Neurotransmitters Flow in this Autism Mind: May 2023

Keyless Musings

In musings deep, my mind does roam

Engulfed in thoughts like a garden gnome
Ideas pirouette meandering free

In this atypical brain of me

But, oh no, in this mental spree
forget where I left my keys!

Four Deer

A nice sight to wake upto early morning. Four deer camped, sitting/napping, in backyard.

Early morning, I see four deer

Sitting there, without fear

So calm and serene

Tall lush trees, their screen

Lovely sight to behold

Moment of beauty, untold

Linear and Non Linear Thinking

Linear and non-linear thinking represent distinct cognitive styles for processing information and solving problems.

Linear Thinking is characterized by a sequential, logical approach. It involves following a step-by-step progression to reach conclusions or solve problems. Linear thinkers focus on cause-and-effect relationships, rely on logical reasoning, and use a structured, organized method. This approach is effective for tasks requiring logical analysis, systematic breakdown of problems, and adherence to specific processes.

Non-Linear Thinking is defined by a holistic, divergent approach. Non-linear thinkers make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, engage in creative, out-of-the-box thinking, and see patterns others might miss. They generate multiple solutions to problems and think in an intuitive, associative, or visual manner. This cognitive style excels in creative problem-solving, pattern recognition, and generating innovative ideas.

Both have strengths. Linear thinking is often effective for tasks that require logical analysis, step-by-step reasoning, or adherence to a specific process. Non-linear thinking, can be valuable in creative problem-solving, pattern recognition, generating innovative ideas, or seeing the bigger picture.

Autistics are known to exhibit a wide range of thinking styles, and some may excel in non-linear thinking processes. Our ability to make connections, see patterns, or approach problems from unconventional perspectives can be a unique strength.

However, traditional IQ tests often emphasize linear thinking and may not fully capture or assess the strengths of non-linear thinking in the autistic population.

Recognizing and valuing both cognitive styles can provide a more comprehensive understanding of cognitive abilities in autism.

Linear v Non Linear Neuroscience Version, Plain Language Version

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Compassion is the golden rule of life that guides us to treat others as we would like to be treated

Fluid v Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence are two distinct aspects of cognitive abilities, as proposed by psychologist Raymond Cattell. Research suggests that autistics may exhibit strengths in fluid intelligence while crystallized intelligence may vary depending on individual experiences and access to education. However, it is to be noted that traditional distinction between fluid and crystallized intelligence may not fully capture the complexity of cognitive abilities in autistics as their cognitive profiles often encompass a wide range of skills, strengths, and challenges that extend beyond these categories.

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Mental Age

The concept of "mental age" in assessments has been subject to criticism and limitations. Here are some reasons why

Normative Bias: Mental age is based on comparing an individual's performance to the average performance of a specific age group. However, these age norms may not adequately account for cultural, linguistic, or socioeconomic differences. The concept assumes that all individuals progress at the same rate, which may not be true or fair across diverse populations.
Arbitrary Cutoffs: Mental age relies on the notion of discrete age categories, which can lead to arbitrary cutoffs and potential misclassifications. Development is a continuous process, and individuals may display a range of abilities that do not neatly align with specific age groups.
Lack of Sensitivity: The concept of mental age does not capture the full complexity and multidimensionality of human intelligence. It may oversimplify and overlook individual strengths, weaknesses, and variations in cognitive abilities across different domains.
Limited Predictive Value: Mental age alone may not provide sufficient information about an individual's future development or functional outcomes. It does not account for the dynamic nature of cognitive abilities and the potential for growth and change over time.
Reinforcement of Deficit-Based Approaches: The focus on mental age as a deficit-oriented measure may perpetuate stigmatization and negatively impact individuals' self-perception and opportunities for growth.

It is essential to approach assessments and diagnostic criteria with a comprehensive and nuanced perspective, considering multiple factors beyond a single measure like mental age to ensure a holistic understanding of an individual's abilities and needs.

Adult Autism RSS Feed

For what its worth, came across this. This blog is #2 in a top Autism RSS feed list.

EOWPVT - Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test

Lexicon [Measures] - EOWPVT

The EOWPVT (Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test) is an assessment tool used to measure expressive vocabulary skills in individuals (ages 2.5 years - 90 years). It requires the examinee to identify and name pictures presented to them. It is commonly used in educational, clinical, and research settings to assess language development and vocabulary skills including in the autistic population.

