https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
Showing posts with label Loneliness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loneliness. Show all posts
Relationship as a building block
I've had the privilege of listening to Hari Srinivasan share his perspective on various topics over the years. His ability to share his personal narrative paired with the current science is an incredible gift. As Mr. Srinivasan shares, "All humans, disabled or not, yearn for human connections that enrich their lives beyond a mere fulfillment of basic needs."
Indeed relationship is one of the building blocks of the PERMA+ theory of wellbeing (R=Relationships). Like Mr. Srinivasan, I too am looking to Vivek Murthy and his wisdom to help us all with his wise words, including, "While loneliness has the potential to kill, connection has even more potential to heal." Here's to 2024 being a year of connection. #wellbeingwins
Read at Time: The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
My other list of Publications: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/p/published-work.html
Rethinking Autonomy and Connection in Autism
Rethinking Autonomy and Connection in Autism
Cultural Views on Independence: Srinivasan discusses the societal disapproval in the U.S. of adults living with their biological families. This contrasts with practices in other cultures and raises questions about the ideal of "independent living," which often leads to autistic individuals living away from their families, supported instead by paid staff.
Desire for Connection: Srinivasan also addresses a common misconception about autistic individuals: the need for breaks from overwhelming sensory inputs is often mistaken for a disinterest in social connections. This point emphasizes how important it is to recognize autistic individuals desire enduring human relationships.
These insights are crucial for fostering a more inclusive and understanding society. It's time to redefine our views on independence and social connections, especially in the context of autism.
The false ideal of independence
Essential piece by@harisri108 about autism and loneliness. By making "independence" the platonic ideal for all people, it can wind up breeding the type of loneliness that can harm #ActuallyAutistic people. via
@time
https://time.com/author/hari-srinivasan/
A new angle
It was a thought provoking read about an angle that I hadn’t thought of. It is also beautifully written.
https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism
"It was a thought provoking read about an angle that I hadn’t thought of. It is also beautifully written."
https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
A need for affirming caregiver trainings for autistics
The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism: https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
My other list of publications: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/p/published-work.html
Isolation is a critical issue for Autistic adults
The pervasive loneliness of Autism https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
It opens: "Loneliness has long been a pervasive issue within the disability community, growing even more pronounced as individuals age...Ironically, relentlessly pursuing a disabled person’s greatest sign of “success”—independence—might be the very thing that’s setting many Autistics on a path towards profound loneliness and fragmented relationships."
Isolation is a critical issue for Autistic adults. It is often exacerbated by the pressure to "become an adult" and "live independently". Yet, Autistic individuals often find that their families are their only real support, but that societal norms stigmatize adults living with family.
Independence is a myth we are taught to chase in America when what we should be seeking to teach is interdependence.
No human lives independently. We all rely on other humans to get our needs and wants met. Whether we are talking about hiring an accountant to do your taxes, dropping your car off for an oil change, or having a person to assist with meal planning, it is all interdependence.
While striving for autonomy in adulthood is vital, it's also crucial to balance it with support and meaningful relationships with others. Acknowledging our innately human interdependent nature is essential if we intend to foster a more inclusive society for Autistics.
I highly recommend reading Hari's full piece below.
Consequences of a fixed message
The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
As always, I am so grateful for Hari’s wisdom and insights. As someone who stands in front of thousands of people a year, and talks about the need to foster and support independence, I am bowled over by the very real consequence of that fixed message. The singular goal of independence can, along with other factors, lead to the experience of profound loneliness. Rather than a focus on independence, the true focus should be on balance. Hari said it best with “But it’s also essential to recognize that advocating for meaningful connections and a more balanced approach to independence does not diminish the importance of autonomy. Striking a balance between independence and support is crucial for the well-being of autistic individuals.” Thank you, Hari Srinivasan, for yet another profound learning opportunity.
Strength Spotting Saturday
I was spotlighted along with some rather kind words by an org today on social media
It's Strength Spotting Saturday, and today we're spotlighting Hari Srinivasan!
🌟Perspective - Mr. Srinivasan graciously shares his view of the world in a manner that is accessible to the general public. His contributions to the widely distributed Time Magazine increase the understanding and awareness of his lived experience.
🌟Perseverance - The achievements in scholarship demonstrated by Mr. Srinivasan are demonstrative of his perseverance. Honors in his undergraduate program at the University of California Berkeley and entrance into the prestigious neuroscience program at Vanderbilt University as a doctoral candidate are just a few of his achievements in higher education.
🌟Judgment - Mr. Srinivasan serves in many advisory roles, including membership of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, which advises federal policy and priorities, and on the Council of Autistics Advisors for the Autism Society of America. In these roles, he adeptly views different opinions and weighs the evidence to guide decision-making for the betterment of the autism community.
Societal Ideal of Independence
Independence = overrated! So many great points @TIME piece @HariSri108
'The societal ideal of independent living for [#autistic people] translates to living apart from...family + being surrounded instead by a series of paid support staff'
https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
A cycle of dependency
Congratulations. Hari. This is such a moving piece that sheds light on the unspoken experience many endure. I love how you conclude with "...in actuality, all humans live in a cycle of dependency. The perceived division between independence and dependence is a flawed notion."
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