Showing posts with label Publications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Publications. Show all posts
Processing loss and grief is even more intense for autistics.
Another excellent and deep article from Hari Srinivasan about how loneliness, lack of support, disruption in schedules and being the child of immigrants, can make processing loss and grief even more intense for autistic people.
For those on the spectrum the range of mourning is even wider and complex
Hari, This is a VERY important piece. When our Dad died in 2017 (he was an amazing autism advocate), both my brothers on the spectrum dealt with his death very differently, and yes of course, they are very different from each other. Brother 1, who has profound IDD, had a very delayed mourning. He may have thought his father was going to come back. Finally a year+ after Dad's death, we had an additional memorial. This one reality hit him. He stopped eating, drinking, tons of crying ... it took around 6 weeks for the extreme mourning issues for him to subside. Brother 2 never once wanted to be seen shedding a tear. That had and has been very tough for all of the remaining siblings (there are six of us) and my mother to watch. So yeah, everyone of us handles grief differently. For those on the spectrum the range of mourning is even wider and complex. Thank you for sharing your wise insight and I am so sorry for your loss of both of your grandparents.
Helping Autistics adapt their approach to grief is crucial
"Understanding & helping autistics adapt their approach to grief is crucial, allowing them to process loss in a way that respects their unique experiences & needs." @HariSri108
Understudied experiences of autistics
Hari, You’re doing a truly spectacular job thoughtfully articulating so many understudied experiences that leaves expert and novice reader alike more informed, more grounded, and moved.
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.
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/
The 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/
An incisive perspective
https://time.com/6551520/
"This piece really hit home Hari. Thank you for writing it and offering such a thoughtful, nuanced, and incisive perspective. Gives us a lot to think about regarding how to achieve more balance."
A Cycle of Dependency
The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism: https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
The last paragraph summarizes it-“…all humans live in a cycle of dependency. The perceived division between independence and dependence is a flawed notion. Embracing this truth could pave the way for a more inclusive society that transcends the limitations of societal norms and helps us build better support systems that result in enduring human social connections for people with autism.”
A necessary shift from giving our ASD population needed independent- at what cost? This independence, which could create isolation-to true relationships of family and friends not support staff. Instead, finding ways to create community with people that have common interests. And keeping family close.
Thank you Hari Srinivasan for this insight. We can all grow from knowledge.
List of Publications: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/p/published-work.html
Metaphorical Mic Drop!
https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
Hari what a wonderful piece in Time - every paragraph was a metaphorical mic drop!
Really good points - you put into words a lot of what I’ve been thinking about as a self advocate and as a clinician
My other articles in Time: https://time.com/author/hari-srinivasan/
A nuanced understanding
“Addressing the loneliness epidemic in the disabled community necessitates a nuanced understanding of independence because in actuality, all humans live in a cycle of dependency.” by autistic academic @HariSri108 - Hari Srinivasan.
Thought Leader.
"So proud of Hari Srinivasan for his singular voice of insight, wisdom, advocacy, and activism, and for the distinction he brings to himself and everyone with whom he is associated. The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation | Vanderbilt University is honored to count Hari among its distinguished Fellows and it is awesome to imagine what the future holds for this inspiring young thought leader."
Some amazing gracious words about me from Prof Keivan Staussun of Vanderbilt University and Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt. Thank you Keivan, and I had never quite though of myself as a "thought leader."
Time - The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism
Time: The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism
https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
My article in Time where I discuss the paradox of independence and loneliness in Autism.
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