It is patronizing of social media to imply that expressions of emotion are "OK" after learning he’s disabled, as if society is willing to make the occasional exception rather than challenge its norms.
Read Full Article at
The Uncomfortable Truth Behind a Comforting Word
In the world of scientific research, words carry weight. They shape perceptions, influence emotions, and sometimes, soften the harsh realities of the work being done. One such word is "sacrifice," a term often used to describe the killing of animals, particularly rats, after they have been subjected to various experiments in the name of research. But what does "sacrifice" really mean in this context, and why does it seem to make everyone feel better about a process that is fundamentally unsettling?
The irony is palpable. While the term "sacrifice" suggests a willing, even heroic act, the reality is one of imposed death following a period of often stressful and painful experimentation. This discrepancy raises important ethical questions. Are we too quick to accept this euphemism without questioning the underlying practices? Does the term "sacrifice" allow us to avoid confronting the moral complexities of animal research?
Perhaps it is time to reconsider our language and the comfort it provides. Transparency in research practices, including the language we use, is crucial. Instead of relying on euphemisms, we should strive for honesty about what happens to animals in research settings. This might involve using more straightforward terms like "euthanize" or "kill" to describe the end of an animal's life in the lab.
The Comforting Illusion of Sacrifice
The word "Sacrifice" is imbued with noble connotations. It suggests an offering, a giving up of something valuable for a greater good. In religious and historical contexts, sacrifices are seen as acts of devotion, acts that are often rewarded with blessings or benefits. In the laboratory, however, the use of "sacrifice" to describe the euthanization of lab rats serves a different purpose—it sanitizes the act, masking the uncomfortable truth of what is actually happening.The Reality Behind the Term
In research settings, rats are often subjected to a variety of procedures. These can include surgeries, injections, and exposure to drugs or other substances, all in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. After these procedures, the animals are typically euthanized. The term "sacrifice" is used to describe this final act. But let's be clear: the rats are not voluntarily giving up their lives for the greater good. They are being killed because their continued existence is no longer deemed necessary or beneficial for the study.Making Everyone Feel Better
Using the word "sacrifice" helps researchers, lab technicians, and the public feel better about the process. It creates a psychological buffer, a way to cope with the ethical dilemmas inherent in animal research. By framing the killing as a sacrifice, it suggests that the act is justified, that it is part of a noble quest for knowledge and human advancement. This linguistic choice helps to ease the guilt and moral discomfort that might otherwise accompany the act of ending an animal's life.The Irony and Ethical Implications
The irony is palpable. While the term "sacrifice" suggests a willing, even heroic act, the reality is one of imposed death following a period of often stressful and painful experimentation. This discrepancy raises important ethical questions. Are we too quick to accept this euphemism without questioning the underlying practices? Does the term "sacrifice" allow us to avoid confronting the moral complexities of animal research?
Perhaps it is time to reconsider our language and the comfort it provides. Transparency in research practices, including the language we use, is crucial. Instead of relying on euphemisms, we should strive for honesty about what happens to animals in research settings. This might involve using more straightforward terms like "euthanize" or "kill" to describe the end of an animal's life in the lab.
My Ted X talk titled "Pebbles in the Pond of Change
Hari Srinivasan, shares a powerful message about the power of small actions in creating ever-widening ripples in the pond of change. Drawing from personal experiences and the legacy of disability rights leaders, he redefines progress as a journey that starts with simple, accessible steps. His inspiring message encourages everyone to identify and act on their own "small pebbles" to drive societal transformation.
Relationship as a building block
I've had the privilege of listening to Hari Srinivasan share his perspective on various topics over the years. His ability to share his personal narrative paired with the current science is an incredible gift. As Mr. Srinivasan shares, "All humans, disabled or not, yearn for human connections that enrich their lives beyond a mere fulfillment of basic needs."
Indeed relationship is one of the building blocks of the PERMA+ theory of wellbeing (R=Relationships). Like Mr. Srinivasan, I too am looking to Vivek Murthy and his wisdom to help us all with his wise words, including, "While loneliness has the potential to kill, connection has even more potential to heal." Here's to 2024 being a year of connection. #wellbeingwins
Read at Time: The Pervasive Loneliness of Autism https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
My other list of Publications: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/p/published-work.html
Over Focus on Productivity
Mainstream discussions around remote and hybrid employment models often focus on productivity, or the perceived reduced networking and socialization.
