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: 10 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:
Improving your mental health
Posted: January 31, 2016
I’ll tell you the reason for this article, it might make you chuckle or it might make you feel a little annoyed, which is how I felt! Some of you might know that, last year, I was interviewed for two magazine features. If you are interested in reading the articles, you can find them here: Gask, Marina. “The Truth About Women… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would li…
Expectations and assumptions
Posted: January 13, 2016
When I am getting to know someone, I don't assume anything about their behaviour and the way they are. I treat them as they are: a unique individual. I learn their ways and what works for them. I don't assume they are going to be a certain way, just because most other people are. Based on my own experiences, there has often been an assumption that I am going to behave and like the same sorts of things that other people like, before I've even been given a chance to say otherwise. Sometimes I will explicitly tell a person(s) something important or specific about me, and I'm always very surprised when they seemingly 'forget' this information...
How to end a conversation or activity
Posted: January 5, 2016
People with ASD find social rules and etiquette difficult as they do not come as naturally to us as they do to neurotypical people. There are lots of things difficult about social interactions and one of those things is as simple as knowing how and when to end a conversation or activity. 'Casual', impromptu or spontaneous interactions are more difficult to know how/when to end.
Optimal performance and hard work
Posted: December 18, 2015
At school, children with ASD - in particular boys - are often described as "not putting enough effort in", "could have done better", "not trying hard enough", or "needs to work harder." Comments such as these can be quite damaging for a child who is putting in enough effort and working as hard as they can. Children with ASD typically have low self esteem already, so to be told what they are producing is not good enough, can be harmful.
What does inclusion mean?
Posted: November 26, 2015
Inclusion is a word very frequently used when people talk about ASD and other disabilities or special needs. What does this word mean? To me, it means that people who aren't neurotypical ought to be able to have everyday experiences every day. It means they should be able to accomplish 'normal' day to day tasks with as little difficulty as possible. For example, I would like to be able to do things such as: have meals out, go shopping for new clothes, take the train, and go to the gym. Unfortunately, there are a number of problems that come with all of these things that either prevent me from doing them...