Skills By Jason BunnParsons My 1 Point of Emphasis About AutisticAspies AutisticsAspies are 1 st and Foremost Human Beings AutisticsAspies have as all human beings do the same ID: 775071
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Slide1
Autistic/ASPIE Social Skills
By: Jason Bunn-Parsons
Slide2My #1 Point of
Emphasis
About Autistic/Aspies:
Slide3Autistics/Aspies are, 1st and Foremost, Human BeingsAutistics/Aspies have, as all human beings do, the same inherent needs, wants & desires, we just have some unique challenges in getting them met.
My #1 Point of Emphasis About Us:
Slide4Autistics/Aspies are, 1st and Foremost, Human BeingsJust because the way society treats us makes us feel a certain way about ourselves, that does not make it true.
My #1 Point of Emphasis About Us:
Slide5In Other Words,We Are Not Born on the Wrong Planet!!!
My #1 Point of Emphasis About Us:
Slide6Part 2:
The
Science of
Autistic
Social
Skills
(
Continued)
Slide7The Neurology of Autism
Slide8Definition of AutismAutism is an atypical neurological connectivity paradox resulting in heightened activity in some areas of the brain and decreased activity in others, compared to non-autistic individuals.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide9Atypical:9 out of 10 individuals similar range of development, as well as means of completing certain routine tasks, problem solving, socializing, etc.The 10th individual is “Atypical.”
The Neurology of Autism
Slide10Neurological Connectivity:The simple explanation of this is that Autism/Asperger’s is, at its neurological roots, a neuro-connectivity issues.Our neuro-connections are atypical.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide11Paradox:The paradoxes of Autism can result in Autistics being extremely gifted in some areas, and extremely inept in others.The struggles Autistics deal with are often aggravated by people, who do not accept that Autism is a paradox, focusing solely on one aspect of Autism while refusing to acknowledge the paradoxical opposite.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide12Brain PlasticityThe brain of every life form on Earth is constantly changing, enabling it to adapt in both positive and negative ways.This provides us with a scientific basis to believe that some areas which Autistics/ Aspies struggle with may self-correct and/or be modifiable.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide13Brain PlasticityThis is not to say that we ever out grow Autism/Asperger’s, but that just because we struggled with something 10-20 years ago, we should not assume that we will still struggle with it today.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide14Brain PlasticityNevertheless, this process will eventually start working in reverse in all human beings once we reach the age in which all parts of our minds & bodies begin to deteriorate.
The Neurology of Autism
Slide15Stress and Input Processing issues
Slide16Input Processing IssuesThe status quo approach to this topic is to refer to “sensory processing issues.”However, this overlooks the fact that the human brain is not only taxed by the sensory input that it has to process, but also by all neuro-activity that draws upon the brain’s neuro-capacity.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide17Input Processing IssuesAlthough a specific issue may push us humans over the edge, we are often set up by an accumulation of previous issues.The best example of this in my personal life is that I can handle a certain level of noise while on public transportation as long as I am not mentally focused on an issue that I am looking for a solution.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide18Input Processing IssuesFurthermore, I do not have headaches when trying to find solutions in a quiet environment, no matter how challenging they may be.However, I have had headache while riding on public transportation, at time that it was not any nosier then usual, when my brain is in problem solving mode.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide19Stress inflames all human struggles,and all human struggles inflames stress
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Slide20How Overloads of Stress and/or Emotions Can Affect the Autistic BrainStress can trigger what some Autistics would describe as “Racing Brain.”It is when we have multiple thoughts, and/or variations of how we might express what we want to say, coming to the forefront of our mind and making it difficult for us to make up our minds as to what to do and/or say.
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Slide21How Overloads of Stress and/or Emotions Can Affect the Autistic BrainThe 2nd & 3rd of the following attributes can also result in Autistics responding to highly emotional situations in a way that causes those around them to believe they lack empathy.The last three ways Autistics are affected by stress mimic the signs of aging, fatigue, etc.
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Slide22How Overloads of Stress and/or Emotions Can Affect the Autistic BrainMelt DownsShut DownsParalysis by AnalysisDecrease of what may already be sub par motor coordination
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Slide23How Overloads of Stress and/or Emotions Can Affect the Autistic BrainDecrease of already sub par executive functioning Extreme Reliance on Procedures, Rigid Protocols and Rehearsed Solutions
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Slide24Our “5 senses,” pertaining to our “external sensory perceptions” of the world around
us.
Stress and Input Processing Issues
Sensory Areas of the Brain
Slide25Because of Autism’s atypical neurological connectivity, the Autistic brain may process this input in an atypical manner resulting in:Hyper sensory input: Resulting in extreme sensitivities and over responsiveness to certain sensory stimuli.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide26Because of Autism’s atypical neurological connectivity, the Autistic brain may process this input in an atypical manner resulting in:Hypo sensory input: Resulting in less responsiveness to certain sensory stimuli.Confused sensory input: Resulting in an impaired ability to decipher sensory input.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide27What is Stimming?The Stimmer’s concept of stimming:Involuntary repetitive motion resulting from excessive neurological activity. The Professional’s concept of stimming:Involuntary repetitive motion that serves no function.Note: There has been some movement in this area since Sue Golubock retired in 2012
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide28What is Stimming?The “stimmer” is doing one or more of the following:Thinking deeply about something“Burn off” a sensory overloadExpressing their emotions, be it positive or negative.Examples: anxiety, excitement, pleasure, etc.
