229 Results in Strategies

Unclear expectations: The invisible workload

It is a strange contradiction that most people say they value straightforwardness and clarity, but in practice, activities often run very differently! Expectations may be hinted at, softened, implied or not said or written down at all! It is ‘hoped’ that the recepients of the information will infer expectations from tone of voice, facial expressions,… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members o…

6 Ways to get in tune with yourself

Do you ever feel low, disorientated, unwell or “not quite right” but can’t pinpoint why? Being in tune with yourself – recognising your thoughts and feelings often have a reason or cause – can be a helpful tool, especially for autistic people. For example: If you’re feeling anxious, can you identify the trigger? If you’re… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our communi…

How uncertainty affects anxiety for autistic people

Autistic people can often feel anxious when things are uncertain. Maybe someone invites them to do something but the plan isn’t specific. This uncertainty causes them anxiety. Or maybe autistic people themselves sometimes cause their own uncertainty! They can spend a long time “thinking about things” and “wondering whether or not” they should do something…. Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts ar…

5 Ways to manage your worries

Autistic people often experience strong or persistent worry. This is an understandable response to an unpredictable world. However, chronic worry can make life exhausting and miserable, so developing tools to manage it can make a big difference…. Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to continue to read this article, along with receiving access to our exclusive animati…

‘Fitting in’ with others is a two-way effort

As autistic people, we’re often told we need to “make more of an effort” with others. That “effort” is often a synonym for conformity. Conformity means exhibiting less autistic traits. It means masking and pushing ourselves past our limits so that other people feel comfortable. This is not healthy, realistic or sustainable! Always have in… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members o…

Being focused versus being flexible

How do we get the balance right between doing exactly what we want in the moment versus what’s best for us and the situation? Everyone faces this tension, but for autistic people it can be especially challenging. Autistic people’s thinking frequently involves narrow focus followed by immediate action. This can mean they miss the wider… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If…

Why does my autistic child dislike walking to school?

The journey walking or cycling to and from school can be really stressful for autistic children. In fact, the journey may even be one of the reasons why an autistic child doesn’t want to go to school. When I was little, I used to dread walking to school. I didn’t fully understand why at the… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to continue to read this article, along…

Sometimes we just need someone by our side

Autistic people may be able to relate to that feeling of wanting to do something, or feeling that they are trying very hard to do something, but then talk themselves out of it or dismiss the idea. They might think, “Nah, I won’t be able to” or “That thing just isn’t for me.” This is… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to continue to read t…

4 Conversation techniques to add to your social script

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… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to continue to read…

Understanding the difference between ‘best’ and ‘right’

Autistic people often have a strong sense of ‘right and wrong.’ They may be able to identify these to themselves very quickly and tend to stick to them rigidly. They may then judge others and situations when they perceive they are ‘wrong.’ To many autistic people, right and wrong is very black and white. What… Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to…