The sub-measures of the EOWPVT include a basal level and a ceiling level, which determine the starting and stopping points of the assessment based on the individual's performance. The test presents a series of pictured items, and the examinee is asked to name each picture.

Scoring and interpretation of the EOWPVT involve calculating raw scores, standard scores, and percentile ranks. These scores provide an indication of the individual's expressive vocabulary skills compared to their peers.

Limitations re Autism

Limited assessment of other language domains: Thought it focuses on expressive vocabulary skills, it does not comprehensively evaluate other language domains such as grammar, syntax, or pragmatics.
Limited cultural and linguistic representation: The picture stimuli used may not be culturally or linguistically appropriate for all individuals, potentially impacting their performance and scores.
Lack of context and functional language use: The test assesses isolated one-word responses and does not capture the individual's ability to use language in context or in functional communication situations.
Potential reliance on rote memorization: Some autistics may excel at memorizing labels for pictures without fully grasping the meaning or generalizing the vocabulary to other contexts

Compassion is the song that sings in our hearts when we reach out to help others

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Media Mention

Thank you for the kind words.

IQ Testing

IQ is a measure designed to assess an individual's cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning; specifically it aims to assess various aspects of intelligence, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed, and problem-solving abilities. These tests typically cover domains such as language, math, spatial reasoning, and logical thinking.

IQ scores are derived by comparing an individual's performance on the test to a representative sample of the population. The scores are standardized and follow a bell curve distribution, with the average score set at 100. Scores above 100 indicate above-average intelligence, while scores below 100 indicate below-average intelligence. The standard deviation is typically 15 points, meaning that about 68% of the population falls within the range of 85-115.

Commonly used IQ tests in Autism

WAIS: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (ages 16-90)
WISC-V: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (ages 6-16)
KABC-II: Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (ages 3-18)
MSEL: The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (ages birth - 5)
DAS: The Differential Ability Scales (ages 2-17)
Leiter-R (ages 2-20+)
RIAS (ages 3-94)
CAS Cognitive Assessment System (ages 5-17)

See Post: Why is IQ Testing especially problematic in the Autistic Population

Other general problems and limitations of IQ Testing:

Narrow Assessment: IQ tests primarily measure cognitive abilities related to academic success and may not capture the full range of human intelligence, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, or practical skills.
Cultural Bias: IQ tests have been criticized for potential cultural bias, as they may reflect the experiences, values, and knowledge of specific cultural or socioeconomic groups. Some questions or tasks may be more familiar or relevant to individuals from certain backgrounds, leading to potential disparities in scores.
Limited Contextualization: IQ tests provide a snapshot of an individual's abilities at a specific point in time and may not account for the influence of environmental or socio-economic factors, educational opportunities, or individual motivation on test performance.
Interpretation Challenges: IQ scores are often misinterpreted or used as a sole indicator of an individual's worth or potential, neglecting the complexity of human intelligence and the importance of other factors such as motivation, personality traits, or social and emotional skills.

History: The concept of IQ testing dates back to the early 20th century. Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon developed the first modern intelligence test in 1905. Over time, numerous IQ tests have been developed, revised, and standardized.

Why IQ Testing is Problematic in Autistics

Some reasons why IQ Testing is Problematic in Autistics.[What is IQ Testing]

Communication, Language and Social Challenges: Many IQ tests heavily rely on verbal and social interaction (including comprehension, vocabulary, & verbal reasoning), which can be challenging for autistics who may experience difficulties with language, communication, (eg: difficulties with expressive and receptive language, pragmatics, and understanding abstract or ambiguous language) and social skills. This can lead to misinterpretations of their abilities.

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

ADOS - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

Lexicon [Measures] - ADOS

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a semi-structured assessment for diagnosing autism. It consists of various social and play-based activities designed to observe behaviors related to autism. [See posts on other Screening/Diagnostic Measures]

