People like to say that our autistic brains don’t come with an owner’s manual. I’m going to share what I have learned about my weird and wonderful brain, and we’ll have a good working outline for our autistic brains when we’re done. *These lessons will also help people with SPD, ADD/ADHD, many sorts of learning disabilities, and other neurodivergences that center in the prefrontal cortex.* Attention is the golden ticket to language, self-regulation, and functioning. Joint attention can be hard to develop at first until we learn the skills to engage it and the bravery to follow it to broaden our worlds. But there’s great news for our unusual brains. We don’t have a lack of attention. We have an [over]abundance of it! What…
writing, autism, & theology as a mother of joy
Posts tagged “life lessons”
Autistic Brain Owner’s Manual 1: Make Yourself At Home
Feature article
Summer Kinard
Posted on May 15, 2018
When we think of physical impairments and disabilities, we assume that the home environment needs to be altered to remove handicaps for daily living. The same is true for neurodivergences like autism. You will be able to self-regulate best when your home environment supports the sensory input you need for balance. That’s why the first section of your brain’s owner’s manual is to Make Yourself at Home. I’ve written before about sensory diets, and I will post a fuller guide to an Autism Accessible Home soon. But for the purposes of getting a handle on your brain’s needs, here are the most important areas to address to give yourself (and/or your family members) the best opportunities for self-regulation: Movement. Whether you choose to have…
Here are some forgiveness tropes I’ve read the past few years that tell me we’re confused about forgiveness: Forgiveness means “moving on” or “letting go” of your hurt. When you forgive, you feel better. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself. It’s an energy management device so you don’t focus your time and attention on the wrong things. Forgiveness is choosing not to take revenge. You hope instead that God will get them back for you. Forgiveness is about forgetting. You forgive and forget. Even though there’s a measure of truth in these ways of thinking about forgiveness, I have found them unsatisfying. I’m not an expert on the subject, but I can tell you this: I have peace in my life, and most people who…
