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).

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

RDoc vs DSM

RDoc v DSM

The RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) & DSM  (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are both tools used in the field of mental health, but they approach the understanding and classification of mental disorders from different perspectives. DSM is a clinically focused tool for diagnosing mental disabilities based on symptomatic criteria, while RDoC is a research-focused framework aiming to understand mental health disorders from a multidimensional, biopsychosocial perspective

• DSM : Published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides clear diagnostic categories based on observable behavior and reported symptoms. However, the DSM is often criticized for its categorical approach, where a patient either has or does not have a particular disability.
• RDoC : Developed by NIMH. The RDoC is not a diagnostic tool;  it's a research framework. RDoC aims to integrate many levels of information (from genomics and circuits to behavior) to better understand basic dimensions of functioning that span the full range of human behavior . The goal of RDoC is to provide a more dimensional approach to understanding mental disabilities, based on neuroscience and behavioral science, rather than purely on observable symptoms.

Autism and RDoC

Autism, under the RDoC framework, is seen not as a single, homogeneous disorder but as a spectrum that includes a variety of symptoms and behaviors that can vary widely in challenge-level and impact-level. This aligns with the current understanding of autism as a "spectrum."

For example, RDoC organizes its research around several "domains" of human psychological functioning, including cognitive processes, social processes, and arousal/regulatory systems, all of which are areas where autistics may show differences. Within these domains, RDoC further identifies specific constructs - like social communication and perception, or cognitive systems related to attention and perception - that could be targets for research into the biological and behavioral underpinnings of autism.

Challenges in implementing RDoC
There are potential challenges to implementing RDoC principles more fully into research or clinical practice for autism.

• Trying to map a heterogeneous disability like Autism onto the specific domains and constructs defined by RDoC.
• Current lack of practical tools and measures available to clinicians, to assess the various domains and constructs defined by RDoC in a routine clinical setting. This includes standardized measures for assessing constructs like social communication and perception, or the cognitive systems related to attention and perception that are relevant to autism.
• Need for further research: to validate the constructs and domains defined by RDoC, and to understand how these relate to the symptoms and behaviors associated with autism. We need a deeper understanding of the relationships between the biological, psychological, and behavioral aspects of autism to fully implement the RDoC approach.
• Changing Existing Systems & Acceptance in the Clinical and Research Community:  Current diagnostic systems like DSM-5 are deeply rooted in many aspects of mental health care. It must gain acceptance not only among researchers, but also among clinicians, educators, and families. This requires education and evidence that the RDoC approach can improve outcomes for autistics.

Spoon Theory

Spoon theory is a metaphor used to describe the limited amount of physical and emotional energy available to people with disabilities. The theory was created by Christine Miserandino, a woman with lupus, to help explain to her friend what it was like to live with a chronic illness. 

The metaphor works by using spoons as a representation of a person's energy reserve for the day. Each activity, such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, or going to work, requires a certain number of spoons. People with disabilities have a limited number of spoons available to them each day, and they must carefully budget their energy throughout the day to avoid running out of spoons.

The theory has become a popular way for people with disabilities to explain their experiences to others, and it has also helped to raise awareness about the challenges faced on a daily basis. It also emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding towards people who may be struggling with challenges that affect their ability to function in day-to-day life.

In the context of autism, spoon theory can be used to explain the challenges that many autistics may face when it comes to sensory overload and social interaction.

Sensory processing issues can make everyday tasks like going to the grocery store or attending a social event incredibly exhausting. These experiences can be likened to using up spoons, or units of energy, more quickly than someone without sensory processing issues might. Additionally, social interaction can also be a source of stress and exhaustion for people with autism. Social situations can require a lot of cognitive and emotional effort, which can also deplete one's energy reserves.

By understanding spoon theory in the context of autism, people can better appreciate the energy expenditure required for autistics to navigate the world. This can lead to increased empathy and understanding, and help to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for autistics.

April 30 is Autism Seniors Day

Recognizing that autism will not magic away in old age. 

Also the fact that the thousands and thousands of young autistic adults of today will be the autistic seniors of tomorrow. 

What are the issues we will face as with both autism+Old Age? 

