Monotropism and Special Interests in Autism - a Neurocognitive Perspective

Monotropism and special interests are closely related yet distinct constructs within the context of autism. Both concepts elucidate how autistic individuals exhibit profound engagement with specific domains, yet they underscore different facets of this phenomenon.

Monotropism is a cognitive model positing that autistic individuals exhibit a narrowed attentional focus on a limited set of interests, in contrast to the broader attentional distribution observed in neurotypical individuals. This heightened attentional focus facilitates deep expertise and significant enjoyment in specialized areas. However, it also results in attentional inflexibility, making it challenging for individuals to shift focus to other tasks or interests that do not align with their core interests. Monotropism provides a framework for understanding why autistic individuals often demonstrate exceptional proficiency in their areas of passion but may face difficulties with tasks that are outside these focal points.

Special Interests refer to the specific topics or activities that elicit intense focus and enthusiasm in autistic individuals. These interests often manifest as lifelong passions and serve as sources of comfort, identity, and competence. While special interests contribute positively to an autistic individual's life, they may be misunderstood or undervalued by others who fail to recognize their significance.

Neurocognitive explanations for both monotropism and special interests suggest that these behaviors are underpinned by fundamental differences in brain function and information processing in autistic individuals. Monotropism is thought to involve an atypical allocation of cognitive resources, where autistic individuals preferentially allocate their cognitive bandwidth to areas of high personal significance. This preferential allocation can be understood through the lens of predictive coding theories, particularly those emphasizing 'slow-updating' and 'high-precision' or 'hypoprior' mechanisms. These theories propose that autistic individuals maintain highly precise and stable internal models for their areas of interest, leading to profound engagement and expertise in these domains but also to challenges in adapting to new or less predictable tasks.

Special interests, on the other hand, may be conceptualized as emergent properties of these underlying neurocognitive mechanisms. The intense focus and enthusiasm associated with special interests reflect the heightened precision and stability of the predictive models governing these interests. The sustained engagement with special interests can be further understood through the framework of neural reward pathways, where dopaminergic activity reinforces behaviors that align with these precise internal models, thereby enhancing the salience and reward value of special interests.

Understanding both monotropism and special interests from a neurocognitive perspective can inform the development of supportive environments that leverage the strengths of autistic individuals. By recognizing and building upon their focused cognitive styles, educators, clinicians, and caregivers can implement strategies that accommodate attentional inflexibility while fostering opportunities for growth and adaptation. This approach not only acknowledges the unique cognitive profiles of autistic individuals but also promotes their overall well-being and societal inclusion.

Here are the different versions to help understand Monotropism and Special Interests 

• Neurocognitive explanation
• Plain Language
• A Short Definition

Special Interests

Special interests in autism are intense and highly focused areas of interest that individuals may pursue with great enthusiasm and expertise, often serving as a source of comfort and a means of coping with sensory and social challenges.

PlainSpeak: Special interests are topics or activities that autistic people are extremely passionate about and know a lot about, which can be both a hobby and a way to feel comfortable.

Read more about Special Interests 

• Neurocognitive explanation
• Plain Language

Monotropism

 Monotropism in autism refers to a cognitive tendency toward deep focus on specific interests or tasks, often leading to intense concentration and reduced awareness of broader contexts or multiple stimuli.

PlainSpeak: Monotropism is when someone, often an autistic person, focuses deeply on one thing, making it hard to pay attention to other things around them.

Read more about Monotropism 

• Neurocognitive explanation
• Plain Language

Privilege of choice

Many of us with very visible autism disability DO NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF CHOICE, 

“to-disclose” or “not-to-disclose” our autism dx to ask for accommodations.

In fact, a very visible disability means many doors of opportunity are slammed shut in your face even before you have a chance to cross the doorway, or before you come to asking for accommodations on the other side. You are held to a much higher bar to even get anywhere close to the door. The question of choice does not even arise.

We desperately need SOLUTIONS, so ALL autistics get to access doors of opportunities.

Stress and Anxiety in Autism: The Role of the HPA Axis

Understanding Stress and Anxiety in Autism: The Role of the HPA Axis

Stress and anxiety are common experiences for everyone, but for individuals with autism, these feelings can be particularly intense and challenging. Understanding why this happens involves delving into the body’s stress response system, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

What is the HPA Axis?

The HPA axis is a complex network of interactions among three glands: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. When we encounter a stressful situation, the hypothalamus releases a hormone called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone). This hormone signals the pituitary gland to release another hormone, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), into the bloodstream. ACTH then prompts the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone."

Cortisol helps our body manage stress by increasing energy levels, suppressing non-essential functions (like digestion), and preparing the body for a "fight or flight" response. Once the stressful situation is resolved, cortisol levels drop, and the body returns to a state of balance.

Stress and Anxiety in Autism

In Autism, the HPA axis can often be more reactive, leading to heightened stress and anxiety. Several factors contribute to this increased reactivity:

1. Sensory Sensitivities: Many autistics have heightened sensory perceptions. Everyday noises, lights, or textures can be overwhelming, triggering a stress response more frequently.
2. Social Interactions: Social situations, which can be difficult to navigate, often cause significant stress and anxiety. The effort required to interpret social cues and respond appropriately can be exhausting.
3. Routine and Change: Many autistics thrive on routine and predictability. Unexpected changes or disruptions can cause considerable anxiety, activating the HPA axis.

The HPA Axis in Autism

Research suggests that the HPA axis in autistic individuals may function differently. Autistic people can have higher baseline levels of cortisol, indicating a chronic state of stress. Additionally, their cortisol levels might not return to normal as quickly after a stressful event, prolonging the period of anxiety and stress.

