Let’s create certainty
Certainty, predictability.
Two words that we really enjoy as human beings.
The unknown is scary, change is hard. Research shows that our brains are constantly analyzing and predicting outcomes around us. Whether that is what our day looks like, the next few months, how people are going to respond in conversations, how someone is going to react in a moment or what something is going to feel like before we touch it. Our brains are constantly predicting outcomes. It helps us feel and keeps us safe. Pretty cool right? Maybe you have never thought about your brain in that way before.
It isn’t just an organ that reacts to a situation, as Peter Vermeulen states:
‘In reality, the brain predicts what it thinks is going to happen in the world, so that we can better react to events when they occur.’
Our brains aren’t machines that simply react .They are prediction machines, they keep us safe by constantly predicting what is happening around us and how situations will play out, without us even realising.
But what happens when brains are wired and formed differently? Not wrong, not broken, just different? What happens when prediction errors constantly occur?
Like our brains, autistic brains do their very best to anticipate what is going to happen in a situation. However, the processing and predicting acts differently to a neurotypical brain. More time is often required, conscious thoughts needed more than subconscious reactions and a huge amount of energy is given to sensory stimuli that non autistic brains ignore. This all can lead to errors in predicting environments, situations, sensory stimuli and interactions.
The reality is that Autistic individuals live in a world that is highly uncertain for them, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety.
So what do we do? How do we support this different way of processing?
The answer is simple. Create a world that is safer, more certain and more predictable.
‘The only way for the brain to deal with unreliability and uncertainty is to take control of the process of perception and to become the director of its own experience. In other words, moving ahead of events instead of waiting for them to happen.’ - Peter Vermeulen.
So how do you create predictability?
You guessed it! Visuals, social stories and meeting sensory needs are the top points. Being predictable in your reactions, in your boundaries. Realising that for so many of our young people they are navigating environments where their brain is working and processing information differently. Wrap visuals around the learning. Have morning, bedtime visuals, create social stories for places you have been before, for new places and experiences. Create predictability and certainty wherever you can!
Predictability and certainty are important to all of us, but so so much more for our neurodiverse children and young people. So in a deeply uncertain world, let’s create certainty where we can!
The thoughts of certainty and predictability have been at the forefront of my mind in the past week. Last week, Eden Consultancy NI turned 2. My baby business is entering its toddler years! Celebrations got lost amongst the recovery of the biggest month of work to date. But as the fog and tiredness lifted, as I had time to reflect, these two words kept coming to mind.
I love certainty, I love predictability. But let me tell you if you sat me down 2 years ago and said ‘Rebecca this is what you will be doing and where your business will be in 2 years’ I would have laughed.
Starting your own business is probably the least predictable thing you can do. Even as I sit here reflecting on the last 2 years I automatically look forward and I don’t know what the future holds.
I dream of a world that is more loving, understanding and accepting for neurodiverse children. I dream of a system that is so supportive of families and carers. I dream that Northern Ireland becomes the leading experts in Autism, in supporting young people with their mental health, a country where others turn to to learn from. I dream so much for you and for your young people.
The reality is I can’t predict it, but I can trust, I can hope and I can work hard to fight for you all. So for a girl that loves predictability, how have I managed? I am deeply grateful for the support system I have around me. For family, for friends who are extremely predictable in their love and kindness. In my unpredictable of the what next, I hear my Dad say how proud he is of me, I see my mum smiling and walking alongside me processing big emotions on this journey and my siblings supporting me in every step. I see my friends appear with flowers, wine and comfort when it seems too much. Predictable and certain reactions from those I love.
To sign this week's email off, I want to say thank you. Thank you for welcoming me into your journeys, for attending training, listening to podcasts, sharing on social media and allowing me to be part of your story. I can’t predict the future but I know that change is coming and we will do this together!
