Uniquely Hari

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.

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

RDoc vs DSM

RDoc v DSM

The RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) & DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are both tools used in the field of mental health, but they approach the understanding and classification of mental disorders from different perspectives. DSM is a clinically focused tool for diagnosing mental disabilities based on symptomatic criteria, while RDoC is a research-focused framework aiming to understand mental health disorders from a multidimensional, biopsychosocial perspective

DSM : Published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides clear diagnostic categories based on observable behavior and reported symptoms. However, the DSM is often criticized for its categorical approach, where a patient either has or does not have a particular disability.
RDoC : Developed by NIMH. The RDoC is not a diagnostic tool; it's a research framework. RDoC aims to integrate many levels of information (from genomics and circuits to behavior) to better understand basic dimensions of functioning that span the full range of human behavior . The goal of RDoC is to provide a more dimensional approach to understanding mental disabilities, based on neuroscience and behavioral science, rather than purely on observable symptoms.

Autism and RDoC

Autism, under the RDoC framework, is seen not as a single, homogeneous disorder but as a spectrum that includes a variety of symptoms and behaviors that can vary widely in challenge-level and impact-level. This aligns with the current understanding of autism as a "spectrum."

For example, RDoC organizes its research around several "domains" of human psychological functioning, including cognitive processes, social processes, and arousal/regulatory systems, all of which are areas where autistics may show differences. Within these domains, RDoC further identifies specific constructs - like social communication and perception, or cognitive systems related to attention and perception - that could be targets for research into the biological and behavioral underpinnings of autism.

Challenges in implementing RDoC
There are potential challenges to implementing RDoC principles more fully into research or clinical practice for autism.

Trying to map a heterogeneous disability like Autism onto the specific domains and constructs defined by RDoC.
Current lack of practical tools and measures available to clinicians, to assess the various domains and constructs defined by RDoC in a routine clinical setting. This includes standardized measures for assessing constructs like social communication and perception, or the cognitive systems related to attention and perception that are relevant to autism.
Need for further research: to validate the constructs and domains defined by RDoC, and to understand how these relate to the symptoms and behaviors associated with autism. We need a deeper understanding of the relationships between the biological, psychological, and behavioral aspects of autism to fully implement the RDoC approach.
Changing Existing Systems & Acceptance in the Clinical and Research Community: Current diagnostic systems like DSM-5 are deeply rooted in many aspects of mental health care. It must gain acceptance not only among researchers, but also among clinicians, educators, and families. This requires education and evidence that the RDoC approach can improve outcomes for autistics.

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.

DSM vs ICD

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and ICD (International Classification of Diseases) are two different systems used to classify mental disabilities.

The DSM is used in the US and the ICD is used internationally.
The latest version of the DSM is the DSM-5-TR, which was published in March 2022 (revision of the 2013 DSM-5). The latest version of the ICD is ICD-11. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2019 and came into effect on January 1, 2022.
The DSM is more focused on clinical dx, while the ICD is more focused on public health.

Both systems use a multiaxial approach, which means that they assess mental disabilities on multiple dimensions, such as symptoms, severity, and functional impairment.
Both systems are updated periodically to reflect new research and understanding of mental disorders. The DSM is more detailed and specific and updated more frequently than ICD.

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.