PD Soros Fall Conference wraps up

Sunday

The morning started with some of the fellows having breakfast with Damian Williams, the first black US Attorney in Manhattan, heading the Southern District of New York. It was followed by his super interesting at today's conference. It was such an interesting keynote. 

Group photo as the 2022 class bid farewell and left with a box of Mithai (its Diwali tomorrow)

 

Dare to Grow

The sign all over campus so applicable to disabled life

"Dare to Grow"

Its the Vanderbilt Motto

I just love it. 

"Life is a Challenge. Meet It!!" - Sri Satya Sai Baba. 

Yes I dare to grow, 

and grow and grow

and then grow some more

even in the midst of barriers laid by societal naysayers. 

even in the midst of the challenges of a far-from-easy disability 

Yes I dare to grow, 

and grow and grow

and then grow some more

Will you dare to grow?

and then grow some more?

I dare to grow

My mind urges so. 

Seek paths of solutions, possibilities and opportunities

Key ingredient - empathy

Limits higher than the sky

For me and so many more

I dare to grow

It is just, it's a right!

We all can grow

Onward!

Degree

Guess what came in the mail. My official degree certificate.

Highest Honors and Highest Distinction  

Guess what came in the mail. 

My degree

more than a piece of paper, a signature, a golden seal

opportunity of education and knowledge

open avenues to contribute. 

paper of accomplishment .... an acknowledgement of me

soul satisfying 

Takeaways from CAN conference

The three day College Autism Network concluded today in Nashville TN. 

I managed to attend some of the sessions, I was especially interested in the sessions around employment.

Other than some very disquieting, very disappointing and very disheartening remarks at the Plenary session in this post, there were some great suggestions around focus on the rocky road to employment. 

NOW FOR THE BETTER PARTS of the CAN conference

The Thu morning session by Helen Rottier was my favorite, followed by Coaching the Coach and Peer mentoring.  I also attended the Thu plenary session by employers, and the World Cafe on Friday. Blending ideas from all these sessions. Missed Eric's Garcia's opening remarks on Wed (tornado alert got in the way). 

What can colleges do to help the rocky road to employment (often due to perceived lack of experience)

- encourage internships and campus employment. 

- get students in front of employers as career fairs don't often work (crowded/sensory overwhelming), smaller networking events to increase student confidence.

- its not just about knowing the door (resource) and getting to the door, its also giving the confidence to walk into that door and staying inside. For example in a college context, not enough to let the college student know there is a student writing center, need to encourage (gentle bump) to go in there, maybe make a few introductions and get them comfortable with that resource. Else it will just remain a theoretical unused resource. 

At the employer end - I think these are good starting points. 

- Better job descriptions by employers

- Matching interview to actual job skills. 

- Augment traditional interview. Applicant first consideration. (Look at the amazing tech being developed by Frist Center @ Vandy on this)

- Joining a large company can feel like being tossed to the wind. Assign a buddy and career coach for each new hire. 

- On a path of Awareness acceptance advancement

- Virtual safe space to get support.

- training managers "to be a human being". How to manage diff forms of communication. 

- sustaining employment by understanding what it entails eg: transportation, time taken to wash uniforms

- self regulation in the workplace with OTs etc..... 

Helen had us all start by stating something that should be taught to middle schoolers. such a relevant question as really a lot of ideas gets shaped at the school level itself.  

I feel its teaching middle schoolers self-esteem so they don't "settle." 

It really starts with elementary and middle school itself. For instance a majority of special ed kids are pushed into the non-diploma track in middle school IEPs (deemed not capable of being on the diploma track - the actual wish of the child be dammed). That in itself closes the college track for you - that is a choice the autistic should get to make well into high school, that choice should not be taken away from you by "well-meaning" educators, which ties into coaching the coaches. 

I think school educators need to be taught to get out of unconscious bias mindset of the end goal of special education being to create a good patient. That outcome is a dead end for the autistic. At the same time college guidance counselors struggle with motivation in autistic students.  How can a good patient be motivated if their life is one of compliance. There needs to be wholesale mindset shift of educators. 

