Community Highlights: Meet David Wildkress of Outside the Bell Curve

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Wildkress.

Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a learning specialist passionate about supporting neurodivergent people. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at age six in 1985, so I have endless experience in and compassion for the confusing and uncomfortable experiences neurodivergent people can have at school, work, and in life. 

My experience growing up with two older brothers who were diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as adults further developed my understanding of neurodiversity. These diagnoses have not only been revelatory for my brothers but have also deepened my understanding of neurodiversity and strengthened my relationship with them. As a child, I was unknowingly navigating a household of neurodiverse individuals, which has contributed to my unique perspective. 

From 2002 to 2022, I worked in schools in a variety of roles, including as a high school principal at a school for neurodiverse students. However, I mainly worked as a school-based learning specialist, working directly with students, teachers, and parents to help them navigate the confusing reality of neurodiversity. In 2023, I launched Outside the Bell Curve to expand my work beyond school to work with neurodiverse adults, parents, and children. I love it. 

A note about the term neurodiversity: I use the term broadly to include autism, attentional challenges (ADHD), and language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia. The idea is that these diagnoses represent natural, neurobiological differences rather than deficiencies. Neurodiverse minds are amazing and should be seen as welcome variations in human development. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most neurodiverse folks, school was difficult for me. I was a dedicated, hardworking student who showed strength in many areas. Still, I was also way behind most of my peers in core academic skills like spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, etc. It’s a frustrating and challenging experience to go through your formative years holding both strengths and weaknesses without understanding how or why it is happening. This is why I do the work I do. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Through Outside the Bell Curve, I offer two services: coaching and parent education. At the core of these services lies a framework I call Your Neurodiverse Story. I created Your Neurodiverse Story as a tool to explain the abstract experience of neurodiversity. If parents have a really clear picture of their child’s neurodiverse story, they can much more easily provide appropriate opportunities and support. Similarly, when neurodiverse individuals know their story, they can take ownership of it. Or, as Brene Brown says, “when we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.” You can read more about my work at outsidethebellcurve.org 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Oh boy, did I! I was working as a high school principal at a school for neurodiverse students during the pandemic. As you can imagine, that was hard! But it was also a crash course in leadership, resilience, and the profound importance of teamwork and human relationships. I walked away from the experience with a deep appreciation for the messy reality of community. Additionally, I had to learn to do many things I had avoided through most of my professional career, such as regular public speaking. I always avoided public speaking because I thought I was scared of it. I had to speak so frequently through the pandemic crisis that I stopped fearing it. However, I also realized I just don’t like public speaking. I always thought I was avoiding it due to anxiety or fear, but I just don’t like it, and that’s okay! It was a valuable lesson to realize that sometimes fear and dislike show up at the same time, and it’s worth sorting through what is really going on. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.outsidethebellcurve.org/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/david-wildkress-568b86