When my oldest son was diagnosed with autism, one of the first things his occupational therapist said was, “His level of rigid thinking is severe. He does not have the ability to change his own perspective or see things from the perspectives of others. He will need a lot of social skills therapy and even then, we’ll see.”

“We’ll see?” I thought.

I knew he struggled with inflexible thinking.

I knew it was an area in need of development.

I knew it was not easy for him, any more than it was for the rest of us, to understand how to help him.

However, it seemed to me his therapist was limiting his potential. She seemed dubious he would ever really make progress in helping his brain be more global and flexible. She seemed to have already given up.

For many children with learning and behavioral differences, this type of “fixed mindset” is their baseline. Even within my own family, I have found this to be true.

Two years after my oldest was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, my youngest was diagnosed withADHD and several mood disorders. The diagnoses were completely different; the concerns around rigid thinking were the same. Moreover, the idea there is only so much that can be done to help them was also pervasive. Although I have learned to politely, but strongly, disagree with the notion my children are not able to develop flexible, growth mindsets, I do understand where this concern originates. Below are 5 steps on how to Teach a Growth Mindset to Children with Special Needs.

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