Imagine this: you ask a student or your child to try something new. Instead of excitement or engagement, they freeze, shut down, or outright refuse.
You might think they’re being stubborn or defiant. But what if their refusal isn’t about the task itself? What if it’s rooted in fear—the fear of not being perfect?
For many autistic individuals, perfectionism can feel like a protective armor. It pushes them to excel, but when taken to the extreme, it can also paralyze them, keeping them from trying or learning new things. How do we help them find balance? Enter the Just Right Learning tool.
What Is Perfectionism Hiding?
Perfectionism often hides in plain sight. It can look like procrastination, refusal, or even silence. A child may not say, “I’m afraid I’ll fail,” but their actions—or inactions—tell the story. They’ve internalized a fear of judgment, a feeling that anything less than perfect will confirm their worst fear: “I’m not good enough.”
This can make even the smallest challenge feel insurmountable. And for parents, teachers, and therapists, it can be frustrating and heartbreaking to watch an individual shrink from their potential.
The good news is that perfectionism doesn’t have to hold them back. In our latest video, Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist, introduces the Just Right Learning tool.
It’s a simple but powerful way to:
Help autistic individuals recognize that failure is a stepping stone to success.
Build self-awareness around the support they need to thrive.
Create a safe, structured space for trial, error, and ultimately, growth.
Through this tool, we’ve seen children and clients develop the courage to try, the resilience to fail, and the independence to problem-solve—skills that transform their outlook on learning and life.
In the video, we explain how perfectionism affects autistic individuals, and Susan shares her insight on why failure is essential for growth. You’ll also learn how to use the Just Right Learning tool to encourage independence and problem-solving, whether working with someone with strong language skills or providing support for those who need a little more guidance.
Click here to watch the video and download your free Just Right Learning tool.
Let’s transform perfectionism from a barrier into a strength—together.