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."

Oh deer!

Early morning deer chilling in front yard. 

 

Autistic Inertia

Parallels to Newton's Law of Inertia

Newton's first law of motion, the law of inertia, states that an object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion continues in a straight line at constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. This principle implies that an object maintains its state of motion or rest until a force induces a change.

Autistic Inertia

Autistic inertia can be conceptualized by drawing parallels to Newton's law of inertia, characterizing the difficulties some autistic individuals encounter in initiating and terminating tasks across behavioral, cognitive, and attentional domains.

• Initiating Tasks (An Object at Rest Will Stay at Rest): Autistics frequently exhibit significant impairments in task initiation, akin to a state of behavioral or cognitive inertia. This may resemble catatonia [post on catatonia], necessitating substantial external stimuli to overcome the initial inertia and achieve task commencement.

• Terminating Tasks (An Object in Motion Will Stay in Motion): Conversely, autistics often demonstrate difficulty in disengaging from tasks once initiated. This persistent engagement can lead to repetitive, unproductive behaviors or ruminative thoughts, paralleling obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Certain forms of stereotyped behaviors (e.g., stimming) may also reflect this aspect of inertia.

Neuroscientific manifestations of autistic inertia include:

• Task Transitioning: Deficits in neural mechanisms underlying task switching and cognitive flexibility, potentially involving the prefrontal cortex and parietal regions.
• Environmental Adaptation: Impaired adaptability to dynamically changing environments, possibly linked to disrupted sensory integration and motor planning circuits.
• Sustained Attention: Challenges in maintaining attention on tasks, which may involve dysregulation of the fronto-parietal attention network.
• Attention Mode Switching: Difficulty transitioning between focused and diffuse attention states, implicating the default mode network and attentional control systems.
• Executive Dysfunction: Impaired executive functions, including initiation, planning, and decision-making, associated with altered prefrontal cortex activity.
• Mental Health: Elevated anxiety and depression levels further complicate these cognitive and behavioral impairments.

These challenges contribute to a significant cognitive load, where initiating or stopping actions depletes cognitive resources ("spoons") [post on Spoon Theory], potentially leading to autistic burnout.

Etiology

Autistic inertia may arise from multiple neurobiological factors:

• Sensory Overload: Excessive sensory input leading to neural hyperactivity and cognitive overload.
• Motor Apraxia: Impairments in motor planning and execution, potentially involving the premotor cortex and supplementary motor area.
• Coordination Issues: Disruptions in motor coordination circuits, including the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
• Executive Dysfunction: Dysregulation of prefrontal-executive networks impacting task initiation and cognitive control.
• Anxiety: Heightened amygdala reactivity and dysregulated stress-response systems exacerbating cognitive and behavioral inertia.

These factors hinder the ability to complete tasks, adhere to schedules, and maintain employment or academic performance, often culminating in autistic burnout [post on autistic burnout].

Advantages

Paradoxically, the same neural mechanisms contributing to autistic inertia can facilitate hyper-focus, enabling intense concentration and expertise in specific areas.

Misconceptions

Autistic inertia is frequently misattributed to laziness or lack of motivation. Such misconceptions disregard the underlying neurocognitive and motor coordination challenges. Inertia is not exclusive to individuals with low support needs; it may be pronounced in those with concomitant movement disorders, sensory dysregulation, and motor coordination difficulties.

Interventions

Addressing autistic inertia necessitates targeted interventions:

• External Cues and Reminders: Utilizing external prompts to aid in task transitions.
• Personalized Support: Tailoring interventions to the individual's specific neurocognitive and sensory profiles.

Implementing these strategies can mitigate the impact of autistic inertia, enhancing daily functioning and reducing the risk of burnout.

2 Versions of this Post

For the Academic/Scientific Audience

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language For the Lay Audience 

Related Terms: A Chara ,    Allistic,    Aspie,    Atypical,  Autistic Burnout,  Autistic Inertia,  Catatonia,   Crip Time,   Critical Disability Studies,   Disability Justice Movement,  Disability Rights Movement,   Disability Eugenics,   Feeble-Minded,   Imbecile,   Inspiration Porn,  Masking/Camoflauging,   Microaggressions,   Neurominority,   Ofa Ahi Latu,   R-Word,   Savant,   Spoon Theory,   Takiwatanga,  Trains,  Ubuntu,    Ugly Laws,   Upstander

Catatonia in Autism

Catatonia in autistic individuals is characterized by significant motor abnormalities, which can include immobility, rigid posturing, repetitive or stereotypic movements, and a markedly reduced responsiveness to external stimuli.

Catatonia in autism can present through various symptoms:

• Mutism: The inability to speak, which may be due to disruptions in neural circuits involving speech production and motor planning.
• Echolalia: The repetition of words or phrases, potentially linked to dysregulation in the neural pathways associated with language processing and executive function.
• Stereotypic Movements: Repetitive, non-functional movements that may involve neural dysfunctions in the basal ganglia and motor cortex.
• Posturing: The adoption and maintenance of unusual body positions, which could indicate abnormalities in motor planning and proprioceptive feedback systems.
• Stupor: A state of severe unresponsiveness, possibly associated with altered activity in the thalamocortical and limbic systems, affecting consciousness and responsiveness.

These manifestations suggest complex interactions between various neural systems, including the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. Understanding the neural underpinnings of catatonia in autism can inform the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.

