Kindness is the sunshine that brightens up the world

Compassion is the light that shines in the darkness of pain

 

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

Temporal Binding Window and Autism

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Temporal binding window (TBW) refers to the specific time frame during which the brain integrates and processes information from different sensory modalities. It is the period in which the brain combines and links stimuli occurring close in time and attributes them to a single event. This window is crucial for the perception of synchrony and the formation of coherent perceptual experiences.

In autistics, research suggests alterations in the TBW due to difficulties in accurately perceiving and integrating sensory information across different modalities, leading to difficulties in forming a unified perception of the world.

One aspect of the TBW that has been extensively studied in relation to autism is audiovisual integration. Typically, individuals are sensitive to the relative timing of auditory and visual stimuli and can perceive them as belonging to a single event when presented within a certain temporal proximity. However, studies have shown that autistics may have a broader or more extended TBW. This means that they require a longer temporal proximity between auditory and visual stimuli to perceive them as synchronized.

This winder TBW has implication in terms of social communication and interaction since the perception of synchrony is crucial for understanding and interpreting non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and vocal intonations. Difficulties in integrating sensory information across different modalities can also contribute to sensory processing issues commonly observed in individuals with autism, such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain stimuli.

TBW may also influence higher-level cognitive processes such as attention, perception of causality, and the ability to predict and anticipate events. Disruptions in these processes can impact the ability to understand the temporal structure of events and may contribute to difficulties with executive functioning.

Ubuntu

I came across this word today in our Public Voice Fellowship Training. 

Ubuntu as a framework has so many things that apply to autism advocacy, research, inclusivity, belonging, and the need for increasing knowledge and solutions in the autism space. More specifically I want to highlight. 

• Community-based approach to support autistics and their families.
• Emphasis on empathy and understanding, belonging and inclusivity
• Collaboration and cooperation which means working together to increase knowledge and solutions across the autism space instead of this conflict and undermining that is going on. We can find solutions for everyone, its not a one-size fits all. 

Ubuntu is the "I" in the "We"

Ubuntu is a philosophy that originated in Southern Africa, particularly among the Bantu peoples of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It is a philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of community, compassion, and respect for others.

At its core, the philosophy of Ubuntu is based on the idea that a person is a person through other people. Its the "I" in the "We." 

This means that individuals are not defined by their own accomplishments or achievements, but by their relationships with others and their contributions to the community. In other words, one's sense of self is deeply tied to their interactions with others and their ability to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Ubuntu also emphasizes the importance of compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. It encourages individuals to see the humanity in others, to treat everyone with respect and kindness, and to forgive others for their mistakes. This is based on the belief that everyone is connected, and that we are all responsible for creating a more just and equitable world.

Joy is the beauty that surrounds us, waiting to be noticed

  

Contemplation, one line a Day. 

Compassion is the spark that ignites the flame of hope

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

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