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.
Masking is often described as “pretending to be neurotypical,” as if autistic people are performing or being inauthentic.
That framing misses what masking really is.
In my Psychology Today article “Masking as an Evolutionary Advantage,” I approach masking as adaptation — what happens when a nervous system learns that being visibly different carries social risk.
Humans evolved in small, interdependent groups. Belonging meant access to food, protection, shared knowledge, and safety. Being excluded meant vulnerability. In that world, standing out was never neutral. It attracted attention. And attention could mean danger.
For autistic people — whose movements, speech, timing, and sensory responses naturally diverge from social norms — that creates powerful selection pressure. Over time, the brain learns:
If I reduce how different I appear, I am more likely to stay in the group.
That is the evolutionary advantage of masking.
It increases the probability of acceptance, inclusion, and survival — and, in many contexts, reduces the risk of harm.
Masking isn’t just hiding stimming or forcing eye contact. It includes mirroring tone, copying social rhythms, suppressing natural movements, and constantly scanning for signs of disapproval. From the outside, this can look like social fluency. From the inside, it feels more like vigilance — an ongoing effort to stay safe.
This pressure is not evenly distributed.
Autistic women often live inside what researchers describe as a triple bind:
they are expected to be socially attuned, emotionally responsive, and compliant — while also navigating the penalties attached to disability and difference. The cost of not masking is often higher for them: social rejection, misinterpretation, or being labeled difficult, rude, or unstable. Masking becomes a way to survive gendered social expectations layered on top of neurodivergence.
People with higher support needs face a different but equally powerful bind. Their differences are more visible, and visibility increases vulnerability — to punishment, restraint, exclusion, or loss of autonomy. For them, masking is often less about fitting in and more about reducing the likelihood of being harmed.
Evolution doesn’t select for comfort. It selects for what keeps you in the group. Masking, in many environments, does exactly that. It helps autistic people remain in classrooms, workplaces, medical systems, and families that might otherwise push them out.
But survival strategies come with costs.
Maintaining two versions of yourself — who you are and who you must appear to be — consumes enormous energy. Over time, that split leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and autistic burnout. What looks like competence from the outside can feel like never being allowed to rest on the inside.
Seeing masking as an evolutionary response shifts the frame. The issue isn’t that autistic people mask. It’s that so many environments still require it.
When people don’t have to camouflage their nervous system just to stay safe, they don’t burn out trying to survive.
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.
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.
"We need to redefine the table itself so that everybody can be represented. It’s not just about sitting at the table; it’s about ensuring that the table reflects the full diversity of the autism community and that our voices are truly heard and valued." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
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.
"It is essential to integrate doses of well-being into the daily structures and routines of all autistics across the spectrum. This could involve incorporating elements that evoke awe and empathy, creating opportunities for positive social interactions that are inclusive and accessible." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
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.
"Mental health is fundamental to quality of life, even for those with higher support needs. The misconception that such individuals do not experience mental health issues is not only incorrect but harmful. We need interventions that are accessible and inclusive across the spectrum." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
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.
"There’s a danger in misunderstanding and misrepresenting the autistic community, with interventions possibly imposing neurotypical standards of happiness that feel inauthentic or unrelatable. We must ensure that positive psychology reflects the true diversity of autistic experiences and does not oversimplify our needs." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
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.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark piece of legislation that has transformed the landscape of disability rights in the United States.
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. Its passage marked a significant victory for the disability rights movement, building on decades of activism and advocacy. The ADA aimed to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas of public life, ensuring equal opportunities and accessibility.
The ADA is divided into five titles, each addressing different aspects of public life:
Title I – Employment: Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, and accommodations. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities.
Title II – Public Services: Ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public services, including state and local government programs and services. This includes public transportation.
Title III – Public Accommodations: Requires that private businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public must make their facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes restaurants, hotels, theaters, and retail stores.
Title IV – Telecommunications: Mandates that telephone and internet companies provide accessible communication services for individuals with hearing and speech disabilities, including the provision of telecommunications relay services (TRS).
Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions: Contains various provisions relating to the ADA, including its relationship to other laws and the impact on insurance providers and benefits.
Several key figures and advocacy groups were instrumental in the development and passage of the ADA:
Justin Dart Jr.: Often referred to as the "Father of the ADA," Dart was a passionate advocate for disability rights. He traveled across the United States to gather stories from people with disabilities, which he presented to Congress to demonstrate the need for comprehensive legislation.