What kind of supports will we need?

Alexithymia

Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty in recognizing and expressing one's emotional experiences.

The term was first used in the 1970s by psychotherapist Peter Sifneos to describe a group of people who had difficulty expressing their emotions. They may also be more prone to stress-related issues and have difficulties coping with stress in general.

Studies find the prevalence of alexithymia in autistics to range from 50% to 66% compared to a 10% prevalence in the neurotypical population (1,2).

1. Alexithymia in autistics has been associated with several negative outcomes.Social communication difficulties: Difficulty expressing emotions and interpreting the emotions of others, can interfere with social communication; which may be particularly pronounced in autistics, who already experience social communication difficulties (3).
2. Reduced quality of life due to the negative impact on social relationships (4)
3. Increased anxiety and depression: One study found that alexithymia was a significant predictor of depression in autistic adults (5).
4. Greater risk for negative outcomes: In a longitudinal study of autistic children those with higher levels of alexithymia were found to have a higher risk for negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems over time (6).

Do autism and trains go together?

April is National Autism Month. 

Do all autistics like trains? The answer may surprise you. 

While it is true that some autistics may have strong interest in trains or transportation systems, this is not a universal trait among all autistics.

The origins of this autism stereotype are unclear, some guesses. 

In our own time and space

April is Autism Solutions Month. 

Came across a new word today. 

Takiwatanga is the Te Reo Māori word for Autism. It means "in their own time and space. " 

(The Māori are a Polynesian ethnic group of New Zealand and Te Reo =language)

 

Takiwatanga - what a nice way to phrase autism, cuz we often don't follow the expected developmental timelines, even within what autism is 'supposed' to be like, which has left me pretty confused and flustered over the years. 

"takiwa," = "area" or "territory,"

"tanga," = "to be in a state of."

So, Takiwatanga can be translated to mean "in their own time and space. " 

The word Takiwatanga is now used both in the Maori community and the larger community in New Zealand to refer to autism. It reflects the Maori cultural value of respecting and acknowledging the importance of each person's unique perspective and way of being in the world.

Noise Cancelling Headphones and Autism

Noise Cancelling Headphones are often seen as the solution to sensory overstimulation in autistics. 

Pop on a pair of headphones. And Voila, the autistic problem is solved like magic (sarcasm intended).

Are they really the solution they are touted to be? The answer may surprise you. 

April 18 is Regressive Autism Day

Regressive autism / late-onset autism /acquired autism, is where a child develops typically in early childhood meeting all developmental milestones, but then experiences a loss of previously acquired skills, at around 1.5 years to 4 years. Estimates of regressive autism range from 30 - 44% of kids who get diagnosed with autism in childhood. (1,2,3)

This loss/regression is especially evident in the areas of social communication and interaction; such as loss of interest in social interaction, loss of eye contact, loss of spoken language, loss of motor skills and the development of repetitive behaviors. 

For instance, I met all my developmental milestones till 1.5 years, including the ability to able to speak short phrases. I was the happy social butterfly at my first birthday party; I interacted with everyone at the party. I pointed to the distant bird sitting on a tree and engaged in joint attention activities. 

But after my regression at 16-18 months, I lost a majority of the previous skills. By age 2, I lost the ability to talk, the ability to make eye contact, the ability to point, the ability to do a pincer grasp and the ability to hold a spoon. I no longer recognized even my parents. I hid under the table, walked on tiptoe, endlessly spun the wheels on my tricycle and lined up every toy in the house. I was in a confused and dazed state and cried most of the time in daycare. I fussed for eating and sleeping. 

This week, we had studied Alzheimers in my Cell Neuroscience class. In addition to understanding brain function, we had also watched videos of lived experiences. For the folks with Alzheimer's its like their world associations just fade away, they no longer recognize even family members in addition to loss of functioning skills and even language. Ergo, there is a massive regression. There is now a desperate search for research into solutions to reverse this process.

DEJA VU!! - Regressive Autism is like Alzheimers in toddlerhood itself where you forget even your family, instead of in old age. Something must have happened to cause this memory loss and this functioning loss. I can understand why parents of young children find this heartbreaking; they suddenly become strangers for own children. 

