Hand at the Wheel

A hand at the wheel during an afternoon boat trip on the beautiful Lake Tahoe

 

A Day in the Life

Interview for the Geek Club Books

Interview by Jenny Bristol

Illustration by Rebecca Burgess

https://geekclubbooks.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-hari-srinivasan-promoter-of-connection-understanding-and-belonging/

Quotes from the Article

What advice would you give to a young or teenage autistic person to help them live their best life, or what advice would you give an autistic adult to help them feel supported in their continuing journey?

No one is an expert on you. No one knows enough about autism to be an expert. Even the “experts” are still learning. So no one gets to have final say on what your limitations, capabilities, & needs are.

What advice would you give parents of autistic kids about the best ways to support their kids in becoming their best selves? What advice from the so-called “experts” do you think parents should ignore? How can parents best support their non-speaking or minimally-speaking children?

Communication must extend beyond just basic wants. Basic wants are just survival. The next step up are needs around school/vocational/skills/interests which are necessary for building self-confidence and getting ahead. But real quality of life is the ability to express thoughts and opinions. So aim for that in communication—irrespective of the communication methodology used and whether it’s via speaking or via AAC.

On the “experts” part, I would repeat the advice to autistics above.

What are some aspects of advocacy work that you find especially fulfilling?

It is the opportunity, that dream, to make a contribution, even if it’s a pebble, that will lend to that huge ripple of change.

How can readers learn more about the experiences of non-speaking or minimally-speaking autistic people? Are there resources you’d like to point people to, or people online that you recommend following?

Just reading or following what a few of us are writing is not enough. Thought has to translate into action on the ground. Start by interacting with nonspeakers. There will be many in your neighborhood who are getting absolutely ignored or out of sight, tucked away in special education class or day programs. How will you learn unless you interact and start to include? Ask to start buddy programs at school if you are of school age. If a nonspeaker lives on your street, include them in your circle of friends and do things with them. There are many small things you can do at the grassroots level which together will make a huge difference and normalize the presence of every kind of human being in everyday society.

Remembering George Floyd

Excerpts from Campus Mail. 

Eight minutes and 46 seconds are etched in our minds forever. That is how long former and convicted police officer Derek Chauvin pushed his knee into George Floyd’s neck, suffocating and murdering him in public one year ago today. His death also symbolically represents the centuries of dehumanization of Black bodies across our nation beginning with the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1619. The list of names of all the Black individuals who have lost their lives at the hands of police violence, transphobia, and belief systems that reinforce false notions of white supremacy are too many to name.  

Black Lives Statistics
Did you know:

• Black people are three times more likely than white people to be killed during a police encounter (Harvard School of Public Health June 2020);

• Black drivers are more likely to be stopped by the police and three times more likely to be searched in comparison to white drivers;

• Black people are four times more likely to experience the use of force during encounters with the police;

• Once convicted of a crime, Black individuals receive longer and harsher sentences for the same offenses compared to white individuals.

Haas Scholar Orientation

Day 1: Introduction & Icebreakers / Interdisciplinary Exchanges

Day 1: Virtual Escape Room Activity

Day 2: Interdisiplinary Brainstorming

Session with Bob Haas

 

To whom it may concern

 

Haas Scholars

 

Mentions

 Got a mention in the comments in an article around Elon Musk.......

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/elon-musk-autism-aspergers-b1847069.html

Daily Cal is hiring for Summer 2021

 

Raghavan Thatha online

Came across a pic of my Raghavan Thatha (grandpa) online, in his heyday working for the UN in the pacific. There are more links of stuff he's done. Too cool.

 

SpectrumAtCal Spring 2021 Towards Belonging

These have to be the coolest T-Shirts

withe the very important message of "You Belong"

The nifty intertwining butterflies design is by Tory Benson, who is the current board member and incoming VP for Spectrum 21-22

Belonging Week

#WhyIAdvocate

 Our Annual 5K Fundraiser

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April 9th - Cross Cultural Panel

Spectrum is hosting a Cross-Cultural Panel as a part of this Spring's Autism Acceptance & Belonging Week!

How is autism represented in different cultures?
What are some highlights and barriers of autism advocacy in different countries?
What could we do to support?
....

We are amazingly honored to welcome panelists who are coming from different cultural backgrounds and doing autism advocacy works at different places of the world! Even more, many of them are actually on the autism spectrum themselves, or parents of autistics.

• Igor Pereira (on the spectrum): lawyer organizing autism movement in Brazil
• Irma Aguilar-Deflin (on the spectrum): advocate from Mexico City
• Dr. Shari D Rosen (parent): founder of the first special education center in Shanghai

Event Time: April 9th (Friday), 6-7:30 Pacific Time

Register now to hear about their experiences and international perspectives!!: tinyurl.com/cross-cultural-panel

Fireside Chats

FiresideChat#1 

FiresideChat#2 

FiresideChat#3 - Autism in the Media

Dont Cant Wont - Masking Camouflaging

Don't Can't Won't - Masking Camouflaging

Autistics engage in Masking
Autistics engage in Camouflaging
Attempts at passing muster, appear more "normal", make eye contact
........Effortful
........All verily exhausting
........ Very very exhausting
Contributors to Autistic Burnout.
Meltdowns and Autistic Burnout
Burnout, Burnout.