Judy Heumann: A prominent disability rights activist, Heumann's leadership and advocacy, particularly through her roles in various organizations and government positions, were crucial in pushing for the ADA.
Senator Tom Harkin: A leading advocate for the ADA in Congress, Harkin delivered part of his introduction speech in sign language to emphasize the importance of the legislation. His efforts were pivotal in securing bipartisan support for the ADA.
The Disability Rights Community: Organizations like the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and others played vital roles in advocating for the ADA and mobilizing public support.
The ADA was born out of the broader civil rights movement and inspired by earlier legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Before the ADA, individuals with disabilities faced widespread discrimination and barriers to full participation in society. The ADA's passage marked a transformative moment, symbolizing a national commitment to equality and inclusion.
Since its enactment, the ADA has had a profound impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and American society as a whole. Key outcomes include:
Increased Accessibility: The ADA has led to significant improvements in the accessibility of public spaces, transportation, and communication services, allowing individuals with disabilities to participate more fully in society.
Employment Protections: The ADA has provided critical protections against employment discrimination, helping individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain jobs.
Awareness and Advocacy: The ADA has raised awareness about disability rights and inspired ongoing advocacy efforts to ensure that its principles are fully realized.
ADA is more than just a legal framework; it is a milestone in the journey towards equality and inclusion for all individuals with disabilities. Its history, structure, and impact reflect the ongoing efforts to create a society where every person, regardless of ability, can live with dignity and autonomy. The contributions of dedicated advocates and policymakers were instrumental in its creation and continue to drive its implementation, ensuring that the principles of the ADA are realized in communities across the United States.
"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
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.
"Everyday moments of awe offer profound benefits to our mental health, enhancing personal well-being as well as a sense of belonging, at no expense. Unlike the price-gouging therapies we autistics are surrounded by since childhood, these experiences of awe are accessible and deeply meaningful." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
Lexicon: Oddball Paradigms
Oddball trials, also known as oddball tasks or oddball paradigms, are a type of research experimental design used in cognitive and sensorimotor research. The oddball paradigm has been widely used in autism research to investigate sensory processing differences, attentional issues, and cognitive control. During an oddball task, researchers typically measure various physiological and behavioral responses, such as reaction times, accuracy rates, ERPs (via EEG) or fMRI (to examine neural activity patterns).The oddball paradigm typically consists of two types of stimuli and participants are asked to detect and respond to the oddball.
Oddball paradigms in autism research, offer a window into the sensory processing differences, attentional mechanisms, and cognitive control capabilities.
Sensory Processing Differences: One of the core areas of investigation in autism is sensory processing as autistics often exhibit atypical responses to sensory stimuli, which can range from heightened sensitivity to specific stimuli to a diminished response to others. Oddball paradigms help researchers understand these sensory anomalies by comparing how autistics detect and respond to infrequent target stimuli compared to neurotypical controls. This can reveal whether there is an enhanced perceptual sensitivity or other unique patterns of sensory processing in autism.
Attention and Attentional Allocation: Studies focus on how autistics sustain and allocate their attention when faced with rare target stimuli amidst a stream of more common stimuli. Findings often indicate differences in how attention is captured and maintained, which can be linked to broader attentional issues in autism. For instance, some research suggests autistics may focus more on local details rather than global features of stimuli (Weak Central Coherence theory)
Cognitive Control and Inhibition: Cognitive control, including response inhibition and flexibility in shifting attention, is frequently assessed through oddball tasks. These tasks can highlight the executive functioning issues, such as challenges with inhibiting inappropriate responses or switching attention between different tasks or stimuli.
Research using oddball paradigms has provided several key insights into the neurocognitive characteristics of ASD:
Enhanced Perceptual Sensitivity: Some studies suggest that autistics may exhibit enhanced perceptual sensitivity, reacting more quickly or accurately to target stimuli than neurotypical individuals. This heightened sensitivity might be associated with an increased focus on specific features in the environment.
Atypical Neural Responses: Differences in the amplitude and latency of ERP components, such as the P3 wave, which is linked to attentional processes and cognitive evaluation, have been noted (1).
Attentional Allocation Differences: The way individuals with autism allocate their attention during oddball tasks often differs from that of neurotypical individuals. This can include a tendency to focus more narrowly on specific stimuli aspects, potentially reflecting a unique attentional strategy or sensory processing style (2).
Cognitive Control Challenges: Oddball tasks also reveal cognitive control issues, such as difficulties with response inhibition and flexibility in attention shifting. These findings are consistent with broader patterns of executive dysfunction observed in autism (3).
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