Why is there not equal importance given to find causes and ways to stop this massive slide seen in regressive autism during toddlerhood, why is loss of skills only seen as a problem if it happens in adulthood?

April 13 is Autism Adolescence Day

Recognizing the transitions that come with adolescence in autism, along with the current inadequacy of needed supports, care and services. Translatable solutions are needed now. 

April 13 is Autism Adolescence Day

Because being a teenager isn't hard enough already

Compared to Neurotypical Teens, Autistic teens face greater challenges in 

Social Front. 

• Social Isolation/Loneliness, Social Difficulties, fewer friendships/social contacts, lesser time spent on social activities (1,2,3)
• Mental health, suicide ideation  and NSSI 
• Bullying and victimization
• Navigating educational system & workplace due to social and communication difficulties

Health Issues. 

• Seizure onset  15%  (compared to 0.5 - 1% in general population) (4). 
• Higher prevalence of atypical or non-convulsive seizures in autistic teens compared to non-autistic (5). 
• Increased prevalence of epilepsy in autistic teens  (11.4%) compared to 0.5% in general population (6).
• Sleep disturbance at 50-80%- insomnia, nightmares, and irregular sleep-wake cycles (7).
• Sensory sensitivities at 88% (non-autistic teens 58%) (8). 
• GI symptoms in autistic kids compared to non-autistic kids. In a 2014 study (9) figures are 43.5% compared to 18.1%. In a  2010 study (10), figures are 46-85% compared to 9-10%). Which means the prevalence is higher in autistic teens as well. 'Autistic teenagers at increased risk for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
• Co-occuring condition in 70% of autistics -  anxiety disorders 41%,  ADHD 31% & mood disorders 16% (11).
• Nuero-inflammatory markers in autistic teens
• Obesity 22.4% (general population 15.6%) (14)
• Asthma 22.2% (general population 12.8%) (15) 
• Allergies  23.9% (general population 18.4%) (16)

Solutions, not more Autism days

This is 2023. Why are shocks still part of Autistic Behavior Therapy?

This is 2023: Shocks are being used on autistics as part of ABA Therapy. The UN calls it "torture". Read this article by Eric Garcia in the Boston Globe. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/30/opinion/will-shock-treatment-finally-be-banned/

1965: The images show a Photo Essay that appeared in the 1965 issue of Life Magazine about ABA therapy being done on Autistic Kids with Dr Loovas. Shocks were used as aversives -  the floor is laced with metal strips and the autistic girl in the picture is barefooted.  

Moser, D., & Grant, A. (1965). Screams, slaps & love: A surprising, shocking treatment helps far-gone mental cripples. Life Magazine, 90-102

A link to the full article is at  https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.uoregon.edu/dist/d/16656/files/2018/11/Screams-Slaps-and-Love-Life-Magazine-13javg3.pdf 

Alternative Benzos for Catatonia, SIB and Aggression in Autism

Layman Summary. Alternative benzodiazepines may be more effective than traditional benzos for self injurious behaviors (SIB), aggressive behaviors and catatonia in autistics. Smith et al (Vanderbilt)., discuss treatment in 5 profound autism cases. [Earlier blog posts on Benzo's]

Traditional benzos were not effective in reducing their symptoms. Two of the five had to be first stabilized with inpatient infusions of midazolam (traditional benzo used in anesthesia) and dexmedetomidine (selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist used in sedation) due to severity of symptoms.

Therefore, the authors tried using alternative benzos (by which they mean "not-lorazepam"), including clonazolam and etizolam. These drugs were chosen due to their higher potency and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than traditional benzos. 

Clonazolam is a high-potency benzo that is structurally similar to clonazepam, while etizolam is a thienodiazepine derivative. The paper does not go into extensive detail on the molecular mechanisms of alternative v traditional benzos. However, the authors note that alternative benzos have a higher potency and a different pharmacokinetic profile than traditional benzos. These differences may be due to structural variations in the chemical composition of alternative benzodiazepines that affect their binding affinity and activity at GABA receptor, which is the primary target of benzos.

