Autistic Cre

 (Understanding Cre rats for my upcoming presentation, and why not learn which ones are used in autism space while I am at it)

First, what is a Cre-rat?

Empathy is the light that shines in the darkness of misunderstanding

Contemplation, one line a day.Towards a more humane society, an empathic society. 

 

In limbo

Stuck in endless hesitation,
Mind and body trapped in ambivalence's sensation.

Can't move forward, can't step back,
Caught in a loop of indecision, what do I lack?

Fruit Fly Connectome

Lay Summary: Scientists have now mapped all the neural connections/pathways of a fruit fly (connectome). Why is this important? Fruit fly model is used in autism research, so this advance potentially helps autism research. 

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add9330

ITAKOM

Some nice comments about my talk "Redefine The Table" at the @ITAKOM conference

And again, the solution is system change. Individual approaches for the people who need it more, which means centering the most disenfranchised ND people... This benefits everyone.

Empathy is the oxygen that breathes life into relationships

Contemplation, one line a day.Towards a more humane society, an empathic society. 

 

Principles of Neural Science

This time last year, I had met with Prof Carissa Cascio during my Vanderbilt campus visit, and she had shown her copy of the Kendal textbook that awaited me in the program. Well certainly got to experience this textbook first hand this semester. 

OCD

My mind is spinning round and round
Compelled to do what can't be found
Repetitive acts, a daily grind
OCD consumes, hard to unwind.

Powerful urge, the need is great
To ease the mind, to alleviate
Thoughts plague, won't go away
OCD controls, no matter what I say

Constant struggle, day by day
To keep those obsessive compulsive behaviors at bay

Can’t give in
….Must break the spin

Embracing HOPE

as a new day begins. 

Monday Blues

It's only Monday morn, already feel worn out.
Week ahead seems like an endless bout

BAPQ - Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire

Lexicon [Measures] - BAPQ

 The BAPQ (Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire) is a self-report measure designed to assess traits associated with the broader autism phenotype (BAP) in individuals (ages 16 and up) who do not have a clinical autism dx. Its primary goal is to identify and quantify autistic-like characteristics in relatives of autistics and in the general population.

The BAPQ consists of 36 items that assess three subdomains related to the BAP: aloof personality, rigidity, and pragmatic language deficits. Each item is rated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree), indicating the extent to which the statement applies to the individual.

Scoring of the BAPQ involves summing the ratings for each item or subdomain to obtain a total score or subscale scores, respectively. Higher scores indicate a greater presence of BAP characteristics. The BAPQ is typically completed by individuals themselves, reflecting their own perceptions of their behaviors and traits.

Limitations

• Self-report bias: The BAPQ relies on individuals' self-perceptions and may be subject to response biases or limited insight into their own behaviors. This can potentially affect the accuracy and reliability of the reported BAP traits.
• Lack of clinical diagnosis: The BAPQ does not provide a clinical diagnosis of autism or determine eligibility for ASD-related services. It primarily aims to identify and quantify autistic-like characteristics, but it cannot replace a comprehensive diagnostic assessment conducted by qualified professionals.

The BAPQ was developed by Dr. Jillian P. Leydon, Dr. Catherine R. Lord, and Dr. Susan F. Folstein in 2006.

POM 101

I completed the Protection of Minors Training this morning. 

Why is this important - while a majority of students are not-minors,  universities do cross path with thousands of children each year with all the programs they run., ~50K kids/year at Vandy, per the training. 

Apparently 1:10 kids get abused (median age 9) but only 38% disclose and 90% perpetrators are known to the child. Types of abuse include physical, sexual, neglect and emotional. 

When it comes to abuse, most just focus on the physical or sexual parts. I want to address childhood "abuse" in the context of disabled kids who are also subject to endless rounds of emotional abuse and neglect all through childhood. It's terribly unreported, not even acknowledged, and we carry lifelong emotional scars well into adulthood. 

Here is a small example: Throughout my special education years in elementary I was moved around multiple classrooms, sometimes are many as 4 in the course of one school year. How is that not emotional abuse by teachers who openly did not want me in their classrooms and resentful of my presence. How does that make a small child feel. How it is that the very people we are supposed to trust to nurture and support us (the 98% of folks we are surrounded by), end up as the perpetuators of lifelong emotional trauma for us. 

Empathy is the glue that holds us together in times of difficulty

Contemplation, one line a day.Towards a more humane society, an empathic society. 

 

Stepping Stones to Bliss

Do not despair when adversities confront you or exult when success blesses you.

Any adversity is a stepping-stone to eternal bliss.

- Sri Satya Sai Baba