Who is this workbook for?

This is a book full of worksheets for your students on the autism spectrum, who have good verbal skills, but struggle with cognitive flexibility and basic reasoning skills. It is perfect for students who can read and comprehend short texts but fail to understand situations deeply, make inferences, and/or respond appropriately in social situations.

Students on the autism spectrum frequently create (and abide by) self-imposed limitations which, not only impede exploring other possibilities, but also waste precious energy on conforming to routines they create themselves. It may be beneficial to teach them that a 'flexible brain' is a 'strong brain' because of the 'thinking' exercises it constantly engages in.

Juxtaposing the concept of physical exercises leading to a stronger body with mental exercises leading to a stronger brain is usually effective in getting them on board. Statements like, ‘Just like our bodies get healthy and strong when we work out, similarly, our brains also get stronger when we make them exercise!’ will help them buy into this concept.

The worksheets and scenarios presented in this workbook encourages students to not be afraid of doing things differently and be open to new experiences, with the scenarios it presents, because it helps them grow and make their brains stronger!

Good Luck!

Why is it hard to use flexible thinking?

A simple short answer to this question is it takes stepping out of one’s comfort zone to actively process a situation and perform a mental task that will use up one’s cognitive energy. Doing something the same way without thinking is much simpler, and chances are, that a previously witnessed outcome will be encountered again, which individuals on the autism spectrum find very rewarding. They thrive on predictability. Flexible thinking or coming up with new ways to solve a problem is quite challenging for neuro-typical children, let alone those on the autism spectrum, who are already struggling with other sensory and processing issues.

Why use concrete concepts?

The good news is that children on the autism spectrum can learn concrete concept easily compared to abstract ideas. Therefore, the concept of a slinky comes in handy as well as the visual reference of black and white, and gray. Familiarize them with a slinky and how it can stretch when you pull on it as opposed to how it looks when you don’t. Teach them that our brain is a muscle that is stretchy like a slinky which can stretch but only if they choose to do it. It will not do it on it’s own.

What is the purpose of worksheets?

This workbook is a tool to reinforce the concepts that you want them to learn. Start out with the images provided, the stairs to success chart, the red/

green flexible and inflexible thinking sheets, and a slinky:)