30 Results in executive functioning

Impatience vs attention to detail

I often find myself in a bit of a dilemma. Like many autistic people, my natural way of being is to be a perfectionist with a strong attention to detail. Through working, I have learned that the primary problem with being this way is that it can slow you down and really halt progress. This… 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…

The freeze response to anxiety in ASD

I've been thinking about the Freeze response to anxiety. A lot of people know a bit about Fight and Flight and less people think to remember Freeze. Let's consider Freeze and how and why it might happen to people with ASD.

What is hyperfocus and how to achieve it

'Hyperfocus' a skill commonly said to be had by lots of people with ASD (or, interestingly, ADHD). It can be the most amazing ability and means a person has enormous potential! Let's look at what hyperfocus is, some positives and negatives of it, and how to successfully obtain hyperfocus!

How to support autistic people through change

I’ve learned a lot through running my businesses. An idea I’ve come across is The Kubler-Ross Change Curve* (this is actually the same idea as the 5 stages of grief, which I’ve talked about before but in a different way). The Change Curve is used to understand how people might respond to and move through… 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 r…

Familiarity vs predictability

I've been thinking about what makes a situation easier for me. One aspect I talked about recently was how immediate a situation is. I debated whether doing something very soon is sometimes easier than planning it ahead of time. Something else I think makes a difference is how predictable and how familiar something is. Let's find out more.

Sensitivity and reactivity

I've been pondering about sensitivity and reactivity, wondering what their link is, or are they the same thing? What are sensitivity and reactivity like in people with ASD?

Improving productivity using routines and schedules

I had a brief conversation with someone recently and, like lots of things, it annoyed me (lots of things annoy me). The person was asking me what I was up to. When I listed what I was doing and the time I was doing it at (I said something like "I'm going home now because I'm going to be late for dinner, which I like to eat at 5pm"), she did a big grin and said, "It's all about schedules with you!!!" The reason this comment annoyed me was because it reminded me that lots of people play down a very serious matter. Note, this was all in my head, she hadn't given me any true reason to think that she was playing it down. However, I do know that many people I've come across in the past have made similar remarks to me and it always ends up with a bit of banter and teasing by them, because they think my "like" of schedules and routines is a bit of a laughing matter. I understand that people are trying to be friendly and affectionate with me, but I do sometimes wish that people took my "like" (which, if they took the time to find out more, they would realise is actually a 'need') of schedules and routines more seriously. Maybe I just wish that people took a bit more time to understand why schedules and routines are so important, so that they had more empathy, and then I wouldn't mind the teasing so much. But so many people view schedules and routines as very superficial, flexible things... "It's only a few minutes late, stop worrying!" or "Come on now, it's good for you to do things outside your comfort zone sometimes!"

The benefits for people on the spectrum doing less

What is the definition of the word 'busy'? It means 'having a great deal to do.' I've noticed that lots of neurotypical people seem to thrive on describing themselves as having a "very busy" life. I'm sure you also hear the same comments I do, people saying that they are or have been so busy, and they say it so proudly! People also seem to have the same impression of me, that I am very busy. But actually, my life is very minimalist and quiet. Sometimes I feel that I am busy but I think that the feeling of busyness I have is less to do with the number of things I am doing and more to do with the amount of energy it takes for me to do things? In this article I'll talk about why people on the autistic spectrum might benefit from a less 'busy' life in comparison to many neurotypical people who seem to desire and enjoy having busy lives.

Cues for better mental health

I consider a cue to be a reminder or an instruction. Cues are incredibly helpful for people on the autistic spectrum. It might be a good idea to come up with some cues that you or your loved one can use. Cues can be helpful for reminding us to do physical or practical tasks, such as reminding us to post a letter or to do a certain piece of work - but that's not the limits. For people on the autistic spectrum, cues can do a lot more.

Ignorance is bliss

The phrase 'ignorance is bliss' is very pertinent to me. I have noticed that I very much try to 1) live in the moment and 2) focus only on one thing at a time. These two tactics enable me to feel control in the world as it makes me feel grounded and causes me not to overthink anything. I think there are at least three common reactions when a human being is faced with a task. They are: