Industry versus Inferiority - Stage of Erik Erikson's Theory

"Children love and want to be loved and they very much prefer the joy of accomplishment to the triumph of hateful failure. Do not mistake a child for his symptom." Erik Erikson

Industry versus Inferiority is one of the stages in Erik Erikson's Theory.  This stage pertains to school-aged children, ages 6-11.  In this stage of a child's life, a child is learning new skills and they develop a sense of pride of what he or she has accomplished.   When a child is encouraged, rewarded, praised, and acknowledged in his or her skills, the child develops confidence with in themselves.  When the child lacks the praise, encouragement, and acknowledgement of the skills he or she feels proud of,  the child will doubt him or herself;  lack confidence with in themselves. 

At this stage in a child's life, it is very important to have his or her parents positive feedback.  Always encourage your child to explore and develop new skills.  One never knows what a child can offer to the worlds future.  Show your child positive and reflecting feedback.  Learn from your child as he or she learns from you. 

An Autistic child develop in different ways, than a non-autistic child does.  Yet, an Autistic child does have his or her own interests, skills, and strengths.  Allowing an Autistic child to polish and strengthen his or her skills and interests will help them become successful, and confidant about him or herself. 

Famous and Successful People with Autism

• Virginia Woolf-Prolific writer rumored to write only while standing up
• Andrew Jackson-Former President of the U.S. said to believe the world was flat
• Daryl Hannah-Actress diagnosed with borderline autism
• Sue Rubin-The subject of the documentary Autism is a World
• Andy Kaufman-Famous comic and actor whose odd behavior indicated autism
• Vincent van Gogh-An eccentric, yet extremely talented, artist who exhibited some traits of autism
• Andy Warhol-Another brilliant artist whose behavior indicates possible autism
• Courtney Love-Widow of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain who was diagnosed with mild autism at three years old
• Hikari Oe-Famous Japanese composer said to be autistic
• Dylan Scott Pierce-A wildlife illustrator who is considered to have high functioning autism
• Donna Williams-Australian author of Nobody Nowhere and Somebody Somewhere who was diagnosed with autism in her 20s
• Bill Gates-American business magnate, philanthropist, author and chairman of Microsoft
• Isaac Newton-English physicist, mathematician, and astronomer
• Albert Einstein-German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity
• Steven Spielberg-American film director, screenwriter, film producer and studio executive
• Dawn Prince Hughes-PhD, primate anthropologist, ethologist
• Matthew Laborteaux-Actor on Little House on the Prairie
• Jasmine O'Neill-Author of Through the Eyes of Aliens
• Robert Gagno-Actor from Vancouver
• Birger Sellin-Author from Germany
• Temple Grandin-Author and inspiration for a movie about her life  (McGee, 2011).

Reference:
McGee, S. (2011). Love to Know. Retrieved from http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Famous_People_with_Autism