Someone says in a meeting, “We’ve always done it this way,” even though you know that’s demonstrably not true. For most people in the room, this is an insignificant detail. For many autistic people, it can be a problem that can’t simply be brushed aside, even if the...
Advertising almost always works in the same roundabout way: it bypasses rational judgment by addressing feelings, urgency or social pressure. "Only three left in stock" or "Don't miss out" are typical phrases that you see or hear every day. Many autistic people react...
Many parents report that their autistic child hardly talks about dreams in the morning - while siblings talk vividly about adventures, strange places or invented characters. This is sometimes interpreted as an indication of limited imagination, which is not true. The...
A child who can barely get a sentence out in conversation will write messages to their mother in the evening which are precise, complete and sometimes even witty. This difference in communication can lead to confusion. However, written communication often works better...
Why chess and Sudoku captivate many autistic people - and what it really means Chess, Sudoku, Tetris - these games attract many autistic people in a way that stands out. However, this is not because they are easy, but because they have clear rules and patterns: All...
When school enables participation: autism-friendly design as a field of development If school is a place where learning is possible for many children, this is often only true for children on the autism spectrum under certain conditions. It is not necessarily the...
Fully immersed: what hyperfocus really means The child has been sitting in front of a drawing for three hours, hasn't eaten or drunk, doesn't respond when spoken to - and when you interrupt them, it's as if they've been torn from their sleep. For parents and teachers,...
When the school day turns upside down - what school support really means Support plans often refer to teaching situations. What tasks the child is given, what the seating arrangement looks like, whether the child needs breaks. That's right and important. But anyone...
Savant skills in autism: prevalence, areas and the right approach In 2004, Daniel Tammet recited the number pi to the 22,514th decimal place in front of witnesses and cameras. What makes this interesting is that he describes that he has not memorised the number. For...
Autism and empathy: Why the brain feels - only differently An autistic child stands motionless while a classmate cries. No hugs, no comforting words, no visible sympathy. For many people, this seems to be confirmation: Autistic people lack empathy. But neuroscience...
Inclusion succeeds - when schools create the right framework Inclusion of autistic children in mainstream schools is complex. But successful projects show: With the right approaches, it can work. Two practical examples - and what schools can learn from them. Art as...
Autism diagnosis in adulthood More and more adults are only receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood - often after decades of "masking" and numerous misdiagnoses. What this late diagnosis means for those affected and why the waiting times are dramatic. Misunderstood...