Paradoxically, these very reasons serve to increase productivity for many disabled people, including the autism community.
- Hari Srinivasan, Fortune
Read full article at https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/
It is not the same being given enough time to finish an exam, in a setting that is conducive to focusing on answering the exam
Article Link: https://www.psychologytoday.
In education and in the workplace, appropriate accommodations are crucial for people to learn and to perform at their best. This article tackles the "reasonable" piece of the ADA rule. Who decides what "reasonable" is?
Even when accommodations are nominally given, the quality of the accommodation can vary immensely. It is not the same being given enough time to finish an exam, in a setting that is conducive to focusing on answering the exam, than having "1.5x" the time in a room with noisy people, in the middle of a lab, or in the professor's office, under the professor's gaze.
The article was written by Hari Srinivasan, who is a fellow member of the College Autism Network
In-person employment in autism
https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/
Disability and Multilingualism
Growing up, Hari Srinivasan remembers repeatedly learning about St. Patrick’s Day in his special education classroom—a holiday that, while interesting, felt disconnected from his own cultural heritage.
Read Full Article at unesco.org...
Genetic Differences Between Autism and ADHD—and Why It Matters
Genetic Differences Between Autism and ADHD—and Why It Matters
On the surface, autism and ADHD might look like they share some overlapping behaviors, especially in areas like attention and impulsivity. But beneath those similarities, the genetic research on each reveals fundamental differences. And with more people receiving both diagnoses (often called AuDHD), genetic research is starting to explore how these conditions interact in the same person.
ADHD: A Focus on Dopamine and Attention
One of the most consistent findings in ADHD research is the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate attention and motivation. ADHD individuals often have differences in dopamine pathways, making it harder to focus and control impulses. Genetic research has honed in on genes like DRD4 and DAT1, which impact dopamine receptors and transporters, the mechanisms that manage dopamine levels in the brain. This focus on dopamine has led to effective ADHD treatments, such as stimulant medications that boost dopamine. But these meds don’t always work the same way in autism.
Another big area in ADHD genetic research is polygenic risk—the idea that many small genetic variations combine to raise ADHD risk. By studying these variations together, researchers are building genetic “risk scores” to better understand each person’s overall predisposition to ADHD.
Autism: A Complex Web of Genes
Autism, in contrast, has a more diverse genetic landscape. Autism genetics doesn’t just focus on one system like dopamine; it spans pathways involved in synaptic development (how brain cells connect) and sensory processing. Genes like SHANK3 and CHD8 are heavily studied because they’re critical for neuron communication, affecting social interaction and sensory integration.
Autism genetics includes both polygenic influences and rare, single-gene mutations. This mix shows that autism isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” condition and involves a wide range of genetic influences—making autism research complex but incredibly informative.
Why ADHD Medications Don’t Always Work in Autism
Since ADHD and autism have different genetic roots, treatments that work well for ADHD may not work the same way in autism. For example, stimulants boost dopamine levels and are effective for ADHD, but autism involves additional neurotransmitter systems like GABA and glutamate. For autistic individuals, boosting dopamine may not address their primary challenges and can even lead to side effects like increased anxiety or sensory sensitivity.
This phenomenon, called differential drug response, is why treatments need to be tailored more closely to each condition.
The Overlap- Understanding AuDHD
Many autistics also meet the criteria for ADHD, and research suggests they experience a unique blend of traits. Genetically, there are overlapping patterns, particularly in dopamine, serotonin, and synaptic pathways. This shared foundation is prompting researchers to think of autism and ADHD as conditions that can intersect within the same person, rather than existing in isolation.
Understanding the unique profile of AuDHD could reshape how we approach treatment. Right now, genetic testing and treatments for autism and ADHD often operate in silos, leading to medications being prescribed without considering their impact on combined traits. A focus on AuDHD could lead to integrated approaches that tailor interventions to address overlapping needs.
Bringing It All Together
In summary, ADHD genetics zeroes in on dopamine-related genes that influence attention and impulsivity, while autism genetics explores a wider range of genes involved in synaptic function, sensory processing, and neurodevelopment. For those with AuDHD, understanding these combined influences can lead to support and treatments that don’t just fit the condition but fit the individual.
This is the future of neurodevelopmental treatment—a future where we move from “one-size-fits-all” to “one-size-fits-one.”
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