Fall Equinox
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Rituals and celebrations associated with the fall equinox tend and be more significant in regions that are further away from the equator; where the changing of seasons, including the transition from summer to fall, is more noticeable, and the equinoxes have a greater impact on day length and seasonal shifts. However, variations of rituals and celebrations related to the fall equinox can be found across different latitudes and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the significance of this celestial event in various traditions.
- Harvest Festivals: Many cultures celebrate the fall equinox as a harvest festival, giving thanks for the abundance of crops and the bountiful harvest season. Examples include Thanksgiving in North America, Chuseok in Korea, and the Harvest Moon Festival in China.
- Mabon: Mabon is a neopagan festival that is often celebrated around the fall equinox. It is a time to honor the balance between light and dark and to express gratitude for the harvest. Rituals may involve feasting, making offerings to deities, and communing with nature.
- Day of the Dead: In some Latin American countries, including Mexico, the fall equinox coincides with the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations. This multi-day festival involves honoring deceased loved ones, creating altars, and participating in processions and ceremonies.
- Mid-Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated in East Asia, including China, Vietnam, and other regions with Chinese cultural influence. It typically falls around the fall equinox and is marked by the lighting of lanterns, family gatherings, moon-viewing, and the consumption of mooncakes.
- Pagan and Druidic Traditions: In certain pagan and druidic traditions, the fall equinox is known as "Mabon" or "Alban Elfed." It is considered a time of balance, with rituals centering on themes of thanksgiving, reflection, and preparing for the coming winter.
Day meets night, in a dance of equinox light
where seasons change in harmonious flight
Back at the DeCal
It was lovely to be back as guest speaker at the UC Berkeley Autism Decal Class, a class that I led when I was at Berkeley. I can't believe this will be my 3rd time as guest speaker (or that I'm in 2nd year of grad school). I sure miss that class and the amazing opportunity it provided for me to not just contribute but also to learn and grown.
This time spoke about what my advocacy journey had looked looked like as I want others to come up with their own unique journeys and find ways to contribute, and also about my research in both grad and undergrad.
Apraxia Dyspraxia and its connection to autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. While apraxia and dyspraxia are not the core features of autism, they can co-occur in autism. The exact reasons for the overlap are not fully understood, but it's believed that shared neural pathways might play a role. And while we don’t know whether all the spoken communication challenges seen in a significant portion of autistics are exactly due to apraxia or dyspraxia, the fact of the matter is that many of us do seem to tick the some of checkboxes of the textbook descriptions of what apraxia and dyspraxia are at an observational level.
For instance, Apraxia is thought to be the result of impact to the part of the brain that plans the movements required to produce speech. You may know what you want to say, but your brain has difficulty in coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words. There may be inconsistent speech errors, difficulty in imitating speech and more errors when there are longer sentences or more complex words.
Dyspraxia affects motor skill development. It's not due to muscle weakness but rather a brain-based issue in planning and coordinating movements. So you may struggle with tasks like tying shoes, buttoning shirts, or any activities that require a sequence of movements. Or you might appear clumsy or awkward in your movements when you engage in such tasks.
Again we don’t know if apraxia and dyspraxia by themselves explain all the communication issues seen in almost a third of the autistic population. we don't fully understand how it connects to autism biologically. In other words, we don't know what parts of the brain, neurotransmitters, synaptic connections, and signaling pathways are impacted in those with autism with apraxia and without apraxia. We don't know whether the neurological issues that contribute to someone having autism also predispose them heavily towards having apraxia. Given that 87% of people with autism reportedly have some kind of motor issues, it is highly plausible that they are closely interconnected.
For instance, Apraxia is thought to be the result of impact to the part of the brain that plans the movements required to produce speech. You may know what you want to say, but your brain has difficulty in coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words. There may be inconsistent speech errors, difficulty in imitating speech and more errors when there are longer sentences or more complex words.
Dyspraxia affects motor skill development. It's not due to muscle weakness but rather a brain-based issue in planning and coordinating movements. So you may struggle with tasks like tying shoes, buttoning shirts, or any activities that require a sequence of movements. Or you might appear clumsy or awkward in your movements when you engage in such tasks.
Again we don’t know if apraxia and dyspraxia by themselves explain all the communication issues seen in almost a third of the autistic population. we don't fully understand how it connects to autism biologically. In other words, we don't know what parts of the brain, neurotransmitters, synaptic connections, and signaling pathways are impacted in those with autism with apraxia and without apraxia. We don't know whether the neurological issues that contribute to someone having autism also predispose them heavily towards having apraxia. Given that 87% of people with autism reportedly have some kind of motor issues, it is highly plausible that they are closely interconnected.