Limitations of ADOS as a dx tool

Not a Standalone Diagnostic Tool: It is intended to be part of a comprehensive evaluation, which should also include other assessments and detailed developmental history.
Snapshot in Time: ADOS provides a snapshot of an individual's behavior during the time of the assessment, which may not capture the full range of behavior or abilities.
Limited Scope: It primarily focuses on two areas: social interaction and communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. Other aspects of autism, such as sensory issues or co-occurring conditions, are not part of the primary scoring system.
Language and Age Constraints: While ADOS offers different modules for different developmental stages and language abilities, it may not be entirely suitable for all individuals, particularly those with complex profiles or co-occurring conditions.
Requires Specialized Training: to ensure accurate administration and interpretation of the results. This requirement can limit its accessibility and use.
Culture and Context: The ADOS was developed in English-speaking countries and may not fully account for cultural differences in behavior and communication. Translated versions are available, but they may not capture all nuances.
Reliability of Diagnosis over Time: Some studies have questioned the reliability of the ADOS over time, especially in younger children, where symptoms and behaviors can change significantly as the child grows and develops.

https://brainfoundation.org/empowering-voices-epilepsy-in-autism/

on 6/2/23.

Registration https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y_T4XhL8SqazIsqfkg4AjA#/registration

Grandma at Vandy

Saroja Paati (Grandma) visiting from India

and a visit to Vandy

A proud and beaming grandma at the Frist Center and outside my office space at the LASR Research Lab.

Compassion is the light that shines in the eyes of those who care

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Egocentric spatiotemporal perception

Concepts in Sensorimotor Research.

Egocentric spatiotemporal perception refers to the perception of one's self and body in time and space.

It is a fundamental aspect of self-consciousness and scaffolds our subjective experience of being present, in the here and now, which is vital for our survival and wellbeing.

Alterations may lead to feelings of self-detachment, self-fragmentation, and body and world alienation.

Disability in Strength

A new mural titled “Disability is Strength, at Oakland Airport honors visionaries who helped

build the movement for disability rights and independence, and present a vision for a future of full inclusion, rights and justice.The mural features disability rights pioneers Ed Roberts, Judith Heumann and Brad Lomax.

Judy Heumann, one of the great and recently deceased disability rights early advocates once said, "Independent Living isn't doing everything by yourself – it's being in control of how things are done."

Read on at https://www.oaklandairport.com/mural-exhibit-featuring-disabled-artists-and-disability-rights-activists-hung-at-the-oakland-airport/

Compassion is the key that unlocks the door to forgiveness

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Depersonalization and Autism

[a poem written many years back that captures the essence of Depersonlization]

What is Depersonalization Disorder (DPD)

Loss of body ownership /disembodiment feelings / somatosensory distortions/ loss of agency: distressing feelings of being 'spaced out', detached from one's self, body, and the world (observing yourself from a distance).
atypical 'flat' time perception (alterations in perception, including disruptions in the perception of time. )

Research findings on DPD and atypical time perception in the NT population

Distorted perception of time: Tendency to overestimate the duration of time intervals, perceiving time as slower than it actually is which can contribute to the overall sense of detachment (1,2)
Neural correlates of time perception: fMRI studies show differences in brain activity and connectivity patterns in regions associated with time processing, eg: PFC and parietal cortex (3,4)
Role of attentional processes: Difficulties in allocating attention appropriately, leading to a reduced ability to accurately perceive and process temporal information (5,6)
Emotional factors: Emotional states, eg anxiety and stress, can modulate time perception, leading to temporal distortions. DP folks often experience heightened levels of anxiety and emotional distress, which may contribute to their altered perception of time. (1,2)

Caveat: This is a complex phenomena and further research is needed to fully understand underlying mechanisms.

Reasons why DPD may co-occur with autism

Both involve atypical sensory processing suggesting a potential shared underlying connection.
Overlap in Symptoms: Though there are distinct dx criteria, both share some overlapping symptoms, such as a sense of detachment from oneself, difficulties with emotional regulation, and social challenges.
Neurobiological Factors: Though the specific mechanisms and neural circuits may differ, both potentially involve alterations in brain functioning and connectivity.
Impact on Functioning: Co-occurrence may exacerbate the challenges in everyday functioning especially in areas of social interactions and emotional well-being.

Research Findings in Autism and Implications

17% autistics met the diagnostic criteria for DPD, compared to 2% non-autistic (7)
Compared to controls, autism+DPD more likely to have

higher anxiety and depression (8)
more difficulty with social interaction and communication (9)
more repetitive behaviors and special interests (10)

Caveat: Research is all over the place when it comes to autism, so nothing is set in stone.

Versions of this article for Academic/Scientific Audience and #PlainSpeak for Lay Reader

I went in with a lot of anxiety last year and ended up having a lot of fun.

