Neurotransmitters Flow in this Autism Mind

Microaggressions

Microaggressions are brief and commonplace verbal, behavioral, or environmental actions that communicate hostility, bias, or prejudice towards a particular group of people. These actions can be intentional or unintentional and are often committed by individuals who are not aware of the impact of their words or actions on marginalized groups.

In the context of autism and disability, microaggressions can take many forms, including making assumptions about a person's capabilities based on their diagnosis, using language that reinforces negative stereotypes about disability, treating someone with condescension or pity rather than as an equal and capable individual, or failing to make reasonable accommodations to support their needs.

These kinds of actions, while seemingly minor, can have a significant impact on the well-being and self-esteem of individuals with autism or disabilities, and can contribute to systemic inequality and discrimination. It is important to be aware of these kinds of microaggressions and strive to create an environment that is inclusive and respectful of all individuals, regardless of their abilities or diagnoses.

Compassion is the light that guides us through the darkest of times

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Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Interaural differences

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Interaural differences refer to the differences between the sound signals that reach each ear. These differences are caused by the time delay and the amplitude difference of the sound waves that reach each ear.

ITD (interaural time difference): time delay between the arrival of sound at each ear. ITD is greatest for sounds coming from the side of the head and is zero for sounds coming from directly in front or behind the listener.
ILD (interaural level difference): amplitude difference between the sound waves arriving at each ear. ILD is greatest for sounds coming from directly to one side of the listener and is zero for sounds coming from directly in front or behind the listener.

The brain processes these interaural differences to determine the location of the sound source and create a spatial auditory image, which helps us to perceive the world around us in three dimensions.

Some studies have reported differences in how autistics process interaural differences, including reduced ability to integrate auditory and visual information, as well as altered auditory and multisensory temporal processing.

The caveat being, more research is needed in this area for better understanding. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to autism.

TASIT - The Awareness of Social Inference Test

Lexicon [Measures] - TASIT

The TASIT, (The Awareness of Social Inference Test) developed by Dr. Kate McDonald and Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen in the early 2000s, is a Theory of Mind measure designed to assess deficits in social cognition, particularly in recognizing and understanding social cues related to deception, sarcasm, and lies. It aims to provide a standardized and ecologically valid evaluation of theory of mind deficits in autistics and related conditions characterized by social cognitive challenges.

The TASIT measures three sub-domains of theory of mind:

Emotion Evaluation assesses the ability to recognize and interpret emotional expressions accurately.
Social Inference - Minimal, evaluates the understanding of non-literal or sarcastic communication.
Social Inference - Enriched, focuses on more complex social scenarios involving lies, sarcasm, and deceit.

Limitations w.r.t autism

Ecological validity: Although the test presents realistic social scenarios, they are still video clips, and the social interactions depicted may not fully reflect real-life situations. Some autistics may struggle more in actual face-to-face interactions than in a controlled testing environment.
Specificity to theory of mind: The test primarily focuses on the recognition and understanding of social cues related to deception, sarcasm, and lies. While it provides valuable information about theory of mind impairments, it may not capture the full range of social cognitive difficulties experienced.
Language and verbal comprehension demands: The test heavily relies on verbal communication, which can be challenging for individuals with language impairments or difficulties in understanding complex language. This may limit the suitability of the TASIT for individuals with more significant language or intellectual impairments.

Compassion is the path that leads us to true happiness

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, one line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Compassion is the salve that heals the wounds of hate

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplation, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Hostile Attribution Bias in Autism

Hostile attribution bias refers to the tendency to interpret others' ambiguous behaviors as having hostile intent. For instance, if someone accidentally bumps into a person with hostile attribution bias, they might assume it was done on purpose rather than an accident. This cognitive bias often leads to increased aggression and conflict in social interactions as the individual responds defensively or aggressively to perceived threats that may not actually exist.

Research on hostile attribution bias has predominantly focused on its prevalence in populations with externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and conduct disorders. However, given the social communication challenges and the difficulty in interpreting social cues that are characteristic of autism, it is plausible that hostile attribution bias, could play a role in their social interactions.

Indeed, research suggests autistics [1] were more likely to interpret ambiguous social situations as hostile compared to their neurotypical peers. This tendency was linked to higher levels of social anxiety and other maladaptive (including aggression and SIB) behavior in these children.

