101. “Different” Shouldn’t be a Deficit in Schools

We teach children that everyone is special and unique; everyone is different. So why is it that we don’t model for kids how to embrace those differences in school? Instead, we expect children to conform to the way “normal” children should learn and develop. 

Instead of labeling children with diagnoses, which generally only serve to fund resources, we should embrace the differences of everyone. 

According to this week’s guest, Dr. Bibi Pirayesh, disability is the social justice issue of ableism. Like racism and sexism, ableism puts up walls that are difficult to tear down. 

In this episode, Bibi and I discuss what is the biggest roadblock of all: the systems and structures that are in place to help kids, but really are ways to force kids to conform.

I love the work that Bibi is doing to help anyone who doesn’t fit into the “normal” box feel seen and heard and find community in this global world.

About Dr. Bibi Pirayesh:

Dr. Pirayesh holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University where her work focused primarily on children’s development of mathematical thinking and cognitive neuroscience. She has worked as a learning specialist and educational therapist in private practice for over a decade. 

While the emphasis of her work is on remediating learning disabilities in a one-on-one setting, she is also a sought after speaker and community advocate for children and families around learning rights. She works with children grades 1-12 and covers a wide range of learning difficulties including dyslexia, ADHD, and spectrum disorders. In 2020, Dr. Pirayesh launched The Difference is Not Deficit Project in 2020 to help promote the importance of seeing learning disability as a social justice issue, which was also the cornerstone of her doctoral research. In addition to her work in her practice, Dr. Pirayesh is also adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University and is involved with a number of service organizations including The Association of Educational Therapists. Connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website.

Jump in the Conversation:

• [1:48] - We must transform the school and learning construct
• [3:33] - Words matter - difference, deficit, disability
• [5:43] - We need to have a conversation about how we diagnose and the issues
• [6:35] - The pandemic, isolation, and power of stories
• [10:40] - Disability is a social justice issue
• [14:28] - The biggest roadblocks to doing better
• [18:34] - Turbo Time
• [21:05] - What people need to know about supporting kids with learning differences
• [25:15] - How to be a better activist
• [29:12] - Bibi’s Magic Wand
• [30:57] - Maureen’s takeaways

Links & Resources

• Episode 87: Empowering Learners & Educating Their Guides
• Episode 97: Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms & Putting Kids First with Dr. Kristen Miller
• Email Maureen

• Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep