I wanted to write a beautiful, intellectual post all about the phenomenal things I’ve read about with regards to Neuroplasticity, I have read so many articles and journals that I think I know more about how the brain works than I ever did before, and yet, I still feel like I accomplished nothing reading all those journals. The more I read, the more I realised that children with ASD are so misunderstood, they have such different biology, that it is difficult to say if one type of therapy will work vs another. The diversity of the ASD spectrum makes it virtually impossible for medical professionals to say definitively if neuroplasticity IS something that ASD children can even achieve.
It made me realise, once again, that parents of kids with ASD have a very different road to travel than most other neurodivergent families, because of all the nuances and contradictions that present themselves.
So here’s the gist of the neuroplasticity topic, I’ve just put two quotes from two of the more in depth articles I read, and I hope this helps with understanding with Neuroplasticiy is, and how it works.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to continue growing and evolving in response to life experiences. Plasticity is the capacity to be shaped, molded, or altered; neuroplasticity, then, is the ability for the brain to adapt or change over time, by creating new neurons and building new networks.
Historically, scientists believed that the brain stopped growing after childhood. But current research shows that the brain is able to continue growing and changing throughout the lifespan, refining its architecture or shifting functions to different regions of the brain.
The importance of neuroplasticity can’t be overstated: It means that it is possible to change dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behaving and to develop new mindsets, new memories, new skills, and new abilities.
A Growth Mindset and Neuroplasticity
The concepts mirror each other; a growth mindset is a mindset that one’s innate skills, talents, and abilities can be developed and/or improved with determination, while neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and develop beyond the usual developmental period of childhood.
A person with a growth mindset believes that he or she can get smarter, better, or more skilled at something through sustained effort—which is exactly what neuroplasticity tells us. You might say that a growth mindset is simply accepting the idea of neuroplasticity on a broad level!
Neuroplasticity is amazing, the brains ability to reconnect neural pathways and our bodies ability to redirect so that we can overcome and grow through adverse situations and trauma’s, both physical and emotional.
However, individuals with ASD exhibit abnormal neuroplasticity, which impacts information processing, sensory processing, and social cognition, leading to the manifestation of corresponding symptoms.
National Library of Medicine in America – Neuroplasticity of children in autism spectrum disorder.
This scientific fact about an ASD child’s abnormal neuroplasticity, which is caused by any number of reasons, is a common thread through every article, medical journal and post that I have read thus far on the topic. It leads me to believe that a child with ASD will have limited ability to “change their thinking” using the growth mindset approach.
So an autistic child is left with MASKING, it is very common in the neurodivergent community. I have experienced it in my own life. I’ve seen it in my son, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to watch him physically shift from being himself (overwhelmed, unhappy, unsure, happy, stimming etc) to being a stoic, unbothered seemingly “OK” kid. So when we can’t change our thinking to adjust our repsonse to perceived threats, we mask it. Which is worse for the child and leads to long term burn out and people pleasing.
YES neuroplasticity is amazing, YES it has helped myself and countless others overcome some pretty traumatic things in life, YES a child with ASD is able to “re-wire” their neurons, BUT I do not believe that it would be anywhere close to the extent of other Neurodivergent children (ADHD, OCD etc) as it has been shown in clinical studies that children with ASD did not show significant growth from this approach.
BUT, do I still believe in miracles? ABSOLUTELY, does this mean that my son will never grow and develop and be able to cope with life? Absolutely not, do I still pray and trust God to lead and guide us and my children on their paths? ABSOLUTELY!
In the end, as I said in the beginning, I know more, but I know less. Each family is going to have a different experience, and there is no “cookie cutter” answer with children with ASD. It’s a relationship of understanding and a little trial and error. Open communication with your child and your family, honesty and love.
I think the bible has a good version of a growth mindset,
