If Volume 1 was the map, Volume 2 is the technical manual for your child’s "Operating System" (OS). We stop asking what the child is doing and start asking how their brain is processing the world. This volume dives deep into the neurology of the DeafAutistic brain, explaining why standard "hearing" or "neurotypical" teaching methods often cause system crashes rather than learning.
Key Concepts in Volume 2:
Monotropism (The Attention Tunnel): We explain the science behind your child's "high-intensity spotlight" of attention. Unlike the neurotypical "floodlight," your child cannot split their beam without cognitive whiplash. We reframe this as a "Visual Attention Monopoly"—if they are looking at a toy, they literally cannot see your signs.
The 70-Bit Reality: While the standard brain processes about 7 bits of information consciously, the Autistic brain processes closer to 70. We explore how this lack of automatic filtering leads to "System Overload," where meltdowns are neurological discharges to clear the buffer, not tantrums.
Gestalt Language Processing in ASL: Many DeafAutistic children are "whole-to-part" learners who learn in "scripts" rather than single words. We teach you how to honor the script and use strategies like "Mirror Mode" (signing with your non-dominant hand) to help them map language without the confusion of mental rotation.
System 2 Thinking: Your child processes social interaction manually, not automatically. We introduce the "10-20 Second Rule," explaining why repeating a question too quickly resets their "loading bar" back to zero and interrupts the download.