Looking forward to this year's event in Manhattan, NY on Oct 19-22

Compassion is the thread that weaves the fabric of society

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

What is Depersonalization Disorder

In Plain Language Version for Lay Reader

What is Depersonalization Disorder (DPD)?

Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) is a condition where people feel disconnected from their own body, self, and surroundings. This might feel like being "spaced out," watching yourself from a distance, or not feeling in control of your own actions. People with DPD may also have strange experiences with their senses and a warped sense of time, like feeling that time is moving slower than it really is.

Time Perception in DPD

Distorted Time: People with DPD often feel that time moves slower, making them overestimate how long things take. This can add to their feeling of being detached.
Brain Differences: Brain scans show that people with DPD have different brain activity in areas that process time, like the prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex.
Attention Issues: People with DPD may have trouble focusing their attention, which makes it hard for them to accurately sense time.
Emotional Impact: High anxiety and stress can change how people with DPD perceive time, making it feel even more distorted.

Why DPD May Happen Alongside Autism

Sensory Processing: Both DPD and autism involve unusual ways of processing sensory information, suggesting a possible link.
Similar Symptoms: While DPD and autism are different, they share some symptoms, like feeling detached from oneself and having trouble with emotions and social situations.
Brain Function: Both conditions may involve changes in brain function and connectivity, although the specific details differ.
Impact on Daily Life: Having both DPD and autism can make everyday tasks, social interactions, and emotional well-being more challenging.

Research Findings

Prevalence: About 17% of autistic people have DPD, compared to 2% of non-autistic people.
Additional Challenges: Autistic people with DPD are more likely to experience higher anxiety and depression, more difficulty with social interaction and communication, and more repetitive behaviors and special interests.
Need for More Research: Understanding the connection between autism and DPD is complex, and more research is needed to uncover the full picture.

Versions of this article for Academic/Scientific Audience and #PlainSpeak for Lay Reader

Self Referencing and Self Projecting

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Within the context of multisensory integration, self-referencing and self-projecting skills play important roles in our perception of time.

Self-Referencing: general capacity of using one's own position in time to estimate/situate events in time. This skill relies on internal cues such as memory and self-awareness to place events within a temporal framework. By referencing our own experiences and the temporal context in which they occurred, we can make sense of the timing and sequence of events in our environment.
Self-Projecting: ability to mentally move back and forward in time, maintaining the competence of correctly situating events in time. This skill allows us to anticipate future events, plan our actions, and make decisions based on the temporal context. Self-projecting skill involves mental time travel, where we can mentally simulate and project ourselves into different points in time, drawing upon past experiences and knowledge to predict and shape future events.

Both self-referencing and self-projecting skills are closely intertwined with our sensory experiences. Our senses provide us with temporal information through various cues. For example, visual stimuli provide temporal cues through motion and changes in spatial patterns, while auditory stimuli provide temporal cues through changes in pitch, intensity, and rhythm. By integrating these sensory cues with our self-referencing and self-projecting abilities, we can accurately perceive and situate events in time.

Suicide Mortality in Autistics

No surprise, a Taiwan study found higher rates of suicide in autistics vs non-autistics. #MentalHealth

"autistic individuals had increased risks of all-cause mortality, natural-cause mortality, and suicide mortality compared with non-autistic individuals. Furthermore, autistic males were more likely to die by suicide, and autistic females were more likely to die of accident compared with the non-autistic individuals."

Oh deer!

Early morning deer chilling in front yard.

Autistic Inertia

Parallels to Newton's Law of Inertia

Newton's first law of motion, the law of inertia, states that an object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion continues in a straight line at constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. This principle implies that an object maintains its state of motion or rest until a force induces a change.

Autistic Inertia

Autistic inertia can be conceptualized by drawing parallels to Newton's law of inertia, characterizing the difficulties some autistic individuals encounter in initiating and terminating tasks across behavioral, cognitive, and attentional domains.

Initiating Tasks (An Object at Rest Will Stay at Rest): Autistics frequently exhibit significant impairments in task initiation, akin to a state of behavioral or cognitive inertia. This may resemble catatonia [post on catatonia], necessitating substantial external stimuli to overcome the initial inertia and achieve task commencement.
Terminating Tasks (An Object in Motion Will Stay in Motion): Conversely, autistics often demonstrate difficulty in disengaging from tasks once initiated. This persistent engagement can lead to repetitive, unproductive behaviors or ruminative thoughts, paralleling obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Certain forms of stereotyped behaviors (e.g., stimming) may also reflect this aspect of inertia.

