Week 2 - Neurodivergence Flashcards
What are some facts about neurodivergence?
- We do not all see and experience the world in the same way
- Neurodiversity: Variation exists across humanity of neurocognitive functioning and traits
SENSORY DOMAIN
What is Synesthesia?
- A sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body
Synaesthetes experience one sense merging, or crossing with, another… e.g:
- See colours when they hear music
- Tastes in the mouth when they hear words
What research supports the existence of synesthesia?
Neural evidence (fMRI activation) alligns with reported subjective experiences.
'’Cross-Activation Theory’’ (Hubbard, 2013) - increased communication between cortical brain regions.
Many of us experience cross modal sensory links
Give examples of cross modal sensory links
- Colour of sound
- Taste of touch
These examples are likely limited compared to the compelling and consistent experience of those with synesthesia (80+ and counting_
What exactly is Neurodiversity?
A term coined by Autistic Australian Sociologist, Judy Singer(1998)
- Related to the phenomenon of variability between people in how our brains process information (Salvesen Research Centre)
- Flows on to differences in: How we experience the world and how we behave
- Orignially in relation to autism, but taken as an ‘umbrella’ term to include other differences
It is A BIOLOGICAL FACT: Not a perspective, an approach, a belief, a political position, or a paradigm!
Who is Neurodiverse?
- A group of people who have a range of different ways of processing information and experiencing the world
NOTE: should always be in reference to groups.
What is THE NEURODIVERSITY PARADIGM?
- It takes the concept of neurodiversity further, in highlighting the inherent VALUE in this variation.
- It considers the social and cultural construction of ideas of ‘normal’ and ‘right’ ways of functioning.
- Emphasises the power imbalances and potential for discrimination intrinsic to this
- Variation from what the norm has not been traditionally appreciated
The Neurodiversity Paradigm
This preferencing of the ‘‘normal’’ may be traced back to early social researchers (1800s); what were their aims?
- Wanted to ‘‘objectively’’ understand social phenomena (e.g. crime rates) by gathering information about a range of human variables!
- Collected data from large sized samples
- Deemed the statistically average ‘perfection’
- '’Every quality taken within suitable limits, is essentially good… it is only in its extreme deviations from the mean that it becomes bad’’
So what do we mean by ‘‘neurodivergent’’?
- Term coined by American Autisric Activist Kassiane Asasumasu (2000)
- Used to describe individuals differing in cognitive or neurological function from what is considered normal / typical
All these concepts/terms are contrasted with neurotypicallity, which is…
- Those that form the worldwide majority, whose brains tend to process information similarly to each other
- May vary, but their style of neurocognitive functioning falls within dominant standards of normal
- Tend to be enabled by their culture or society; systems tend to be designed by neurotypical people FOR neurotypical people
What is ‘‘The Neurodiversity Movement’’ ?
- A social justice movement that seeks civil rights, equality, respect, and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent
- Rejects the pathologizing of neurodivergence - i.e. manifestation of neurodiversity should be valued and appreciated
- Not a single group or organization
- Made up of great many individuals (NO LEADER) that are diverse in their viewpoints, goals, concerns, methods of activism, and even interpretations of the neruodiversity paradigm
- Began within the AUTISM RIGHTS MOVEMENT, and there is stilla great deal of overlap, but distinct (encompasses all neurominorities)
What are the symptoms of Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD)
IN CHILDREN:
- Processing of time: taking a long time to complete assignments.
- Motivation: thinking ahead, trouble staying on task.
- Motor skills: Inhibitting movements / desire to move, difficulty sitting still.
IN ADULTS:
- Attention: processing of auditory, visual information, trouble listening during conversations
- Concentration: Inhibition, emotion, regulation, becoming bored easily
- Organisation: prospective memory, processing speed, time management, taking a long time to complete work-related tasks.
What is another aspect of the ADHD profile?
- Despite the tendency to be distracted by irrelevant information, individuals with ADHD often report episodes of long-lasting, highly focused attention.
- '’Hyperfocus’’
- ## Limited clinical evidence and not yet part of diagnostic criteria
What did a survey study of 600+ adults with ADHD focus reveal?
