[gspurlock]

Thank you so much for your comments. I had a few teachers in my high school years who really appreciated my various peculiarities and encouraged me. To this day, in my 60’s, I really appreciate it. Thanks to you for recognizing the unique individuality of your students.

My various qualities are mostly not disabilities but rather higher abilities. Nurturing those abilities without instilling any idea of superiority due to my abnormal IQ was invaluable.

[nicollo]

No, thank you for sharing!

This is exactly right:

My various qualities are mostly not disabilities but rather higher abilities. Nurturing those abilities without instilling any idea of superiority due to my abnormal IQ was invaluable.

A few years back, I got an invitation from a former student to a film screening at the Dept. of Education in DC. All the bigs were there, an entirely PC event, etc. etc. The film was great, and I was unsurprised that the now young lady had created it. She was a brilliant student, but socially awkward -- and until right now I never thought of her as being on the spectrum -- but thinking back it's clear she is.

Anyway, in her Q&A someone asked about her inspirations. She pointed to me in the back of the audience and said, "I had a teacher who once told me not to worry about what other people think and just do my best to be me." I didn't recall that conversation, but it was certainly the type of conversation I might have had. Was mind-blowing to think that a 20 second exchange stayed with her so long. I'm so glad you had similar encouragement in your student life.

Finally, I still work w/ students as an academic mentor, and I frequently have that same conversation with kids that you mention, especially with ADHD kids: you have special abilities, you see things differently, your brain goes places others don't even know, and that's awesome. Now, about that homework you blew off the other day... lol