It is time we ditch labels to nurture unique genius. In education, we use labels to understand students and their needs, to qualify them for services and more. But that can also be very restrictive and prevent students from meeting their full potential. 

 

Which is why I’m sharing this eye-opening TedxYouth Talk. In it, Krister Palo shares some misconceptions about Asperger’s syndrome. He is a fifteen year old student at the International School of Hague (ISH), with Asperger’s syndrome.

Krister also touches on an interesting concept called the single seed of genius. He cautions that those seeds are fragile and can easily be damaged or taken away from students with learning challenges or limiting labels.

I encourage everyone to think beyond the boxes we often paint ourselves or others into. To ditch labels that limit unnecessarily. If we adjust our focus to see the distinct individual standing in front of us, each with their own specific gifts and strengths, the world would be a brighter place.

Keep this in mind as you watch this budding motivational speaker, and let me know what you think in the comments below.