Flexible Thinking
Flexible thinking — or cognitive flexibility — is the ability to adapt when routines change, problems arise, or new information is introduced. It’s a cornerstone skill for learning, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
For many neurodivergent children, changes in routine or unexpected events can trigger high levels of anxiety. Research shows that difficulty with expectation violation and adaptation is linked to both cognitive load and emotional regulation challenges. Supporting flexibility is therefore not just about coping with change, but about building resilience, confidence, and the skills needed to thrive across home, school and community life.
Our research and collaboration
Curly Words, in collaboration with the Mount of Olives Foundation, is actively developing new evidence-based practices that bridge research and real-world application. Our work explores how children respond to expectation violations, how emotional investment influences adaptability, and how families and allied health professionals can scaffold flexibility in a neuroaffirming way.
This research is shaping practical tools and strategies that families can use immediately — and that allied health teams can integrate into therapy and education programs. By contributing to the evidence base, we’re helping create interventions that are both neuroaffirming and effective.
Our approach in practice
- Safe micro-changes: practicing “little changes” in controlled, supportive environments to build tolerance and confidence.
- Coping supports: teaching scripts, visual aids and “backup plans” to make transitions predictable.
- Strength-based framing: celebrating adaptability as a core skill and personal strength.
- Play and roleplay: using games, storylines and creative activities to rehearse flexible thinking in fun, low-pressure ways.
- Partnership with families and professionals: providing resources, coaching and collaborative workshops to embed strategies across home, school, and therapy settings.
Through this integrated approach, Curly Words and the Mount of Olives Foundation are paving the way for Thriving Kids-aligned supports that combine lived experience, professional expertise and academic research. Together, we are helping children, families and practitioners reimagine what flexible thinking can look like in everyday life.