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Lens Not Label
See things differently.
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Happy Friday, Reader. How has your week been? Mine's been phenomenally busy (in a mostly good way!) and that has got me thinking about how we make choices under pressure and other constraints.
Even in the best of circumstances, it's often hard to make good decisions about which book, course, or training you might want to invest in. And now more than ever, there is a lot of information about neurodiversity to wade through. That's why we included a section at the very end of Lens Not Label called, “How to find good awareness resources” (followed by a handy list of several we've already vetted).
For this week's useful tip, we've adapted and summarised that section and we share it here:
Finding the Good Stuff
Here are some questions to consider when you encounter a new resource and you would like to think it through a bit before committing. Use your judgement in picking what’s relevant to ask yourself:
Check the lens, stance and language
- Pay attention to the language used to describe what it is, who it’s for and who it’s about. Is it neuro-affirming? Inclusive? Othering?
- Does it focus on strengths and support rather than treatments, cures or fixes?
Check power, voice and perspective
- Are ND voices included as authors, quoted experts or contributors of lived experience?
- Expertise is not always required. What credibility, experience or other wisdom do the creators bring? If it’s training, are they educators?
Check its accessibility
- Is the tone supportive and compassionate?
- Is it sensory- friendly? Flexible? Can you engage with it easily?
- Does it consider how neurodivergence might intersect with other identities like gender, ethnicity or age?
Check if it’s relevant
- Does it address your concern or interest?
- Is it structured? In a way that makes sense for you?
Check within yourself
- What’s your gut telling you?
Nothing is perfect, and some of the answers might be unknowable, incomplete or unsatisfactory. That’s OK. You get to decide where your tolerance lies and how rigorous your vetting needs to be.
For the complete list of questions and considerations (and more), pre-order Lens Not Label today
Now onto this week's book updates…
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Call for Uncontained beta readers!
I've been reading David Epstein's latest book, Inside the Box, all about how constraints make us better. From one angle, it seems to be the inverse to Uncontained — the book that gives you permission to coach outside the box (while still being effective and professional).
From another angle, the ideas in Epstein's book absolutely support what we're saying, although counterintuitively so.
If you're curious to see what we mean by this, we are seeking beta readers for Uncontained. Just hit reply to this email and let us know you're interested; if selected, we'll share the complete draft with you next Friday! 📕
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An hour ago I was on the train, listening to Inside the Box as I head to Claire's in Great Malvern. The chapter was about how Chilean author Isabel Allende and others like her give themselves constraints that enable them to be their most creative. Such as changing the location where you work, which allows you to see things differently (and see different things).
While I wouldn't dare compare us to these literary greats, I'm not above trying their methods! Plus, there was something very encouraging and timely about this idea…Claire and I change the scenery and leave for Spain tomorrow, with the singular focus on getting to a final draft of Uncontained.
So today, we leave you with this question for you to think on, if you wish:
In your great work, where can add some constraints? Where can you let it be uncontained?
With and without limits,
Kim, Claire, and Nathan
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See the full post archive and pre-order the books
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