BUT, NonSpeaking Autistics
... Don't possibly Mask
... Can't possibly Camouflage
Why it is quite certain that Nonspeakers
....Won't experience Burnout.
ONLY Meltdowns, but NOT Burnout!
They don't, they can't, they won't

Déjà vu
...Don't
...Can't
...Won't
...Not Possible, No agency!!
Sorrowful words oft heard before
Ableist terminology. Disappointing!!

Reality!!
We struggle as all autistics do
Attempts at masking and camouflaging
Sometimes it works, we pass muster 

Other times, its a Partial No-Go

maybe even a Total "Oh-No!!"

Masking and Camouflaging 

Walk without stares in society

No one likes to be gawked at
Fly under the radar is often the goal.

Basic self-safety oft at stake

Sprinkle on apraxia and comorbidities
the result
....variable & unreliable steering controls.
The body, a car with a loose steering wheel
unpredictable in the way it will go.
Effort required multiplied, magnified.
Autistic Burnout
Burnout Burnout Burnout
Burnout Burnout
Burnout

Related Posts

Masking & Camouflaging.

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/09/cm.html

Triple Bind and Masking in Autistic Females

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/04/triple-bind-masking.html

Masking as an evolutionary advantage

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2020/04/masking-as-evolutionary-advantage.html

CAT-Q measure to measure camouflaging in autistic females.

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/04/cat-q-measure-to-measure-camouflaging.html

Dont Cant Wont - Masking Camouflaging

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/05/dcw.html

 

Disability Studies Scholars

 Why do Disability Studies scholars want to use such complex, almost convoluted language when the same ideas and issues could've been distilled into less complex language?

Surely less complex formal language can be equally as powerful in its informational, argumentation and persuasive capability and in getting the point across successfully; without becoming "less scholarly".

I'm taking not one but two Disability Studies classes at U C Berkeley this semester, and while I love the lectures and discussion during class delivered by the outstanding professors here, my take on some of the "scholarly" readings are quite another thing.

In a recent reading it took many many pages before to express a simple idea. It was like going through layers of camouflage to get to that idea; jargon-ny language being the camouflage. 

There are actually some very good ideas and thoughts, that make us think, reflect, think of the interconnectedness of disability justice, climate justice, animal rights, marginalization, accessibility, stigma, discrimination etc.

But these all can be unearthed only after you strip off these veneers of other language which almost get in the way. You are left with a partial feeling of annoyance, impatience and exhaustion, when your mind should be fully engrossed over the thoughts presented in these readings.

The irony: Disability Studies talks the talk about accessibility and limited-spoons in the disability community. They need to walk the walk by showing and demonstrating how scholarly language itself (including their own)  can/should be accessible.

 irony is that many of these reading underline societal inaccessibility as a fundamental issue. Yet these very disability study readings are the very picture of inaccessibility. 

This is not a critique on other disciplines, that is a whole other discussion, but specifically disability studies.

The other question is, Does it not take extra spoons to strip off all those additional veeners to get to the gist of what the author is saying, for a "limited-spoons" disability population.

For those unfamiliar with the idea of spoons or spoon theory, its the idea that all of us have only so much bandwidth/spoons in one day. Every task takes some level of time and effort. When u are disabled, your bandwidth shrinks even more as some/much of the time is taken up by disability related challenges. You have to weigh in on where your spoons are best spent so you can carry onto successfully navigating another day.

The point:  Disability Studies scholars in particular need to lead by example to demonstrate what accessibility can look like in their own work.

And I'm taking not 1 but 2 disabilities studies class this sem.

As much as I love the lectures and discussion in class taught by some amazing faculty, some of the readings are quite another issue. In one recent reading it took over many many pages to explain one simple idea. All the while I was distracted, mentally jumping impatiently, almost a little annoyed, with a, What are you trying to say? & Just get to the point please."

Cal is Number 4 again

 

Cal is #4 behind Harvard, Stanford & MIT. 

"The four criteria QS World used to determine the rankings were research, learning experience, diversity and internationalism, and employability.

As for the top five public universities, after UC Berkeley and UCLA, the University of Michigan ranked 18th, the University of Washington 24th and UC San Diego at 27th.

Three other UC campuses made the top 50: UC Davis placed 34th, UC Santa Barbara 43rd and UC Irvine 45th.These latest rankings by the U.K.-based rankings firm evaluated 350 research universities in 49 states.

New York state had 74 universities in the rankings. California was the next best performing with 38.

QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) specializes in the analysis of higher education institutions."

https://patch.com/california/berkeley/uc-berkeley-tops-u-s-public-school-rankings?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert

Multiple Intelligences and Autism

Autism Lexicon: Multiple Intelligences

Multiple intelligences in autism refer to the diverse cognitive strengths and abilities exhibited by autistic individuals, which may not align with traditional measures of intelligence but encompass distinct domains such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, and interpersonal skills.

