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Creativity is the key to unlocking the doors of the unknown

Creativity is the key to unlocking the doors of the unknown

 

The Problem with DEI

DEI initiatives often assume that if you open the door, targeted people will automatically rush in. But these targeted population were told for so long that this door did not belong to them, or that its too hard for them, you are not intelligent /capable enough;  if this has been the messaging of the last 100 years, there is going to be unconscious bias, where part of you starts believing this to be true (like when women are told prior to a math test, that women are bad in math, they end up doing worse on the test than if not told that info).

So the initiative has to be both opening the door and also nudges from other end saying, you can do this, we welcome you and will work to support you, demystifying the process of what the door is and how to go about even approaching that door.

And why don't DEI initiatives automatically include disability or when disability is included, its often as an afterthought when it's pointed out that it's probably not PC to exclude. Why is disability not recognized as a very very historically marginalized group at the onset. The fact of a childhood disability for instance means the exclusion starts in childhood itself which perpetuates and intensifies the exclusion as you age. (Somehow the fact of disability transcends even the color of your skin and you are pushed to the bottom of the food chain). 

p-value goes knock knock

Knock, knock.
Who's there?

P-value.
P-value who?
P-value less than 0.05, and I'm statistically significant enough to knock your null hypothesis out of the park!

-Hari Srinivasan

p-value

p-value for the layman

Statistics can often feel like a labyrinth of complex numbers and jargon. In the world of statistics, p-values are your compass. While the concept may seem a bit abstract at first, p-values are like a traffic light for your scientific discoveries, guiding you to proceed with caution or giving you the green light to embrace a new understanding of the world.

What is a p-value?

At its core, a p-value is a number that helps us determine the significance of an observation or result in statistical analysis. Imagine you've conducted an experiment or a survey, and you want to know if your findings are meaningful or just a result of chance. The p-value is your guide.

The Role of Probability

To grasp p-values, you need to understand the concept of probability. Think of it as a measure of how likely something is to happen. In statistics, we often want to know the probability of observing certain data if there's no real effect or difference. This is where p-values come into play.

Hypotheses: The Foundation

In any scientific study, you start with two hypotheses: the null hypothesis (H0) and the alternative hypothesis (H1). The null hypothesis represents the idea that there's no significant effect or difference, while the alternative hypothesis suggests the opposite – that there is a significant effect or difference.


The Experiment and the Data

You gather your data, conduct your analysis, and calculate a test statistic, which quantifies the difference between your observed data and what you would expect under the null hypothesis. This test statistic follows a particular distribution, like the normal distribution for many common statistical tests.

The P-Value's Revelation

Here's the moment of truth: the p-value tells you the probability of obtaining a test statistic as extreme as, or more extreme than, the one you calculated if the null hypothesis is true. In simpler terms, it answers the question: "How likely is it that my observed results are just due to random chance?"

Interpreting P-Values

Now, the key interpretation comes into play. If your p-value is small, typically less than 0.05 (but it can vary depending on the field), it suggests that your observed results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone. This is your green light to reject the null hypothesis and accept that you've found something significant.

Conversely, if your p-value is large (greater than 0.05), it indicates that your observed results are quite likely to be explained by random chance, and you should stick with the null hypothesis.

It's Not Absolute Proof

One crucial thing to understand is that p-values don't provide absolute proof or disproof. They offer a level of evidence, but they can't tell you the size of an effect or whether it's practically meaningful. They merely guide you in determining if your results are statistically significant.

Contemplation

Contentment is the curiosity that comes with exploring new things - Hari Srinivasan

https://time.com/6299599/autism-research-limited-essay/

 Media Mention by India Autism Center Nayi Disha

Contemplating one insight at day

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating a different emotion and writing one line each day on it. #MentalHealth. 

 

Inaction is not an option

In the Gita's verses, wisdom unfurls
"Change is the only constant," the universe swirls

Time's shifting sand, ebb and flow

But inaction is not an option, we must choose where to go

“One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among humans.”

Contemplation, one line a day.

