Ludmila Praslova PhD
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ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
Ludmila Praslova PhD
@ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
120 followers 29 following 64 posts
Award-Winning Author, The Canary Code, and Neurodiversity Champion. Autistic. Swimmer. Writer. Psychologist.
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ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
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."
September 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
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.
July 31, 2025 at 6:39 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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 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.
July 29, 2025 at 5:16 AM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY HEADLLINE What Brings Autistic People Joy?New research showcases the diversity in autistic flourishing. Photo: Human Hand Touching Purple Flowers
June 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
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.
March 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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
Harvard Business Review headline: The False Dichotomy of Merit and Inclusion by Ludmila N. Praslova An image of cartoon people working at long tables.
February 24, 2025 at 10:50 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
Psychology Today Headline - The Key to Neuroinclusive Education: Neurodivergent Teachers. A photo of a smiling art teacher with young students.
January 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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
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.
December 27, 2024 at 7:51 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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
Holiday Card: A canary bird sitting on a stack on book is a cozy room with a fireplace.
December 24, 2024 at 8:00 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
#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.
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.
December 21, 2024 at 7:36 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
"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
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.
December 21, 2024 at 6:29 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
“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...
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.
December 20, 2024 at 1:26 AM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
"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...
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.
December 16, 2024 at 7:58 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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...
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...
hbr.org
December 9, 2024 at 6:48 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
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
Workplace Bullying: Types, Intervention, Prevention
Organizations are systems, and bullying prevention mechanisms should be built into these systems.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 9, 2024 at 6:44 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
#Holidays come with pressure to fit in and to be "happy" in ways prescribed by #culture or tradition. But what if all you feel are #stress and pressure? Have a holiday your way. #happiness
Psychology Today Headline: Happy Holiday, Your Way: Happiness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All. Holiday happiness isn't one-size-fits-all: Craft a holiday that fits you best. A photo of a woman relaxing in a chair.
December 8, 2024 at 6:12 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
#Disability discomfort? That I can understand. But it should not turn into #discrimination. My newest article. www.fastcompany.com/91240638/how...
How to stop tiptoeing around disability at work
Feeling awkward around disability doesn’t make you a bad person. What’s not okay is letting that stop you from treating someone with respect.
www.fastcompany.com
December 6, 2024 at 4:25 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
I struggled as a (very) late-identified #autistic. A big part of it was disbelief from others. And deciding what is best for me in the next step. So I wrote this. #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #ActullyAutistic www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...
Psychology Today headline: Adult, Accomplished, Autistic: The Late Diagnosis Diaries. A photo of a woman in a long red dress walking on a long road among lush greenery.
December 4, 2024 at 6:56 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
Oh, and face-to-face interaction drops by 70% and sick days increase by 62%. But otherwise, open offices are the best! #neurodiversity #HumanResources #inclusion #disability #RTO #OpenOfficehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positively-different/202411/why-open-offices-dont-work
Black and white card with an icon of a stressed woman in the office. Open offices don’t work for: most neurodivergent people (about 20% of humanity), most introverts (at least 40% of humanity), and most women (about 50% of humanity). But otherwise, they are a great idea.
December 3, 2024 at 6:10 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
People who need accommodations can't get them because ppl who do not need accommodations might get envious. Make this make sense.
Seriously, make this make sense... #disability #accommodations #autisitc #ActuallyAutistic #management #neurodiversity
"Accommodations are 'not fair to others'?” You're 100% right. Let’s ban eyeglasses, elevators, ergonomic chairs, spellcheck, and coffee (because stimulant). Can’t have anyone getting spoiled. A stick figure holding coffee. The Sarcastic Autistic
December 3, 2024 at 9:40 AM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
#Disability disclosure at work can be risky.
You may get the #accommodations you need, but you may also be met with suspicion, resentment, and accusations of making it all up. Dec. 03 is an International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We need #inclusion all year. #stigma hbr.org/2024/05/how-...
HBR headline How to Weigh the Risks of Disclosing a DisabilityA guide to help you decide — and find support by Ludmila N. Praslova. Abstract image of a person.
December 2, 2024 at 8:46 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
Dec. 03 is an International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
#Disability in the workplace is a form of #diversity but it is often excluded from diversity work. Up to 80% of #disabilities are not apparent, including #MentalHealth conditions. #neurodiversity
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/posi...
December 2, 2024 at 7:15 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
Am I the only one feeling too-muchness and not-enoughness at the same time?

#feeling #emotion #human

www.linkedin.com/pulse/gift-s...
The Gift of SAGE: The Pricelessness of Space and Grace
For the Tired and Those in Need of Encouragement (And That is Probably Most of Us) Is it just me, or was it one hard year? Yes, there are accomplishments to celebrate. There is much to be grateful for...
www.linkedin.com
December 1, 2024 at 9:20 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
- How can Organizational Psychology be a force for good in today's world?
Dec. 07, 2024, 1 PM PST, join my conversation with a super-star in organizational psychology and inclusion, Bernardo Ferdman.
Scan the QR code below OR register here: lnkd.in/gBhkhEP9
DECEMBER6 2024 FUTURE-READY: BRIDGING HE POWER OF POSITIVE TRENDS AND TIMELESS LESSONS Fireside Chat Dec. 07 2024, 1:00 PM PST GUEST: BERNARDO FERDMAN A renowned organizational scholar, practitioner, inclusion expert, founder, consultant and many-times author. HOST: LUDMILA PRASLOVA Professor, Vanguard University Author, The Canary Code, A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work'
November 30, 2024 at 10:14 PM
ludmilapraslovaphd.bsky.social
People should not be shamed for having feelings.
People should not be guilted for having #feelings.
People should not be forced into emotional labor on a whim.
People need #emotional #inclusion. #neurodiversity #emotion #neurodivergent
A quote card with an image of a cartoon canary and colorful hearts. “Neurodiversity is, to a large extent, a diversity in the intensity of emotions and in the types of emotions we are likely to experience more often... Many neurodivergent people feel a range of emotions with amplified intensity. Hence, neurodiversity inclusion requires emotional inclusion. Moreover, human well-being, in general, requires emotional inclusion.” A quote from The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work by Ludmila Praslova
November 30, 2024 at 9:33 PM