 A student who likes himself, is liked for who is he -->  self-esteem and self-confidence -->  he can think about what he is passionate about which in turn may drive his motivation -->  that is the student who will succeed in life and in college. 

Maybe college is not for everyone. A good trial I feel is junior college, a smaller environment where you can get your feet wet and try out college expectations and it also gives you space to think and explore what you really want to do. What junior colleges lack in resources they seem to make up in terms of support and encouragement. Junior colleges are a very under appreciated resource for autistics. 

Helen also brought up accommodations. My experience has been that accommodations is only the beginning. Accommodations are like a very necessary but not at all sufficient for actual success. You can get all the accommodations in the world on paper but that alone will not make you successful.  Ultimately, it's the people around you which make those accommodations translate into success. In college it's the empathy of faculty and peers and disability counselors. It's those little tweaks and workarounds. 

Another point Helen brought up was around planning for any gap year. So true. Else your gap year will turn out to be a year long daze in front of the TV and you waking up bewildered and frustrated.  I know I would not do well with gap year without a clear structure of its beginning, in-progress and end -  it would like derailing a running train and it would be hard to get the train back on track. 

I was curious about what peer-to-peer mentoring entailed and how it was being  implemented so went for that session, I think this slide below captured my attention the most,  with many of the issues facing college students.

For instance - At Vandy,  I have weekly check in's with Dave Caudel (ND) at Frist Center which I find very valuable. For instance, Dave gave me valuable tips on how to read a scientific paper quickly which was like yay. 

The first 2 boxes, I will eventually will get down, the last two will be the continued challenge especially box 3. 

There was also discussion on whether the peers would be NT or ND, I think there is value in both.  The latter would definitely lend to more empathy. What helps even more is if peers are trained in all the campus resources so can at least point you to resources. 

What I was not so certain about was about peers getting paid a hourly rate for their "peer-ship" as in my mind it turns them into a sort of therapist vs a friend.  I have been surrounded by "paid" therapists/staff/respite_workers/aides pretty much all my life and part of me longs for people who are there not because they are paid to be, but simply want to spend time with me (my definition of friendship).  I don't to be a job for someone - paid people last a year or two and leave for the better paying job. I want connections with actual peer friends. 

At the World Cafe small group discussion on employment during the Friday session, I was able to reference back to this slide as really these "soft skills" is often the more challenging part for the autistic even in the employment arena. They may have all the skills in the world for the actual job but it's managing these other "fluff" around the job that makes the difference in job retention and job satisfaction. 

Multiple Intelligences and Autism

The theory of multiple intelligences, proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner, suggests that intelligence is not a single, unified entity but rather a collection of distinct forms of intelligence. According to Howard Gardner, individuals possess different strengths and abilities in various domains, and these abilities can be considered as different intelligences. The theory has been influential in understanding human cognition and has implications for fields such as education and psychology.

Gardner initially identified 7 forms of intelligence, and later expanded the list to include an additional two. 

1. Linguistic Intelligence: ability to use language effectively, including reading, writing, and speaking. Examples include poets, writers, journalists, and public speakers.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: logical thinking, reasoning, and mathematical problem-solving. It is typically associated with scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and economists.
3. Musical Intelligence: capacity to perceive, create, and appreciate music. People with musical intelligence may excel in playing instruments, composing music, or singing.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: relates to body movement control and physical activities. Athletes, dancers, actors, and surgeons are examples of individuals who demonstrate high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
5. Spatial Intelligence: visual thinking, spatial awareness, and mental imagery. Architects, painters, pilots, and sculptors often exhibit strong spatial intelligence.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence: refers to the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. Skilled leaders, teachers, therapists, and politicians often possess high interpersonal intelligence.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: self-reflective intelligence, involving self-awareness, self-regulation, and a deep understanding of one's emotions, motivations, and inner self. Examples are Philosophers and spiritual leaders
8. Naturalistic Intelligence:  ability to recognize, categorize, and understand patterns in nature, such as flora, fauna, and natural phenomena. Environmentalists, farmers, and botanists often demonstrate naturalistic intelligence.
9. Existential Intelligence: reflects a person's contemplation and awareness of fundamental existential questions and concerns about the nature of life, death, and meaning. It is often associated with philosophers, theologians, and deep thinkers.