I think its more useful to use broader terms of what is happening with autistics like "movement differences" or "motor difficulties" till we can say on the basis of real science that the primary neurological condition impacting our movement issues is apraxia or dyspraxia.
Importantly, we do know that communication is a huge challenge and there is an urgent need to not only figure out what is going on but also an equally urgent need for translatable solutions.
Importantly, we do know that communication is a huge challenge and there is an urgent need to not only figure out what is going on but also an equally urgent need for translatable solutions.
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by psychologist Leon Festinger in the 1950s, is a fundamental concept in psychology that explores the discomfort people experience when they hold conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. When individuals encounter information or situations that challenge their existing beliefs or attitudes, they often experience cognitive dissonance, a state of psychological tension. This tension arises from the inconsistency between what they believe and what they are confronted with.
To reduce this discomfort, individuals typically employ various cognitive and behavioral strategies. They may change their beliefs or attitudes to align with the new information, seek out information that supports their existing beliefs (confirmation bias), or downplay the significance of the conflicting information. For example, if someone holds a negative stereotype about a particular group but then has a positive encounter with a member of that group, they might experience cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, they may adjust their stereotype or minimize the significance of the positive encounter.
Cognitive dissonance theory is crucial for understanding the dynamics of attitude change and behavior. It highlights the human tendency to strive for consistency in our beliefs and actions and the discomfort that arises when inconsistency occurs. By recognizing cognitive dissonance, psychologists and individuals alike can better understand the processes underlying attitude change, prejudice reduction, and decision-making in the face of conflicting information
To reduce this discomfort, individuals typically employ various cognitive and behavioral strategies. They may change their beliefs or attitudes to align with the new information, seek out information that supports their existing beliefs (confirmation bias), or downplay the significance of the conflicting information. For example, if someone holds a negative stereotype about a particular group but then has a positive encounter with a member of that group, they might experience cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, they may adjust their stereotype or minimize the significance of the positive encounter.
Cognitive dissonance theory is crucial for understanding the dynamics of attitude change and behavior. It highlights the human tendency to strive for consistency in our beliefs and actions and the discomfort that arises when inconsistency occurs. By recognizing cognitive dissonance, psychologists and individuals alike can better understand the processes underlying attitude change, prejudice reduction, and decision-making in the face of conflicting information
An article where I talk about its impacts with respect to autism
Consciousness
The exploration of consciousness is a central theme in both Buddhism and Sanathana Dharma (Hinduism) philosophies, and modern scientific inquiry has begun to intersect with some of these ancient concepts. While there are parallels, there are also significant differences in the methodologies, foundational assumptions, and goals of spiritual traditions and scientific inquiry. The intersections, however, provide fertile ground for scientific enrichment.
Nature of Consciousness and Quantum Physics. Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhism assert that consciousness isn't a byproduct but a fundamental aspect of reality. This perspective aligns, to some extent, with certain interpretations of quantum mechanics, which propose that consciousness plays a role in the process of quantum measurement or wave function collapse.
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Neuroscience: Neuroscientific research into the effects of meditation—a practice central to both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions—has shown that it can induce significant changes in areas of the brain associated with attention, emotion regulation, and self-awareness.
Levels and States of Consciousness: The Mandukya Upanishad, outlines different states of consciousness, including waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a transcendent state known as "Turiya." Modern neuroscience also explores various states of consciousness, such as REM sleep, deep sleep, and altered states induced by substances or meditation. Buddhist meditation practices often aim to transcend ordinary states of consciousness and attain enlightened states. Neuroscientific studies on accomplished meditators have reported unique brainwave patterns and states of consciousness.
Interconnectedness: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist philosophies emphasize the interconnectedness of all things. This idea has resonances with holistic perspectives in science, especially in fields like ecology and certain interpretations of quantum physics which emphasize non-locality and entanglement.
Plasticity and Transformation: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions emphasize the possibility of transforming one's mind and consciousness. The idea of neuroplasticity in modern neuroscience—that the brain is malleable and can be changed through experiences, especially practices like meditation—aligns with this.
Phenomenal Experience: Buddhism, particularly in schools like Yogacara, delves deep into the nature of experience, cognition, and perception. These explorations find parallels in cognitive science and phenomenological approaches in modern philosophy of mind.
