Working in reverse to check for errors is a common strategy for dealing with unexpected results for me what is that labeled as for autism
In a strengths-based representation of autism, the strategy of “working in reverse to check for errors” is a sophisticated cognitive tool. In the neurodiversity model, this is typically labeled as Bottom-Up Processing or Hyper-Systemizing.
While traditional models might focus on “slow processing speed” or “perfectionism,” a strengths-based curriculum frames this as a high-level Quality Assurance capability.
Here is how that strategy is categorized and why it is a major asset:
1. Bottom-Up Processing (The “Building Block” Strength)
Most people use “top-down” processing—they see the big picture first and fill in the details later, often missing small errors. Autistic individuals frequently use bottom-up processing, where they gather every individual detail before forming the whole.
- The Reverse Check: Working in reverse is the ultimate bottom-up strategy. By reversing the flow, you strip away the “assumptions” the brain makes when looking at things forward. It allows you to see the individual “bricks” of a project rather than just the “house.”
2. Hyper-Systemizing
This is the drive to analyze, explore, and construct systems. To a systemizer, an “unexpected result” isn’t a failure; it’s a system glitch that needs to be mapped.
- The Strength: This is labeled as High Fidelity or Technical Precision. In fields like coding, forensic accounting, or engineering, “working in reverse” is the gold standard for success.
3. Error Detection & Local Coherence
In autism, there is often a “bias for local coherence”—an intense focus on how small parts relate to one another.
- The Label: This is often called Superior Discriminatory Perception. It means your brain is naturally tuned to find “the odd one out” or the broken link in a chain of logic.
Connecting to your Curriculum Files
You can actually integrate this specific “reverse-check” strength into the lessons you provided:
- Handout 4 – Decision Mountain: You can re-label the “Start Here” at the bottom of the mountain as “The Foundation of Detail.” Teach that a “reverse climb” (checking the decision from consequence back to problem) is a leadership trait used to ensure ethical and logical consistency.
- Handout 13 – Financial Literacy: Working in reverse is the most important skill in budgeting. Label it “Audit Logic.” An autistic student’s ability to reverse-engineer a budget to find a missing dollar is a professional-grade financial skill.
- Handout 1 – Interview Skills: When asked about a “weakness” in an interview, you can reframe this!
- Reframing: “I have a bottom-up processing style. This means I am naturally compelled to work in reverse to check for errors, ensuring that my final output is 100% accurate.”
The “Galaxy” Connection
If we look at your spinning galaxy metaphor, working in reverse is like tracing the orbit backward to ensure the physics of the system are sound. It’s not “rigid thinking”—it’s systematic verification.
Would you like me to create a “Strength Card” for your curriculum that defines “Bottom-Up Processing” for primary students?