Relating it to Autism

The theory of multiple intelligences offers a broader perspective on human capabilities, highlighting the diverse strengths and abilities beyond traditional measures of intelligence. This approach is particularly relevant to autism, as it acknowledges the unique cognitive profiles and talents often exhibited by autistic individuals. Here's how each of Gardner's intelligences can relate to autism:

1. Linguistic Intelligence: While some autistic individuals may have challenges with conventional communication, others excel in language-related skills such as writing, storytelling, or learning multiple languages. Their abilities might be particularly evident in written communication, where the nuances of social interaction are less immediate.

2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Many autistic individuals display exceptional skills in logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and mathematical problem-solving. This form of intelligence is often associated with attention to detail and systematic thinking, traits commonly found in autistic people who excel in fields like computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

3. Musical Intelligence: Autistic individuals may have heightened sensitivity to sound and rhythm, leading to exceptional musical talents. They might have perfect pitch, excel in playing instruments, or exhibit a strong appreciation for music. This intelligence aligns with the sensory processing differences often noted in autism.

4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Some autistic individuals have notable abilities in physical coordination and control, which can manifest in activities such as dance, sports, or crafts. This intelligence is relevant to those who use physical movement as a form of expression or sensory regulation.

5. Spatial Intelligence: Autistic individuals may have a strong visual thinking ability, which can be an asset in fields requiring spatial awareness and visualization, such as architecture, art, or design. Their attention to visual detail and ability to perceive patterns can be significant strengths.

6. Interpersonal Intelligence: While social interactions may be challenging for some autistic individuals, others develop deep understanding and empathy, especially in structured or familiar contexts. They might excel in professions where systematic understanding of social interactions is beneficial, such as psychology or counseling.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: Autistic individuals often possess a high degree of self-awareness and introspection, which can lead to a profound understanding of their own emotions, thoughts, and motivations. This intelligence supports personal growth, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy.

8. Naturalistic Intelligence: Some autistic individuals have a keen interest in nature and an ability to categorize and understand various aspects of the natural world. This can be seen in hobbies or careers related to environmental science, biology, or conservation, where detailed observation and classification are key.

9. Existential Intelligence: Autistic individuals may engage deeply with existential questions and concepts, reflecting on the nature of existence, purpose, and meaning. This intelligence can be seen in those who explore philosophical, spiritual, or ethical dimensions of life, often leading to profound insights and contributions in these areas.

Understanding these diverse intelligences helps recognize and nurture the varied talents of autistic individuals, promoting a more inclusive and individualized approach in education, employment, and societal participation. It challenges traditional views of intelligence and supports the idea that everyone has unique strengths and potential to contribute meaningfully to society

2 versions of this post

For the Scientific/Academic Audience

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language for the Lay Audience

In Tordano Country

In Tornado country

Tornadoes twist and turn

Nature's fury unleashed

A dance of destruction

As homes and lives are breached

They roar across the land

Leaving a path of despair

In their wake, broken dreams

And a sense of overwhelming fear

But even as they devastate

They also have a strange allure

A force of nature's power

That we can't help but endure

So we watch with awe and fear

As tornadoes touch the ground

A reminder of the forces

That constantly swirl around

We can only stand in wonder

At their raw and primal might

And hope that we are spared

Their destructive flight

========

Today was very unnerving experience for sure.

Emergency Tornado Alert.

Sat in basement with a helmet on. Channel 5 live updates said rotation part turned into "just" a thunderstorm before it hit our area. Still heavy rains and hail nearby.

Guess not making it to college autism summit session today.
Warning came as just about to leave, phones screeching with alert. Lucky was not on road.

College Autism Summit 2022

College Autism.Summit 2022 hosted By Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University.