Joy is the gratitude for the simple things in life

Contemplation, one line a day. #MentalHealth

 

Can CATI be used to measure autistic inertia

Can CATI be used to measure Autistic Inertia. 

Autistic inertia refers to the challenges autistics may face in initiating, switching, or stopping activities, which can significantly impact various aspects of their lives, from daily routines to employment and social interactions. It manifests in numerous ways, including difficulties with time management, adjusting to changes, motivation, and focusing on tasks. Support strategiesinclude providing structure, teaching time management, organizing activities around energy levels, using visual reminders, establishing routines, breaking tasks down into manageable steps, and offering prompts or assistance with task initiation. [More on autistic inertia here].

While there are no current scales to measure autistic inertia, we could perhaps use one of the measures like CATI (Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory) [post on CATI] which covers a broad range of autistic traits, and has subscales may indirectly relate to behaviors and experiences that could be associated with autistic inertia; specifically - social interactions (SOC), communication (COM), social camouflage (CAM), repetitive behaviors (REP), cognitive rigidity (RIG), and sensory sensitivity (SEN).

• Cognitive Rigidity (RIG) could relate to difficulties with changing activities or adapting to new tasks, as it may measure aspects of flexibility in thinking and behavior.
• Repetitive Behaviors (REP) might also have connections to autistic inertia, given that a preference for sameness and routine or repetitive actions could impact the ability to start or stop activities.
• Sensory Sensitivity (SEN) could influence autistic inertia by affecting how sensory inputs are processed, potentially making transitions between activities more challenging.
• Social Interactions (SOC): Difficulties in understanding and engaging in social interactions could exacerbate feelings of inertia by increasing anxiety or reluctance to transition into social activities or contexts, impacting the ability to initiate or change social engagements.
• Communication (COM): Challenges with verbal and non-verbal communication may contribute to autistic inertia by making the prospect of initiating or adapting to communicative tasks more daunting, leading to delays or avoidance of these activities.
• Social Camouflage (CAM): The effort required to mask autistic traits in social situations could lead to increased inertia, as the mental and emotional resources expended on camouflaging may reduce the capacity to engage with new tasks or changes.

While these subscales can provide insights into traits that might influence or correlate with autistic inertia, it's important to note that autistic inertia as a specific construct might require more targeted assessment tools or approaches to fully understand and measure its impact on autistics. The CATI provides a broad overview of autistic traits within the general population and is not designed to diagnose autism or directly measure autistic inertia. 

Contemplation, one thought a day

 

With optimism, the impossible becomes possible and the possible becomes probable.

Stimming in Autism - The Why and What

Stimming, a common behavior in autistics, encompasses a variety of sensory and motor actions.

Types of Stims

Self-Stimming

• Visual: Triggered by or seeking  lighting change -  including flicking fingers in front of eyes, staring at ceiling fans, and repeated blinking.
• Auditory: Manifest as tapping on objects, snapping fingers, replaying songs, humming, repeating words or sounds, and tongue clicking.
• Olfactory & Taste: Involving smelling objects (even unpleasant odors), eating non-food items like paper, and licking body parts.
• Tactile: Such as rubbing skin.
• Vestibular & Proprioceptive: Including rocking, toe-walking, pacing, jumping, rolling, spinning, and throwing objects.

Self-Stims leading to Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)

• Actions like head banging, biting one's own wrist, and excessive skin rubbing that can cause tissue damage.

Stimming on Objects/Activities:

• Lining up objects (e.g., lining up toys) 
• Creating specific patterns with objects, rejecting all other arrangements.
• Spinning wheels on toys. Looking at the ceiling fan spinning. 

Why do autistics Stim? Stimming behaviors can serve various purposes, such as:

• Reducing anxiety and calming oneself.
• Aiding in sensory and emotional regulation.
• Self-soothing, communicating, experiencing excitement.
• Coping with overstimulation or boredom.
• Avoiding tasks or seeking attention.
• Stimulating senses
• Expressing frustration, particularly in those with communication challenges.
• Easing pain or discomfort
• Could be indicative of seizure activity.