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Plain Language Version

Catatonia in Autism: What You Need to Know

Catatonia in autistic people means having big problems during a catatonia episode with movement  and responding to the world around them. This can look like:

• Not Speaking (Mutism): Some autistic people with catatonia can't talk.
• Repeating Words (Echolalia): They might repeat words or phrases they hear.
• Repetitive Movements (Stereotypic Movements): They might move in the same way over and over.
• Holding Strange Positions (Posturing): They might stay in unusual body positions for a long time.
• Not Responding (Stupor): They might not respond to things happening around them.

These symptoms show that there are problems with how their brain controls movement and responds to the environment. Understanding these issues can help us find better ways to support and treat autistic people with catatonia.

Related Terms: A Chara ,    Allistic,    Aspie,    Atypical,  Autistic Burnout,   Autistic Inertia,  Catatonia,   Crip Time,   Critical Disability Studies,   Disability Justice Movement,  Disability Rights Movement,   Disability Eugenics,   Feeble-Minded,   Imbecile,   Inspiration Porn,  Masking/Camoflauging,   Microaggressions,   Neurominority,   Ofa Ahi Latu,   R-Word,   Savant,   Spoon Theory,   Takiwatanga,  Trains,  Ubuntu,    Ugly Laws,   Upstander

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

 

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

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.

CSBS - Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales

Lexicon [Measures] - CSBS

The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) is an assessment tool used to evaluate the communication and symbolic behavior skills of infants and young children (6 months -24 months).

The CSBS is designed to assess three key areas of development: social interaction, communication, and symbolic behavior. It focuses on early communication skills and the ability to use gestures, sounds, and symbols to convey meaning.  It is administered through direct observation by a trained professional who interacts with the child and scores their behaviors related to social interaction, communication, and symbolic play. The assessment may involve the use of toys and props to facilitate communication and symbolic behavior.

Limitations of the CSBS include the reliance on direct observation by a trained professional, which may limit its accessibility and feasibility in certain settings. Additionally, the CSBS primarily focuses on early communication skills and symbolic behavior, and may not comprehensively assess other aspects of development or potential co-occurring conditions.

Three sub-measures of CSBS:

• Social Interaction Scale: evaluates the child's ability to engage in social interactions, joint attention, and social reciprocity.
• Communication Scale: assesses the child's use of gestures, vocalizations, and words to communicate with others.
• Symbolic Behavior Scale: measures the child's understanding and use of symbolic play and the ability to use objects in a representational manner.

Scoring and Interpretation:
The CSBS uses a scoring system that assesses the child's behaviors in each of the three sub-measures. The scores are based on specific criteria and rating scales. Interpretation involves comparing the child's performance to normative data for their age group. The CSBS provides descriptive information about the child's skills and identifies areas of strength and areas that may require further attention or intervention.

The CSBS was developed by Amy M. Wetherby and Barry M. Prizant in 1993. 

Citation:
Wetherby, A. M., & Prizant, B. M. (2002). Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS DP™) First Normed Edition. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.

Disability Rights Movement

The disability rights movement (DRM) refers to a social and political movement advocating for equal rights, inclusion, and improved quality of life for people with disabilities. The movement seeks to challenge and eliminate discrimination, stigmatization, and barriers that prevent disabled folks from fully participating in society.

DRM emerged in the late 1960s and gained significant momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the key milestones was the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in the United States, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving federal funding. This was followed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which further strengthened protections and rights for individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications.

DRM focuses on promoting the principles of accessibility, independence, self-determination, and inclusion. It advocates for reasonable accommodations, accessibility in the built environment, educational opportunities, employment opportunities, healthcare access, and overall social acceptance and support for people with disabilities.

DRM has made significant advancements in raising awareness, changing societal attitudes, and implementing legal protections for people with disabilities. However, there are still ongoing challenges and areas for improvement to ensure full inclusion and equal opportunities across all aspects of life.

Compassion is the bridge that connects us to our shared humanity

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

 

Dear Colleague

https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/dear-colleague-letter-online-accessibility-postsecondary-institutions 

On May 19, 2023, the Justice Department and the Department of Education jointly issued a Dear Colleague Letter reminding colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions to ensure that their online services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities.

Letter at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/file/1584491/download

 

Who has the dx, and who is the professional

This week I heard of an instance where an ABA therapist got offended at a something his autistic client did and quit over the autistic teen not following directions. 

The autistic teen had been asked to wait at a library, looks like that teen hung around for a while, and then decided to just walk back to his home alone after a while. 

I want to ask, who has the diagnosis here, who is the professional "behavior-therapist" here who is supposed to help shape behaviors instead of walking off in a huff. 

Why have the word "behavior" in applied-behavior-therapy if you don't want to even help with or deal with behavior in the first place. 

 “The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.”

–Carl Sagan

Enhanced Perceptual Functioning (EPF) Model

• While no single theory fully explains all aspects of autism, each attempts to provide insights into different cognitive and behavioral characteristics.

  This model proposes that autistics have superior perceptual processing abilities. They may have heightened sensitivity to sensory input, leading to enhanced performance in perceptual tasks.
• Implications: Exceptional abilities in tasks involving pattern recognition, attention to detail, and memory for visual and auditory information. However, this heightened perception can also lead to sensory overload.

Read more on [EPF Model]

Posts on other [Theories of Autism]