- Those with higher ADHD symptomology experience more frquent instances of hyperfocus
- KEY SETTINGS: during hobbies, homework, and classes at school
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- ASD is more often associated with social communication difficulties and the presence of rigid and repetitive behaviours
- Along side these symtpoms ae PERCEPTUAL and ATTENTIONAL processes that are considered increasingly central to the condition
Altered sensory processing has been included in the diagnostic criteria since
2013
What are different sensory sensitivities?
Hyper-sensitivities: intolerance of loud noises, heat, smells, bright light, touch, etc….
Hypo-Sensitivities: Sensation seeking e.g. spicy foods, bright colours, pressured touch etc…
Reframing our understanding of these sensory sensitivities…
- Perhaps autistic individuals have an increased perceptual capacity that allows them to process more information at any given time.
Might explain reports of superior discrimination abilities e.g.:
- superior pitch perception
- better identification of, and memory of, musical notes
A study looked at the effect of perceptual load on the rates of inattentional blindness in autistic and NT children
- Participants completed an easy or hard line length discrimination task
- A task irrelevant stimulus appeared during some trials
WHAT DID THIS REVEAL?
- Equally high levels of central task performance as controls
- Autistic participants demonstrated reduced rates of inattentional blindness
- Also reduced impact of the level of perceptual load in a task on awarness
This processing difference might be helpful for autistic people, but not all the time.
For example, it could also be hard to tune out distracting or upsetting inputs
PATHOLOGY PARADIGM
What is the definition of a DISABILITY
‘any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being’ (World Health Organisation)
What are the standardised tools/checklists used to guide diagnostic decisions?
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. 5th Edition (DSM-V) (American Psychiatric Association)
- International Classifications of Diseases (ICD-10/11) (WHO) - Europe and world
What decides ‘Normality’ in the Medical Model / ‘Pathology Paradigm’
Normality/Neurotypicality and Neurodivergence are predominantly decided by Doctors, Statisticians, Scientists.
- The educated, the elite, the powerful, the status quo
- Powerful ≠ malevolent, but important to remember …
- Changes in these manuals/checklists change across time (i.e., updated at
intervals) reflect changes in societal values and norms, as well as scientific developments
What are some criticisms of the Medical Model?
- Negative perceptions of disability are embedded: inherent assumptions that those with disabilities have something wrong with them that needs to be ‘fixed’.
- Limited cosideration of a person’s environment or context: underplays/denies the influence that societal views and practise have over our understanding of disability.
- Medical professionals and scientists act as gatekeepers to services and supports: excluding the individual, and may not consider THEIR wants or needs.
The Social Model of Disability
(Shakespeare, 2006; Oliver, 2013)
It is not differences in one’s bodily function that limits his/her abilities, it is society
- Context and systems represent barriers (limiting or restricting their ability to achieve, function, participate) rather than their attributes/impairments
- Can relate to things like physical barriers, and peoples’ attitudes
Who decides ‘Normality’ in this model?
Not a central construct here:
- Neurodiversity and neurodivergence fit nicely
- Tends to be less of a focus on impairment (abnormality of the body)
- Critically separated out from disability
- The target of intervention is social or political change
- To decrease environmental barriers and increase levels of understanding
- The ‘agent of remedy’ can be the individual, an advocate, or anyone who positively affects the arrangements between the individual and society
What are some criticisms of the Social Model?
- Completely separating impairment and disability may not fully account for the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities: Impairment is an observable attribute of an individual that may constitute an essential aspect of their lived experience (Palmer & Harley, 2012)
Should better take into account differences between individuals with disabilities
- Possibility of multiple forms of oppression associated with intersectionality
- Changing society to accommodate individuals with disabilities might not b enough, because it also needs to tackle other prejudices that might affect each
person
Why is understanding neurotypicality, neurodivergence, and disability/non-disability important?
Both crucial drivers for social and political change to help people overcome barriers
that limit or restrict their ability to achieve, function and participate
- Adopting different perspectives / frameworks can also shape the direction of research and scientific progress
