This Week's Brain Challenge: Autism

Summary: What does the word autism mean to you? Over the next couple of weeks, we'll explore some resources and meet at least one expert that can share some examples of empowerment in ASDs.

Often, when I hear the word autism, I'm transported to a visceral memory of sitting in a doctor's office, waiting as patiently as an 11-year-old can for my great-grandmother to emerge. (Some parts of the memory are foggy, such as where exactly this doctor's office was and if, in fact, it really was my great-grandmother's appointment and not that of someone else.) And within this memory, I am transported into a story.

The story—rather, the article I was reading during my time in the waiting room—was about a little boy with autism, and how his parents were thrilled that a dolphin-swim adventure in Florida (or perhaps Hawaii) had seemingly brought him out of his 'world' within. This story gripped me fully: I have a vivid inner world of creativity. Was I autistic?

The writer of the article strove to paint a picture with words, something that is typically a challenge for people with autism, since they don't operate with "theory of mind." (See more on this via the video link below.) Furthermore, the article was written primarily from the parents' point of view with mostly guesswork as to what this "world within" was like for the little boy with autism. Being a kid, myself, at the time, I was incredibly curious about his inner life.

What is autism? I've since learned along with the rest of the world that it's not something that strikes just anyone at any time, but is rather a difference in brain development that does have a genetic component. (The potential environmental factors are still in dispute.)

Often referred to nowadays as an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, it is—like all brain challenges—on a continuum. Ranging from high-functioning (HFA) to severe, ASDs share some similar symptoms, no matter where they fall on the spectrum. Some of these are:

• difficulty making or holding eye contact
• confusion over social skills and etiquette
• challenges in reading body language or other cues
• further challenges in understanding one's own or others' emotions
• hyper-sensitivity to sensory stimuli (i.e., loud noises or certain odors or tastes)
• lack of "theory of mind"
• extraordinary intelligence.

Later this week and next, I'll be sharing some resources on autism/ASDs—including points from my interview with Brian King, M.S.W., who not only mentors ASD kids and their parents, but is the father of three sons on the autism spectrum, the husband to a wife with ASD, and even identifies himself as a Spectrumite along with the rest of his family. He knows a lot about this subject! Keep reading if you want to know more, too.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Article: 3 Basic Steps to Conflict Resolution

Here is the link I promised yesterday to my article "3 Basic Steps to Conflict Resolution" on GoArticles.com.

If you, like fellow article writer Gail Seymour, read my prior post on eye contact and suddenly wanted to know more, your wait is finally over! And if, like Jon R. of Ohio, who attended my presentation on communication last month, you struggle with eye contact or any of the other basic steps I outline in the article, write me. Just click the comments link below to share your thoughts.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WEEKLY UPDATE: Resolving Conflict with Eye Contact

Summary: When it comes to conflict resolution, when is eye contact helpful—and when is it hurtful? The answer is individual.

I recently received an e-mail message from Jon R. of Ohio who attended my communications workshop there last week. Part of the workshop focused on the 3 basic steps to conflict resolution. Jon writes in his message that the best way for him to resolve conflict is to "depersonalize" it using logic. And he points out, accurately, that the 3 steps I teach all specifically personalize what's going on.

Step one in conflict resolution is: Open your eyes! In other words, make eye contact.

It makes sense that some individuals—like Jon—find it helpful to cognitively process by detaching from the situation (and thus detaching from any excess emotions that may cloud their ability to make clear decisions and communicate well). However, making eye contact is imperative to showing respect to your 'opponent' in long-term conflict resolution. Read this e-article by Gail Seymour on How to Maintain Eye Contact. And don't forget to check out the related links with even more info. on the pros and cons of eye contact.

My 3 basic steps to conflict resolution start with this essential. I teach clients how to work through uncomfortable moments to go deeper into their feelings and come through them successfully. But the bottom line is, you should do what works best for you whenever you need to regain your composure and think—and speak—clearly.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010