A social enterprise helping people on the autistic spectrum and the people around them.
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4 Conversation techniques to add to your social script
Posted: 12 months ago
Many autistic people create for themselves a 'social script' to help them know how to interact in social situations. A social script is a guide for planning what to do and say inside a social setting.
The Girl With The Curly Hair uses a social script whenever she meets up with her friends. Specifically, she uses 4 conversation techniques:
Interoception (brain to body signals)
Posted: November 6, 2017
I've been learning about interoception recently. Interoception is the signalling and perception of our own internal bodily sensations. I think of it very simply as the brain to body connection. Some examples might be recognising when you are hungry, when you need to go to the toilet, or when you are in pain.ASD adjustments to the interview process
Posted: November 1, 2017
The National Autistic Society suggests that more than 1 in 100 people are affected by an ASD. They also suggest that as many as 80% of people with an ASD are not working, yet are willing and able to. If you are an employer it is likely that you will come across a person with an ASD at some point. However, it is down to the individual whether or not they disclose their condition on their application form. Some are afraid to do so in case of discrimination by the employer. (My advice to people with an ASD would be to generally always disclose (if not at interview, disclose when you start the job.) If a person has disclosed to you that they have an ASD when they apply, there are some reasonable adjustments you can make to make things better (more productive and sincere) for both of you. In this blog article, I will briefly give some suggestions on the sorts of things you could do to help a potential candidate with an ASD when you see them for interview.
How to reduce the number of transitions you do
Posted: October 21, 2017
For many people on the autistic spectrum, transitions are difficult. A 'transition' is basically any sort of change in circumstance, surroundings or activity. Transitions are most likely difficult for people with ASD because different activities require different thought processes, skills and general mental resources and the ability to undergo transition quickly is often very hard. Indeed, one of the impairments of autism is the ability to be mentally flexible. Many people also have sensory processing difficulties and transitions often cause disturbances of our senses, which can be very uncomfortable or even painful. I also find transitions hard because I get very focused on whatever it is I am doing and to have to suddenly stop that focus and shift it to something else, is hard. I also find transitions in the way I am feeling difficult and if I am doing one activity or doing the same thing, my mood tends to be constant and stable. Doing something different causes changes in feelings and a chance in mood and I find that hard as well. There are an infinite number of transitions that we all do every day, but here are a few examples based on some that affect me:Person with ASD and exercise – things to consider
Posted: October 13, 2017
Exercise, for me, has been the number one treatment for managing my depression. I have found a sport that I truly enjoy and am very good at. I believe that one of the easiest most natural ways you can help yourself or your loved one to improve their mental (and physical) well being, is to move more. It doesn't have to be a sport, or even a particular exercise - indeed, you don't even have to think of whatever it is as 'exercise' - but rather just increasing the amount of physical activity you do. Here are my thoughts on the things to consider about ASD and exercise:CHP on BBC Radio 4
Posted: October 3, 2017
Today, 3/10/17, Alis and Helen from the CHP, were featured on BBC Radio 4 ‘Word of Mouth’ for a 30 minute programme about ‘Autism and Communication.’ “Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Alis and Helen having a very lively chat with Michael Rosen.” “One of the most charming, gentle and insightful programmes. What a reminder to listen and empathize. Much needed.” “This was great, from beginning to end. You explained so cl…
How might autistic people manage projects?
Posted:
I've been thinking about project management. I think of projects in three stages: Planning Doing End result A part of being self-employed and running a business is that I have to manage a lot of projects (from start to completion) and I have to think of the work in terms of the bigger picture. So I work on all three stages all the time. This is opposed to someone who is employed and perhaps is more used to working mainly on the ‘doing’ aspect of the project and might not have to think much about the bigger picture. Lately I've had to do quite a few things that I really did not like doing, however I've been very happy with the final outcome. Possibly one of the differences between me and some of my friends and colleagues is that they very much like ‘doing’ whereas I very much like ‘thinking.’ Maybe this is another aspect of introversion (me) vs extroversion (them). Here are some thoughts on the subject of project management and how it may influence people on the autistic spectrum.Does ASD get worse or better as you get older?
Posted: September 24, 2017
Let's look at some of the things that may affect whether 'a person's ASD gets worse or better in adulthood.' When we talk about 'a person's ASD' we can think about: negative consequences of ASD - depression, anxiety, etc. actual signs and symptoms / autistic traits