https://www.dailycal.org/2018/04/05/access-ramp-volunteering
Celebrating 25 Years of the Olmstead Decision
Celebrating 25 Years of the Olmstead v. L.C Decision
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. case, a pivotal moment that ignited the de-segregation and de-institutionalization of people with disabilities. This case paved the way for community-based supports and services, transforming the lives of countless individuals.
Two years ago, I had the honor of participating in a White House panel discussion commemorating the Olmstead Act's anniversary. The significance of the Olmstead Act cannot be overstated. Just a few decades ago, individuals with significant disabilities, including "higher-support" autistics, were often placed in institutions, hidden away from society.
Back then, families were still advised to send their autistic children away before they became too attached. Many "higher-support" autistics, unable to advocate for themselves, were at the mercy of "well-meaning" professionals who claimed institutionalization was best.
As a child, I didn't fully grasp what institutions were, my only reference being brief scenes from the movie Rain Man. It wasn't until college, during my Disability Studies courses with Professor Victor Pineda, that I truly understood the horrors of institutionalization. On the first day of class, we watched the documentary Lives Worth Living, which highlighted the disability rights movement. One of the most shocking segments featured Willowbrook, an institution in New York where children with disabilities lived in appalling conditions. The doctors at Willowbrook were so alarmed that they invited reporter Geraldo Rivera to expose the situation, shocking the world.
I used to think my low-expectation special education classrooms were degrading enough, but the thought of living in such inhumane institutions is truly chilling. The 2020 documentary Crip Camp mentions a camper from Willowbrook who would overeat to the point of sickness because he never got enough food there.
This history underscores the profound significance of the Olmstead Act for people like me. While we have made significant strides in disability rights, there is still much work to be done. I am deeply grateful to the disability rights icons who have paved the way, making it possible for many of us to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.
Though challenges remain, we continue to move forward, inspired by the resilience and determination of those who fought for our rights. Here's to 25 years of progress and many more to come.
Monotropism and Special Interests
Monotropism and special interests are related but distinct concepts within the context of autism. Both terms describe how autistic individuals often engage deeply with specific areas of interest, but they highlight different aspects of this behavior.
Monotropism is a cognitive model suggesting that autistic individuals tend to focus their attention narrowly on a few interests at a time, rather than distributing their attention more broadly like neurotypical individuals. This intense concentration can lead to deep expertise and enjoyment in specific areas but can also result in difficulties when needing to shift attention to other tasks or interests. Monotropism explains why some autistics may excel in areas they are passionate about but struggle with activities that do not engage their focused interests.
Special Interests, on the other hand, refer to the specific subjects or activities that capture the intense focus and enthusiasm of autistics. These interests are often lifelong passions and can be a source of comfort, identity, and competence. While special interests can be a positive aspect of an autistic person's life, they may also be misunderstood or undervalued by others who do not recognize their significance.
Neurocognitive explanations for both concepts suggest that these intense focuses are not just behavioral quirks but are deeply rooted in the way autistic brains process information. Monotropism posits that autistics allocate their cognitive resources in a way that heavily favors their areas of interest, which can lead to challenges in adapting to less engaging tasks or environments.
Understanding both monotropism and special interests can help in creating supportive environments that recognize and build upon the strengths of autistic individuals while also providing strategies to manage and accommodate their cognitive styles
Monotropism is a cognitive model suggesting that autistic individuals tend to focus their attention narrowly on a few interests at a time, rather than distributing their attention more broadly like neurotypical individuals. This intense concentration can lead to deep expertise and enjoyment in specific areas but can also result in difficulties when needing to shift attention to other tasks or interests. Monotropism explains why some autistics may excel in areas they are passionate about but struggle with activities that do not engage their focused interests.
Special Interests, on the other hand, refer to the specific subjects or activities that capture the intense focus and enthusiasm of autistics. These interests are often lifelong passions and can be a source of comfort, identity, and competence. While special interests can be a positive aspect of an autistic person's life, they may also be misunderstood or undervalued by others who do not recognize their significance.
Neurocognitive explanations for both concepts suggest that these intense focuses are not just behavioral quirks but are deeply rooted in the way autistic brains process information. Monotropism posits that autistics allocate their cognitive resources in a way that heavily favors their areas of interest, which can lead to challenges in adapting to less engaging tasks or environments.
Understanding both monotropism and special interests can help in creating supportive environments that recognize and build upon the strengths of autistic individuals while also providing strategies to manage and accommodate their cognitive styles
AANHPI Panel
Recording at https://ambivco.com/#aanhpi-autism-selfadvocacy
@JennyMaiPhanPhD is moderating the #AANHPI panel of neurodivergent self-advocates.
@HariSri108
, we look forward to learn about your innovative projects. #AANHPIHeritageMonth #AsianAmerican #Neurodiversity #ASD #DisabilityTwitter
What a surprise! I was not expecting
@hariSri108
to be at this panel. #AANHPIHeritageMonth #neurodiversity #AANHPI #asianamerican
NSFGRPF in the News
Been 2 months since award. But still good to see article.
https://www.miragenews.com/34-vanderbilt-students-alumni-earn-2024-nsf-1257672/
A total of 34 Vanderbilt University alumni, students and incoming students have been named National Science Foundation graduate research fellows for 2024.The prestigious fellowship program assists exceptional graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees across various fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, STEM education and social sciences supported by NSF. Since its inception in 1952, the NSF GRFP has been a cornerstone of support for graduate students, providing financial aid through a $37,000 annual stipend and a $16,000 allowance for educational expenses, along with opportunities for professional growth and international research endeavors.
Vanderbilt's 2024 NSF GRFP Scholars:
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Hari Srinivasan, Class of 2027, life sciences - neurosciences
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The rigorous application process demands thoroughness and collaboration with students' advisors, as students craft persuasive personal statements and research proposals. For the 2024 cycle, there were 2,037 fellowship offers in total, which is 518 less than the 2023 cycle. Additionally, in the 2024 cycle there were 1716 honorable mentions, 915 more than in the 2023 cycle.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Self-advocates
NISE Fellow Hari Srinivasan Appears on AMBIV Collective Panel.
Last Wednesday, 29th May, NISE Fellow and self-advocate Hari Srinivasan appeared on an AMBIV panel entitled AANHPI Autism Self-Advocacy Panel.The recording of the webinar is at this link, or watch below.
The webinar featured an empowering online panel that showcased autistic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) self-advocates as they shared their inspiring journeys and self-advocacy experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to discover how these incredible individuals navigated the intersections of their cultural heritage and autism and how they used their voices to drive change and foster understanding. The conversation provided an intimate glimpse into their challenges, triumphs, and the strength of their resilience.
The AMBIV collective is dedicated to redefining inclusion. They are actively empowering disability and neurodivergent communities, fostering community connections, and building solutions rooted in diverse needs and aspirations. Their vision is to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative ecosystem that embraces diversity, innovation, and shared knowledge, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
The webinar featured an empowering online panel that showcased autistic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) self-advocates as they shared their inspiring journeys and self-advocacy experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to discover how these incredible individuals navigated the intersections of their cultural heritage and autism and how they used their voices to drive change and foster understanding. The conversation provided an intimate glimpse into their challenges, triumphs, and the strength of their resilience.
The AMBIV collective is dedicated to redefining inclusion. They are actively empowering disability and neurodivergent communities, fostering community connections, and building solutions rooted in diverse needs and aspirations. Their vision is to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative ecosystem that embraces diversity, innovation, and shared knowledge, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
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