Back at the DeCal

It was lovely to be back as guest speaker at the UC Berkeley Autism Decal Class, a class that I led when I was at Berkeley. I can't believe this will be my 3rd time as guest speaker (or that I'm in 2nd year of grad school). I sure miss that class and the amazing opportunity it provided for me to not just contribute but also to learn and grown.

This time spoke about what my advocacy journey had looked looked like as I want others to come up with their own unique journeys and find ways to contribute, and also about my research in both grad and undergrad. 

 

Proud of my alma mater

https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/09/17/u-s-news-ranks-uc-berkeley-top-public-school-in-the-country

Apraxia Dyspraxia and its connection to autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. While apraxia and dyspraxia are not the core features of autism, they can co-occur in autism. The exact reasons for the overlap are not fully understood, but it's believed that shared neural pathways might play a role. And while we don’t know whether all the spoken communication challenges seen in a significant portion of autistics are exactly due to apraxia or dyspraxia, the fact of the matter is that many of us do seem to tick the some of checkboxes of the textbook descriptions of what apraxia and dyspraxia are at an observational level.

For instance, Apraxia is thought to be the result of impact to the part of the brain that plans the movements required to produce speech. You may know what you want to say, but your brain has difficulty in coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words. There may be inconsistent speech errors, difficulty in imitating speech and more errors when there are longer sentences or more complex words.

Dyspraxia affects motor skill development. It's not due to muscle weakness but rather a brain-based issue in planning and coordinating movements. So you may struggle with tasks like tying shoes, buttoning shirts, or any activities that require a sequence of movements. Or you might appear clumsy or awkward in your movements when you engage in such tasks.

Again we don’t know if apraxia and dyspraxia by themselves explain all the communication issues seen in almost a third of the autistic population. we don't fully understand how it connects to autism biologically. In other words, we don't know what parts of the brain, neurotransmitters, synaptic connections, and signaling pathways are impacted in those with autism with apraxia and without apraxia. We don't know whether the neurological issues that contribute to someone having autism also predispose them heavily towards having apraxia. Given that 87% of people with autism reportedly have some kind of motor issues, it is highly plausible that they are closely interconnected. 

I think its more useful to use broader terms of what is happening with autistics like "movement differences" or "motor difficulties" till we can say on the basis of real science that the primary neurological condition impacting our movement issues is apraxia or dyspraxia.

Importantly, we do know that communication is a huge challenge and there is an urgent need to not only figure out what is going on but also an equally urgent need for translatable solutions.

 

Contemplation, one thought a day

Serenity is the freedom that comes with letting go of attachment.

Contemplation

 Compassionate action is the bridge between intention and impact.- Hari Srinivasan

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by psychologist Leon Festinger in the 1950s, is a fundamental concept in psychology that explores the discomfort people experience when they hold conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. When individuals encounter information or situations that challenge their existing beliefs or attitudes, they often experience cognitive dissonance, a state of psychological tension. This tension arises from the inconsistency between what they believe and what they are confronted with.

To reduce this discomfort, individuals typically employ various cognitive and behavioral strategies. They may change their beliefs or attitudes to align with the new information, seek out information that supports their existing beliefs (confirmation bias), or downplay the significance of the conflicting information. For example, if someone holds a negative stereotype about a particular group but then has a positive encounter with a member of that group, they might experience cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, they may adjust their stereotype or minimize the significance of the positive encounter.

Cognitive dissonance theory is crucial for understanding the dynamics of attitude change and behavior. It highlights the human tendency to strive for consistency in our beliefs and actions and the discomfort that arises when inconsistency occurs. By recognizing cognitive dissonance, psychologists and individuals alike can better understand the processes underlying attitude change, prejudice reduction, and decision-making in the face of conflicting information

An article where I talk about its impacts with respect to autism 

https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2021/02/06/a-boy-like-me/

Consciousness

The exploration of consciousness is a central theme in both  Buddhism and Sanathana Dharma (Hinduism) philosophies, and modern scientific inquiry has begun to intersect with some of these ancient concepts. While there are parallels, there are also significant differences in the methodologies, foundational assumptions, and goals of spiritual traditions and scientific inquiry. The intersections, however, provide fertile ground for scientific enrichment.

Nature of Consciousness and Quantum Physics. Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhism assert that consciousness isn't a byproduct but a fundamental aspect of reality. This perspective aligns, to some extent, with certain interpretations of quantum mechanics, which propose that consciousness plays a role in the process of quantum measurement or wave function collapse.

Meditation, Mindfulness, and Neuroscience: Neuroscientific research into the effects of meditation—a practice central to both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions—has shown that it can induce significant changes in areas of the brain associated with attention, emotion regulation, and self-awareness.

Self and Non-self:  Sanathana Dharma philosophy's exploration of the self through concepts like "Atman" (individual soul) and its relationship with "Brahman" (universal consciousness) can be seen in parallel with the scientific exploration of individual consciousness and its relationship with the world. Buddhism's concept of "Anatta" (non-self) proposes that there's no continuous, unchanging self. This idea resonates with certain findings in neuroscience, suggesting that the perception of a continuous "self" is an emergent property of various neural processes and not localized in one part of the brain. 

Levels and States of Consciousness: The Mandukya Upanishad, outlines different states of consciousness, including waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a transcendent state known as "Turiya." Modern neuroscience also explores various states of consciousness, such as REM sleep, deep sleep, and altered states induced by substances or meditation. Buddhist meditation practices often aim to transcend ordinary states of consciousness and attain enlightened states. Neuroscientific studies on accomplished meditators have reported unique brainwave patterns and states of consciousness.

