Neurodivergence
In 'Born Lucky,' it's emphasized that Autism is not a 'broken' version of normal, but a different way the brain is ______.
Wired
A boundary is not a wall to keep people out; it is a ______ to keep the relationship safe.
Gate / Instruction Manual
Emotional safety means feeling like I can share my true thoughts without being judged or ______.
Shamed / Dismissed
The goal of therapy isn't to be perfect; it's to have better ______ when things go wrong.
Problem Solving Skills or Repairs
The first step in Catch, Check, Change is to 'Catch' the ______ thought.
Automatic / Negative
This 4-letter acronym describes a condition common with Autism that involves difficulty focusing or hyper-focusing.
ADHD
If an autistic person says 'I need to be alone right now,' are they being rude or honoring a sensory limit?
Honoring a sensory limit to prevent a meltdown or shutdown.
True or False: You have to 'believe' a feeling is logical in order to respect that someone is feeling it.
False. Feelings don't have to be 'logical' to be real and valid.
How often should we check in on the 'Boundary/Safety Expectations' we set in therapy?
Consistently (e.g., once a week or month) to see what's working.
Instead of saying 'You always do this,' try using '___' statements.
'I' statements (e.g., 'I feel overwhelmed when...')
True or False: An adult diagnosis means the person just started being Autistic recently.
False. They have always been autistic; they just finally have the right map to understand themselves.
How can parents respond to a 'No' from an adult child without taking it personally?
By validating the need behind the 'No' (e.g., 'I hear that you're overwhelmed, let's talk later').
What is the difference between 'Debating' a feeling and 'Validating' it?
Debating tries to prove the feeling 'wrong.' Validating acknowledges: 'I can see that this is really hard for you, even if I don't understand.'
When do we know to give each other space?
When a need is expressed (We can't read each other's minds).
A 'Time-Out' in a disagreement is used to calm the nervous system, not to ______ the other person.
Ignore / Punish
What is 'Masking' as described in neurodivergent literature?
The intense effort to suppress traits to appear neurotypical or "normal" which often leads to extreme exhaustion or burnout.
Explain why something like a 'Surprise Visit' can be stressful for a neurodivergent person even if they love the visitor.
It disrupts the internal 'script' or routine for the day, which causes significant internal anxiety.
When someone says 'I feel targeted,' a safe response is to listen, not to explain why they are ______.
Wrong / Overreacting
Maintenance means focusing on 'The Process' rather than just 'The ______'.
Outcome / Goal
In a debate, people listen to respond. In a dialogue, people listen to ______.
Understand
Why might an autistic adult seem 'more autistic' after a diagnosis?
Unmasking: They are finally allowing themselves to accommodate their true needs rather than hiding them to make others comfortable.
You disagree with an inappropriate comment a family member made during dinner. Express yourself by completing the following statement:
"I feel ___ when ___."
"I feel uncomfortable when people make comments like that. "
Why is 'Emotional Safety' considered the foundation of any long-term progress in a family?
Without safety, people go into 'Defensive Mode' (Fight/Flight), which makes honest communication impossible.
How does 'Self-Care' for the individual help the maintenance of the whole family?
When the individual isn't burnt out, they have more capacity to engage healthily with others.
What is 'Cognitive Reframing' (The 'Change' in Catch, Check, Change).
Replacing a worst-case-scenario thought with a realistic, kinder one.