Compassion

In search of Humanity. Contemplation, one line a day all week. 

In the search for Humanity (and our own mental health), let's take a pause for contemplation, one thought at a time. As we navigate the complexities of existence, let compassion be our guide, fostering empathy and connection. In the realm of self-discovery, let confidence be the cornerstone, a quiet strength that speaks volumes.  Amidst the chaos, find solace in the simplicity of now. Unleash the boundless potential within, for creativity knows no boundaries.  Cultivate a thirst for knowledge, for curiosity fuels the engine of growth. 

#MentalHealth #humanity 

COMPASSION

Compassion is the wind that carries us to new heights of understanding.

CONFIDENCE

Confidence is not arrogance, its self-assurance.

CONTENTMENT

Contentment is the simplicity that comes from living in the present moment. 

CREATIVITY

The beauty of creativity is that it has no limits.

CURIOSITY

The thirst for knowledge drives curiosity

Altruism

 Contemplation, one line a day, in the quest for humanity.

#MentalHealth

Altruism is the humility that recognizes our interdependence and interconnectedness

Restless Echoes

Restless Echoes

https://youtu.be/AchJvZVdgdQ

Find my poetry on my YouTube Channel and on this blog. 

Crimson Friday

If Blue is Monday BLUES, then I assign color CRIMSON for Fridays - Fridays are playing a fiery catch up rush, on all that was due this week, not quite making the cut and knowing you are adding to next week's already big pile. 

https://youtu.be/J9lNuScDMzY

Read more of my poetry on YouTube on on this blog.

OMG I have so much, too much work left to do!!! #gradschoollife

Mixtape of Ambivalent Moods

(Verse 1)
In the morning light, I rise with a grin

Feelin' good vibes, let the day begin

But tired eyes weigh heavy, my mood starts to bend

Ambivalence kicks in, it's a battle to comprehend,

(Refrain) 

Life's a mixtape, tunes of joy and sorrow

Embracing the heat, a new track to borrow

(Verse 2) 

Hot day on the horizon, the sun's gonna blaze

Yet my energy wavers in unpredictable ways

Between feeling alive and the need to rest

Ambivalent heartbeats in my chest, a daily test

(Refrain) 

Life's a mixtape, melodies in the sun's glow

Balancing today, uncertain where I'll go,

(Verse 3) 

The heatwaves ripple, my mind's in a haze

Ambivalence lingers in these summer days

Feelin' good, feelin' tired, it's a delicate dance

In this ever-changing moment, I find my balance,

(Refrain) 

Life's a mixtape, rhythms in the summer air

With each rise and fall, I'll meet life's dare.

Creativity is the fuel that ignites innovation

 Contemplation one line a day. #MentalHealth.

 

Suicide Mortality in Autistics

 

No surprise, a Taiwan study found higher rates of suicide in autistics vs non-autistics. #MentalHealth

"autistic individuals had increased risks of all-cause mortality, natural-cause mortality, and suicide mortality compared with non-autistic individuals. Furthermore, autistic males were more likely to die by suicide, and autistic females were more likely to die of accident compared with the non-autistic individuals."

Trait Anxiety vs State Anxiety

Trait anxiety represents a person's general predisposition to experience anxiety, while state anxiety refers to the temporary and situational experience of anxiety in response to specific events or circumstances.

Tse et al 2023 - Executive functioning, self-regulation, and physical exercise

 

This study investigated the impact of two types of physical exercise - cognitively engaging versus non-cognitively engaging,  on self regulation in autistic children. The study found that both types of exercise significantly enhanced self-regulation, with the learning to ride a bicycle group showing significant improvements in executive functioning as well. The study also showed that the social, emotional, and physical needs of an individual mediated the exercise-executive function and exercise-self-regulation relationships. 

The findings suggest that cognitively engaging exercise may be more beneficial than non-cognitively engaging exercise in enhancing cognition in autistic children.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613231168944

Schwartzman 2023: suicidal behaviors in autistic adolescents

No surprise that suicide ideation and NSSI is higher in autistics!

Key Takeaways

• Early adolescent autistics (total sample 239, 138 autistic) at higher risk for suicidal ideation and NSSI (non suicidal self-injurious behaviors) compared to non-autistics.
• 20% autistics reported suicide ideation on self-report questionnaires but not to a study psychiatrist (via the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale)
• No sex based differences seen. 

Questions that arise after reading. 