Neuroscientific manifestations of autistic inertia include:

Task Transitioning: Deficits in neural mechanisms underlying task switching and cognitive flexibility, potentially involving the prefrontal cortex and parietal regions.
Environmental Adaptation: Impaired adaptability to dynamically changing environments, possibly linked to disrupted sensory integration and motor planning circuits.
Sustained Attention: Challenges in maintaining attention on tasks, which may involve dysregulation of the fronto-parietal attention network.
Attention Mode Switching: Difficulty transitioning between focused and diffuse attention states, implicating the default mode network and attentional control systems.
Executive Dysfunction: Impaired executive functions, including initiation, planning, and decision-making, associated with altered prefrontal cortex activity.
Mental Health: Elevated anxiety and depression levels further complicate these cognitive and behavioral impairments.

These challenges contribute to a significant cognitive load, where initiating or stopping actions depletes cognitive resources ("spoons") [post on Spoon Theory], potentially leading to autistic burnout.

Etiology

Autistic inertia may arise from multiple neurobiological factors:

Sensory Overload: Excessive sensory input leading to neural hyperactivity and cognitive overload.
Motor Apraxia: Impairments in motor planning and execution, potentially involving the premotor cortex and supplementary motor area.
Coordination Issues: Disruptions in motor coordination circuits, including the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
Executive Dysfunction: Dysregulation of prefrontal-executive networks impacting task initiation and cognitive control.
Anxiety: Heightened amygdala reactivity and dysregulated stress-response systems exacerbating cognitive and behavioral inertia.

These factors hinder the ability to complete tasks, adhere to schedules, and maintain employment or academic performance, often culminating in autistic burnout [post on autistic burnout].

Advantages

Paradoxically, the same neural mechanisms contributing to autistic inertia can facilitate hyper-focus, enabling intense concentration and expertise in specific areas.

Misconceptions

Autistic inertia is frequently misattributed to laziness or lack of motivation. Such misconceptions disregard the underlying neurocognitive and motor coordination challenges. Inertia is not exclusive to individuals with low support needs; it may be pronounced in those with concomitant movement disorders, sensory dysregulation, and motor coordination difficulties.

Interventions

Addressing autistic inertia necessitates targeted interventions:

External Cues and Reminders: Utilizing external prompts to aid in task transitions.
Personalized Support: Tailoring interventions to the individual's specific neurocognitive and sensory profiles.

Implementing these strategies can mitigate the impact of autistic inertia, enhancing daily functioning and reducing the risk of burnout.

2 Versions of this Post

For the Academic/Scientific Audience

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language For the Lay Audience

Related Terms: A Chara , Allistic, Aspie, Atypical, Autistic Burnout, Autistic Inertia, Catatonia, Crip Time, Critical Disability Studies, Disability Justice Movement, Disability Rights Movement, Disability Eugenics, Feeble-Minded, Imbecile, Inspiration Porn, Masking/Camoflauging, Microaggressions, Neurominority, Ofa Ahi Latu, R-Word, Savant, Spoon Theory, Takiwatanga, Trains, Ubuntu, Ugly Laws, Upstander

Catatonia in Autism

Catatonia in autistic individuals is characterized by significant motor abnormalities, which can include immobility, rigid posturing, repetitive or stereotypic movements, and a markedly reduced responsiveness to external stimuli.

Catatonia in autism can present through various symptoms:

Mutism: The inability to speak, which may be due to disruptions in neural circuits involving speech production and motor planning.
Echolalia: The repetition of words or phrases, potentially linked to dysregulation in the neural pathways associated with language processing and executive function.
Stereotypic Movements: Repetitive, non-functional movements that may involve neural dysfunctions in the basal ganglia and motor cortex.
Posturing: The adoption and maintenance of unusual body positions, which could indicate abnormalities in motor planning and proprioceptive feedback systems.
Stupor: A state of severe unresponsiveness, possibly associated with altered activity in the thalamocortical and limbic systems, affecting consciousness and responsiveness.

These manifestations suggest complex interactions between various neural systems, including the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. Understanding the neural underpinnings of catatonia in autism can inform the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.