Nature of Consciousness and Quantum Physics. Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhism assert that consciousness isn't a byproduct but a fundamental aspect of reality. This perspective aligns, to some extent, with certain interpretations of quantum mechanics, which propose that consciousness plays a role in the process of quantum measurement or wave function collapse.
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Neuroscience: Neuroscientific research into the effects of meditation—a practice central to both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions—has shown that it can induce significant changes in areas of the brain associated with attention, emotion regulation, and self-awareness.
Self and Non-self: Sanathana Dharma philosophy's exploration of the self through concepts like "Atman" (individual soul) and its relationship with "Brahman" (universal consciousness) can be seen in parallel with the scientific exploration of individual consciousness and its relationship with the world. Buddhism's concept of "Anatta" (non-self) proposes that there's no continuous, unchanging self. This idea resonates with certain findings in neuroscience, suggesting that the perception of a continuous "self" is an emergent property of various neural processes and not localized in one part of the brain.
Levels and States of Consciousness: The Mandukya Upanishad, outlines different states of consciousness, including waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a transcendent state known as "Turiya." Modern neuroscience also explores various states of consciousness, such as REM sleep, deep sleep, and altered states induced by substances or meditation. Buddhist meditation practices often aim to transcend ordinary states of consciousness and attain enlightened states. Neuroscientific studies on accomplished meditators have reported unique brainwave patterns and states of consciousness.
Interconnectedness: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist philosophies emphasize the interconnectedness of all things. This idea has resonances with holistic perspectives in science, especially in fields like ecology and certain interpretations of quantum physics which emphasize non-locality and entanglement.
Plasticity and Transformation: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions emphasize the possibility of transforming one's mind and consciousness. The idea of neuroplasticity in modern neuroscience—that the brain is malleable and can be changed through experiences, especially practices like meditation—aligns with this.
Phenomenal Experience: Buddhism, particularly in schools like Yogacara, delves deep into the nature of experience, cognition, and perception. These explorations find parallels in cognitive science and phenomenological approaches in modern philosophy of mind.
https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062
To drive true progress and improve the quality of life of all autistics we need BOTH Strengths_based_Opportunities AND Challenges_based_Solutions.
It is not Either-Or.
#Autism #Research #Strengths_based_opportunities #Challenges_based_solutions.
The Impact of Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination
Stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination are interconnected concepts that play a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors toward individuals or groups based on perceived characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or disability.
Stereotype
Stereotype refers to a widely held and oversimplified belief or mental image about a particular group of people. Stereotypes often involve generalizations and assumptions about the characteristics, behaviors, or abilities of individuals within that group. For example, the stereotype that women are less competent in technical fields is a pervasive belief that can lead to biases in hiring decisions and educational opportunities. Another prevalent stereotype is that challenges in speaking ability (a function of the oral-motor muscles) amongst many autistics must equal low cognitive ability. Stereotypes can be overly positive too (such as all autistics must be tech geniuses) and negative, but they tend to oversimplify and dehumanize individuals by reducing them to a set of assumed traits.Prejudice
Prejudice, on the other hand, involves a negative emotional or evaluative response directed at individuals or groups based on their perceived attributes or membership in a particular category. It represents an attitude or a set of attitudes characterized by bias, animosity, or irrational dislike. Prejudice can manifest as feelings of hostility, resentment, or fear toward the target group and often results from stereotypes. For instance, a person who holds a prejudice against a certain ethnic group may harbor negative emotions and beliefs about its members, leading to discriminatory behaviors or attitudes.Discrimination
Discrimination encompasses actions or behaviors that treat individuals or groups unfairly or unjustly based on their perceived attributes or group membership. Discrimination can take various forms, including institutional discrimination (e.g., discriminatory laws or policies), interpersonal discrimination (e.g., unfair treatment by individuals), and microaggressions (subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination). Discriminatory actions can result from prejudiced attitudes or stereotypes and can have serious consequences, such as limiting opportunities, perpetuating inequality, and causing harm to individuals' physical and mental well-being. Addressing discrimination involves efforts to promote equality, enforce anti-discrimination laws, and challenge biased attitudes and behaviors in society.
Why It Matters
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Versions of this article: For Academic/Scientific Audience and #PlainSpeak for Lay Audience
Contemplation
Altruism is the radiant light of compassion that illuminates the interconnectedness of all beings, reminding us that our true fulfillment lies not solely in self-interest but in the profound joy of lifting others toward their own potential.