However, the authors note that there are potential risks associated with using alternative benzos, such as dependence and withdrawal symptoms (due to longer half-life), which must be carefully monitored. Neither clonazolan or etizolan are approved for use in the US though they have been used in other countries. 

And I do want to highlight that withdrawal should not be taken lightly. Psychiatrists seem to have an arbitrary weaning off period for drugs. For example my "specialist" doc, weaned me off  Clonazepam in just 3 days since I had apparently grown tolerant to it. Half doze on day 2, stop on day 3. Day 4 was a massive Grand-Mal seizure. But it doesn't matter if the body is tolerant to the drug or not, you cannot subject body to shock with these quick withdrawals - a longer weaning off period would have been much more advisable instead of subjecting me to unnecessary health complications that impacted me for months. It should be weeks and not days of weaning off in the case of autistics.

In the meantime, the authors find that "clonazepam, diazepam, valproic acid and mematine" and reducing anti-psychotic meds were effective in reducing the severity of SIB and catatonia (see Twitter thread explaining).

Here are some twitter posts around that

• SIB: harm to self that results in physical injury, tissue damage, or pain.eg:  head-banging, self-hitting, and biting oneself. The severity can range from mild to severe and can lead to significant medical complications, such as tissue damage, infections, and scarring.   
• Aggressive behaviors result in harm to others and includes physical aggression (eg, hitting, kicking, biting, or throwing objects) as well as verbal aggression (eg: shouting, cursing, or threatening).
• Catatonia manifests as a state of immobility, stupor, and unresponsiveness, as well as excessive motor activity, agitation, and abnormal postures or movements. 

(GABA-A Receptor)

Reference
Smith JR, York T, Warn S, Borodge D, Pierce DL, Fuchs DC. Another Option for Aggression and Self-Injury, Alternative Benzodiazepines for Catatonia in Profound Autism. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2023 Apr 6. doi: 10.1089/cap.2022.0067. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37023406.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37023406/  

Troubling Ableism in Neurodiversity

Written Oct 13 22. Still ironically relevant. 

===========

Troubling Ableism in Neurodiversity

Is Neurodiversity an Exclusion Club?

JUST HEARTBREAKING AND DISAPPOINTING

 

The Thursday morning Plenary Session of the College Autism Summit was an employer panel of companies hiring neurodiverse employees. The dictionary (dictionary.com) defines "plenary" as the most important session of the day "attended by all participants in a conference." ie: some impactful words of wisdom were expected. But...

These are remarks by a neurodivergent panelist who works for one of these large hiring companies. 

1. Most jobs hiring neurodiverse are in tech

2. Neurodiverse employment target "low-no" support-needs

3. Suggestion by this person as to what to do with the rest, the higher support neurodiverse:                 "Have companies ask their janitorial vendors to hire."

What was disillusioning - the comment was by a neurodiverse panelist on this employer panel. 

SERIOUSLY!!  An "othering" of remaining autistics.  So these "other" autistics, the moderate-high support needs autistics are only fit to be the cleaning crew!!

The irony in the choice of profession mentioned by the panelist is not lost on me. It's not that janitorial jobs have less dignity (all professions deserve dignity and respect) - but it's the idea of furthering the invisibility of this 'other' group . For instance, don't many cleaning crews usually work after the offices close for the day - out of sight of the public eye; a reminder of the UGLY LAWS (1867-1974) where disabled were fined/arrested for being seen in public as they were “visual disturbances.” (I remember being absolutely shocked and horrified when I had first learned of the existence of these laws in my first Disability Studies class at UC Berkeley with Prof Victor Pineda. Even cities were planned, such that “institutions” housing the disabled, were placed at the very outskirts of the city)

As it is, many many of the autistics peers I have grown up with (in the 'other' group) in my special education classrooms are disappearing into the black hole of day care programs/ group homes /institutions as adults, where they can be out of sight for the majority of society, even as families are struggling to support those individuals. Out of sight, out of mind, is a clean solution for society, as nothing more need to be done. In the meantime, they struggle in systems that trap them in the cycle of dependency, neglect and poverty due to inadequate services, supports and opportunities.

