“Positive psychology in the context of autism… is people with autism thriving and flourishing, and moving beyond surviving." - Hari Srinivasan
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
“Positive psychology in the context of autism… is people with autism thriving and flourishing, and moving beyond surviving." - Hari Srinivasan
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"Accessibility and inclusivity of positive psychology interventions is limited across the spectrum, particularly for the most marginalized members… A critical misunderstanding that exemplifies these issues is the misconception that autistics with higher support needs do not experience mental health issues. This not only excludes a significant portion of the autistic population from mental health initiatives but also from the benefits that positive psychology can offer, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible practices in this field." - Hari Srinivasan
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
Autism Lexicon: Blindsight
Blindsight refers to the residual visual capabilities in individuals with damage to the primary visual cortex, allowing them to respond to visual stimuli without conscious perception. Its relevance to autism lies in investigating the potential for similar dissociations between conscious and subconscious sensory processing in autistic individuals.[Read More: Academic/Scientific Audience ]
PlainSpeak: Blindsight is a phenomenon where people with certain types of brain damage can respond to visual stimuli without consciously seeing them. Its connection to autism involves exploring how sensory information might be processed differently in both conditions, sometimes without conscious awareness. [Read more: PlainSpeak Plain Language for Lay Audience]
When discussing autism, we often focus on behaviors—how someone communicates or interacts with others. However, to truly understand autism, it’s important to look deeper into the brain's functioning. Neurophysiological and neurobiological perspectives offer insights into the brain's activity and structure in autism.
Neurophysiology refers to the study of the brain's electrical and chemical processes. In simpler terms, it looks at how the brain functions in real time. For autistics, neurophysiology can explain why sensory experiences might feel more intense or overwhelming. Research using EEG has shown that autistic brains often respond differently to sensory stimuli, with variations in brain wave patterns that suggest heightened sensitivity or delayed processing . This difference in neural activity can contribute to sensory overload and the need for certain sensory accommodations.
Neurobiology: The Brain's Structure and Development
Neurobiology, on the other hand, examines the brain's physical structure, development, and genetics. It looks at the brain's "hardware"—its neurons, synapses, and the genes that influence its development. In autism, neurobiological studies have found variations in brain regions involved in social behavior and emotion processing, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex . These differences can affect how autistic individuals perceive and respond to social stimuli, contributing to the diverse range of social behaviors seen in autism.Genetic research also plays a significant role in neurobiology. Many studies have identified genes associated with autism, highlighting the genetic underpinnings that contribute to brain development and function . These insights are crucial for understanding the diverse expressions of autism and for developing personalized approaches to support autistic individuals.
Combining neurophysiological and neurobiological perspectives provides a more comprehensive understanding of autism. For example, if an autistic person has a neurobiological difference in the connectivity between brain regions involved in emotion processing, this might lead to a neurophysiological response that is heightened or atypical when encountering emotional or social cues.