An in-person Caltopia this year brought out a large crowd of student.
Whence "social distancing!!"
I got a 2nd mention in a Time Magazine Article in an article by Eric Garcia. :)
https://time.com/6092407/autism-making-life-easier/
Autism Lexicon: Neuronal Pruning:
Neuronal pruning is the process of selectively eliminating excess synapses and neurons during brain development to optimize neural circuitry. In autism, atypical pruning has been implicated, potentially leading to altered connectivity and information processing in the brain.
PlainSpeak: Neuronal pruning is the brain's way of trimming excess connections to make neural pathways more efficient. In autism, this process may not occur as expected, which could affect how the brain processes information.
Not enough that we have a delta variant causing grief the world over.
And now there a Lambda variant which is slowly creeping in.
Have you ever felt misunderstood, even though you were trying to communicate clearly? This feeling is common in social interactions between autistic and non-autistic people, a phenomenon known as the "Double Empathy Problem." Coined by Dr. Damian Milton, this idea suggests that the communication challenges often attributed to autism are actually shared by both autistic and non-autistic individuals. It's not just that autistic people have difficulty understanding others; non-autistic people can also struggle to understand autistic perspectives.
Traditional views often frame autistic individuals as lacking empathy, but the Double Empathy Problem challenges this by highlighting that misunderstandings go both ways. For instance, autistic people might communicate in a very direct and straightforward manner, which can sometimes be misinterpreted by non-autistic individuals as being blunt or insensitive. On the other hand, autistic individuals might find it hard to interpret subtle social cues that non-autistic people use, like sarcasm or implied meanings.
This mismatch in communication styles can lead to social friction and misunderstandings. For example, studies have shown that non-autistic people often have difficulty understanding the emotions and intentions of autistic individuals, just as autistic people may find it challenging to interpret non-autistic social cues. This mutual misunderstanding can lead to frustration and social isolation for autistic people, as they might feel judged or misunderstood based on different social norms.
The Double Empathy Problem encourages us to think about autism differently. Instead of seeing autistic people as lacking something, it helps us recognize that social interactions are a two-way street. By understanding that both autistic and non-autistic people have unique ways of communicating and seeing the world, we can foster more inclusive and understanding communities. This means being patient, open-minded, and willing to learn from each other, which can help bridge the gap between different ways of experiencing and interpreting social interactions.
In essence, the Double Empathy Problem reminds us that communication is a shared responsibility. By embracing this perspective, we can work towards a more inclusive society where everyone's way of communicating is respected and valued.
Related Posts on [The Double Empathy Problem]
I was a speaker on this panel by UC Davis Mind Institute on mental health on Aug 6
Speaking at Autism Society Virginia, Summer Speaker Series on Aug 5
Recording on their website at
I was keynote at the Youth Leadership Forum by South Carolina Able on 7/26/21
my first book reading (via zoom) at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, on 7/22
The "Double Empathy Problem," a concept introduced by Dr. Damian Milton, challenges the traditional view that autistic individuals have a deficit in empathy. Instead, it posits that difficulties in social communication and understanding arise from a mismatch in neurotypical and autistic communicative styles, rather than a unilateral deficiency in autistic individuals. This perspective suggests that misunderstandings are bidirectional, resulting from differences in social norms, communication styles, and cognitive processing between neurotypical and autistic people (Milton, 2012).
Research supports the Double Empathy Problem by highlighting that both autistic and neurotypical individuals can experience challenges in understanding and empathizing with each other's perspectives. For example, Sheppard et al. (2016) found that neurotypical participants often struggled to interpret the emotions and intentions of autistic individuals, mirroring the difficulties that autistic individuals face when interpreting neurotypical communication cues. This mutual misunderstanding can lead to social friction, reduced social cohesion, and the reinforcement of stereotypes about autism.
Furthermore, studies indicate that autistic individuals often employ different communicative strategies, such as directness or focusing on specific details, which can be misinterpreted by neurotypical individuals as inappropriate or lacking empathy (Crompton et al., 2020). These differences in communication style can exacerbate social isolation and contribute to the stigmatization of autistic individuals, as they are often judged against neurotypical social norms.
The Double Empathy Problem also emphasizes the importance of a more inclusive and reciprocal approach to social interaction. This involves recognizing and valuing diverse communicative styles and fostering environments where both autistic and neurotypical individuals can engage on equitable terms.
Related Posts on [The Double Empathy Problem]
References:
https://iacc.hhs.gov/news/2021/iacc-new-members.shtmlContact: Office of Autism Research Coordination/NIH
Email: IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the appointments of new and returning members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a federal advisory committee reauthorized under the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019. The IACC is a federal advisory committee composed of public stakeholders and federal officials that coordinates federal activities concerning autism spectrum disorder and provides advice to the HHS Secretary on issues related to autism. Committee meetings serve as a public forum for the sharing of community perspectives and concerns about autism. The committee uses this input as it formulates advice and recommendations for the HHS Secretary on matters related to autism research, services, and policy. The committee's responsibilities include developing and annually updating the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and preparing an annual Summary of Advances in ASD Research.
After an open call to the public for nominations of individuals to serve on the committee, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, J.D., appointed 20 new and two returning public members to the IACC to provide him with advice to advance research, enhance services, and increase opportunities for people on the autism spectrum. The committee also includes 23 new and returning federal officials representing key federal agencies and departments that serve the autism community across a wide variety of areas, including biomedical research, healthcare, education, and social services. Joshua Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, will continue to serve as the chair of the committee. The first meeting of the new committee will take place virtually on July 21-22, 2021 and will be open to the public via webcast. A full roster and biosketches of all the new and returning members can be viewed on the IACC website.
IACC Executive Secretary, Susan Daniels, Ph.D., stated, "We are excited to welcome the largest and most diverse IACC to date, with a wider representation of perspectives from across the autism community than ever before."
Public members appointed include autism self-advocates, parents and family members of children and adults on the autism spectrum, clinicians, researchers, and leaders of autism research, services, and advocacy organizations. Many of the appointed individuals serve multiple roles, such as parent and researcher or self-advocate and leader of an advocacy organization. Appointees hail from across the U.S., including states that have not been represented on the committee previously, such as Louisiana, Maine, Texas, Washington, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Autism and disability organizations represented by new and returning appointees to the IACC include the Autism Science Foundation, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Speaks, Champions Foundation, Simons Foundation, and Madison House Autism Foundation. Four federal departments newly joining the IACC —the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs—will provide additional expertise in the critical areas of housing, employment, interactions with law enforcement, and care for veterans on the autism spectrum.
Public members appointed by the Secretary to serve on the IACC from 2021-2024 are:
