Lerner S. - Kids who think outside the box (2005)(en)
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Kids
who think
outside
the box
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Kids
who think
outside
the box 
Helping Your Unique Child Thrive
in a Cookie-Cutter World
Stephanie Lerner
AMACOM
AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
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This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
Quotations from Gail McGougan and Deborah Hardy are used with permission.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lerner, Stephanie Freund.
Kids who think outside the box : helping your unique child thrive in a cookie-cutter world / Stephanie Freund Lerner.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8144-7275-3
1. Exceptional children. 2. Individuality in children. 3. Successful people—Biography. 4. Exceptional children—Services for—United States—
Directories. |
I. Title. |
HQ773.5.L47 |
2005 |
649′.15—dc22 |
2004024925 |
© 2005 Stephanie Lerner. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of AMACOM, a division of American Management Association, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
Printing number 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
I dedicate this book to all those kids who are unique in thought, spirit, and personality.
The key to your success and personal greatness is the wisdom and conviction
of knowing who you are . . . and holding the course.
To my three children—
Morgen, Chelsae, and Spencer . . .
You hold the course every day!
I learn from you.
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CONTENTS
Foreword: The Importance of Individuality and |
|
Thinking Differently by Mary Ann Dudko, Ph.D. ........................... |
xi |
Preface ................................................................................................ |
xvii |
Acknowledgments .............................................................................. |
xix |
Introduction: Who Are the Kids Who Think Outside the Box?....xxi |
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Part One |
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NURTURING YOUR UNIQUE CHILD .......................................... |
1 |
Do All Kids Have Out-of-the-Box Potential? |
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You Bet They Do! ................................................................................... |
3 |
Part Two |
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LIVING LEGENDS AND EMINENT ACHIEVERS: |
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THEIR STORIES................................................................................. |
11 |
THE ARTISTS |
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SPIKE LEE Filmmaker, Actor, Author, Teacher ................................... |
14 |
A Strong Sense of Self |
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PAUL McCARTNEY Musician, Composer, Performer, |
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Writer, Producer ............................................................................. |
20 |
The Positive Power of Love |
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PHILIPPE ROUSSELOT Cinematographer, Artist, Filmmaker....... |
22 |
Be Proud of Being Different |
|
vii
viii |
CONTENTS |
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JOHN NELS HATLEBERG Artist, Designer .................................. |
27 |
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Security, Patience, Perseverance |
|
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BARBARA CHASE-RIBOUD Writer, Sculptor ............................. |
32 |
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Never Be Afraid |
|
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CHRISTINE CHOY Artist, Filmmaker, Teacher............................... |
36 |
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Imagination and Creativity |
|
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JOHN WESTERMANN Writer ....................................................... |
41 |
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Never Quit |
|
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THE LEADERS |
|
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ROBERT D. HORMATS Economist, Financier, Ambassador ........... |
44 |
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Run Your Own Race |
|
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MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG Mayor, Entrepreneur ........................ |
50 |
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Listen, Question, Test, Think |
|
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RICHARD “MIKE” MULLANE Astronaut, Writer........................ |
53 |
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It Always Counts |
|
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ELON MUSK Entrepreneur |
............................................................... |
57 |
Innovation, Drive, and Determination |
|
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ERIC ANDERSON Entrepreneur...................................................... |
61 |
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Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Chance |
|
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NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON Astrophysicist....................................... |
65 |
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Reach for Your Own Star |
|
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DOUG MOSS Publisher, Environmentalist ........................................ |
70 |
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Ambition and Perseverance |
|
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JACK J. CAMBRIA New York Police Department |
|
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Hostage Negotiator......................................................................... |
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75 |
Never Give Up |
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MARK NORELL Paleontologist......................................................... |
78 |
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Work Hard, Play Hard, Think Hard, Finish Stuff |
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CONTENTS |
ix |
JOHN A. HAYS Deputy Chairman, Christie’s, |
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North and South America ............................................................... |
82 |
You Can Do Anything If You Set Your Mind to It |
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JOSEPH DENOFRIO Senior Vice President for |
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Fashion, Macy’s ................................................................................ |
84 |
Aim High |
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JOHN R. PASSARINI Educator, Coach............................................ |
88 |
Limited Only by Our Thoughts |
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DOUGLAS JACKSON Educator ..................................................... |
93 |
Make the Connections Between What Could Be and What Is |
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THE SCIENTISTS |
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MARIO J. MOLINA Nobel Prize Winning Chemist.......................... |
97 |
It’s OK to Be Original |
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ADAM G. RIESS Astrophysicist....................................................... |
102 |
Knowledge . . . the Great Equalizer |
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VINTON G. CERF Internet Cofounder and Developer................. |
105 |
Conventional Wisdom Is Not Always Right |
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DOUGLAS C. ENGELBART Computer Scientist ....................... |
109 |
Imagine All Kinds of Things |
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MEHMET OZ Surgeon, Naturalist................................................... |
114 |
Persistent Curiosity |
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STEVEN I. PFEIFFER Psychologist, Educator ............................... |
117 |
Let Your Dreams Evolve |
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THE ATHLETES |
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ROD GILBERT Ice Hockey All-Star................................................. |
120 |
Go the Extra Mile |
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BRIAN MARTIN Luge Olympic Medallist....................................... |
126 |
Unyielding Devotion and Dedication |
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