The Best of the Week In Neurodiversity – 2016 Year in Review

---

The Week in Neurodiversity

The Neurodiversity News Show, hosted by Mike Nickas.

In honor of the end of the year, we cover our top ten stories of 2016, featuring Michael J. Fox jamming with Dave Matthews for Parkinson’s awareness, Michael Jordan surprising a fan with autism, and the story of Daniel the therapy duck! These stories and more in this week’s episode!

[00:19] Ben Affleck is starring in the new film The Accountant, a role in which Affleck prepared for by studying and researching autism.

[01:03] A student out of a magnet high school in Louisiana uses “the power of Asperger’s” to become an award-winning screenwriter.

[01:37] A boy with down’s syndrome surprised by his father, a soldier returning from oversees.

[02:08] Michael J. Fox jams on stage with Dave Matthews at a Parkinson’s Cure Benefit.

[02:37] Sam and Mattie are two best friends with Down syndrome who have created a zombie movie called Spring Break Zombie Massacre.

[03:08] Brain implants are used to help paralyzed monkeys walk.

[03:41] A 45-year-old professional skydiver attempts 100 jumps for Parkinson’s research.

[04:17] Michael Jordan sends gear to fan with autism.

[04:58] Mikey Branningan has become the first runner with autism to win the 1500 Meter Gold Metal in the Paralympics.

[05:36] A therapy duck named Daniel is taking the world by storm, after being seen accompanying a woman with PTSD on her flight.

[06:09] A message from Different Brains founder Hackie Reitman, M.D.

[06:52] A girl with Autism and ADHD performs an amazing rendition of “Hallelujah.”

FOR THE FULL-LENGTH STORIES AND VIDEOS:

Ben Affleck is starring in the new film The Accountant, a role in which Affleck prepared for by studying and researching autism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbtmW3grWG8

A student out of a magnet high school in Louisiana uses “the power of Asperger’s” to become an award-winning screenwriter. http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2016/08/29/caddo-parish-magnet-graduate-harnesses-power-aspergers-nto-become-award-winning-film-writer/89107410/

A boy with down’s syndrome surprised by his father, a soldier returning from oversees: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3576688/Hankies-ready-Tear-jerking-moment-returning-military-dad-surprises-s-syndrome-son-reaction-melt-heart.html

Michael J. Fox jams on stage with Dave Matthews at a Parkinson’s Cure Benefit. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7580340/michael-j-fox-dave-matthews-parkinsons-cure-benefit-video

Sam and Mattie are two best friends with Down syndrome who have created a zombie movie called Spring Break Zombie Massacre. http://www.springbreakzombiemassacre.com/

Brain implants have helped paralyzed monkeys gain control of their legs. http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/health/paralyzed-monkeys-walking-brain-implant/

A 45-year-old professional skydiver attempts 100 jumps for Parkinson’s research. http://abcnews.go.com/US/skydiver-completes-101-jumps-12-hours-parkinsons-research/story?id=39904606

Michael Jordan sends gear to fan with autism. http://ballislife.com/michael-jordan-calls-sends-gear-to-viral-mj-fan-with-autism/

Mikey Branningan has become the first runner with autism to win the 1500 Meter Gold Metal in the Paralympics. http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/mikey-brannigan-becomes-first-american-runner-with-autism-to-win-paralympic-1500-meter-gold-764343363631

A therapy duck named Daniel is taking the world by storm, after being seen accompanying a woman with PTSD on her flight. http://wlos.com/news/local/better-than-web-md-therapy-duck-is-owners-lifeline-after-terrible-accident

A girl with Autism and ADHD performs an amazing rendition of “Hallelujah.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kaylee-rodgers-autism-singing-hallelujah_us_585ad9dce4b0de3a08f3edc3

This video is owned by Different Brains Inc, kindly donated by it’s original producer PCE Media LLC.