Spectrum Advice

So often, we run into people who really don't understand Autism and ask, "Why can't your child be more....well, normal?" Autism IS normal. It is a different kind of normal. And when we truly understand the true nature of Autism, we begin to realize that they have strengths and abilities that we don't. There are things they can do that we can't. At Spectrum Advice, we call this "The Power of ASD!"

Please check out this video that illustrates this point so well.

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall ~ READ ALOUD by Will Sarris blue crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" suffers and identity crisis. This story is about being true to yo...

Is Your Child Unmotivated, Unwilling, Uncooperative? Here’s Why.

When my son was younger, I was convinced that he was this rebellious adolescent/teenager that just didn’t want to mind. Unfortunately, because I didn’t understand it for what it really was, it became a battle of wills. Was he going to “win” or would I finally “win” and get him to tow the line? This is what I really didn’t understand about Autism. Since then, I have done a ton of research and realized that this wasn’t a motivation issue at all! So exactly what is it? Let me explain…

What we have termed as the Shielding System is a survival state in which someone with Autism is scared, frustrated, or angry (Fight mode), or shut down and withdrawn (Flight or Freeze mode). When you’re in the Shielding System, everything is harder because you are constantly trying to protect against an imminent, perceived, but very vague threat. The perceived threat creates the same anxiety as a true-life threatening situation, so for your child, it may be VERY real to them, even though you may not be able to readily identify what is causing it. Fortunately, the vast majority are not actual threats, but merely signals that the brain perceives as threats.

Science Says…

In scientific terms, this fight, flight or freeze response is brought on largely by a large nerve in our body called the Vagus nerve. So what is the Vagus Nerve? It is a one of the major nerves in the autonomic nervous system that regulates all the functions our mind doesn’t consciously control like heart rate, digestion, and so on. This large nerve runs from the brain stem all the way down to your gut. When you encounter a perceived threat, what is going on is a complex biological, neurological & psychological rat’s nest of “problems” that all compound on each other (but have roots in Low Vagal Tone). Simply put, there is simply too much to process at once and most of this is internal and unseen.

In Layman’s Terms

From an outside perspective being in the Shielding System can look like someone who is unmotivated, unwilling, uncooperative or “rude”. I’ve heard it called Oppositional Defiant Disorder, PTSD, lack of motivation, video game addiction and all sorts of other names.
With limited understanding, all of those labels are accurate to a point. What they miss, however, is the key understanding of the Shielding System, namely that people with Autism are in their Shielding System and shut down because they are scared, upset and/or angry, It is NOT because they are trying to spite you, or be rude or defiant. To complicate matters, it is scary to be angry with the very people who support you when you are in are in your Shielding System. Then when you add a fear of abandonment to the mix and it gets really complicated.
When you are in your Shielding System, because you spend the majority of your resources fighting your feelings against anything you perceive as threatening, you have very little leftover resources for day-to-day functioning. This impacts daily hygiene routines, learning, homework and a myriad of issues.
Someone who is in their Shielding System also has a hard time regulating their emotional state, connecting with others, and finding their way in life (both metaphorically and physically).
So until you get out of your Shielding System, it is very hard to learn social skills, make friends, be productive in school or a job, and take care of yourself and manage the overwhelm and stress that can come with everyday life.

How Do You Recognize When Someone is in Their Shielding System?.....

Keep reading on my blog here:
https://www.spectrumadvice.com/blog/is-your-child-unmotivated-unwilling-uncooperative-or-rude-here-s-why

So very true! Please never forget that you truly are the greatest resource your child will ever have!

You, parents, are the greatest resource your child will ever have. Your relationship is stronger and more effective to his/her development than any tool or technique. Never forget that!