Interconnectedness: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist philosophies emphasize the interconnectedness of all things. This idea has resonances with holistic perspectives in science, especially in fields like ecology and certain interpretations of quantum physics which emphasize non-locality and entanglement.

Plasticity and Transformation: Both Sanathana Dharma and Buddhist traditions emphasize the possibility of transforming one's mind and consciousness. The idea of neuroplasticity in modern neuroscience—that the brain is malleable and can be changed through experiences, especially practices like meditation—aligns with this.

Phenomenal Experience: Buddhism, particularly in schools like Yogacara, delves deep into the nature of experience, cognition, and perception. These explorations find parallels in cognitive science and phenomenological approaches in modern philosophy of mind.

Contemplation

 In the midst of amusement, we find a moment of pure joy.- Hari Srinivasan

 https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062

To drive true progress and improve the quality of life of all autistics we need BOTH Strengths_based_Opportunities AND Challenges_based_Solutions. 

It is not Either-Or.

#Autism #Research #Strengths_based_opportunities #Challenges_based_solutions.

The Impact of Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination

Stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination are interconnected concepts that play a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors toward individuals or groups based on perceived characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or disability.

Stereotype

Stereotype refers to a widely held and oversimplified belief or mental image about a particular group of people. Stereotypes often involve generalizations and assumptions about the characteristics, behaviors, or abilities of individuals within that group. For example, the stereotype that women are less competent in technical fields is a pervasive belief that can lead to biases in hiring decisions and educational opportunities. Another prevalent stereotype is that challenges in speaking ability (a function of the oral-motor muscles) amongst many autistics must equal low cognitive ability. Stereotypes can be overly positive too (such as all autistics must be tech geniuses) and negative, but they tend to oversimplify and dehumanize individuals by reducing them to a set of assumed traits.

Prejudice

Prejudice, on the other hand, involves a negative emotional or evaluative response directed at individuals or groups based on their perceived attributes or membership in a particular category. It represents an attitude or a set of attitudes characterized by bias, animosity, or irrational dislike. Prejudice can manifest as feelings of hostility, resentment, or fear toward the target group and often results from stereotypes. For instance, a person who holds a prejudice against a certain ethnic group may harbor negative emotions and beliefs about its members, leading to discriminatory behaviors or attitudes.

Discrimination

Discrimination encompasses actions or behaviors that treat individuals or groups unfairly or unjustly based on their perceived attributes or group membership. Discrimination can take various forms, including institutional discrimination (e.g., discriminatory laws or policies), interpersonal discrimination (e.g., unfair treatment by individuals), and microaggressions (subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination). Discriminatory actions can result from prejudiced attitudes or stereotypes and can have serious consequences, such as limiting opportunities, perpetuating inequality, and causing harm to individuals' physical and mental well-being. Addressing discrimination involves efforts to promote equality, enforce anti-discrimination laws, and challenge biased attitudes and behaviors in society.

Why It Matters

Understanding these three concepts—stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination—is essential for addressing social and systemic issues related to inequality and bias. It is crucial to recognize the role these concepts play in shaping individual and societal attitudes and to work toward creating a more inclusive and equitable world where individuals are judged based on their unique qualities and contributions rather than on stereotypes or prejudiced beliefs.

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Versions of this article: For  Academic/Scientific Audience and #PlainSpeak for Lay Audience

Contemplation, one line a day

Peace is the courage to stand up for what is right. - Hari Srinivasan

Contemplation

Altruism is the radiant light of compassion that illuminates the interconnectedness of all beings, reminding us that our true fulfillment lies not solely in self-interest but in the profound joy of lifting others toward their own potential.

In daily life, practice altruism by embracing small acts of kindness, listening with empathy, and extending a helping hand whenever you can, for it is in these moments that the beauty of our shared humanity truly shines.

Stereotype Prejudice Discrimination - What They Mean and How They Affect People

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Plain Language Version 

Stereotype, Prejudice, and Discrimination: What They Mean and How They Affect People

These three words—stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination—are connected and help explain how people form opinions and act toward others based on things like race, gender, religion, or disability.

Stereotype

A stereotype is a simple and often wrong idea about a group of people. It means thinking everyone in that group is the same. For example:

• Gender: Thinking women aren't good at technical jobs.
• Disability: Thinking all autistic people can't talk well and are less smart.
• Positive Stereotype: Believing all autistic people are tech geniuses.

Even if stereotypes can sometimes seem positive, they are still harmful because they oversimplify people and don’t see them as individuals.

Prejudice

Prejudice means having negative feelings or attitudes toward someone just because they are part of a certain group. It’s about having unfair dislikes or biases. For example:

• If someone doesn’t like people from a certain ethnic group, they might feel anger or fear toward them.
• Prejudice often comes from stereotypes and can make people act unfairly or meanly.

Discrimination

Discrimination is when people act unfairly toward others because of their group membership. It can happen in different ways:

• Institutional Discrimination: Unfair laws or policies that hurt certain groups.
• Interpersonal Discrimination: Unfair treatment by other people, like bullying or exclusion.
• Microaggressions: Small, often unintentional actions or comments that are hurtful.

Discrimination can limit opportunities, keep inequalities alive, and harm the well-being of those affected.

Why It Matters

Understanding stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination helps us recognize and fight against unfair treatment. It’s important to:

• See people as individuals, not just members of a group.
• Promote fairness and equality.
• Challenge biased attitudes and behaviors.