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We’ve gained thousands of followers in the past few months, many of whom may not be well-versed on what autism actually is.
So, here’s a basic run-down of how autistic people’s brains work, with links to sources where you can learn more.
Let’s begin!
So, here’s a basic run-down of how autistic people’s brains work, with links to sources where you can learn more.
Let’s begin!
Neurotypical brains are organized so that higher-order concepts affect the perception of low-level sensory stimuli.
Meaning, NTs have a hard time seeing “trees” when they know (or think) they’re looking at a “forest.”
This isn’t the case for autistic people.
Meaning, NTs have a hard time seeing “trees” when they know (or think) they’re looking at a “forest.”
This isn’t the case for autistic people.
Autistic people can accurately perceive low-level stimuli without being thrown off by higher-level (global) cognitive processes.
This is referred to as “reduced global to local interference.”
It means we can see the “trees” despite knowing that we’re looking at a “forest.”
This is referred to as “reduced global to local interference.”
It means we can see the “trees” despite knowing that we’re looking at a “forest.”
You can read more about this in the “Enhanced Perceptual Functioning” paper: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10803-005-0040-7.pdf
And also in this paper, called “Autonomy of lower-level perception from global processing in autism”: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500152/
And also in this paper, called “Autonomy of lower-level perception from global processing in autism”: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500152/
Autistic people’s brains are also hyper-connected, hyper-plastic, and hyper-reactive to stimuli.
This means that we experience life much more intensely than NTs. We get overwhelmed easily, and often use strategies (like avoiding eye contact) to avoid too much sensory input.
This means that we experience life much more intensely than NTs. We get overwhelmed easily, and often use strategies (like avoiding eye contact) to avoid too much sensory input.
You can read more about that in the “Intense World Theory” paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010743/
And you can read about the related “Predictive Coding Theory” in this article: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/predictive-coding-theory-autism-explained/amp
And you can read about the related “Predictive Coding Theory” in this article: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/predictive-coding-theory-autism-explained/amp
All of this results in a situation where autistic people are hyperconnected to (and perceptive of) our environment.
This means that we often notice and observe things that NTs aren’t able to. But it also makes it harder for us to coordinate and effectively use our bodies.
This means that we often notice and observe things that NTs aren’t able to. But it also makes it harder for us to coordinate and effectively use our bodies.
Because we process so many details at one time, it takes longer for our brains to get the hang of things that require smooth, generalized actions.
Movement, vocalization, etc. are the “trees,” or “building blocks.”
Communication, coordination, etc. are the “forest.”
Movement, vocalization, etc. are the “trees,” or “building blocks.”
Communication, coordination, etc. are the “forest.”
When our brains get overloaded by sensation or emotion, we often lose the ability to do “forest” things.
We may lose the ability to speak (if we usually can), regulate our actions, and comprehend our full surroundings.
This is what happens during meltdowns & shutdowns.
We may lose the ability to speak (if we usually can), regulate our actions, and comprehend our full surroundings.
This is what happens during meltdowns & shutdowns.
But autistic people also have strengths.
We see things that others don’t. We’re not as influenced by norms or social expectations, so we’re more able to look past arbitrary conventions.
We’re hyper-connected to the world around us.
Our potential is that of revolutionaries.
We see things that others don’t. We’re not as influenced by norms or social expectations, so we’re more able to look past arbitrary conventions.
We’re hyper-connected to the world around us.
Our potential is that of revolutionaries.
