Psychologist
with a Neurodiversity approach and an
affinity for those with “diverse brains”.
She sees patients in her private practice,
is on the board of directors of a LD
school, trains teachers/clinicians and co-
writes ASD materials with Karla…when
she isn’t with her husband and precious
little boys!
 NewLeavesClinic.com
 Join her on Facebook - New Leaves Clinic
Karla and Cynthia have been working together since 2011 to create curriculum that bridges the gap between the NT
and ASD cultures. The material contained in this publication was written for ASD/NT teens and young (young at heart)
adults as an intro to Neurodiversity and Self Advocacy.
(c) Copyright 2012 - New Leaves Clinic
Freely distribute unaltered with credit