PlainSpeak. Multiple intelligences in autism highlight that autistic people have unique strengths and talents in different areas, like music, math, or understanding nature, which aren't always recognized by standard measures of intelligence.

Read more about Multiple Intelligences

For the Scientific/Academic Audience

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language for the Lay Audience

Agency

Agency

Who got to decide? Who is first in Line?

Who has agency, sovereignty?

Is it human entities?

Is it all humans, or just some humans entitled to treaties?

Who got to decide? Who is first in line?

Who has agency?

Is it nonhuman entities?

Is it all nonhuman entities, or just when it suits our needs?

Who got to decide? Who is first in line?

Why the disconnect?

Earth sentient or not, is deeply intertwined. 

Species and land, inextricably linked are we. 

Temporal, spatial, transcend the literal sense. 

Treaties don’t belong to just humankind.

Symbiotic agency abound all around. 

Nature weeps - we term it climate change.

A delta change that multiplies every day.

Weep, bemoan and cry.

Live with us, not over us. Listen to us.

“Nothing about us without us,” a déjà vu plea. 

Harmony, concur side by side.

Humans are but another carbon-based entity.

Understanding Multiple Intelligences and Autism

The theory of multiple intelligences, developed by psychologist Howard Gardner, suggests that people have different types of intelligence or abilities, rather than a single, unified form of intelligence. This theory helps us appreciate that everyone has unique strengths in various areas. It’s particularly useful for understanding autism, as it highlights the diverse talents that autistic individuals often have, even if they don't fit the traditional definition of intelligence.

Here’s a simple explanation of the different types of intelligence and how they relate to autism:

1. Linguistic Intelligence: Some autistic people are great with words, excelling in writing, storytelling, or learning new languages. They might be especially good at written communication, where they can express themselves without the pressures of social interaction.

2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Many autistic individuals are brilliant with numbers, patterns, and logical thinking. They often excel in areas like math, science, and technology, using their attention to detail and systematic thinking.

3. Musical Intelligence: Autistic individuals may have a strong connection to music, showing talent in playing instruments, singing, or composing music. They might have perfect pitch or a deep appreciation for musical patterns, which aligns with how they process sensory information.

4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Some autistic people are skilled at physical activities, like dancing, sports, or crafting. This intelligence involves using their bodies to express themselves or manage their sensory experiences.

5. Spatial Intelligence: Visual thinking is a strength for many autistic individuals, making them good at understanding spaces and visualizing things. This can be helpful in fields like art, design, and architecture, where seeing how things fit together is important.

6. Interpersonal Intelligence: While social interactions can be challenging, some autistic people are good at understanding others' feelings and thoughts, especially in structured environments. This intelligence helps in careers like counseling, where understanding people is key.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: Autistic individuals often have deep self-awareness, understanding their own emotions, thoughts, and motivations well. This intelligence helps them in personal growth and self-advocacy, allowing them to understand and manage their own needs.

8. Naturalistic Intelligence: Some autistic people have a strong interest in nature and are good at observing and understanding plants, animals, and the environment. They may excel in areas like biology, environmental science, or conservation.

9. Existential Intelligence: Many autistic individuals think deeply about life’s big questions, such as the meaning of life, death, and existence. This type of intelligence can lead to profound insights and contributions in philosophical or spiritual areas.

Recognizing these various intelligences allows us to better understand and support the unique talents and needs of autistic individuals. It helps us move beyond traditional ideas of intelligence and appreciate the valuable contributions everyone can make to society

2 versions of this post

For the Scientific/Academic Audience

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language for the Lay Audience

Phi Beta Kappa

Newest Initiate @ Phi Beta Kappa of the "Alpha of California" at their induction ceremony.

Just now figured out why there was a fourth greek alphabet -  UC Berkeley's is the first (alpha) chapter in California. Initial initiates were literally tested for their proficiency in Greek and Latin. LOL

 
PBK is as old as the US, founded in 1776 for literary pursuit and philosophical debate. Only 10% of US colleges have PBK chapters and only 10% of those get "elected" into PBK. Apparently you are "elected," into the society, not selected.

 
Coolest of all - Started as a "secret society" - with secret symbols, secret hand gestures & all - How about that!

Caveat - only males initially in this secret society (all these secret societies seem to be very male oriented)

Good news - UC Berkeley chapter started in 1898, by which time students of all sexes allowed. No longer secret, I guess!!

The Invitation

I got an invitation to join the UC Berkeley Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa,  a very prestigious academic honor society pbk.org & pbk.berkeley.edu 

As the email invite said on Mar 5 state: 

"It is my pleasure to inform you that based on your exceptional academic record in Letters & Science, you have been invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at the University of California, Berkeley.  

 

Phi Beta Kappa is the premier academic honor society for L&S undergraduates, and its members include seven of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices as well as many UC Berkeley professors."

 

The virtual Initiation Ceremony held May 6, 2021, to induct the new members elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Chapter Alpha of California in 2021 and to honor the new members from 2020 as well as the 2020 and 2021 Graduate Fellowship recipients from PBKNCA and Alpha of California may now be viewed online at https://youtu.be/c3zLAeBcXPQ