Everyone's story begins with a mother, and mine is certainly no exception. In the very beginning, my mother knew something was different about me. My world was too loud, too fast, too confusing, and we didn't have the words to explain it.Entering school, it didn't take long for me to start drowning, both academically and socially, unable to keep up with demands. As the gaps between me and my peers continued to widen, so did my awareness of them. Why can't I just like what they like and do what they do.Why w ...

Thank you everyone. Thanks for this kind invite to be at TEDex today and what a better place than uh Pune which is known as Vidya Vidya Maher. So let's begin with my first story.So a few years ago I met a very bright 10-year-old curious child. He was excellent with solving puzzles. In fact, he was so good he could solve the trickiest within few seconds to minutes.But he hated to read and could barely write even a single sentence. His mother whispered to me and panic in a panicky voice and she said that her ...

Core Argument - The presentation advocates for "flow first thinking," a methodology designed to align with neurodivergent minds, particularly those with ADHD, to enhance productivity and unlock individual potential [7][8] - The central problem isn't ADHD itself, but rather forcing neurodivergent individuals into systems that don't accommodate their unique cognitive styles [6][7] Scientific Basis - Research indicates that ADHD brains process dopamine differently, leading to both challenges in motivation and focus, as well as heightened creativity and hyperfocus [9] - A study in The Lancet Psychiatry revealed that up to 70% of adults with ADHD experience flow states regularly, compared to only 16% of the general population [9] - A 2019 study demonstrated that ADHD brains underperform not because they are scattered, but because they are understimulated, craving novelty, challenge, and speed [11][12] Practical Application: The FLOW Framework - The presentation introduces a simple framework called FLOW, with each step building upon the previous one: Find your spark times, Link the boring with the stimulating, Organize your overflow, and Work your week around your peaks [14] - Harvard Business Review found that people working during their peak hours are up to 20% more effective at creative and problem-solving tasks [15] - Context switching can cost up to 40% of productivity, highlighting the importance of streamlining communication with oneself [20] Case Study - A client named Tim, initially perceived as lazy and difficult, saved his company over $300,000 on a single project within a year by being allowed to work with his energy and utilize his flow [13] Call to Action - The presentation challenges the audience to spend the next 10 days tracking their energy levels to identify their "spark times" and patterns of focus [23]

Did you know that sunflowers have a secret. On cloudy days when the sun is nowhere to be found, they don't keep staring at the sky. No, they actually turn toward each other and they pass light back and forth until the sun returns.Now, when I originally heard that, I thought, "What an amazing way to describe community and support." And we should be living that way. But somewhere along the way, I think we forgot. See, we keep getting sold this story that strength equals silence.You must disappear, working on ...

Core Argument - Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, represents cognitive variations that offer unique strengths and perspectives, not deficits [4][5] - Embracing neurodiversity unlocks innovation, empathy, and collective growth by challenging societal norms and redefining thriving [21] Strengths of Neurodivergent Individuals - Individuals with ADHD often generate numerous ideas, while autistic individuals excel in pattern recognition and problem-solving [5][6] - Dyslexic individuals demonstrate analytical and logical thinking, and those with OCD often perform well on language tasks [6] - People with Tourette's syndrome develop focus and adaptability, while those with dyscalculia display creativity and strategic thinking [7] - Individuals with dyspraxia are known for perseverance and problem-solving, and those with selective mutism possess observation and empathy skills [8][9] Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Individuals - Neurodivergent individuals face daily challenges in environments designed for neurotypical people, such as sensory overload in stores or difficulty focusing in open offices [10][11][13] - Unexpected changes can cause distress, affecting confidence and social interactions [14] Creating Inclusive Environments - Providing quiet spaces, adjustable lighting, and alternative formats for instructions can reduce sensory overload and match different learning styles [15] - Alternative interview formats, flexible scheduling, and remote work options can help employees manage energy and focus [16] - Redefining productivity based on output rather than facetime and educating colleagues fosters empathy and reduces stigma [17] Benefits of Embracing Neurodiversity - Teams with neurodivergent members report greater creativity and problem-solving abilities [19] - Neurodivergent thinkers inspire transformative change across fields like technology and education [19] Key Lessons for Building an Inclusive Future - Celebrate differences as strengths, create environments accommodating diverse cognitive needs, and listen deeply to lived experiences [20]

Neurodiversity in Healthcare - The healthcare industry needs to shift its language, acceptance, and culture to empower neurodivergent clinicians [13] - The industry should create inclusive environments where neurodivergent individuals feel they belong [4][14] - The industry needs to move beyond the stigma and belief that conditions like autism or ADHD make individuals unfit to care for others [4][5] Accessibility and Inclusion - The industry should proactively create accessible environments without waiting for disclosure of disabilities [11] - Supervisors, managers, and colleagues should ask what people need to thrive and build teams that work for everyone by default [12] - When individuals disclose neurodiversity, their words should be accepted without judgment or disbelief [13] Interview and Workplace Practices - When inviting someone to an interview, the industry should provide clear expectations and ask about necessary adjustments [12] - The industry should avoid telling neurodivergent individuals that they don't "look" autistic or dyspraxic, as it invalidates their experience [13] - The industry should aim to create a system where neurodivergent healthcare professionals can show up fully, openly, and without shame [14]

We are living in the most brainforward era in human history. Just like technology is advancing exponentially, the same thing is happening with neuros scientists research on brain functioning and nervous system regulation. Yet our systems, education, workplaces, medicine are lagging behind.I'm going to take a step back for a minute. Have you ever noticed how it feels like everyone these days has some kind of diagnosis. ASD, ADHD, LDS, OCD, SPD, pick your acronym.And it's not just a feeling. In my work as a w ...

I'd like to invite all of you to close your eyes. Do it. Seriously, picture the most beautiful person you know.Maybe it's your best friend, one of your children, or for you lucky husbands out there, maybe it's your wife on their wedding day. Visualize them in as much detail as you can. their hair, the color of their eyes, the way that they laugh.You got it. Okay, open your eyes for me. Now, I'd like to show you what I see when I try to visualize well, anything.That's right. I see nothing but black. If I clo ...

[Music] [Applause] Hi, my name is George and I'm neurody divergent. Now, for some of you who don't know what that means, basically I think differently. You see, 17 years ago, I wouldn't have had the language or the audacity to stand on a stage of this magnitude and say it out loud.17 years ago was also the first time I went to therapy. I went in a room. I sat across from a stranger.She leaned back and she listened and I spilled my guts. I told her everything. She smiled.She picked up her pad. She wrote down ...

In Portsmouth, schools work with the parents of children facing difficulties to draw up the child’s “neurodiversity profile”. This helps identify specific things that can help https://t.co/AOhIunUEWt ...