Why Inspiration Porn is Harmful

PlainSpeak. In Plain Language for Lay Reader

Inspiration porn is a term used to describe when disabled people are shown as being super inspirational just for doing everyday things because they have a disability. This kind of portrayal often makes it seem like being disabled automatically makes someone a hero, which isn't fair or accurate.

A common example of inspiration porn might be a story about a disabled person graduating from school, which gets a lot of attention because people see it as overcoming something amazing. But the truth is, disabled people face many challenges, and they don't want to be celebrated just for doing what others do—they want to be seen as people first.

This kind of portrayal can be harmful because it often ignores the real issues disabled people face, like lack of access to education, jobs, or even basic facilities. It also makes it seem like if one disabled person can succeed, then others should be able to do the same without help, which isn't true or fair.

Inspiration porn can make people without disabilities feel good about themselves, but it doesn't help disabled people. It actually hurts them because it reduces their experiences to feel-good stories, instead of recognizing the real barriers they face and the real solutions they need.

To really help, we need to stop looking at disabled people as just sources of inspiration and start seeing them as individuals who deserve equal opportunities and respect. This means working on real changes in society, like better accessibility and fighting against discrimination, so everyone can live their lives fully and fairly.

UC Berkeley Diversity Academy 2021

A opportunity to present to faculty from an undergraduate student perspective. 

 

Lucid Dreaming

Lucid Dreaming is a state during REM sleep where individuals become aware they are dreaming and can often exert control over the dream environment. Research suggests a possible connection between autism and lucid dreaming, with autistics potentially experiencing lucid dreams more frequently, possibly due to differences in sensory and cognitive processing. [Read in more detail]

PlainSpeak. Lucid Dreaming is when you're dreaming and realize it, sometimes even changing what happens in the dream. Autistic individuals might have lucid dreams more often, possibly because they notice details more easily, but more research is needed to understand why this happens. [Read in more detail]

Campus Change Maker

 This is so cool. Thank you UC Berkeley. 

Subject: Bringing Disability Awareness & Visibility to the Plaza and Change Maker of The Week

Bringing Disability Awareness & Visibility to Sproul Plaza!

Visit our table on Sproul Plaza today from 9 to noon to connect with student groups and campus resources including: The Disabled Students Commission, Berkeley Disabled Students Group (BDS), Spectrum at Cal, OCD at Cal, CAPS, RSF, DSP, and the DCC!


As part of Disability Awareness Month celebrations, we are uplifting the work and stories of a series of Change Makers from the Disability Community. This week, we are highlighting the contributions of Hari Srinivasan. Undergraduate student, instructor of the Autism DeCal, and journalist at the Daily Cal.


Image Description: A photo of Hari standing on a bridge on UC Berkeley's campus. Text reads: Hari Srinivasan. Undergraduate student and instructor. There is a quote from Hari next to it that reads, "I want you to think of disability as possibility too. Only when you think of possibility can the door of opportunity be opened."

Recruiting autistic participants for Research Study

Please participate if you are above age 18, autistic and live in the US. 

Scan for the consent form (takes 1 minute to complete)

Recruiting Autistic participants for a research study on autism (by an autistic for autistics)

Title: The Autistic Experience of Awe: Can Awe Become a Tool in the Autistic Coping Toolbox?

You are invited to participate if you

1._Identify as autistic (or have an autism diagnosis)

2. Above age 18 and live in the USA

If you would like to participate, please fill out the consent form. https://tinyurl.com/aweconsent

The study will be in english, completely online and takes approximately an hour. It will involve written narratives and multichoice type questions on emotions.

There is no direct benefit to you from this study. However I hope to find broader applications for the autistic community.

For any questions, please contact the student researcher, Hari Srinivasan harisri@berkeley.edu

For more on the study: https://hsp.berkeley.edu/scholars/hari-srinivasan/

IACC Meeting #2 Day 1

 

Vice Chair of Board for ASAN

 My newest venture - just got elected as "Vice Chair" of ASAN board. 

Insights from CBT

This is not my fault

I didn't do this on purpose.

It's not fair to judge myself, because its not accurate to judge yourself. 

Remind myself, Don't judge myself for judging myself. 

Happy Birthday CF

 

What is Neuronal Pruning

What is Neuronal Pruning?

Neuronal pruning is like a natural "trimming" process in the brain that happens as we grow. During this process, the brain gets rid of extra neurons and connections it doesn't need, helping it to work more efficiently. Think of it like pruning a tree to help it grow better.

How is it Related to Autism?
In autism, including a form called regressive autism, there may be differences in this pruning process. Some researchers think that if pruning is either too much or too little, it can cause problems. For example:

• Excessive Pruning: If the brain removes too many connections, important ones needed for learning and communication might be lost.
• Insufficient Pruning: If not enough pruning happens, the brain might end up with too many connections, which can cause confusion and make it hard to process information.

Evidence from Studies:
Studies using brain imaging techniques like MRI have shown that autistics might have more connections in some parts of their brains. This suggests that their brains may not prune as much as they should. Postmortem studies (studies done after a person has passed away) have found similar patterns, supporting the idea that altered pruning could be involved in autism.

Genetic Factors:
Some genes that help control the pruning process have been found to work differently in people with autism. For example, changes in genes like MECP2, SHANK3, and PTEN might lead to problems with pruning and have been linked to autism.

Why is This Important in Regressive Autism?
In regressive autism, where children lose skills they had previously developed, disrupted pruning might play a role. This abnormal pruning could affect the brain areas involved in language, social interaction, and behavior, leading to the sudden changes seen in these children. This explanation helps to understand how natural brain processes like pruning might be different in people with autism, potentially affecting how they learn and interact with the world.

Citations

• Tang, G., et al. (2014). Loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy causes autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits. Neuron, 83(5), 1131-1143.
• Varghese, M., et al. (2017). Autism spectrum disorder: neuropathology and animal models. Acta Neuropathologica, 134(4), 537-566.
• Penzes, P., et al. (2011). Dendritic spine pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders. Nature Neuroscience, 14(3), 285-293.

Social Media Appreciation

 

Attitude Matters

 

PlainSpeak for the Lay Audience

Flat Affect in Autism: What It Means

Flat affect, sometimes called "flat effect," is when a person shows less emotion on their face, in their voice, and with their body movements. This is common in some autistic people. Here’s what it looks like:

• They might not smile or frown much.
• Their voice might sound the same most of the time, without much change in tone.
• They might not use many hand movements or gestures when talking.

Just because someone has a flat affect doesn’t mean they don’t feel emotions. They still have feelings, but it’s harder for others to see them.

This can make social interactions tricky. People might think someone with a flat affect is not interested or doesn’t care, even if that’s not true. Understanding flat affect helps us communicate better and connect with autistic people who show emotions differently.

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