SUMMARY - Why does your child seem unable to understand your perspective, even when it feels obvious? In this episode, Eileen explores the brain-based cognitive skill of perspective taking, why it can be especially challenging for children with neurobehavioral differences, and how understanding this lagging skill can shift parents from viewing their child as selfish or inconsiderate to recognizing a brain that is working differently. You'll also learn practical ways to support and strengthen perspective-taking skills while maintaining connection and compassion.
TAKEAWAYS:
Perspective taking is a cognitive skill, not a character trait.
Children with brain-based differences may have difficulty shifting from their own perspective to someone else's, especially when stressed or dysregulated.
Perspective taking relies on multiple brain systems, including those involved in Theory of Mind, executive functioning, and inhibitory control.
Struggling to understand another person's perspective does not mean a child simply doesn't care.
Stress and nervous system dysregulation make perspective taking even more difficult because the brain naturally narrows its focus to immediate needs.
There are steps parents can take to support the development of perspective taking.
Viewing perspective-taking through a Brain First lens helps replace judgment with understanding, creating opportunities to teach and build the skill over time.
RESOURCES:
Episode 3: Cognitive Flexibility
Episode 5: On and Off Days
Episode 32: Working Memory
Episode 40: Relational Cognitive Skills
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