Title: 9 Ways to Improve Cognitive Flexibility And Reduce Rigid Behavior
Headings: 9 Ways to Improve Cognitive Flexibility And Reduce Rigid Behavior
9 Ways to Improve Cognitive Flexibility And Reduce Rigid Behavior
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Rigidity vs. Flexibility
Rigidity is a hallmark personality trait of individuals with autism.
Rigid thinking leads to:
Impact of Cognitive Rigidity
Rigid thinking leads to challenging behaviors such as:
What is Cognitive Flexibility?
How to Reduce Rigidity & Improve Flexible Thinking
1. Explain What is Happening
2. Use a Calendar
3. Create a Change Board
4. Encourage Flexible Thinking With Games
> What is this?
> Make up new rules for games
> Matching games with different matching rules
> “Pack my bag”
5. Try Doing Everyday Tasks Differently
6. Brainstorm Together
Here’s my brainstorm for increasing cognitive flexibility:
7. Frontloading
8. Reassure Their Safety
9. Praise Them for Showing Flexibility
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Content: see different perspectives
consider different options
easily adjust their plans when things don’t go as expected
In contrast, people who are “ rigid ” see things as absolute. R ules, regulations, expectations, and plans are expected to be followed completely and accurately. Variations from the normal are extremely distressing and may lead to meltdowns. Rigidity is a hallmark personality trait of individuals with autism. This type of thinking often leads to the person applying rigid rules to situations that require variability and flexibility. However, rules and regulations (especially social rules) rarely apply rigidly, without variation across situations and settings. Rigid thinking leads to: Anxiety
Misreading situations
Out of place behavior
The need to control all situations to match their expectations
Anger or meltdowns when things don’t go as planned
Impact of Cognitive Rigidity
The anxiety that’s caused by this type of rigid, inflexible thinking can cause many behavior challenges in autis tic children. When the world doesn’t go exactly the way our children expect it, they can meltdown. Rigid thinking leads to challenging behaviors such as: