Autism Chrysalis

Category: Parenting

The backs of two people walking by some stairs in an urban park.

Thoughts on Theory of Mind

Theory of Mind is often pointed out as an autistic deficit, but is it really that? Is something else going on? And is it just autistics that find this challenging?

Close-up on a hand holding a pencil above paper with math questions on it.

How to Kill A Growth Mindset

Many schools and teachers try hard to foster in students a growth mindset—the resilience to keep trying—but are we unintentionally undermining our best efforts?

An adult and a child sitting in wooden chairs and looking at a orange post-it note they are both holding.

The Worst Testimonial I’ve Ever Read

We want to raise kids to be independent, but when they’re fighting you at every turn, it’s so easy to succumb to the seduction of a child who’ll just do what you tell them.

Screenshot of a scene from Big Bang Theory, with Penny swatting and Bernadette getting up from a chair.

A Lesson from the Big Bang Theory

Penny tries to help Bernadette go into labor, but Bernadette gets stuck and what happens next it’s so reminiscent of my life.

Child and adult sitting at a table. The kid has their head on their hand and is pointing to a box on a sheet of paper.

Why I don’t recommend ABA

ABA is one of the most common interventions for Autistic kids, yet among Autistic adults it is one of the most reviled. The important question, though, is why.

An adult looking at a child, who's trying to eat a card with the number seven on it.

A Quick Q&A on Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapies have been the standard “treatment” for autism for a long time, but are losing popularity. Here’s a little on my position in this regard.

A list of strengths written out with simplistic yellow drawings above them. They are as listed "clear passions, self-soothing, good memory, special reasoning, sense of justice, entertains self, predictable, problem solving, consistent, outside the box thinking, keeping tidy, super focus, curious, attention to detail, academic success, honest, direct, logical reasoning."

Autistic Strengths

Autism isn’t just challenges. There are some wonderful strengths and attributes as well.

A list of behaviours written out with simplistic yellow drawings above them. They are as listed "socializing, stimming, not listening, meltdowns, school, not coming out of bedroom, pointing instead of talking, tummy troubles, transitions, brushing teeth, bedtime, body awareness, picky eating, rigid thinking, attention and distraction, going shopping, excessive video games, anger issues."

What’s Behind Challenging Behaviors?

Do you find autistic meltdowns challenging? Or rigid thinking, hiding in the bedroom, excessive video gaming, anger issues, etc.? Want to know what’s really going on?