Engulfed in thoughts like a garden gnome
Ideas pirouette meandering free
Ideas pirouette meandering free
In this atypical brain of me
But, oh no, in this mental spree
forget where I left my keys!
Keyless Musings
In musings deep, my mind does roam
But, oh no, in this mental spree
forget where I left my keys!
But, oh no, in this mental spree
forget where I left my keys!
Multiple Intelligences
The theory of multiple intelligences, proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner, suggests that intelligence is not a single, unified entity but rather a collection of distinct forms of intelligence. According to Gardner, individuals possess different strengths and abilities in various domains, and these abilities can be considered as different intelligences. The theory has been influential in understanding human cognition and has implications for fields such as education and psychology.
This is especially relevant to autism, as the capabilities of autistics may not neatly align with the notion of intelligence as defined by our mainstream education system.
Gardner initially identified 7 forms of intelligence, and later expanded the list to include an additional two.- Linguistic Intelligence: ability to use language effectively, including reading, writing, and speaking. Examples include poets, writers, journalists, and public speakers.
- Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: logical thinking, reasoning, and mathematical problem-solving. It is typically associated with scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and economists.
- Musical Intelligence: capacity to perceive, create, and appreciate music. People with musical intelligence may excel in playing instruments, composing music, or singing.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: relates to body movement control and physical activities. Athletes, dancers, actors, and surgeons are examples of individuals who demonstrate high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
- Spatial Intelligence: visual thinking, spatial awareness, and mental imagery. Architects, painters, pilots, and sculptors often exhibit strong spatial intelligence.
- Interpersonal Intelligence: refers to the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. Skilled leaders, teachers, therapists, and politicians often possess high interpersonal intelligence.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence: self-reflective intelligence, involving self-awareness, self-regulation, and a deep understanding of one's emotions, motivations, and inner self. Examples are Philosophers and spiritual leaders
- Naturalistic Intelligence: ability to recognize, categorize, and understand patterns in nature, such as flora, fauna, and natural phenomena. Environmentalists, farmers, and botanists often demonstrate naturalistic intelligence.
- Existential Intelligence: reflects a person's contemplation and awareness of fundamental existential questions and concerns about the nature of life, death, and meaning. It is often associated with philosophers, theologians, and deep thinkers.
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 thinking and non-linear thinking refer to different cognitive approaches or styles of processing information and solving problems.
Linear Thinking is a sequential and logical way of processing information. It involves following a step-by-step progression or a straight line of thought to reach a conclusion or solve a problem. Linear thinkers often focus on cause-and-effect relationships, rely on logical reasoning, and follow a structured and organized approach. They tend to analyze information systematically, break problems down into smaller parts, and approach tasks in a methodical manner.
Non-linear Thinking is characterized by a more holistic and divergent approach to processing information and problem-solving. Non-linear thinkers often make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts. They may engage in creative, out-of-the-box thinking, see patterns or possibilities that others might not notice, and generate multiple solutions to a problem. Non-linear thinkers may think in a more intuitive, associative, or visual manner, allowing them to make leaps in thinking or approach problems from different angles.
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.
Linear Thinking is a sequential and logical way of processing information. It involves following a step-by-step progression or a straight line of thought to reach a conclusion or solve a problem. Linear thinkers often focus on cause-and-effect relationships, rely on logical reasoning, and follow a structured and organized approach. They tend to analyze information systematically, break problems down into smaller parts, and approach tasks in a methodical manner.
Non-linear Thinking is characterized by a more holistic and divergent approach to processing information and problem-solving. Non-linear thinkers often make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts. They may engage in creative, out-of-the-box thinking, see patterns or possibilities that others might not notice, and generate multiple solutions to a problem. Non-linear thinkers may think in a more intuitive, associative, or visual manner, allowing them to make leaps in thinking or approach problems from different angles.
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.
Compassion is the golden rule of life that guides us to treat others as we would like to be treated
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.