However this hostile attribution bias, should not just be the attributed to the fact of disability, a.k.a, "difficulty in interpreting social cues in autism." It could well be the product of a lifetime of societal stigma and bias; exclusion, discrimination and misunderstanding. Research in social psychology supports the notion that chronic exposure to negative social experiences can shape cognitive and emotional responses. For individuals who consistently face these challenges, it is not uncommon to develop a heightened sensitivity to potential threats or hostile intentions in social interactions. They develop a lack of trust that people and systems around them will help them. This heightened sensitivity can manifest as hostile attribution bias, where even ambiguous or benign actions by others are interpreted as intentionally harmful or malicious.

So the context of autism, individuals often face a unique set of social challenges and stigmatization, which can compound their difficulties in interpreting social cues. Studies have shown that individuals with autism are frequently subjected to social rejection, and misunderstandings [2].

And this stigma, exclusion and gatekeeping of opportunities for autistics tends to be even more pronounced, the more disabled you are seen, especially for autistics with externalizing behaviors and communication issues. It starts at a very early age where you are deemed incapable of learning and placed in a low expectations educational system which just deepens a self-fulfilling prophesy. You quickly learn the educators and educational system who's role was to educate and nurture you, are the often the very people who will gatekeep access to education itself. The autistic is to blame for not improving, the onus is never on the educators or professionals involved. Autism is a huge profit making machine where millions benefit (fame, books, papers); everyone except the autistic.

These repeated negative interactions can reinforce a worldview where social threats are perceived as more prevalent, leading to increased hostile attribution bias. The combination of social communication difficulties inherent in autism and the external societal stigma creates a fertile ground for developing such cognitive biases [2], which only adds to their mental health toll.

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Read more on Hostile Attribution Bias: [Version for Scientific/Academic Audience], [PlainSpeak for the Lay Reader], [A Simple Definition]

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

References

1. White, S. W., Ollendick, T., & Bray, B. C. (2011). College students on the autism spectrum: Prevalence and associated problems. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 15(6), 683-701.
2. Zablotsky, B., Bradshaw, C. P., Anderson, C. M., & Law, P. A. (2014). The association between bullying and the psychological functioning of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 35(2), 106-116.

Compassion is the currency of humanity

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Serenity is the wholeness that comes with being in touch with all aspects of ourselves.

Compassion is the foundation of a life well lived

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day.

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever. #MentalHealth.

Self Perception

Self-perception refers to how individuals perceive themselves, including their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social attributes. It involves forming an understanding of one's own characteristics, abilities, and behaviors. Self-perception can encompass both internal aspects, such as thoughts and emotions, and external aspects, such as appearance and social roles. It involves recognizing oneself as a distinct entity separate from others and the environment.

Formation: Self-perception starts to develop early in life and continues to evolve throughout one's lifespan. It begins with self-recognition during infancy and progresses through social interactions, personal experiences, and feedback from others. As individuals engage with their environment and receive information about themselves, they construct their self-perception.

Multifaceted Nature: Dimensions include physical attributes, such as appearance and health; cognitive aspects, such as intellectual abilities and problem-solving skills; emotional characteristics, including one's emotional states and temperament; and social aspects, such as social roles, identities, and relationships. These facets come together to form a multifaceted self-perception.

Internal and External Factors: Internal factors, such as one's own thoughts, beliefs, and self-reflection, contribute to self-perception. For example, individuals might assess their own abilities and personality traits through introspection. External factors, on the other hand, include feedback and evaluations received from others, social comparisons, cultural norms, and societal expectations. Both internal and external factors shape and influence self-perception.

Self-Consistency and Cognitive Dissonance: Self-perception theory suggests that individuals strive for consistency between their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. When there is a mismatch between one's self-perception and their actions, cognitive dissonance arises, leading individuals to seek alignment. This can result in changes in self-perception or adjustments in behavior to restore consistency.
Self-Esteem and Self-Perception: Self-perception and self-esteem are closely intertwined. Self-esteem refers to an individual's overall evaluation and subjective feelings of self-worth. Positive self-perception, where individuals perceive themselves favorably in various domains, tends to contribute to higher self-esteem. Conversely, negative self-perception can lead to lower self-esteem and negative self-evaluations.
Contextual and Cultural Influences: Cultural values, beliefs, and socialization practices shape how individuals perceive themselves and what aspects they prioritize in their self-perception.