Category Archives: promote social understanding

Two Little Girls

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Leah Kelley

Today I am at a District Student Services Training for Special Education Teachers and others, which is hosted in the multipurpose room of one of our elementary schools. There have been marvelous conversations and dialogues around supporting diverse learners, building … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, advocate, Autism, Collective Responsibility, diversity, Educator, language, perspective of others, promote social understanding, Special Education | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Cultivating Advocacy: Understanding Neurodiversity and Strength-based Perspectives for Educators

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Leah Kelley

On October 25 I will be presenting at the BCTELA (British Columbia Teachers of English Language Arts) Provincial Conference. This is a fabulous opportunity to share with educators the voices and perspectives of Autistic people – via the documentary ‘Vectors … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, advocate, Autism, BC Teachers Federation, BCTF, Dear Teacher: A letter from H, Documentary, Laura Nagle, Neurodiversity, perspective of others, privilege, promote social understanding, Public Education, self-advocacy, Vectors of Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Profoundly Logical: I didn’t hear you

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Leah Kelley

In exasperation: “Hey H, I already asked you to do this!” “I didn’t hear you…” “I know… that is why I am mad!” “I can’t hear you because I am not hearing you.” (pause) “I didn’t hear you because I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, advocate, Autism, Communicate, connections, listening, Parent, perspective of others, promote social understanding, self-advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Inclusion and Autism… leaning in

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Leah Kelley

Today at the Inclusion BC Conference, I had the opportunity to meet Paula Kluth, and hear her keynote address about inclusive practices in education. Her message is powerful and one that I embrace: Inclusive education is the foundation upon which … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, diversity, Educator, inclusion, Inclusion BC Conference, Karla Fisher, Neurodiversity, Parker Palmer, Paula Kluth, perspective of others, promote social understanding, Silence, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Today is April 1st and you all know what that means…

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Leah Kelley

This is a repost from April 1st of last year. It seems relevant still: It is Sunday morning – and I asked H to help me with this post. I want to talk with him about Autism Awareness/Acceptance. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Aspergers, Autism, promote social understanding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Autistic people are… teachers!

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Leah Kelley

Autistic people are wired differently and think differently from those who are not Autistic…  and that is a strength that can make them innovators, and broaden our perspective. Our world needs more of that… Autistic people are able to contemplate … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, diversity, Flash Blog, promote social understanding, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Appreciation for my school district and colleagues

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Leah Kelley

I have to send a shout-out to my school district and colleagues for their wonderful reception and response to my keynote address for our Student Services Training Day. I love presenting, and do so rather often – but today was … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Aspergers, Autism, Autism Positivity, diversity, Documentary, HFASD, inclusion, promote social understanding, Public Education, self-advocacy, Special Education, Teacher, Vectors of Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Welcoming Dissent… Self-advocacy, the communication hierarchy, and rethinking tone

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Leah Kelley

My thinking and learning around the ideas and concepts of self-advocacy is being nudged by the work I am doing supporting educators in their inquiry projects in a Graduate Program entitled, Supporting Diverse Learners. I have been explaining the importance … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Communicate, limits, promote social understanding, self-advocacy, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

TASH Conference Keynote and a fortress of chips: H Rocks his Advocacy

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Leah Kelley

In front of the entire conference stood a 14-year-old boy. He’d eaten little during lunch – perhaps it was nerves – but more likely it was the lack of anything the least bit palatable or familiar to his tastes. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Arizona TASH, Autism, Communicate, inclusion, Laura Nagle, perspective of others, promote social understanding, Purchase Vectors of Autism: Laura Nagle, self-advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

‘Dear Teacher: A letter from H’ …Listening to Autism 13-year-old Style

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Leah Kelley

Earlier this fall my 13-year-old son gave a presentation to my school staff (also his school) about autism, entitled “Dear Teacher: A Letter From H” and thus had the opportunity to teach teachers at his school about the way he … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona TASH, Autism, Communicate, Documentary, Laura Nagle, neuromajority, promote social understanding, Teacher, Vectors of Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments