Ludmila Praslova PhD

An image of a smiling woman with a dog and text that says 'Psychology Today, Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. The Autism and Empathy Myth: What the Science Really Says A major new study debunks the assumption of "autistic empathy deficit."

We are not "unfeeling robots." The #autistic "empathy deficit" assumption might largely stem from inadequate #research and measurement. #empathy #autism #psychology #neurodiversity #neurodivergent

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

Pay attention to the gaps between physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Some students can be taller than their parents and reading on the college level, but need help with emotional regulation or peer relations. Such asymmetrical development is quite common.

Psychology today headline: Neuroaffirming Education: The Right Perch for Every Canary. How schools can work for real students and real brains: embracing neurodiversity. Four bright cartoon canaries.

After talking about improving schools for neurodivergent students (and everyone) in a woefully inadequate 5 minute radio spot, I had to write this. #Education can be much better. Creating environments that work for #neurodivergent #students benefits everyone.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

I hear you - a very similar experience!

Students with ADHD are particularly upset by boredom, restrictions, and not being heard.
Autistic students are particularly upset by social mistreatment, interruptions, and sensory overload.

Psychology Today headline: Why Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD Students Are Stressed at School New study: Schools place double emotional burdens on neurodivergent students. Photo of students walking near school.

New study: Schools place double emotional burdens on #neurodivergent #students. The problem is the environment, not the student.

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

#neurodiversity #MentalHealth #Education #learning #dignity #autistic #ADHD #AuDHD #depression #anxiety #school #stress #emotion

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY HEADLLINE What Brings Autistic People Joy?New research showcases the diversity in autistic flourishing. Photo: Human Hand Touching Purple Flowers

Autistic joy can be exquisite. Intense. Glorious. ♾✨💜

A study shows that #autistic traits - passionate interests, repeated activities, intense focus, - aren't symptoms to suppress or "fix." They're sources of deep #joy and #happiness. #neurodiversity www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

"A theater company that includes dyslexic, autistic, and neurotypical people is “neurodiverse.” But the city mayor who disclosed depression and ADHD is “openly neurodivergent.”

"Neurodiversity is a group-level characteristic. To communicate understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity, you can use phrasing like: “Research demonstrates the benefits of the groups’ neurodiversity on the creativity of the output” or “We value the neurodiversity of our workforce.”

Psychology Today headline: Say It Right: A Neurodiversity Language Guide for Allies. A practical guide to neuroinclusive language without the judgment. A brain shape made out of speech bubbles on blue background.

Are you trying to say the right thing but are confused by #neurodivergent vs. #neurodiverse? To cap off the #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek - a present for allies.
This article is here to help - check out the definitions and examples of use! #Language www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

hbr.org/2025/02/the-...

"The ideal of fairness will always be out of reach if merit measurement is not inclusive and if the very definition of merit is misunderstood."https://hbr.org/2025/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-merit-and-inclusion

Harvard Business Review headline: The False Dichotomy of Merit and Inclusion by Ludmila N. Praslova An image of cartoon people working at long tables.

I believe in the importance of #merit.
And that is why I advocate for #inclusion.
What I really want is #fairness, and it requires both. By using valid measurement, eliminating bias, and being honest with ourselves about just how level our playing field is, we can create fair #work. #leadership #DEI

Too often, the needs of neurodivergent educators and their very existence are overlooked. They are left unsupported in a system that demands flexibility and caring but gives none in return. They are not heard in a system that needs their input to make improvements that matter.

Teachers are typically the first line of ensuring inclusion for neurodivergent students, asked to adapt lessons, strategies, and environments to meet diverse needs. But what happens when the teacher is neurodivergent?

Psychology Today Headline - The Key to Neuroinclusive Education: Neurodivergent Teachers. A photo of a smiling art teacher with young students.

Can there be #neuroinclusive #education when #neurodivergent #teachers are excluded?

Too often, the needs of neurodivergent educators and their very existence are overlooked.
Let's redesign #schools with neurodivergent voices. #neurodiversity #inclusion #hr
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

Thank you very much! I am so glad The Canary Code resonated!

A card with a poem and an image of a drawing of flying canary.The Year of The Canary Telling the truth while gasping for airNot knowing who will hear and careWorking to craft, or to improvise, The message to cut though the toxic lies.Lies that the world is a fair place,That struggle is personal shame and disgrace.What’s right is hard, and what’s hard is right.This gives new meaning to fight or flight.We can’t outfly the toxic cloud, We must undo what brings it about. Toxic traditions and toxic shamingPeddling “safety” that’s really samenessSystems demanding “don’t think, don’t ask,Do as you are told and wear your mask.”Yet canaries sing in defiant voices Calling for kinder and wiser choices,Designing the world for different needs Where everyone has a perch that fits. Where every voice is respected and heard,Where people have lives that do not hurt.Where everyone can create and thrive,Not boxed in by stereotypes.

For me, 2024 was the year of the Canary. The sentinel species warning of #toxic air.🐥☣ And 2025 will be the year of the Canary.
Until every voice is heard & everyone has a life that does not hurt.
This is for every #canary, for every agent of positive change. 💛 #inclusion #neurodiversity #Autistic

Holiday Card: A canary bird sitting on a stack on book is a cozy room with a fireplace.

Wishing all a holiday season filled with warmth, rest, and spaces where everyone feels they have the right perch. ✨💛🐥 #Culture #neurodiversity #inclusion #dignity #MentalHealth #empathy

Neurodivergent Or Neurodiverse? Inclusive Language And Neurodiversity. Words can shape how inclusive your workplace feels to neurodivergent people. Let's clarify the use of "neurodiversity" "neurodiverse" and other related terms.

Need help with disentangling neurodivergent from neurodiverse? Neuroinclusion terminology can be tricky. Check this out! www.forbes.com/sites/ludmil...

Black and White card: Neurodivergent Minds Always Existed. Neurodivergent Humans Always Created. Images of inventions from the stone wheel to writing to computers, and ancient to modern thinkers.

#Neurodiversity is a feature of humanity.

Neurodivergence has powered #creativity and #innovation throughout human history.

It's not new. It is not an "epidemic."

It is a necessary feature of #humanity.

#Neurodivergent humans, famous and unknown, always created.

Neurodivergence is #human.

Amazon screenshot: The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work - most gifted in Business Diversity and Inclusion Holiday golden garlands and lights.

"The Most Gifted" 🎁🎁🎁
I didn’t even know Amazon had a "Most Gifted" category—but wow, OK, I will take it!
#Presents for readers and a nice little holiday surprise for me!💖✨🎇 May your holidays be full of #joy, hope, and good #books! ✨📚🎁 #neurodiversity #HumanResources #MentalHealth #gifts #inclusion

Fast Company Headline: 5 things not to say to a coworker with long COVID-19These myths about long-haulers can lead us to make blunders. Here’s what you need to know to be more empathetic to those dealing with the illness—or other chronic health conditions. Black and white image of a person in bed, only top of the head and fingers holding the cover are visible.

“It’s all in your head. A bit of walking can’t do you harm.”
But with #LongCOVID, it can.
“So, are you better yet?”
Please, just don’t.
Instead of much-needed #empathy, we often encounter the skepticism and unintentional or even intentional #cruelty. www.fastcompany.com/91245084/5-t...

Psychology Today Headline: We Learn to Hide Under a Mask Early in LifeAlways "doing fine": The perceived safety of masking can be costly. Photo of 2 masks.

"I am fine." "I am fine." "I am fine."
Are we, really? #Masking is learned early and can come from generational #trauma. Check out my newest article. #MentalHealth #psychology www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...

An Intersectional Approach to Inclusion at Work Solving the problem of autism exclusion at work can help solve other inclusion and well-being problems — and inform the future of work. The author proposes six evidence-based principles that can suppo...

Welcoming all talent requires systemic #inclusion that considers #intersectionality, comprehensively addresses all barriers, and embeds inclusion in all #talent processes and decision-making mechanisms. hbr.org/2022/06/an-i...

Workplace Bullying: Types, Intervention, Prevention Organizations are systems, and bullying prevention mechanisms should be built into these systems.

Adult #bullying in the #workplace includes a wide range of behaviors, including emotional abuse that can be hard to detect. Solutions must be #systemic. #PsychologicalSafety systems.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positively-different/202212/workplace-bullying-types-intervention-prevention

And they say critical things about some of the books.

If you scroll through all reviews, not everything gets a high rating. Some books have no stars.

Well, that's easier said than done since the book it out, plus most publishers are more or less the same. They all submit books for various awards, to my knowledge. Still don't understand how I am "dishonest" - my publisher e-mails me about the review, I see that they have actually read the book.

Oh, I see. Well, I did not submit it, my publisher must have.