In the meantime, neurodiversity employment per this person is essentially an exclusive club where 'club members' will ask for rights derived from the long-fought-for Disability Rights Movement - that there must be employer cultural change where "low-no" are accepted, accommodated, advanced, given access to higher paying jobs, a chance at upward mobility, given a voice; even as they shut that avenue to other fellow disabled with a dismissive wave of - you are not good enough to join us, fit only for low wage jobs. A throwback to how disabled were viewed before the Disability Rights Movement. 

Isn't this imposing the very ABLEISM you are fighting the neurotypical world for?

Duplicity. Shame on you!'

With all sarcasm intended, the suggestion of "companies have their janitorial vendors hire," these 'other' autistics would  be a neatly packaged solution - corporate social responsibility accomplished as all autistics are now employed!! 

The new employment solution given for these 'other' autistics during this National Disability Employment month, apparently is not just LOW-WAGE but also preferably rendered INVISIBLE. 

If this is what the neurodiversity movement amounts to, then the whole idea of neurodiversity is a disillusioning sham. It's promoting exclusion, not inclusion. It's not upholding the disability rights mantra of "Nothing about us without us" or the Sins Valid Disability Justice principle of "Leadership of the Most Impacted" ie: there is no Disability Justice unless there is justice for the most marginalized. 

JUST DISILLUSIONING AND DISAPPOINTING

It's like being invited into the neurodiversity dining room cuz bad public image to leave you standing at the door. But once inside, you find you are not really at the main table with good food but the plan was to redirect you to the side table with scraps. Outside the dining room, society thinks the entire neurodiverse community has been fed.

So I have to ask what is the difference between other groups asking for a separate label/room and the neurodiversity community creating the same hierarchy inside the dining room.

 

MINDSET CHANGES, HAS TO START WITHIN THE NEURODIVERSE COMMUNITY FIRST

No wonder service organizations like the Department of Rehabilitation are reluctant to support the college aspirations of these "other” autistics; why encourage college if the end goal for them is a minimum wage job at best. And even before that in the special education pipeline, a majority of 'other' autistics in special education are pushed towards the non-diploma track at the middle school age itself (never mind their personal goals that may be otherwise). 

Acceptance and inclusion to education and well-paying jobs is not just the right of some autistics/ neurodiverse, it must be for ALL. This is not why 8-year old Jennifer Keelan along with many others pulled themselves up the steps of Capitol Hill before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. This is not why 150 disabled people occupied the HHS offices at a San Francisco federal building for 28 days (the longest sit-in in US history) to get Section 504 passed. 

If the "remaining autistics" (the ones without privilege) don't get acceptance from our own autistic/neurodiverse community in the spaces they want to be in, how can we begin to expect acceptance and inclusion and belonging from the wider neurotypical community? 

MINDSET CHANGES, HAS TO START WITHIN THE NEURODIVERSE COMMUNITY FIRST

Regarding the first points 1 and 2, I can still take it as a work in progress. We are still figuring out the how's

• Tech jobs are a START and I saw awareness of the need at various sessions of the conference to push autistic employment into non-tech fields. At least people are thinking about this. 

• The fact that companies are starting with  autistics perceived to be easier to support, can again be thought of as a START that we can build on - but by no means does it end with one subgroup. 

• It's ok to say we don't have all the solutions now. At least leave this door open so that we can continue to think on the hows. 

I will draw a parallel to scientific research to illustrate. We don't have all the explanations currently but we keep chipping away and will slowly unearth solutions. At times it's about arriving at the correct question and also the methods and evolution of available technology. But science and tech has kept pushing those frontiers. 

Likewise in autism research, most current research/tech looks at testable autistics -  which at least gives us a broad overview of issues. But we cannot stop there - for the next step we need to dig deeper at physiological level so we get to what's going on so we can find ways to better support everyone including these "other" autistics. 

Please be part of the solution and not part of the problem. 

For instance if we make headway in 

• Sensory areas (understanding at a physiological level to better support with tech or other solutions) 

• Communication piece (think  BCI that can bypass motor and sensory systems, more affordable intuitive AAC…) 

• Technology supports, that simplifies motor tasks/ executive planning around daily living skills (think robot helpers, self-driving cars, hybrid employment, more intuitive tech…)

• Translational precision medicine for underlying health issues and co-occurring conditions (in place of current diagnostic overshadowing).  