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide29What is Stimming?Communicating that there’s something wrong with themselves and/or their environment.If this is the case, the “cure” for the stimming is to identify & eliminate the agitant(s).
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide30When You Eliminate aNon-communicative Person’s ability to stim,
Stress and Input Processing Issues
you take away one of their few means of communication
& self-expression
Slide31this is the equivalent of cutting out their tongue!
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide32Trying to find the right balance between the Stimmer’s need to stim & the groups need to not be distracted has to be address on a case-by-case basis
Stress and
Input
Processing Issues
Slide33Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Autistics, who process sensory input in a variety of atypical manners, may be naturally inclined to respond to people in close proximity to them in a manner that is atypical.
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide34Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Non-Autistics who observe these responses may come to erroneous conclusions including, but not limited to, thinking that Autistics:Do not want affectionLack empathyAre manifesting phobias
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide35Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics What Autistics may actually be experiencing are:Adverse physiological reaction to touch, especially light tough because it is very stimulating to our nervous system. Countermeasures for this may include:
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide36Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Deep pressure touch, which relaxes the senses.This may be a more palatable and beneficial means of physical interaction.Allowing the Autistic to initiate the physical contact.
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide37Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Trouble judging:The distance someone or something is to them.The direction that a sound is coming from.
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide38Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Hyperactive sensory processing, which may require them to preserve a bigger “bubble” in order to…
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide39Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics …have enough time to process all of the input that the brain is receiving before responding.…focus on what they are thinking about instead of what is happening around them.
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide40Atypical Personal BubbleIssues of Autistics Autistics whose stimming repertory includes pacing need to preserve a big enough bubble so they can pace/stim.
Sensory Processing Issues
Slide41Stress and Input Processing
Solutions
Slide42Minimizing the Impact ofSensory Processing IssuesAlthough not every Autistic/Aspie is going to struggle in this area to the same extent, consider the following solutions if you are.Find environments that with little or no “deliberate stimulation.”Smaller groups means there are few people around to create more stimuli.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide43Minimizing the Impact ofSensory Processing IssuesAlthough not every Autistic/Aspie is going to struggle in this area to the same extent, consider the following solutions if you are.Develop “emergency protocols” for situation in which you get ambushed by a flood of unexpected stimuli.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide44Hyper Sensitivity toStress and EmotionsIt is crucial for Autistics/Aspies to realize that most, if not all, of our struggles may simply be more severe variations of the same issues that everyone else struggles with.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide45Hyper Sensitivity toStress and EmotionsThis understanding can lead to us integrating some of their countermeasure into our overall self-management strategy that may need to be more extensive than others.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide46Hyper Sensitivity toStress and EmotionsThis may also enable some Autistics to eventually be weaned off of some of their needs for special accommodations.Any strategy for dealing with any area of struggle must be at least two-pronged. If your stress management techniques are effective, then it will be easier to alleviate your other struggles.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide47Hyper Sensitivity toStress and EmotionsIf your strategies for alleviating these other struggles are effective, then your stress will decline automatically. I cannot say that there is an effective countermeasure for every issue that Autistics struggle with.However…,
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide48Although positive thinking does not guarantee personal success,
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
negative thinking does guarantee personal failure!
…there
are effective countermeasures for many of
these
issues!
Slide49Controlling Stress & EmotionsThe technics that enable neurotypicals to manage their stress & emotions will also work for Autistics/Aspies.The only difference is that the disciplined lifestyle that is required is optional for neurotypicals because they can often struggle through without them.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide50Controlling Stress & EmotionsAutistics/Aspies, because of their inherently higher baseline stress leave, have to discipline themselves into using these technics if they are going to overcome these situations.Their loved ones, teachers, caregivers, etc. can help them by developing these disciplines in themselves in order to mirror them to the Autistic/Aspie.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide51Controlling Stress & EmotionsThe disciples need to include:Preemptive Countermeasure that keeps the individuals baseline stress level as low as possible.Emergency Response Protocols for when they get ambushed by unforeseeable circumstances.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide52Preemptive CountermeasuresDaily actives that reduce stressAvoid or eliminate known agitants whenever possibleUtilize strategies for dealing with situations that cannot be avoided or eliminated
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide53Crisis Response CountermeasuresTake a breakDon’t take yourself so seriously, especially in causal situationsSelf-Acceptance:
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide54All you can dois all you can do,and all you can dois enough!