---------------

Plain Language Version

Catatonia in Autism: What You Need to Know

Catatonia in autistic people means having big problems during a catatonia episode with movement and responding to the world around them. This can look like:

Not Speaking (Mutism): Some autistic people with catatonia can't talk.
Repeating Words (Echolalia): They might repeat words or phrases they hear.
Repetitive Movements (Stereotypic Movements): They might move in the same way over and over.
Holding Strange Positions (Posturing): They might stay in unusual body positions for a long time.
Not Responding (Stupor): They might not respond to things happening around them.

These symptoms show that there are problems with how their brain controls movement and responds to the environment. Understanding these issues can help us find better ways to support and treat autistic people with catatonia.

Compassion is the wind that carries us to new heights of understanding

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Trait Anxiety vs State Anxiety

Trait anxiety represents a person's general predisposition to experience anxiety, while state anxiety refers to the temporary and situational experience of anxiety in response to specific events or circumstances.

CSBS - Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales

Lexicon [Measures] - CSBS

The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) is an assessment tool used to evaluate the communication and symbolic behavior skills of infants and young children (6 months -24 months).

The CSBS is designed to assess three key areas of development: social interaction, communication, and symbolic behavior. It focuses on early communication skills and the ability to use gestures, sounds, and symbols to convey meaning. It is administered through direct observation by a trained professional who interacts with the child and scores their behaviors related to social interaction, communication, and symbolic play. The assessment may involve the use of toys and props to facilitate communication and symbolic behavior.

Limitations of the CSBS include the reliance on direct observation by a trained professional, which may limit its accessibility and feasibility in certain settings. Additionally, the CSBS primarily focuses on early communication skills and symbolic behavior, and may not comprehensively assess other aspects of development or potential co-occurring conditions.

Three sub-measures of CSBS:

Social Interaction Scale: evaluates the child's ability to engage in social interactions, joint attention, and social reciprocity.
Communication Scale: assesses the child's use of gestures, vocalizations, and words to communicate with others.
Symbolic Behavior Scale: measures the child's understanding and use of symbolic play and the ability to use objects in a representational manner.

Scoring and Interpretation:
The CSBS uses a scoring system that assesses the child's behaviors in each of the three sub-measures. The scores are based on specific criteria and rating scales. Interpretation involves comparing the child's performance to normative data for their age group. The CSBS provides descriptive information about the child's skills and identifies areas of strength and areas that may require further attention or intervention.

The CSBS was developed by Amy M. Wetherby and Barry M. Prizant in 1993.

Citation:
Wetherby, A. M., & Prizant, B. M. (2002). Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS DP™) First Normed Edition. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.

Disability Rights Movement

The disability rights movement (DRM) refers to a social and political movement advocating for equal rights, inclusion, and improved quality of life for people with disabilities. The movement seeks to challenge and eliminate discrimination, stigmatization, and barriers that prevent disabled folks from fully participating in society.

DRM emerged in the late 1960s and gained significant momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the key milestones was the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in the United States, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving federal funding. This was followed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which further strengthened protections and rights for individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications.

DRM focuses on promoting the principles of accessibility, independence, self-determination, and inclusion. It advocates for reasonable accommodations, accessibility in the built environment, educational opportunities, employment opportunities, healthcare access, and overall social acceptance and support for people with disabilities.

DRM has made significant advancements in raising awareness, changing societal attitudes, and implementing legal protections for people with disabilities. However, there are still ongoing challenges and areas for improvement to ensure full inclusion and equal opportunities across all aspects of life.

Compassion is the bridge that connects us to our shared humanity

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Dear Colleague

https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/dear-colleague-letter-online-accessibility-postsecondary-institutions

On May 19, 2023, the Justice Department and the Department of Education jointly issued a Dear Colleague Letter reminding colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions to ensure that their online services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities.

Letter at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/file/1584491/download

Who has the dx, and who is the professional

This week I heard of an instance where an ABA therapist got offended at a something his autistic client did and quit over the autistic teen not following directions.

The autistic teen had been asked to wait at a library, looks like that teen hung around for a while, and then decided to just walk back to his home alone after a while.

I want to ask, who has the diagnosis here, who is the professional "behavior-therapist" here who is supposed to help shape behaviors instead of walking off in a huff.