In daily life, practice altruism by embracing small acts of kindness, listening with empathy, and extending a helping hand whenever you can, for it is in these moments that the beauty of our shared humanity truly shines.
In daily life, practice altruism by embracing small acts of kindness, listening with empathy, and extending a helping hand whenever you can, for it is in these moments that the beauty of our shared humanity truly shines.
Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination - What They Mean and How They Affect People
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Plain Language Version
Stereotype, Prejudice, and Discrimination: What They Mean and How They Affect People
These three words—stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination—are connected and help explain how people form opinions and act toward others based on things like race, gender, religion, or disability.
Stereotype
A stereotype is a simple and often wrong idea about a group of people. It means thinking everyone in that group is the same. For example:
- Gender: Thinking women aren't good at technical jobs.
- Disability: Thinking all autistic people can't talk well and are less smart.
- Positive Stereotype: Believing all autistic people are tech geniuses.
Even if stereotypes can sometimes seem positive, they are still harmful because they oversimplify people and don’t see them as individuals.
Prejudice
Prejudice means having negative feelings or attitudes toward someone just because they are part of a certain group. It’s about having unfair dislikes or biases. For example:
- If someone doesn’t like people from a certain ethnic group, they might feel anger or fear toward them.
- Prejudice often comes from stereotypes and can make people act unfairly or meanly.
Discrimination
Discrimination is when people act unfairly toward others because of their group membership. It can happen in different ways:
- Institutional Discrimination: Unfair laws or policies that hurt certain groups.
- Interpersonal Discrimination: Unfair treatment by other people, like bullying or exclusion.
- Microaggressions: Small, often unintentional actions or comments that are hurtful.
Discrimination can limit opportunities, keep inequalities alive, and harm the well-being of those affected.
Why It Matters
Understanding stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination helps us recognize and fight against unfair treatment. It’s important to:
- See people as individuals, not just members of a group.
- Promote fairness and equality.
- Challenge biased attitudes and behaviors.
Attribution Errors
Attribution errors, also known as attribution biases, are cognitive biases that affect how individuals interpret and explain the behavior of themselves and others. These biases involve making inaccurate or biased judgments about the causes of behaviors, often by attributing them to dispositional (internal) factors or situational (external) factors. One common attribution error is the fundamental attribution error (FAE), which occurs when people tend to overemphasize dispositional factors and underestimate situational factors when explaining the behavior of others. For instance, if someone witnesses a colleague being late to work, they might attribute it to the colleague's laziness or lack of punctuality (dispositional), while ignoring the possibility that the colleague might have encountered traffic or had an emergency (situational).
Another attribution error is the actor-observer bias, which relates to the tendency for individuals to attribute their own behavior to situational factors (e.g., "I was late because of traffic") but attribute the behavior of others to dispositional factors (e.g., "They were late because they're always irresponsible"). This bias highlights the differing perspectives people have when explaining their own actions versus the actions of others, often giving themselves the benefit of the doubt while judging others more critically. Understanding attribution errors is essential because they can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in interpersonal relationships and can affect how individuals perceive and interact with others. Recognizing these biases can help people become more empathetic and make more accurate judgments about the behaviors and motivations of those around them.
Another attribution error is the actor-observer bias, which relates to the tendency for individuals to attribute their own behavior to situational factors (e.g., "I was late because of traffic") but attribute the behavior of others to dispositional factors (e.g., "They were late because they're always irresponsible"). This bias highlights the differing perspectives people have when explaining their own actions versus the actions of others, often giving themselves the benefit of the doubt while judging others more critically. Understanding attribution errors is essential because they can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in interpersonal relationships and can affect how individuals perceive and interact with others. Recognizing these biases can help people become more empathetic and make more accurate judgments about the behaviors and motivations of those around them.
Compassion is the heart's way of responding to the suffering of others
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 heart's way of responding to the suffering of others.
Creativity is the key to unlocking the doors of the unknown
Creativity is the key to unlocking the doors of the unknown
The Problem with DEI
DEI initiatives often assume that if you open the door, targeted people will automatically rush in. But these targeted population were told for so long that this door did not belong to them, or that its too hard for them, you are not intelligent /capable enough; if this has been the messaging of the last 100 years, there is going to be unconscious bias, where part of you starts believing this to be true (like when women are told prior to a math test, that women are bad in math, they end up doing worse on the test than if not told that info).