• What are the underlying factors that contribute to the higher risk of suicidal thoughts / behaviors and NSSI in autistic early adolescents? 
• How can clinicians improve their ability to detect these behaviors given the discrepancies between self-report and clinician-rated measures? 
• What interventions or treatments are effective in reducing the risk of these behaviors in autistic youth? 
• How can parents, caregivers, and educators better support autistic youth who may be at risk ? 
• What are the long-term outcomes for autistic youth with suicidal thoughts/behaviors and NSSI?

References
Schwartzman JM, Muscatello R, Corbett BA. Assessing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Autistic and Non-Autistic Early Adolescents Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 53.2 (2023): 559-570. doi:10.1177/136236132311621. PMID 30938385

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)

MAST - The Maastricht Acute Stress Test

[concepts in Sensorimotor Research] 

The Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) is a research laboratory procedure that is used to induce stress in research participants. It is used to study the effects of stress on a variety of physiological and psychological processes, including heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels, anxiety, and depression. The MAST combines elements from two of the most common experimental paradigms measuring stress, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and the Cold Pressor Test (CPT).

The Test: 
There is a 5-minute preparation phase, during which the participant is seated in a comfortable chair and is given instructions about the task. The participant is then asked to put their right hand into a bowl of ice water for 60-90 seconds. In between each hand immersion trial, the participant is asked to complete a series of mental arithmetic problems. The participant is given negative feedback if they make a mistake or take too long to answer a question.

The test takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. During the procedure, the participant's heart rate, BP, and salivary cortisol levels are measured. The participant is also asked to rate their subjective feelings of stress on a scale of 1 to 10.

Benefits

• It is a simple and easy-to-use procedure.
• It is non-invasive and does not pose any risk to participants.
• It is effective at inducing stress in participants.
• It can be used to measure a variety of stress-related outcomes.

Limitations

• Laboratory-based procedures may not be representative of real-world stress.
• It can be stressful for participants and may not be suitable for everyone. (will autistics even agree to do this?)
• It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot be used to diagnose any medical conditions.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00567/full

Crip Time needed anon

I've been feeling the need for Crip Time a lot recently. This semester has been rather grueling in terms of what needs to get done in a given time, and keeping up with my non-disabled peers and feeling productive.

[What is CRIP TIME ]

[related Post: AUTISTIC BURNOUT]

Anxiety in ASD

Went for a guest lecture by Dr. Trenesha Hill, Asst Prof at U Nebraska Medical Center. 

What caught my attention was atypical/autistic anxiety (vs non-autistic-anxiety) as being related to core characters of Autism. Especially the suggestion that hypersensitivity (ie: sensory differences) was a main factor distinguishing autistic-anxiety from non-autistic anxiety. Totally worth investigating the sensory aspect which I wish this study had done. 

Two Days and A Month

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

Propananol

Propanaol has come up in lectures in my Cell Neuroscience course this sem. Of personal interest to me, as its use has become prevalent in the autism population. My last set of docs at Stanford said they preferred its use as it has less side effects compared to other drugs.  I have mixed feelings about it effectiveness in my case but I've heard its helping a number of other autistics.

The use of Propranolol (brand names - Inderal, Hemangeol, & InnoPran XL) in autism is actually off-label as some research has suggested that propranolol may be helpful with anxiety, social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors. More research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in autism.

Some common side effects of propranolol include fatigue, dizziness, cold hands and feet, slow heartbeat, and trouble sleeping. More serious side effects include wheezing, depression, and liver problems.

One concerning side effect is memory impairment. So I have to wonder about its long term impact as we age, as many autistics are on it for many years and years. Are we looking at short term gains and compromising our long term health compounding health issues that already accompany old age. 

Hyperpolarized Neurons on Strike

Working on my friday neuroscience presentation which is draining all my learning neurons. 

My neurons in a state of overloaded hyperpolarization.
Off on unplanned mental vacation.

Won't depolarize, they're stuck in their ways.
Action potential needed anon.

Neurons need to call off strike. 

Stress v Anxiety in Autism - what's the difference.

First a lighthearted take

Stress is when you're stuck in traffic and late for an important meeting, while anxiety is when you're stuck in traffic and your brain starts to imagine all the worst-case scenarios that could happen at the meeting. They both make you feel like you're about to lose your mind, but with anxiety, you have to deal with the added bonus of your own overactive imagination!

Frustration

Nothing seems to go my way

Stuck in this rut, I cannot escape