by Suzanne Buchauer
While hiking the Long Path along the historical Hudson River yesterday, it dawned on me just how many autistic/neurodiverse individuals ended up contributing to our efforts to interpret, understand, and discover our world. The neurodiverse people below have helped broadened our collective knowledge, understanding, and wisdom about our natural world. It is a common trait of autistic individuals to be extremely focused, detail-oriented, and passionate about their particular topic of interest. Those are only a few of the talents, gifts and strengths of being neurodiverse.
Let’s take a moment to remember, to contemplate and celebrate neurodiverse individuals, whose love of animals and our natural world has made huge impacts on our lives.
Rachel Carson—Biologist, writer and ecologist
Carson’s passionate concern in Silent Spring is with the future of the planet and all life on Earth. She calls for humans to act responsibly, carefully, and as stewards of the living earth. Michael Fitzgerald of Trinity College in Dublin explored her life and personality with the traits and characteristics of what we call being on the autistic spectrum and wrote a subsequent research paper called: Rachel Carson was on the Autism Spectrum—You can read the paper here.
Greta Thunberg—Swedish climate activist
Greta has captured the hearts of many in the world. She is passionate about getting the word out about climate change. Greta is particularly well known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation.
Jane Goodall—Primatologist and Anthropologist
Jane Goodall was the first person to observe chimpanzees using tools—a trait that was thought to be uniquely human. The discovery helped shape the way we see animals and ourselves.
See this excerpt from Temple Grandin (Chapter 8: “Wildlife”) which discusses Jane Goodall’s work and the connection with strength based autistic traits.
Temple Grandin—Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University
She is a consultant for livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare.
Temple Grandin has contributed so much to our understanding of ourselves, animals and clearly explains how many neurodiverse people see the world. Her most recent book is called Visual Thinking, and is a must read for anybody who wants to understand themselves or others who are neurodiverse. Reading all of her books is super helpful as she compiles research to help us understand ourselves and the natural world. Here are my personal picks for all people, though they are children’s books. All children can benefit from these books about getting out into the real world and doing things with their hands:
Calling All Minds—How to Think and Create like an Inventor, by Temple Grandin
The Outside Scientist—The Wonder of Observing the Natural World, by Temple Grandin
Alex Honnold—Rock climber and solar energy advocate
Honnold admits to being “somewhere on the spectrum”. He has a love for climbing, the outdoors and for adventure. He is now a father and has stepped back from dangerous solo climbing for his family. He has founded the Honnold Foundation, which is a non-profit to reduce environmental impact and address inequality by supporting solar energy initiatives worldwide.
Dara McAnulty—Author and iWill ambassador
McAnulty works with young people and working to save our environment. He has experience with biodiversity, wildlife and the landscape of Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.
Daryl Hannah—Actress and Environmental Activist
Hannah is a board member of the environmental Media Association. She co-founded Biodiesel Alliance to advocate for sustainable biodiesel practices and coordinate communication for sustainable energy future that benefits all sectors of our society.
Yvon Chouinard—Rock climber, business leader, and philanthropist
Yvon is an “alternative self-made businessman (who) taught us inspiring lessons on how to perceive the world and our lives as an ephemeral journey. We are only guests on a temporary planet.” Yvon was reported to be a “loner and a geek” as a child. He found climbing by scrambling on rocks. He is well known as an inventor for innovative gear developments for climbers, like ice axes, crampons, etc. He founded Patagonia and has recently made history by donating 98 percent of Patagonia’s common shares, to a newly established nonprofit organisation, which will be the recipient of all company profits and be used in funds to combat climate change.
Charles Darwin—Naturalist, geologist and biologist
Darwin was an intrepid explorer and accomplished naturalist. His love of nature and his ability to explain his observations and findings, such as adaptation and natural selection was key to our understanding of modern science and our view of the natural world today and ever thereafter.
These are just a few of the people who are very likely humans on the spectrum and/or otherwise neurodiverse, and who love nature. We need neurodiversity and the innovative thinkers and doers who get out there and make invent, explore, and do. Thankfully, many big donors and doers love our environment, so with the increase in neurodiversity, there is a chance for us and our earth!
Being neurodiverse is very cool and in, useful and empowering; in the words of Temple Grandin:
“What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool?” You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socialising and not getting anything done.”
Temple Grandin
May all thinking types be celebrated, appreciated and embraced, this month and every month. Happy exploring everybody!
Suzanne Buchauer is a Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator and Autism Approach Facilitator living and working in Upper Nyack, New York. Visit: www.dyslexia-works.com.
Upper Nyack Green Committee 