Differences Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Stimming: 

The irony is that neurotypicals stim all the time too like the endless clicking of the TV remote, doodling, chewing the end of a pencil or pen, drumming fingers etc. NT stimming are regarded as "socially acceptable"

Autistic stimming often differs in its intensity and ability to be moderated/changed/stopped according to the situation. 

How much stimming is too much:

• While some level of stimming can be calming, crossing a certain threshold may lead to behaviors resembling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), further inducing anxiety.
• What might a mild, controllable/adaptable habit in an non-autistic, could become an unmanageable compulsion in a non autistic. 

Stimming in autism is a multifaceted behavior with various forms and functions. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for providing appropriate support and interventions. It's important to recognize the individual needs and experiences of each person with Autism, as stimming serves different purposes and requires a tailored approach in each case.

Related Posts: 

• Autistics Must Stim 
• Stimming & Multisensory Integration
• Sensory Walkabout
• Is Stimming Soothing?
• Fidget Toys & Autism
• Autism & Trains.  
• Vestibular & Proprioception in Autism 
• Do Noise Cancelling Headphones work for Sensory Overstimulation

Progress over Perfection

In the quest for progress, perfection we ease
For wisdom and growth, our hearts find peace

Through trials and errors, we gain insight

Becoming discerning, in life's long flight.

Philosophy teaches that imperfections define

The path to enlightenment, a radiant sign

In our journey, self improvement bound

Progress over perfection, wisdom is found.

Contemplation, one line a day

Equanimity is the self-awareness that allows us to grow and learn

#MentalHealth

 

Contemplation, one line a day

 Serenity is the trust that comes with believing in ourselves and our abilities.

Contemplation, one note a day

 Contentment is the freedom that comes with letting go of attachment.

The Decerebrate Cat Walking Experiment

 

In the realm of scientific exploration, certain experiments push boundariesin ways not acceptable by modern ethical standards. One such experiment involves decerebrate cats (popular in the 1940-50s and not done anymore), but which shed light on locomotion,

The Decerebrate Cat Walking Experiment: The video showcases a decerebrate cat walking on a treadmill at varying speeds, revealing three distinct gait patterns.  Decerebrate cats have had their cerebral cortex removed, leaving the brainstem intact. Essentially the cat was paralyzed as its spinal cord didn't talk to its brain anymore which means there was not enough muscle tone to keep the body upright; so researched used a harness to hold the weight of the body. 

Locomotion was initiated by sensory input of the limbs on the moving thredmill.

The primary goal of these experiments was to explore the extent of the brain's involvement in controlling movement. At what level in the brain is behavior (locomotion) controlled.  Researchers aimed to test the idea that much of locomotion control might be inherent to an animal's biomechanics, rather than relying heavily on conscious brain commands. 

Findings:

• Minimal Brain Control: during locomotion, especially in activities like walking, trotting, or running, minimal control comes from the brain itself. Instead, the experiments suggest that a significant portion of locomotion control is achieved through biomechanical and morphological features of the animal's body.
• Biomechanical Design: The experiments support the concept of passive dynamic locomotion, which proposes that animals are capable of controlling their movements efficiently by taking advantage of their natural biomechanical structure.

These findings have broad implications, from improving prosthetics and exoskeletons to advancing neural interface technology and rehabilitation practices, ultimately benefiting individuals with paralysis and advancing our understanding of locomotion in both animals and machines.

Diagnostic Overshadowing Issue in Autism

To drive true progress and improve the quality of life of all autistics we need BOTH Strengths_based_Opportunities AND Challenges_based_Solutions. 

It is not Either-Or.

-Hari Srinivasan, Newsweek

Read full article at: https://www.newsweek.com/dual-approach-autism-opinion-1818062

#Autism #Research #Strengths_based_opportunities #Challenges_based_solutions.

 

Contemplation, one insight a day

 Optimism is the lens that allows us to see the world through the eyes of possibility.