Headed there in a bit. Looking forward.  https://collegeautismnetwork.org/

Changes in Big-5 during Pandemic

I always think of the exponential effects on autistics. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pandemic-altered-personalities-more-neurotic-less-agreeable-rcna49595

"NBC News reported on a study published in PLOS ONE that indicated that personality changes from January 2021 to February 2022 were roughly equal to what’s normally a decade’s worth of incremental personality changes. Although people often become less neurotic, extroverted, and open as they age, adults under 30 saw a significant increase in neuroticism over the study period. Neuroticism “is a very consistent predictor of mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety,” said the study’s lead author, Angelina Sutin, PhD, a personality psychologist at the Florida State University College of Medicine."
(https://view.info.apa.org/?qs=ab2c9530baf7a6ce1051f3f9254b1595fbcf171f4a81ad3eed135b5a5f2cec4508d1f4b727d406c0bea89be99e8df4a9ad7fee31eba4572980be2e27faddf3b287ffdd23c1cb6fc2f324d4ab0e197f72)

Friendships in Autism Adulthood.

"In 1990, only 3 percent of Americans said they had no close friends; in 2021, nearly 12 percent said the same. The United States is in the grips of a loneliness crisis that predates the Covid pandemic."
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/01/well/live/how-to-make-friends-adult.html

 If this is state for NTs, imagine the situation for autistics who generally have little - no friends  through childhood.

However, some of the suggested ways to making friends is hardly the easiest for autistics either -  "You really have to try and put yourself out there."

So it's a continued conundrum.

245 years to get to Indigenous Peoples' Day

It just took 245 years to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day as a National Holiday in 2021. 

Till I came to Berkeley, I had not been aware that a simple start (though by no means enough) was land acknowledgment, which I saw at many events; recognition that UC Berkeley sits on the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people.

Reflecting below on an assignment done on Zitkala-Sa for American Literature back in Grade 10 and an essay on Black Elk Speaks for my American Indian Ethnic Studies course a few years back.

And if I may add a disability angle here, I can so relate to this line from my assignment "every time she goes to a new place it would be like starting over with the new set of audience. She would have to prove herself over and over again." With disability, especialy if you are seen as "more disabled" you have to prove yourself over and over and over with every new audience and even to the same audience to prove that somehow you have not regressed. 

You have to think about the terrific power play at work here (sarcasm intended) - the dominant party strips away the very identity and resources of non-dominant party (identity and resources which gives them confidence and which makes them strong), so the latter will stay second class and subservient in the former's socio-economic structure. 

I'm always felt very sad when studying history as it seems to be a series of such power plays, one group suppressing another. This has been the history of colonialism and occupation the world over. The first thing the invader does is to destroy the structure of the old culture, then replace it with the own religious structures and values, till the old culture becomes one of shame for its practitioners. After a few generations all knowledge of the old culture is lost to human memory. 

==============

School Days of An Indian Girl by Zitkala-Sa - Example of Realism
(Grade 10 assignment)

Zitkala-Sa’s recollection is a poignant account of the conflict and clash between two cultures and the frustration of ending up in a no-man’s land. She is a young Indian girl who is taken away to be assimilated into the white society; by teaching her the mannerisms and customs of the white race. The problem with assimilation seems to be an all-or-nothing attitude by the teachers. She is forced to forsake her own native customs and language (including cutting her hair) and then told to go live on the reservation. So she can never be fully Indian. Even her own mother is not able to relate to her and vice versa. Yet the color of her skin will always make her a second class citizen in the white community. She will never get full acceptance there either. She may have won the speaking contest, yet every time she goes to a new place it would be like starting over with the new set of audience. She would have to prove herself over and over again. The reader is profoundly affected by the stark realism and detail of her experiences in her narrative. The reader journeys with her on her loss of innocence - “ we had been very impatient to start our journey...” (207) to a dissatisfied state of bewilderment - “The little taste of victory in my heart, did not satisfy a hunger in my heart.”(221).

The story has all the elements of realism. It is devoid of emotionalism or melodrama. The events are presented in a very matter of fact way. “Their mothers, instead of reproving them such rude curiosity, looked closely at me, and attracted their children’s attention further to my blanket.”(208). At each stage there is another grim reality to be faced. There are outside forces (the assimilation process) and events that affect that affect her at every turn.

===========

South Hall

I heard it was like the only campus building (or one of the few buildings) to survive the 1906 SF quake. 

I'm passed this building countless times and even gone inside, but never had a class inside.

 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

 First DSP (Disabled Students Program) in the country started by Ed Roberts. 

ADA 32 at the White House

Me shaking hands with the President

It's an honor to get invited to the White House and get to shake hands with the President of the United States, more so for 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I am of the post-ADA generation, born after ADA was passed in 1990. Undoubtedly, it is laws like ADA that the allow the doors of opportunity to open to the possibility of me, and in President's Biden's words, "to work, to study, to make connections."  

It is a reason I can, with some measure of confidence, say - So what if I am significantly disabled, I too can pursue a PhD. I too can aspire to higher education, to employment (that's next), to inclusion, and aspire to go toe to toe with my non disabled peers. Perchance, I too can change the world. 

It is because of laws like ADA that Lady Liberty turns her torch towards folks like me, so we too get the opportunity to pursue our version of the American Dream.

I am extremely grateful and in deep admiration of all stalwarts who laid groundwork that folks in my generation and beyond can now build on. In her speech, First Lady, Dr Jill Biden, spoke of 8 year old Jennifer Keelan who cast aside her wheelchair and crawled up the steps of the Capitol Hill in March 1990; "acts of protest," (widely televised) which spurred the signing of the law in July 1990. The then Senator Joe Biden has been a co-sponsor of the bill, sponsored by Sen Harkin and signed into law by President George HW Bush.

Thank you, thank you, to all those tireless stalwarts, (including living legends like my hero, Judy Heumann), in Dr Biden's words, for "refusing to be silent about indignities... faced" and for "holding on to the hope of a better way."

Thank you Mr President for acknowledging this momentous occasion for all of us disabled folks and being part if its journey right from inception. 

In his speech at the Rose Garden of the White House, President Biden referred to the ADA as "one of the most important civil rights laws ever," as he recalled the words of Justin Dart Jr. (regarded as the godfather of ADA) - "ADA is only the beginning, its not the solution, Its the center foundation on which solutions will be constructed." 

Indeed, ADA is a starting point that was crafted 32 years ago and it is up to our generation to continually shape it to meet the changing needs of today and tomorrow. 

I feel, the fact of ADA being a work in progress needs to be highlighted, as it seems especially relevant to the wide diversity in autism, which means building in flexibility and open-mindedness, as there is not going to be a clear one-solution-fits-all. 

“For our country, the ADA is a testament to the character of our people, to the country... It’s proof we can work together and keep moving closer to realizing the promise of America for all Americans,” Biden said.

(President's full remarks, fact sheet)  

We have to continue to look for solutions and workarounds on many many fronts; this is a humankind issue. There is a reason for the word "kind" in the word humankind; "kind-ness" is a fundamental but oft forgotten character trait of people, that has carried us through the troubling periods of human history from time immemorial. 

I want to believe Charles Darwin’s take on the human species as one of “survival of the kindest,” and not just “survival of the fittest.” I want to believe our human society has great capacity for goodness and compassion for all its members.

My generation has to carry this torch forward and demand not just a seat at the table of solutions, but perhaps redefine the table itself, and not just in this country but worldwide for humankind. 

Blind jazz pianist, Jose Andre Montano, prior to his mesmerizing performance that day, gave some very good and practical advice which was very relevant to our mental health - "life is more wonderful if you love your differences and you love who you are... [otherwise] life would not make sense." We often forget the toll of mental health that accompanies the fact of disability as we are constantly in this race to catch up or meet the ever moving target of what society considers acceptable.

On a personal note, too thrilling to get invited to the White House and get to shake hands with the President. The White House is truly magnificent both inside and out. And to be where such laws were signed.... In total awe.