What Are the Signs of Autism? Steve Silberman Explains

A woman at a restaurant avoiding eye contact in a conversation, one of the signs of autism

What are the signs of autism? Do all autistic people display the same traits? Why is spotlighting autistic savants controversial? In NeuroTribes, Steve Silberman explores the history, characterization, and evolving societal perception of autism. He begins the book with an in-depth look at what autism is, the most common characteristics, and accompanying impairments. Keep reading to learn more about the signs and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.

How to Develop Mental Flexibility While You Sleep

A bearded man sleeping in a bed, improving his mental flexibility through lucid dreaming

How can practicing lucid dreaming help you develop mental flexibility? Why is mental flexibility valuable? Believe it or not, learning how to lucid dream can improve your life and your future prospects. If you dedicate time to practicing lucid dreaming, then you can literally improve your life in your sleep. Here’s how to develop mental flexibility through lucid dreaming.

Autism and Communication: Why Social Interaction Is Difficult

A group of friends communicating on a couch in a living room

Why can social interactions be difficult for those with autism? Why do autistic children gravitate toward adults? What is echolalia? For people with autism, communication and social interaction may be a struggle. This is because autistic people often struggle with eye contact, making connections, picking up on sarcasm, and more. Keep reading to understand more about why social interaction and communication are difficult for those with ASD.

How Lucid Dreaming Allows You to Control Your Mind

A woman sleeping, her brain is glowing in her head because she's learning to control her mind

What are the benefits of learning how to control your mind? How can lucid dreaming help you achieve that goal? While pleasure, fun, and play are valuable for mental and physical health, the true value of lucid dreaming is the opportunity it can provide for growth and learning. Lucid dreaming can help you control your mind, and therefore your life. Continue reading to learn how to gain better control of your mind.

Creativity and Passion: The 2 Ways They’re Linked

A creative woman passionately frosting a 2 tiered cake in her kitchen

Why is passion important for creativity? What are the two phases of passion? In the book Wired to Create, the authors say that passion is a necessary characteristic for any creative person. They say there are two phases of passion that most creatives experience that result in an artist finding a niche they enjoy. Here’s a look at the two ways that creativity and passion are linked.

Sensory Processing Issues & Self-Regulation in Autistic Individuals

A man covering his ears at a fireworks display because he has sensory processing issues

What are sensory processing issues? Why do many autistic people rely on routines? What is stimming? In his book NeuroTribes, Steve Silberman notes two major differences in the neural functioning of autistic people versus allistic people, specifically in terms of processing sensory input and self-regulation. Continue reading to learn how autistic people’s brains process stimuli differently.

3 Behavioral and Cognitive Patterns Associated With Autism

A bedroom full of action figures, signifying the cognitive patterns of autistic individuals

Why do many autistic people have passions for special interests? Why do they struggle to identify sarcasm? Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes, explains that autistic people also behave and think differently from their allistic peers. They often have deep passions known as special interests, have a tendency for literal thinking, and view things from a unique perspective. Keep reading to learn about these behavioral and cognitive patterns, and how they can be both benefits and deficits.

Can You Learn in Your Sleep? Yes—With Lucid Dreaming

A sleeping girl dreaming of a book and learning in her sleep

How can you learn in your sleep? How can lucid dreaming help you improve your athletic performance? The authors of Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming argue that through lucid dreaming, you can improve nearly any skill, both cognitive and physical. They even believe that training through lucid dreaming is more powerful than using mental imagery while awake. Keep reading to learn how you can learn and train while lucid dreaming.