Why have the word "behavior" in applied-behavior-therapy if you don't want to even help with or deal with behavior in the first place.

“The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.”

–Carl Sagan

Enhanced Perceptual Functioning (EPF) Model

While no single theory fully explains all aspects of autism, each attempts to provide insights into different cognitive and behavioral characteristics.
This model proposes that autistics have superior perceptual processing abilities. They may have heightened sensitivity to sensory input, leading to enhanced performance in perceptual tasks.
Implications: Exceptional abilities in tasks involving pattern recognition, attention to detail, and memory for visual and auditory information. However, this heightened perception can also lead to sensory overload.

Compassion is the hand that holds us when we are lost

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

A Personal Voice

https://www.thestreet.com/retailers/apple-reveals-a-powerful-new-feature-that-absolutely-no-one-asked-for

This is so cool

Essentially apple is coming out with AI generated feature which will create a text-speech voice that sounds like you rather than a third party foreign voice.

Personal Space v PPS

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Personal space refers is a social construct - refers to the physical or psychological distance individuals prefer to maintain between themselves and others. It is the immediate area surrounding a person that they consider as their own.

Peri-personal space is a neuroscience construct to describe the area immediately surrounding the body that is within reach of the individual. It encompasses the space where individuals feel they can manipulate/reach using their limbs / body parts.

Past research has indicated autistics as having a very constrained PPS.

Related Posts on [PPS] [Peripersonal Space]

Compassion is the source of all true strength and courage

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplation one line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Principle of inverse effectiveness

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

The principle of inverse effectiveness is a phenomenon observed in multisensory integration, which refers to how our brain combines information from multiple sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, and touch. According to this principle, the strength or effectiveness of multisensory integration is greatest when the individual unisensory cues are weak or ineffective on their own.

Ergo, when the individual sensory cues are relatively weak or have low impact, the brain tends to rely more on multisensory integration to enhance the perception and processing of the stimuli. eg: people with hearing loss exhibit increased visual abilities, and increased crossmodal activation within the auditory cortex.

This principle suggests that the brain optimally integrates sensory information from multiple modalities to improve perception and increase sensitivity, particularly in situations where the sensory cues are less informative or ambiguous.

The principle of inverse effectiveness highlights the advantage of combining multiple sensory inputs in situations where the individual senses may provide limited or unreliable information. By integrating sensory cues from different modalities, the brain can enhance the overall perception and make more accurate judgments about the external environment. This principle has been observed across various species and sensory domains and is believed to reflect a fundamental property of multisensory processing.

Me or We?

A poem written many years ago that captures the mind-body and depersonalization

Me or We?

If I were a math expression I’d be

Irrational Number Body

Perfect Square Mind

A body that acts quite on its own

A mind that can only watch and mourn

Body, the numerator, mere flesh and bone

Irrational number like, a math anomaly

Visible to all, pure absurdity

Mind, the denominator, profound and wise

Perfect square like, just ecstasy

Hidden from sight, pure tragedy

Body just limited by space, movement and time

Mind without boundaries, infinite times

Two seeming identities in one unreasonable body

Perchance, I should be a 'We' and not 'Me.'

I crave the 'Me' and not the 'We'

How do I go from 'We' to 'Me'?

Compassion is the mirror that reflects the beauty of the human spirit

Private equity and ABA

Another example of private equity (valuation) driving ABA therapy. This does not bode well for the marginalized groups within autism and furthers the exploitative and profit hungry nature of autism therapy.

When the focus is on $$$$, companies will turn away the "non-easy" cases (aka, autistic kids with behaviors) and take up cases they perceive are easy, so that they can show quick results to the investors. Given the heterogeneity of autism with the dx ratio now at 1:36, there are enough non-behavior kids to fill any amount of supply. There is irony in behavior agencies turning away kids with behaviors who need help.

There is focus on valuation but not on quality control in ABA, because in autism if a kid does not improve, the fault is all on the kid, never the therapy. The one industry where there can be profits with no accountability.

https://bhbusiness.com/2023/05/12/autism-therapy-providers-tie-upskilling-to-beating-turnover-serving-more-families/

Compassion is the superpower that can change the world.

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Cognitively Engaging Exercise

The findings of this study suggest that cognitively engaging exercise may be more beneficial than non-cognitively engaging exercise in enhancing cognition in autistic children.