Compassion is the anchor that keeps us grounded in the face of adversity
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.
Adult Autism RSS Feed
For what its worth, came across this. This blog is #2 in a top Autism RSS feed list.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Compassion is the mirror that reflects the beauty of our own souls
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
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.
Discussion on Epilepsy in Autism
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.
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."
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
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)
- 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)
PD Soros Fall Conference
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.
Self Referencing and Self Projecting
[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]
- 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."
Autistic Inertia
[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]
Newton's Law of Inertia
The general law of inertia, also known as Newton's first law of motion, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving in a straight line with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external force. This means that an object will maintain its state of motion (either at rest or in motion) unless some force is applied to change it.Autistic Inertia
In Autistic inertia we draw on those parallels to describe the difficulty that some autistics experience in starting tasks and stopping tasks, whether it with reference to their behavior, thinking or attention to task.
- An object at rest will stay at rest: This is the difficulty in starting tasks.like you are almost freezing and you need some external kickstart to achieve takeoff velocity to get that motion/task going. Some of this could be due to catatonia [post on catatonia].
- An object in motion will stay in motion: The is difficulty with stopping tasks. Once you get moving, - its difficult to end whatever you are doing, so end up in this OCD loop of repeated unproductive thoughts or action (some forms of stims are OCD too).
- other examples include difficulty with
- Transitioning between tasks,
- Adjusting body movements and thoughts to suit a new and rapidly changing environment
- Staying on task, maintaining attention
- Transitioning between paying attention/focus mode to non-attention mode which is also needed at times.
- Making decisions, planning, following through
- Anxiety, Depression
Part of your mind is aware you need to be doing starting/stopping/transitioning/planning but you are unable to initiate that action and remain stuck. All of this difficulty in initiating and stopping actions is mentally and physically exhausting as your body feels at war with itself. It takes up more spoons [post on Spoon Theory] and can contribute to autistic burnout [post on autistic burnout].
Causes
Autistic inertia can be caused by a number of factors, including sensory overload, motor-apraxia, movement-issues, body-coordination issues, executive dysfunction, and anxiety.
Autistic inertia can make it difficult to complete tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a job or school schedule. It can lead to autistic burnout [post on autistic burnout]
The flip side is that this inertia can also help with hyper-focus which is an advantage in terms of learning a specific area.
Misconceptions
- Autistic inertia is often misunderstood as laziness, non-compliance, task avoidance, lack of effort or due to lack of motivation.
- Many of these concepts in autism and neurodiversity are often though to apply to only those who have low/no support-needs. Spoken communication ability is not linked to inertia. In fact inertia may be even more complex in autistics who have movement-disorder-like-issues, apraxia, sensory dysregulation and body coordination challenges.
What can we do to help
- Put external assistances in place where possible to ease transitions. Whether its a reminder from others or something that you can put into place on your watch or calendar depending on context. And the amount and intensity of assistance varies from individual to individual.
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
Catatonia in autistics refers to pronounced motor difficulties, such as immobility, rigid posture, repetitive or unusual movements, and a decreased responsiveness to the environment.
Catatonia can manifest in different ways in autistics, including mutism (inability to speak), echolalia (repeating words or phrases), stereotypic movements (repetitive movements), posturing (assuming and maintaining unusual body positions), and stupor (a state of unresponsiveness).
Catatonia can manifest in different ways in autistics, including mutism (inability to speak), echolalia (repeating words or phrases), stereotypic movements (repetitive movements), posturing (assuming and maintaining unusual body positions), and stupor (a state of unresponsiveness).
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
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.
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.
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.
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 v PPS
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.
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]
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.
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'?
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.
Tse et al 2023 - Executive functioning, self-regulation, and physical exercise
The findings suggest that cognitively engaging exercise may be more beneficial than non-cognitively engaging exercise in enhancing cognition in autistic children.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613231168944
Rihar et al 2023
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 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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