Header image credit: “Parallel Play” by Betsy Selvam
I want to spend time in parallel existence with you; let’s be alone together.
neurowonderful — neurowonderful: They’re here! Because you…
If you imagine that an autistic
Craft, Flow and Cognitive StylesAutistic ways of being are human neurological variants that can not be understood without the social model of disability.If you are wondering whether you are Autistic, spend time amongst Autistic people, online and offline. If… More kid at school is likely to be wrenched out of their attention tunnel multiple times every day, each time leading to disorientation and deep discomfort, you are on your way to understanding why school environments can be so stressful for many autistic students. If you can avoid contributing to that, you may find that you have an easier time with your autistic students: try entering into their attention tunnel when you can, rather than tugging them out of it. Parallel play is one powerful tool for this; start where the child is, show interest in what they’re focused on. If you do need to pull them out of whatever they’re focusing on, it’s best to give them a bit of time.
Parallel play is a love language.
Further reading,