Comparing static and dynamic intelligence

Below is a chart that outlines static and dynamic intelligence.

Static thinking is what you know. For example, formulas, procedures (like following a recipe), memorized information (like multiplication tables), habits and routine. You will note that much of the static column is what comes easier for our children because of the effects of Autism on their neurology. The Dynamic column is what so many of our children struggle with. Dynamic thinking involves flexible thinking, experience sharing communication, appraisal and self-awareness. When we deliberate, reflect, worry, hypothesize, daydream, and improvise we are using our Dynamic intelligence

AREA	STATIC INTELLIGENCE (Static Abilities)	DYNAMIC INTELLIGENCE (Dynamic Disabilities)
Thinking and Problem Solving (Cognition)	Associative Black & White Detail Analysis Parts – to – whole Procedural Rule-based thinking	Alternative thinking Critical thinking Good enough thinking Grey area thinking (fuzzy logic) Hypothetical (“what if”) Improvisational thinking Reflection Simultaneous processing
Social & Communication	Desire Language Questioning Requesting Responding Scripting Social Rules	Collaborating Co-creating Empathizing Multi-Channel communication Perspective taking Regulating & Repairing
Self	Compliance Self-description Self-recognition Needs Desires Preferences	Emotional regulation Goal-setting Planning, preparing, previewing Self-efficacy, resilience Self-evaluating Troubleshooting

So how does struggling with Dynamic thinking impact learning? Being able to relate to others is at the core of HOW we learn. Babies have thousands of hours practice in the social and emotional back and forth between themselves and their parents. Children with Autism do not have this chance unless we specifically create for them a deliberate way to revisit what they missed the first time.

Without this opportunity to restore their developmental path, we are fostering use of static thinking only and therefore not preparing our children to a higher quality of life that is possible for them.