So the initiative has to be both opening the door and also nudges from other end saying, you can do this, we welcome you and will work to support you, demystifying the process of what the door is and how to go about even approaching that door.
So the initiative has to be both opening the door and also nudges from other end saying, you can do this, we welcome you and will work to support you, demystifying the process of what the door is and how to go about even approaching that door.
And why don't DEI initiatives automatically include disability or when disability is included, its often as an afterthought when it's pointed out that it's probably not PC to exclude. Why is disability not recognized as a very very historically marginalized group at the onset. The fact of a childhood disability for instance means the exclusion starts in childhood itself which perpetuates and intensifies the exclusion as you age. (Somehow the fact of disability transcends even the color of your skin and you are pushed to the bottom of the food chain).
p-value goes knock knock
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Who's there?
P-value.
P-value who?
P-value less than 0.05, and I'm statistically significant enough to knock your null hypothesis out of the park!
P-value who?
P-value less than 0.05, and I'm statistically significant enough to knock your null hypothesis out of the park!
-Hari Srinivasan
p-value
p-value for the layman
What is a p-value?
At its core, a p-value is a number that helps us determine the significance of an observation or result in statistical analysis. Imagine you've conducted an experiment or a survey, and you want to know if your findings are meaningful or just a result of chance. The p-value is your guide.
The Role of Probability
To grasp p-values, you need to understand the concept of probability. Think of it as a measure of how likely something is to happen. In statistics, we often want to know the probability of observing certain data if there's no real effect or difference. This is where p-values come into play.
Hypotheses: The Foundation
In any scientific study, you start with two hypotheses: the null hypothesis (H0) and the alternative hypothesis (H1). The null hypothesis represents the idea that there's no significant effect or difference, while the alternative hypothesis suggests the opposite – that there is a significant effect or difference.
The Experiment and the Data
You gather your data, conduct your analysis, and calculate a test statistic, which quantifies the difference between your observed data and what you would expect under the null hypothesis. This test statistic follows a particular distribution, like the normal distribution for many common statistical tests.
The P-Value's Revelation
Here's the moment of truth: the p-value tells you the probability of obtaining a test statistic as extreme as, or more extreme than, the one you calculated if the null hypothesis is true. In simpler terms, it answers the question: "How likely is it that my observed results are just due to random chance?"
Interpreting P-Values
Now, the key interpretation comes into play. If your p-value is small, typically less than 0.05 (but it can vary depending on the field), it suggests that your observed results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone. This is your green light to reject the null hypothesis and accept that you've found something significant.
Conversely, if your p-value is large (greater than 0.05), it indicates that your observed results are quite likely to be explained by random chance, and you should stick with the null hypothesis.
It's Not Absolute Proof
One crucial thing to understand is that p-values don't provide absolute proof or disproof. They offer a level of evidence, but they can't tell you the size of an effect or whether it's practically meaningful. They merely guide you in determining if your results are statistically significant.
Contemplating one insight at day
Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating a different emotion and writing one line each day on it. #MentalHealth.
Inaction is not an option
In the Gita's verses, wisdom unfurls
"Change is the only constant," the universe swirls
“One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among humans.”
"Change is the only constant," the universe swirls
Time's shifting sand, ebb and flow
But inaction is not an option, we must choose where to go
Contemplation, one line a day.
Joy is the gratitude for the simple things in life
Contemplation, one line a day. #MentalHealth
Can CATI be used to measure autistic inertia
Can CATI be used to measure Autistic Inertia.
Autistic inertia refers to the challenges autistics may face in initiating, switching, or stopping activities, which can significantly impact various aspects of their lives, from daily routines to employment and social interactions. It manifests in numerous ways, including difficulties with time management, adjusting to changes, motivation, and focusing on tasks. Support strategiesinclude providing structure, teaching time management, organizing activities around energy levels, using visual reminders, establishing routines, breaking tasks down into manageable steps, and offering prompts or assistance with task initiation. [More on autistic inertia here].
While there are no current scales to measure autistic inertia, we could perhaps use one of the measures like CATI (Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory) [post on CATI] which covers a broad range of autistic traits, and has subscales may indirectly relate to behaviors and experiences that could be associated with autistic inertia; specifically - social interactions (SOC), communication (COM), social camouflage (CAM), repetitive behaviors (REP), cognitive rigidity (RIG), and sensory sensitivity (SEN).