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide55Crisis Response CountermeasuresHave a “Personal Pep-rally”Implement whichever situation-appropriate coping mechanism works for you.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide56Crisis Response CountermeasuresUse a primary focus pointConstructive self-talk that enables you to focus your thoughts on what you are trying to do, such as:“Focus”“Concentrate”“Find a solution”
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide57Crisis Response CountermeasuresUse a primary focus pointConstructive self-talk that enables you to focus your thoughts on what you are trying to do, such as:“Where have I not looked yet?”“Look someplace else”
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide58Crisis Response CountermeasuresUse a primary focus pointUsing your hand as a “guide hand,” this may enable you to block out excessive visual stimuli.Use “waypoints”/“bases.”
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide59Crisis Response CountermeasuresRunning your hand along a wall or handrail. This can help the Autistic spatially orientate to the world around them by: Eliminating the guess work out of which way oncoming traffic will veer off in order to avoid colliding with one another.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide60Crisis Response CountermeasuresRunning your hand along a wall or handrail. This can help the Autistic spatially orientate to the world around them by: Creating a deep pressure means of self-relaxing.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide61Crisis Response CountermeasuresRunning your hand along a wall or handrail. This can help the Autistic spatially orientate to the world around them by: Walking your fingers along a wall can tap in to the previously mentioned “silly and juvenile” aspects of ourselves.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide62Crisis Response CountermeasuresWithdraw: This may be necessary for those Autistics who do not have effective coping mechanisms for handing certain situations. However…
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide63…all Autistics & their loved ones need to consider the possibility that the Autistic can eventually develop the coping mechanisms needed for that situation.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide64Post Crisis AssessmentAssessing what happened before, during and after a crisis is an important first step to self-improvement.After a crisis has passed, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide65Post Crisis AssessmentWhat exactly happened? The stress and emotions that can taint our ability to assess what actually just happened, including:
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide66Post Crisis AssessmentWere those who gave us input being critical, judgmental, insulting, etc.; or were they actually understanding of our situation and just trying to be helpful.Although you may have made mistakes, what did you also do that was right?
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide67Post Crisis AssessmentHow did it affect you personally? You need to……acknowledge what emotional impact it had on you.…not embellish long term consequences that you may face in your own mind.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide68Post Crisis AssessmentHow did you respond? What was the long term effect of your response?Was your overall response an improvement or regression from what happened on previous occasions?
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide69Post Crisis AssessmentDo you need to apologize to someone for how your behavior affected them?
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide70Post Crisis AssessmentWhat led up to the situation that can be used in the future as an “early warning” that something negative might be looming?
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide71Post Crisis AssessmentThis may enable you……to take steps to avoid having the same problem(s) constantly repeating themselves.…persevere through future problems that cannot be avoided.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide72Effective Post CrisisAssessment RequirementsYour willingness to be honest about your struggles.Your ability to believe in your own ability to overcome these struggles.The quality of your support system/network. This needs to be made up of:
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide73Effective Post CrisisAssessment RequirementsMentor(s)/Life Coach(s) who shares the wisdom they have learned from……their past struggles & mistakes.…have personal experience “walking in your shoes.”…someone who mentored them.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide74Effective Post CrisisAssessment RequirementsNote:You may want to have different mentors/ life coaches to advise you in different aspects of your life.However, you can choose to have a single general purpose mentor/life coach if it works better for you.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide75Effective Post CrisisAssessment RequirementsConfidants who, along with your Mentor(s)/Life Coach(s)…,…who understand…
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide76Effective Post CrisisAssessment Requirements…they are not infallible Gods.…that their job is to help you make informed decisions about what choices you should make, not run your life by pressuring you into making the choices that they think you should make.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide77Effective Post CrisisAssessment Requirements…just because a problem may seem insignificant to them, does not mean that it cannot be major to you.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide78Effective Post CrisisAssessment Requirements…tell you what you need to hear, even if it is not what you want to hear.…do not tear you down when you fail and/or make mistakes.…cheer your victories.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide79Effective Post CrisisAssessment RequirementsNote:Although all confidants are good friends,not all friends good confidants.The criteria for good confidants are identical to that of mentor/life coaches.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide80Growth requires us to reach up to grab the hands that will lead us onward,to reach out to the ones next to us for mutual support…
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide81…and to reach down to grab the hand of those who are struggling to overcome that which we have already gotten victory over.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide82Helping others who are struggling prevents us embracing the delusional believe that we are the worst of the worst because we are the only ones who have as great of problems that we have,resulting in us stagnating in in self-pity and self-loathing.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide836 Stages of Self-Improvement ProgressMentor(s)/Confidant(s)/Life Coach(es) helps you recognize how you could have handled a situation in a way that could have produced a better outcome after the fact.You recognize on your own that that you could have handled a situation in a way that could have produced a better outcome after the fact.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide846 Stages of Self-Improvement ProgressYou recognize during the situation that you are not handling it in a way that can result in the best possible outcome.You learn how to change course in the middle of a situation when recognizing that your current course is detrimental to yourself and those around you.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions
Slide856 Stages of Self-Improvement ProgressYou recognize from the start when you are in a situation that needs to be handled a certain way in order to have a positive outcome, and begin responding.You develop basic principles that can be adapted to specific situations that are so effective that you do not worry about encountering them in the future.
Stress and Input Processing Solutions