This heightened and prolonged stress response can have several implications:

• Mental Health: Chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to other mental health issues, such as depression.
• Physical Health: Elevated cortisol levels over long periods can affect physical health, leading to issues like weakened immune function and digestive problems.
• Daily Functioning: High stress levels can interfere with daily activities, making it harder to concentrate, learn, and interact with others.

Supporting Stress Management

Understanding the role of the HPA axis in autism can help in developing strategies to manage stress and anxiety. Here are a few approaches:

• Sensory Management: Creating environments that minimize sensory overload can help reduce stress.
• Routine and Predictability: Maintaining a predictable routine can provide a sense of security and reduce anxiety.
• Relaxation Techniques: Practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and other relaxation techniques can help manage the body's stress response.
• Professional Support:  **** See Caveat 

By recognizing the unique ways the HPA axis operates in autism, we can better support autistics

[*** Caveat from my personal experience as autistic is that most of autism therapy is geared towards maximizing profits and fame, and less about the autistic progressing, because lack of progress can easily be attributed as fault of the autistic, it's never the therapy or therapist. So why spend more and more $$$$ on therapy].

We need SOLUTIONS

We need action on ACTUAL SOLUTIONS for Autism.

Communication,  Biomedical physiology (physical/mental health), Precision Pharma, Healthcare, Sensorimotor, Policy Priorities, Funding Priorities, Supports services, myriad equity of access issues.

Lets work on leveling the playing field.

QUALITY OF LIFE means ALL Autistics get to avail of opportunities

The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism

 "It was a thought provoking read about an angle that I hadn’t thought of. It is also beautifully written."

https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/

The Access Ramp to Volunteering

https://www.dailycal.org/2018/04/05/access-ramp-volunteering

 

Neuroception - Safety Perception

Autism Lexicon - Neuroception

Neuroception is the brain's automatic process of evaluating environmental safety and threat levels, often dysregulated in autism, leading to heightened sensitivity to sensory input and potentially contributing to negative attribution bias and hostile attribution bias. [ Read in more detail on Neuroception here].

PlainSpeak: Neuroception is how our brain unconsciously decides if we're safe or in danger. In autism, this process can be heightened, causing some people to see everyday situations as more threatening, which can affect how they respond to others. [ Read in more detail on Neurocepton here]. 

Related Posts on [Neuroception], [Negative Attribution Bias] and [Hostile Attribution Bias]

e or t

I recently saw a social media post with arguments over "neurodiverse" v "neurodivergent."

Seriously!

Are we now going to start another decades-long, never-ending conversation, parallel to the disproportionate airtime spent on arguing "with autism" vs "autistic,"

Can we focus on ACTUAL SOLUTIONS FOR AUTISM  - benefits our Quality of Life on the ground
(There seems to be no similar passion or urgency in seeking solutions)

A mere 13% of the world is primarily english-speaking, but autistics exist all over the globe.

A majority of us desperately need SOLUTIONS, and care much less about re-arrangements of letters or grammar.

Understanding Short-Term Brain Changes and Autism

PlainSpeak Plain Language Version for the Lay Reader

Our brains constantly change how neurons (nerve cells) communicate to help us learn and remember things. Some of these changes happen very quickly and are known as short-term synaptic plasticity. This is when the connection strength between two neurons changes for a few seconds to a few minutes. Two important types of these changes are paired pulse facilitation (PPF) and paired pulse depression (PPD).

Paired Pulse Facilitation (PPF) happens when two signals arrive close together at a neuron connection, and the second signal is stronger than the first. This is because the first signal leaves behind some calcium, which helps release more chemical messengers for the second signal, making it stronger.

Paired Pulse Depression (PPD) is the opposite. When two signals come close together, the second signal is weaker. This happens because the first signal uses up most of the available chemical messengers, leaving fewer for the second signal.

These short-term changes are important for how our brains process information. In autism, scientists have found that these changes can be different. For example, certain gene mutations linked to autism can affect how well these short-term changes work. Some of these genes, like SYN1 and SYN2, help control the availability of chemical messengers at neuron connections. Mutations in these genes can lead to an imbalance in brain activity, making some signals too strong and others too weak (Frontiers, 2015)​ (Frontiers)​.

Other studies have shown that mutations in another gene, neuroligin-3, which is also linked to autism, can change how neurons communicate in different parts of the brain. These mutations can increase the strength of certain signals and disrupt the balance of brain activity (Molecular Psychiatry, 2015)​ (Nature)​. This imbalance can contribute to some of the behaviors seen in autism.

Understanding these short-term brain changes helps scientists learn more about how autism affects the brain and can lead to new ways to help people with autism.

2 versions of this post

For the Academic/Scientific Audience

PlainSpeak in plain language for the lay reader

Autism and Grief

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/giving-voice/202402/the-spectrum-of-loss-grief-through-the-autistic-lens

Disclose or not to disclose your dx.

Sometimes I have to wonder about how inclusive the term neurodiverse itself is. 

For example there is an assumption that "to disclose or not to disclose" is a problem for every ND person in higher ed or employment. 

For many of us with visible disabilities, (my autism is very very very apparent), we DON'T have the luxury of choice;  to disclose or not to disclose our disability. 

Not having that choice puts us at a huge disadvantage; as many doors of opportunities are shut in your face (you are deemed unworthy off the bat), you don't even get to cross the threshold of many such doors before you even coming to the issues like deciding to disclose or not disclose. 

So how inclusive is ND movement if makes such sweeping generalizations around who is considered ND.