While there are no current scales to measure autistic inertia, we could perhaps use one of the measures like CATI (Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory) [post on CATI] which covers a broad range of autistic traits, and has subscales may indirectly relate to behaviors and experiences that could be associated with autistic inertia; specifically - social interactions (SOC), communication (COM), social camouflage (CAM), repetitive behaviors (REP), cognitive rigidity (RIG), and sensory sensitivity (SEN).
- Cognitive Rigidity (RIG) could relate to difficulties with changing activities or adapting to new tasks, as it may measure aspects of flexibility in thinking and behavior.
- Repetitive Behaviors (REP) might also have connections to autistic inertia, given that a preference for sameness and routine or repetitive actions could impact the ability to start or stop activities.
- Sensory Sensitivity (SEN) could influence autistic inertia by affecting how sensory inputs are processed, potentially making transitions between activities more challenging.
- Social Interactions (SOC): Difficulties in understanding and engaging in social interactions could exacerbate feelings of inertia by increasing anxiety or reluctance to transition into social activities or contexts, impacting the ability to initiate or change social engagements.
- Communication (COM): Challenges with verbal and non-verbal communication may contribute to autistic inertia by making the prospect of initiating or adapting to communicative tasks more daunting, leading to delays or avoidance of these activities.
- Social Camouflage (CAM): The effort required to mask autistic traits in social situations could lead to increased inertia, as the mental and emotional resources expended on camouflaging may reduce the capacity to engage with new tasks or changes.
Contemplation, one thought a day
With optimism, the impossible becomes possible and the possible becomes probable.
Stimming in Autism - The Why and What
Stimming, a common behavior in autistics, encompasses a variety of sensory and motor actions.
Self-Stims leading to Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)
Stimming on Objects/Activities:
Why do autistics Stim? Stimming behaviors can serve various purposes, such as:
Types of Stims
Self-Stimming
- Visual: Triggered by or seeking lighting change - including flicking fingers in front of eyes, staring at ceiling fans, and repeated blinking.
- Auditory: Manifest as tapping on objects, snapping fingers, replaying songs, humming, repeating words or sounds, and tongue clicking.
- Olfactory & Taste: Involving smelling objects (even unpleasant odors), eating non-food items like paper, and licking body parts.
- Tactile: Such as rubbing skin.
- Vestibular & Proprioceptive: Including rocking, toe-walking, pacing, jumping, rolling, spinning, and throwing objects.
Self-Stims leading to Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)
- Actions like head banging, biting one's own wrist, and excessive skin rubbing that can cause tissue damage.
Stimming on Objects/Activities:
- Lining up objects (e.g., lining up toys)
- Creating specific patterns with objects, rejecting all other arrangements.
- Spinning wheels on toys. Looking at the ceiling fan spinning.
Why do autistics Stim? Stimming behaviors can serve various purposes, such as:
- Reducing anxiety and calming oneself.
- Aiding in sensory and emotional regulation.
- Self-soothing, communicating, experiencing excitement.
- Coping with overstimulation or boredom.
- Avoiding tasks or seeking attention.
- Stimulating senses
- Expressing frustration, particularly in those with communication challenges.
- Easing pain or discomfort
- Could be indicative of seizure activity.
Differences Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Stimming:
The irony is that neurotypicals stim all the time too like the endless clicking of the TV remote, doodling, chewing the end of a pencil or pen, drumming fingers etc. NT stimming are regarded as "socially acceptable"
Autistic stimming often differs in its intensity and ability to be moderated/changed/stopped according to the situation.
How much stimming is too much:
- While some level of stimming can be calming, crossing a certain threshold may lead to behaviors resembling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), further inducing anxiety.
- What might a mild, controllable/adaptable habit in an non-autistic, could become an unmanageable compulsion in a non autistic.
Stimming in autism is a multifaceted behavior with various forms and functions. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for providing appropriate support and interventions. It's important to recognize the individual needs and experiences of each person with Autism, as stimming serves different purposes and requires a tailored approach in each case.
Related Posts:
Progress over Perfection
In the quest for progress, perfection we ease
For wisdom and growth, our hearts find peace
For wisdom and growth, our hearts find peace
Through trials and errors, we gain insight
Becoming discerning, in life's long flight.
Philosophy teaches that imperfections define
Philosophy teaches that imperfections define
The path to enlightenment, a radiant sign
In our journey, self improvement bound
Progress over perfection, wisdom is found.
Contemplation, one line a day
Equanimity is the self-awareness that allows us to grow and learn
#MentalHealth
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