BLOG ~ When 'Isolation' is a good thing...

Thinking outside-the-box graphic from Dr. Steven Wright

BLOG ~ When 'isolation' is a good thing....

Some people say that ‘isolation’ is not always a bad thing!
 
When Isolation is a good thing.

• When I’m able to focus on task, work assignments.
• When ‘overthinking’ leads me into unexplored areas.
• When I can work or think, uninterrupted by co-workers, and their noise around me.
• When my critical thinking skills are mine alone.
• When I don’t start by comparing other’s ways of thinking to produce new thoughts.
• When I solve old problems, new ways.
• When I alone, in my reverie, see patterns others cannot see.

 
Wheeler, M. (2020) wants us to know that, some common strengths for people on the autism spectrum are –

• Memory skills: facts and detail; although sometimes remember selectively.
• Persistence to pursue information and activities of interest.
• Out-of-the-box/independent thinkers.
• Good critical thinkers.
• Multi-dimensional brain/thinkers.
• Creativity.
• May see something others do not see.
• May see patterns very clearly.
• May be good at creating systems.
• May be good at mechanical tasks.
• May be good at computer programming.
• Genuine and honest character.

 
People on the autism spectrum have strengths and limitations. Identifying ourselves as autistic and neuro-divergent means we believe both our strengths and limitations are part of who we are. 
                   
< My Thoughts >           “Out-of-the-box…”
 
Many people find that being on the autism spectrum helps them to have creative and unusual ways of perceiving and interpreting things. Like, having ideas which are not controlled by the traditional perceptions, or ways of thinking. Thinking-outside-the-box, an idiomatic expression often used to describe how people work in unusual ways to solve complex world problems; or to see obscure patterns.
 
Petersen, K. (2020) proposes what it is like for him, a 9-year-old with autism, to ‘think out of the box’.
 
Kai:    “Mom, you know I always think out of the box, but sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad.”

Mom:     “Kai, it’s never bad to think outside the box.”

Kai:   “…sometimes I think so far outside the box, that it’s like being on right on the edge, and you hold on and hold on until someone pulls you back up. So, I’m not saying you must not think out of the box. You must, except you mustn’t think about whatever you’re thinking about outside the box too much because then you can fall off the cliff and nobody is there to help you. Unless of course you have wings.”

Mom:           “So how often do you think outside the box?”

Kai:             “Twice a day at least!”
 
< My Thoughts >           “…Twice a day at least!”
 
By the time persons with autism reach adulthood and are employable, they probably, as literal thinker Kai has, had many days of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking. Here too, it is said that this kind of thinking can lead to perfectionism, or perseveration. But that, like ‘isolation’, and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking isn’t always bad.
 
Laushman, P. (2024) discusses perfectionism and perseveration –

• Diligence and perseverance: People with autism are often very diligent and persistent in their work. This can be a valuable asset in achieving long-term goals, and these people often make very loyal long-term employees who won’t quit when the going gets tough.
• Increased focus and attention to detail: People with autism are often very detail-oriented, and this can be a valuable asset in many situations. For example, people with autism may be well-suited for jobs that require accuracy and precision. They may even outperform their neurotypical peers in these situations.
• High standards of work: People with autism often set high standards for themselves and their work. This can lead to high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations.

 
The caveat about any type of perfectionism, Laushman declares, is to focus on enjoying the process of doing the research and solving the problem.
 
< My Thoughts >           “…enjoying the process of doing…”
 
Perhaps instead, ‘enjoying the process of doing’ it is more about peacefully working uninterrupted on a task, until arriving at an insightful solution.
 
Pittaway, M. (2022) pleads that autistic people like to work. They have skills like high levels of concentration and attention to detail. Autistic employees often demonstrate having a strong work ethic; especially if they truly love their jobs. They can even lose track of time when they are doing tasks. This improves performance and enables them to go into greater depth in a particular task.
 
Kennedy, M. (2023) acknowledges that, “Perseverance is the screwdriver in your toolkit, capable of prying open possibilities when you're stuck, tightening your resolve when things get tough.”
 
References:
 
Kennedy, M. (2023). The Fine Line Between Perfectionism & Perseverance; Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved online from – https://www.timesfreepress.com › news › sep › fine-line/
 
Laushman, P. (2024). Autism & Perfectionism: Learning to Embrace Imperfection; Retrieved online from – www. thriveautismcoaching.com/
 
Pittaway, M. (2022) . 7 Strengths Autistic People Bring To the Workplace; Retrieved online from – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-strengths-autistic-people-bring-workplace-mollie-pittaway#/
 
Wheeler, M. (2020). What those not on the autism spectrum should know. Retrieved online from –
 https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/what-those-not-on-the-autism-spectrum-should-know.html.
 
< My Thoughts >      “…separating the child from the autism.”
 
Parents have cautioned me, “We don’t want to separate our child from the autism.” “Autism is a part of our child.” “We love our child, autism and all.” Of course, you love your child ‘autism and all!’ We love Sonny autism and all, but we have to know whether he’s banging his head because of a headache, because of a sensory issue, or because he is having a seizure. Is he pressing his face against the door jamb because he needs to feel some pain? Or, is he having pain from a toothache or a sore in his mouth? That’s the difference, that’s the ‘separation’ to be determined. That is 'knowing your child'.
Note: Read more about behavior in my Free ASD Book – Know Autism, Know Your Child, under UNIT 3 What Is Most Concerning?; Chapter 3 – Cognition, Theory of Mind, & Temperament/Personality

​Comments welcomed, and kindly share my website, globally. My goal is to reach all parents, caregivers, clinicians, therapists, educators, students, and persons with autism looking for supplemental information.

Regards,

Sara Luker