Literal Thinking and Autism

Literal Thinking

“Literal thinking” can be difficult for many of our kiddos to overcome.  With help, many people with autism can learn to understand jokes, sarcasm, and figures of speech—and even use them themselves.

Using figurative language in silly ways is one easy way to help teach our kiddos. In a low-pressure context (such as the dinner table), describe a story that didn’t happen or a view you don’t hold. Let your kiddo make a game of guessing whether you’re serious or not.

  • Children enjoy outrageous stories, like the time you rode a T. Rex away from the meteorite that made the dinosaurs extinct. If you’re getting giggles, it’s going well.
  • Say things that are obviously wrong. For example, use a silly voice say “Happy 79th birthday!” to your hubby, while your kiddo is in the room. When corrected, continue being wrong. (“Oh, that’s right, she’s not 79. She’s 89!”) This will elicit some laughs.
  • For older children, teens, and adults, pretend to hold a viewpoint that is uncharacteristic of you (e.g. “Oh, I hate Star Trek. It’s no good at all”). If your teen doesn’t seem to get it, give more and more ridiculous reasons.
  • Avoid jokingly criticizing your kiddo, something they did, or something they hold dear to them. They might not realize that you aren’t serious, or feel confused about if you’re joking, and start feeling very hurt and upset. For example, if they love Star Trek, then you might want to joke about disliking dogs or video games instead.

Encourage their experimentation with figurative language. Don’t be surprised if your kiddo begins to spontaneously use jokes, sarcasm, and metaphors. Show your appreciation for their wit, even if it doesn’t make much sense to you. They’re still learning.  Making bad jokes is part of life. Many neurotypical children invent jokes that make no sense. For example: “Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “Apple.” “Apple who?” “Apple on the ceiling!” It takes time to learn how to construct a surprising and well-thought-out joke.

Don’t be surprised if they are confused.  Demonstrating patience and respect will tell your kiddos that it’s okay to ask for clarification andLiteral Thinking make mistakes. An accepting environment allows them to take risks and learn more.

Amelia Bedelia Books are great books to help with literal thinking.

 

 

 

We have been a family blessed with the help of the team at The Helm. Our son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 2.5 and The Helm was one of the places recommended by our developmental psychologist. I am a physician and still found it hard navigating this new medical problem and knowing what to do next. I called many places and from step one Lee Ann was the most helpful explaining the process with paperwork, assessment, available services, insurance, etc. we were able to start therapy quite soon after diagnosis and had sessions at home daily for 3 hours. The quality of staff, the system they have in place for the therapists, the coordination by the BCBA supervising therapist and early response put us at ease that we were on the right path. Ultimately the steady positive changes we saw with our son overcame any fears we had about autism holding our son back for the rest of his life.

We used many forms of intervention that we felt were individually tailored for our family – for potty training, anger management, dietary intervention and even let them know when we could not maintain something suggested in family training, and they would just take our request and implement another plan. Our son has now graduated/transitioned out of therapy and is currently in pre-K in a regular classroom with him on par with his class in academics, has friends and no behavior issues. Most important of all we have a happy son who loves to play with his big sister.

I know that I will always read all there is on autism and watch my son for any features. But I hope my review adds to positive aspects that I wish someone would have told me when I started the journey – start early, don’t put off your suspicions, get your child evaluated now! The label does not hinder,  in fact it falls to the side once you have the diagnosis to facilitate therapy. ABA intervention, especially done with the right people, makes a big difference. It does not pressure or upset the child at all, and you are not stuck in therapy for life! I know if any behavioral issues come up in the future I have The Helm, and they will help us and the outcome is going to be positive. Said with heartfelt thanks.

– Former Helm ABA Family

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