A powerful and inspiring examination of the connection between the potential for great talent and conditions commonly thought to be "disabilities", revealing how the source of our struggles can be the origin of our greatest strengths.
In The Power of Different, psychiatrist and best-selling author Gail Saltz examines the latest scientific discoveries, profiles famous geniuses who have been diagnosed with all manner of brain "problems" - including learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism - and tells the stories of lay individuals to demonstrate how specific deficits in certain areas of the brain are directly associated with the potential for great talent. Saltz shows how the very conditions that cause people to experience difficulty at school, in social situations, at home, or at work are inextricably bound to creative, disciplinary, artistic, empathetic, and cognitive abilities.
In this pioneering work, listeners will find engaging scientific research and stories from historical geniuses and everyday individuals who have not only made the most of their conditions but who have flourished because of them. They are leaning into their brain differences to:
- Identify areas of interest and expertise
- Develop workarounds
- Create the environments that best foster their talents
- Forge rewarding interpersonal relationships
Enlightening and inspiring, The Power of Different proves that the unique wiring of every brain can be a source of strength and productivity and contributes to the richness of our world.