This study investigated the impact of two types of physical exercise - cognitively engaging versus non-cognitively engaging, on self regulation in autistic children. The study found that both types of exercise significantly enhanced self-regulation, with the learning to ride a bicycle group showing significant improvements in executive functioning as well. The study also showed that the social, emotional, and physical needs of an individual mediated the exercise-executive function and exercise-self-regulation relationships.

Tse et al 2023 - Executive functioning, self-regulation, and physical exercise

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613231168944

MBNCA Connectome Dataset

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have created a dataset that maps connectivity in 40,000 brains. The dataset, called the Melbourne Brain Network Connectivity Atlas (MBNCA) includes data on the structure and function of the brain, as well as information on the participants' demographics and health. The data in the MBNCA dataset comes from a variety of sources, including brain scans, genetic data, and behavioral data.

The MBNCA includes data from over 1,000 autistic individuals; making it one of the largest datasets of its kind. The MBNCA is freely available to researchers and may be a good resource to to study autistic brains to identify potential biomarkers and gain other insights.

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.10.532036v1

Compassion is the voice of the heart that speaks the language of love.

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Happy Mother's Day

Dedicated to the EXTRAORDINARY MOMS and DADS and PARENTS out there,

on behalf of your extraordinary child.

You Never Gave Up on Me

You held me in your arms, oh mother mine
When I was a mere wrinkled newborn babe
You gazed at me with love and joy
Just as all young mothers do.

I walked my first step and said my first word
With pride, you watched my every move
You expected me to walk the predictable path
Just as all young mothers do.

You watched me slip and slide away
Wondering why I didn't do what other kids do
I stopped making eye contact with you
And stopped the spoken words too

A well of sadness entered your eyes
The smile not always in place
Perplexed and puzzled
Do I know this child of mine at all?

But, you rolled up your sleeves
You never gave up on me

You took the other fork on the road
The one without the map
You struggled and searched for solutions
You fought endless battles for me

You put your fists up and took a stance
And you never gave up on me

Lost in the desert of sadness
You changed your perception of things
You summoned new strength and courage
From the unfathomable deep

You changed your whole life for me
And, you never gave up on me

You coaxed every small victory out of me
Pride overflowed from your eyes
Steps of this extraordinary child
Of quite the extraordinary mom

You do the job of a dozen people
And you never gave up on me

Exhausting is the journey you're on
Exhilarating only some of the time
I am not the typical child you thought you'd raise
New challenges lie in the path every day

To the extraordinary mom who holds my hand
And who never gave up on me.

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I wrote this poem sometime during high school. But I feel it is still so relevant even today. This poem is dedicated to all those wonderful and amazing moms and dads and parents out there who did not give up on their disabled child. Thank you for your dedication and fortitude, in rolling up your sleeves and taking on the world for us, without even knowing how to go about it.

I think back to the story of the frog who climbed to the top of the well amidst discouragement from the crowd that the task was impossible; turns out the frog was deaf so had not heard the discouragement, so made it all the way to the top.

This is what parents of the children seen as having more challenging disabilities face every day. From the get go, they are nudged to tone down expectations of their children, not to expect much. Lady Liberty did not hold up her torch of the American Dream for that child.

Over the years, I have seen many of my peers disappear one by one into the void of the system (out of sight and out of mind of society), as the once eager and enthusiastic parents reach a state of burnout and exhaustion, with this constant barragement of discouragement and lack of support. Other adult peers who have aged out of the special education system are sitting at home with their aging parents as adult day programs want “easy to manage” adults (sheep!!), even as there is a dearth of support systems for the ones with “behaviors.” It is like a battle for the classroom placements and supports during the school district years, starting all over again in adulthood for many.

Thank you to all the extra-ordinary parents out there, for your support and embrace, when the world seems to abandon us at every new stage, not just when we were children but as adults and possibly even when we are middle aged. For many with more significant disabilities, our parents and siblings are likely the only family we will ever have. I wonder who will be there as this lifelong pillar, when we are senior citizens ourselves, where we are not just battling aging issues but also the nature of our disability may mean that not all of us reach a level where we are able to take care of ourselves and have to depend on the largesse of paid staff for a decent quality of life.

Parents, Yours is truly a dedication of a lifetime. Thank you.

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Plain Language Version

While no single theory fully explains all aspects of autism, each attempts to provide insights into different cognitive and behavioral characteristics.