Author Archives: Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

About Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Leah Kelley, M.Ed, Ed.D., Writer, Consultant, Activist, Speaker, and Educator, working with Teacher Candidates at UBC. Authors blog: 30 Days of Autism. Projects support social understanding, Neurodiversity paradigm, Disability Justice, and connecting Disability Studies in Education(DSE)to Educational Practice. Twitter: @leah_kelley Facebook: 30 Days of Autism: Leah Kelley

Resistance

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Sometimes I barely keep breathing winded gutted witnessing the pain and trauma of friends neighbours fellow humans Sometimes the next breath seems impossible sucked away by horror intensity hopelessness And yet… it comes the next breath in and out The … Continue reading →

Posted in Collective Responsibility, poetry, prejudice, privilege, Rail Against Stigma | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On the ABLEISM of Participation Marks

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I was recently involved in an online discussion that has me considering that the common practice or focus on participation is often stacked against people who might participate or engage differently. When I encounter a situation where I am graded … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, ADD/ADHD, Disability, Distributed Learning, Educator, privilege, Visual Notes | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Counting… The Day of Mourning and the Disability Clothesline

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

By Emma Van der Klift On March 1st of every year for the last three, a small group of activists – mostly activists with disabilities – have gathered together at Woodland’s Memorial Gardens in New Westminster, BC. The Gardens are … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, Activist, ASAN, Disability Day of Mourning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Toward the River: A Poem of Hope

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Toward the River… Toward the River I saw the bird-tipped tree written strong against the smoke-faded hills and sky Living paintbrushes witnessing entwined as silhouette amidst destruction desolation resting there holding space and promise for tomorrow Leah Kelley February 23, … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, poem, poetry, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Electronic Resources: Arizona TASH 2018

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Links to information, visuals, and other resources: Hierarchy of Language Prompts When – not if Communication ‘The Tone Hierarchy’ Limit Setting In this House Conference Support Cards Friendship and Relationships: You, yes you, need autistic friends: A guest post by … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona TASH, Autism, Autistic, Neurodiversity, TASH | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When Someone Drinks your Mountain Dew: A Video Short by H

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I came home after a long day at work yesterday and H was so excited to show me this video he made, and he has given me permission to share it here. It is only 6 seconds long – but … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, B films, making movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fabulous Fringes: A Short Film by Alex Kronstein

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

 I don’t know if you have had the opportunity to check out the work of Alex Kronstein, the ever-wonderful curator, creator, and host of the The NeurodiveCast.   Alex’s podcasts offer an alternative way to access information from a wide range … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Kronstein, Autism, NeurodiveCast, perspective of others, poem, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Neurotypical Wife: Welcome to Las Vegas

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I was reading another hilarious post by The Neurotypical Wife and I requested, “Please – oh please – do you think it might be possible that this could be made available in a graphic or a letter that I could … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Autism, Autistic, Journey, Neurodiversity, Neurotypical, satire, The Neurotypical Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Teacher’s Kid – It’s not what you think…

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I had the opportunity this evening to enter into a discussion with a colleague: a fellow teacher who is also the parent of a five-year-old Autistic son. So as we talked this man commented, “It is great that you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Activist, Advocacy, Autism, childhood, Disability, Educator, neurodivergent, Parent, prejudice, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

In this house – and outside too!

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

In this house we do acceptance ❤️ … and we do acceptance outdoors as well!! I have had numerous requests to create an alternative version of the “In this House” image, so that it works for those who related to … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Autism, Autistic, neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, stim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment