Straddling Two Worlds
I straddle two worlds, so different it seems,
One of disability, where challenges are extreme,
The other of acceptance, where belonging is key,
But finding a balance, is where I long to be.
A frog hijacked my voice
Been having a sore throat and completely lost my voice for last 2 week now.
Happy Pongal
Cal Football
BioMedical Research is IMPORTANT for Autism.
BioMedical Research is IMPORTANT for Autism.
I wish people stop conflating all Autism Biomedical Research as a cure; cure being something the disability rights movement has been against. Honestly no amount of biomedical research is going to reverse disability but it can go a long way in alleviating some of its more troubling symptoms and health issues.
Reality is that a majority of a the moderate-high support autistic individuals do have significant health issues, and other behavioral issues that significantly impact their quality of life.
WE NEED solutions, including BIOMEDICAL ones and TECH ones in addition to changes in SOCIETAL MINDSET that is the main focus of the neurodiversity movement to address these issues.
Shutting down all and any biomedical research is a disservice to the autism community.
SIB's are real. 20% of autistics have SIB. Why are we not looking at SIBs at a physiological level. SIBs leave you battered and traumatized from personal experience. It is something I don't want to live with and I would gladly welcome any research on it. It's not about a CURE, its helping me life a less stressful life - my "pursuit of happiness."
How can these autistics get to the level of demanding acceptance, inclusion in education and employment that the neurodiversity movement is asking for, if the very same group is denying the very things that gives them to the platform of equity.
Why can't I have both - the biology to help with my challenges and the accommodations/inclusion of neurodiversity.
GARS - Gillian Autism Rating Scale
Lexicon [Measures] - GARS
The GARS (Gillian Autism Rating Scale) is a behavior rating scale that evaluates the presence and severity of autistic symptomatology. GARS assesses various domains related to autism, including social interaction, communication, and stereotyped behaviors. It is administered by a clinician and used for individuals between the ages of 3 and 22 years.
- potential for subjective interpretation
- reliance on observer ratings
- lack of comprehensive assessment of other domains, such as cognitive abilities or co-occurring conditions.
Scoring & Interpretation
The GARS questionnaire consists of 56 items that assess various behaviors and characteristics related to autism. These items are grouped into three main categories: Stereotyped Behaviors, Communication, and Social Interaction. Each item on the GARS is scored on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (Not Applicable) to 3 (Severe). The total score is derived by summing the individual item scores, providing an overall indication of the severity of autistic symptoms. Higher scores indicate more severe symptomatology.
History: The GARS was developed by James E. Gilliam in 1995. It was designed as a tool to aid in the identification and assessment of individuals with ASD.
Citation:
Gilliam, J. E. (1995). Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Light Snowfall
Falling softly, without a care.
But to college neuroscience I must go
Blood brain barriers and biophysiology today
I did not like walking in that cold
The cold bites, the wind moans.
Goosebumps, hard to withstand.
Though it's harsh, it's also grand.