Neurodiversity 2.0 - Harnessing Cross-Disciplinary Insights

EXCITING NEWS - NEW PAPER OUT. 

Neurodiversity 2.0. Harnessing Cross-Disability Insights

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050656525001245

Feedback: 

I very much appreciated this paper, and I am sure I will draw upon it often in the future. I especially appreciated your centering of interdependence as an orientation to work towards instead of this idea of independence. This is a value I draw from frequently within my clinical work as an autistic psychologist who works primarily with autistic college students. We've long recognized the therapeutic alliance as a key agent of change in therapy, yet we often center individualism as a goal of therapy. Yet, any level of support need indicates a need for community and connection. Thanks for the work you are doing!

As someone currently spending a lot of time reflecting on language and terminology related to autism and neurodiversity for work at the moment, this paper could not have come at a better time.
Oh how I love a cross-disciplinary approach!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/giving-voice/202410/how-reasonable-are-reasonable-accommodations-at-work

Promoting employer education on the diversity in autism and embedding mandatory training into HR development would equip managers to better support neurodivergent employees and foster a more inclusive culture.

 

 "Positive psychology must adopt a nuanced understanding of the diversity and complexity of autism and autistic people. The benefits of positive emotions like awe can be particularly potent for autistic well-being, but for interventions to be successful, practitioners need to be mindful of sensory sensitivities and communication differences." - Hari Srinivasan

Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

Insightful Unseen

 Thank you Cal for this wonderful Writeup

Hari Srinivasan ’22 is quietly reshaping the way we understand autism, communication, and the brain.

At Berkeley, Hari became one of the first undergraduates with limited spoken language to teach a course on autism. He led student advocacy, wrote for The Daily Cal, and carried out research on awe and empathy as a Haas Scholar. His journey was never about being “inspirational.” It was about being seen as whole.

Now pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at Vanderbilt, Hari studies how autistic brains interact with the world. His research focuses on the invisible “bubble” of space around the body that helps us navigate movement and social cues. He is uncovering how that space works differently in autism, and how that knowledge can drive real-world solutions.

“I’m part of a community that is often left out of the conversation. We need both support for our challenges and opportunities to share our perspectives. Disability Pride is about making room for both.”

This month, Hari is co-leading the UNESCO-funded Amplifying Autistic Wellbeing event in London, bringing together high-support needs autistics from across the globe.
Every action, he says, is a pebble in the pond of change.

🌍 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gdsNbTYR

Global ND Conference

 Distinguished Panelist

Featured by the Cal Alumni Association

 

Hari Srinivasan ’22 is quietly reshaping the way we understand autism, communication, and the brain.

At Berkeley, Hari became one of the first undergraduates with limited spoken language to teach a course on autism. He led student advocacy, wrote for The Daily Cal, and carried out research on awe and empathy as a Haas Scholar. His journey was never about being “inspirational.” It was about being seen as whole.

Now pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at Vanderbilt, Hari studies how autistic brains interact with the world. His research focuses on the invisible “bubble” of space around the body that helps us navigate movement and social cues. He is uncovering how that space works differently in autism, and how that knowledge can drive real-world solutions.

“I’m part of a community that is often left out of the conversation. We need both support for our challenges and opportunities to share our perspectives. Disability Pride is about making room for both.”

In Sept, Hari is co-leading the UNESCO-funded Amplifying Autistic Wellbeing event in London, bringing together high-support needs autistics from across the globe. https://amplifyingautisticwellbeing.com/ 

Every action, he says, is a pebble in the pond of change.

Stanford SNP-Reach

 I was a speaker at the Stanford-SNP camp this year. 

This time I decided to do something different. The topic was Timeline to Tomorrow, lets talk Autism Research. And it was short video clips interspersed with activities and exercises for the campers. And of course i used my own journey as.a backdrop to ground some of these ideas. I think it was well received. 

https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity/SNP-REACH2025/Staff.html

Hari’s story brings home the idea of the transformative role of language and the critical importance of creating inclusive spaces where marginalized voices can thrive.

Read Full Article at unesco.org...

 

 Excerpts from the Foreword, I got to co-write with Dr Temple Grandin.

Caught Between Tears and Stoicism

Expecting neurodiverse individuals to either suppress or exaggerate emotions to fit societal comfort zones places an unfair burden of emotional labor on them.

Read Full Article at

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/giving-voice/202409/caught-between-tears-and-stoicism

 

  My Ted X talk titled "Pebbles in the Pond of Change

Hari Srinivasan, shares a powerful message about the power of small actions in creating ever-widening ripples in the pond of change. Drawing from personal experiences and the legacy of disability rights leaders, he redefines progress as a journey that starts with simple, accessible steps. His inspiring message encourages everyone to identify and act on their own "small pebbles" to drive societal transformation.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e87-3xydg58