Beyond the Norm: A Journey of Inclusion, Creativity, and Redefined Success
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
By Lisa Jacovsky
As an author and behaviorist with 11 years of experience working with both adults and children, I’ve spent my career advocating for inclusion, understanding, and meaningful support. Yet it wasn’t until I began collaborating with neurodivergent creators that I truly understood what it means to redefine success through the lens of neurodiversity.
In my time working in homes, schools, and residential settings, I’ve seen the unique strengths that individuals with autism bring to the table. By growing up with the belief that we are all equal and the desire to be accepting, I have become a better person. Working alongside individuals who are neurodivergent has been the best experience. I’ve also witnessed the barriers society places in their way. However, with the positive, there is always a negative. Being able to see the barriers, too, has influenced my career and growth as a person, which I am thankful for.
I used to think that success meant receiving awards, achieving high sales numbers, or obtaining a certification that would lead to a promotion. However, partnering with artists with autism through Brainstorm Productions has completely reshaped that view. Brainstorm Productions, a company founded to provide purposeful, creative employment for individuals with autism in animation and illustration, came into my life through my podcast. What began as a conversation quickly transformed into a creative partnership that would challenge everything I thought I knew about purpose and progress.
Together, we’ve created six books, with plenty more on the way. These are not just books; they’re bridges. Every page holds the artistic vision of someone who sees the world through a different lens. Watching these artists bring my characters to life has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my career. Their work consistently pushes boundaries, challenges expectations, and reveals perspectives that I may never have considered on my own. Their creativity is not hindered by their diagnosis; it’s enhanced by it.
It’s also made me confront the myth of “normal”, a word I very much dislike. Neurodiversity isn’t a deviation from the norm; it is the norm. It’s part of the beautifully wide range we call human experience. When we start to embrace that, we unlock the potential of minds that innovate, create, and persevere in ways that challenge the status quo. These collaborations have made it clear that success is not always loud or conventional. Sometimes, it’s quiet resilience, unique insight, or the courage to show up in a world that often misunderstands you. They have encouraged me to be strong and keep challenging and pushing against what is considered “normal”.
Working with Brainstorm has reminded me that inclusive collaboration isn’t about giving someone a seat;
it’s about reshaping the table entirely. With each project, we are creating space. It is space for different ways of thinking, for new narratives, and for voices that are too often left out of mainstream conversations.
Redefining success through neurodiversity has been the most meaningful shift in my professional journey. It has made me not only a stronger writer and more empathetic behaviorist, but also a better human being. I’m more open, more grounded, and more committed than ever to building a future where every mind has a place, a purpose, and a platform to shine.
The phrase “Illustrated by possibility” means choosing to focus on what can be when we stop placing limits on others. It means recognizing that inclusion isn’t charity; it’s evolution. And it means shifting from the mindset of “fixing” differences to celebrating them as essential.
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