Uncommon Minds

Uncommon Minds seeks to promote inclusive communities by sharing stories of individuals with learning differences and how they redefined success on their own terms. As two good friends, a chance encounter in late 2021 led us to share a common observation we had been seeing in our respective careers. Chatting over coffee, we noticed an increasing number of children and working adults with invisible learning differences—such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. Perhaps this could be due to a greater awareness of developmental conditions: with allied educators in schools, therapy interventions, and more inclusive hiring practices. However, we felt that deep-seated biases, misconceptions and stereotypes still remain. Our society's narrow notion of success means that such individuals struggle to fit in. As a result, many hide their learning differences for fear of stigma. Parents of kids with special needs deal with pressure not just from their child’s condition, but also from society’s perceptions. We strongly believe that all of us can and must do better as a community. At the end of our coffee sesh, Uncommon Minds was born. We aim to inspire hope, break barriers and celebrate strengths, one story at a time. Everyday individuals with invisible learning differences, across all occupations and all walks of life, have generously agreed to share their lived experiences with us. Visit our website to read their stories, understand their differences, and appreciate that their neurodiversity can be an asset!