• Development of better meds to help with mental health needs, self-injurious behaviors, obsessive compulsive behaviors etc. Instead all we have is Big Pharma recycling/ rebranding drugs dating back to the 1950s. I was shocked to learn in my undergrad "Drugs and the Brain" class at UC Berkeley that even a minor tweak in just one branch of a drug's chemical structure allows for re-patenting which means continuation of the exorbitant high prices/profits. Did you know that ~30-40% of autistics are on medication for behaviors (Logan et al., 2012)?  I once also heard Dr Antonio Hardan of Stanford mention at the Stanford Autism Conference that these behavior drugs don't work the same way in autistics as in the general population - so why are we still over medicated with these same drugs.  

• empathic equitable policies

• ... more

Think then (with just this far-from-exhaustive list) of the incredible inclusion we can have of the entire spectrum of autistics in society, in higher education and in the workplace. What a huge improvement in quality of life that would be, not just for the autistics, but also for the world. 

I see policy, legislation, research, healthcare and societal mindsets as varying angles of the very same disability rights movement. 

I also have to wonder how much of a role negative media representation of these ‘other’ autistics plays in exclusionary practices by both society and segments of the neurodiverse community itself, especially if media continually shows you mainly in the context of meltdowns, or in other words as “visual disturbances” (Ugly Laws) that better be tucked out of sight. 

Worth does not have to be defined by how productive you are seen to be or how much you can contribute to the economy. But I am hopeful ALL AUTISTICS (the ones who aspire to higher education and aspire to work) will get to higher education and WORK at the job they want to work at. That some don't have to "settle" or be "steered" towards minimum-wage type work because society (which apparently also includes a segment of fellow neurodiverse individuals) think your life has less worth than theirs. 

Though we may not have all the solutions and are still working on the "How",
the message I want to send to ALL autistics is:

ALL does not mean SOME. 

ALL autistics have the right to any benefits/policies derived from the hard-won-struggles of the disability rights movement. 

ALL autistics have the right to access supports, and to spaces and opportunities you aspire to

ALL autistics have the right to Belong.

ALL autistics have Worth. 

(PS: The better parts of the CAN conf are in this post.)

Autism Solutions Month

We are way beyond talk of Awareness, way beyond talk of Acceptance, way beyond talk of Inclusion

We need TRANSLATABLE SOLUTIONS that actually assists us.

And we need it now. 

I'm calling April,  AUTISM SOLUTIONS MONTH

Vestibular, Proprioception in Autism

Lay summary:  Go to any Occupational Therapist and you are bound to hear the words vestibular and proprioception, sensory diet at least a few times.  

Why is this important: Understanding the role of sensory processing difficulties and the sensory systems involved (such as vestibular, proprioception, and somatosensory body mapping) can be helpful in developing effective interventions and support strategies for autistics.

Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates

Benzodiazepines

In class today, we studied pharmacology of GABA-A receptors, specifically Benzodiazepine's. Of personal interest as I've been on lorazepam (fast acting for agitation, mood swings) and clonazepam (longer lasting). Unfortunately the body develops a tolerance and these don't work anymore.

1:36 is the new ratio

The CDC just announced that the new dx ratio is 1:36 [Read article]

To give you perspective, back when I was dx in childhood it was around 1:151, when I started undergrad it had come to 1:88. Just during my undergrad, the numbers progressed from 1:64 to 1:54 and by the end of my undergrad, it was 1:44.

And

• (But of course). Autism is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. [Read article]
• About 1:6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a Dev Disability (autism, AHHD, blindness & CP) [Read summary]
• ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls. [Read article]

The new ratio simply can't be just due to increased dx capabilities or awareness or more adults being dx. What else is going on? We need to be investigating this. 

From https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
 

Fidget Stim Toys and Autism

Many autistics have sensory processing difficulties and may be hyper- or hypo-sensitive to environmental stimuli. 

Fidget stim toys (eg: stress balls or fidget spinners) have been associated with autism.

Do Fidget toys help ALL autistics? The answer may surprise you.