Tag Archives: neurotypical

Editorial

Autism Evolution …..

Leave a comment

How Autistic Individuals Are Evolutionarily Wired to Challenge Social Norms and Ensure Survival

In a world that rewards conformity and social harmony, autistic individuals stand out as natural nonconformists who offer a different and vital perspective. This difference isn’t just a social quirk—it’s rooted in how the autistic brain is wired. Unlike neurotypicals, who are driven by social rewards and often motivated to avoid conflict, autistic individuals often lack the same social reward system, giving them a unique ability to challenge societal norms, question hierarchies, and push back against potentially dangerous group decisions.

By exploring the neurological differences in autism and comparing them to trauma-based impairments, we begin to understand how autistic brains are wired for vigilance and innovation. Autistic people provide essential insights, resist harmful conformity, and advocate for justice in a way that is both evolutionarily advantageous and necessary in modern society.

The Difference Between Autistic and Neurotypical Social Motivation

The primary neurological difference between autistic individuals and neurotypicals lies in how each group processes social reward. Neurotypicals tend to be highly motivated by social cues—seeking approval, avoiding rejection, and adhering to group norms to maintain social standing. This is driven by brain areas such as the ventral striatum, which is associated with the pleasure of social interactions, and the amygdala, which processes emotional responses​(The Journal of Neuroscience)​(Neuroscience News).

However, in autistic individuals, these brain areas function differently. Autistic brains are less responsive to social rewards like praise or acceptance. Instead, they are often motivated by internal interests, logic, and a sense of fairness. This fundamental difference means that autistic individuals are more likely to challenge the social status quo because they aren’t driven by the same need for social validation​(Neuroscience News).

This lack of reliance on social reward frees autistic individuals from the pressures of conformity, allowing them to:

  • Speak up when something seems wrong.
  • Resist going along with harmful or unethical norms.
  • Focus on facts and fairness rather than social games.

Evolutionary Advantages: The Role of Nonconformity in Survival

In early human societies, where survival depended on making decisions in uncertain environments, it was vital to have individuals who could think independently. If everyone in the group simply went along with the leader’s decisions—whether those decisions were logical or not—the group could be at risk of failing to adapt to new challenges. Autistic individuals, who are less susceptible to social pressures, likely played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of early human groups by challenging unsafe practices and offering alternative perspectives​(Neuroscience News)​(NeuroLaunch.com).

  1. Challenging Dangerous Norms: Conformity in groups can sometimes lead to groupthink, where people follow a decision even if it is flawed, simply to avoid conflict. Autistic individuals, because they are less influenced by social dynamics, are often the ones to point out flaws or challenge the norm, even when it’s uncomfortable. This was likely essential in preventing harmful decisions from going unchallenged in early human groups, helping to ensure the safety of the collective.
  2. Spotting Systemic Flaws: Autistic people are known for their attention to detail and their ability to recognize patterns that others might miss. In early societies, this might have translated into an ability to spot changes in the environment—whether it was shifts in animal migration patterns, subtle changes in weather, or the early warning signs of danger. Today, this trait helps autistic individuals detect systemic flaws in organizations, processes, or social systems​(The Journal of Neuroscience)​(Neuroscience News).
  3. Innovation and Problem Solving: Autistic individuals often resist following traditional paths or solutions that don’t make logical sense. Their tendency to think outside the box and question existing practices may have driven innovation in early human societies, where novel solutions to problems were crucial for survival. Whether it was finding new ways to hunt, gather resources, or build tools, autistic individuals’ unique wiring for independent thought allowed them to see solutions where others might not​(The Journal of Neuroscience)​(NeuroLaunch.com).

Resistance to Social Hierarchy: Speaking Truth to Power

Social hierarchies, while useful in some contexts, can also create environments where questioning authority is discouraged. Neurotypicals, motivated by social reward, might avoid challenging those in power out of fear of losing status or being ostracized. Autistic individuals, however, often feel less tied to these social hierarchies, which allows them to speak truth to power without the fear of social rejection​(Neuroscience News)​(NeuroLaunch.com).

  • Less Concern with Social Judgment: Because autistic people don’t rely on social validation for self-worth, they are often more willing to challenge authority figures or dominant societal norms when they feel something is wrong. This makes them powerful advocates for truth and justice, particularly in situations where others might be too concerned with their own social standing to speak up​(Neuroscience News).
  • Pushing Back Against Unsafe Systems: Autistic individuals are often the ones to raise concerns when systems, processes, or practices are unjust or unsafe. This resistance to social hierarchy helps ensure that harmful norms are questioned and, if necessary, changed to protect others. In modern society, this trait makes autistic voices essential in advocacy, reform, and innovation​(NeuroLaunch.com).

The Mirror of Trauma: Similarities and Differences

Interestingly, many of the traits we see in autistic individuals—hypervigilance, resistance to conformity, difficulty with social reward systems—are also present in individuals affected by trauma. Both groups share heightened awareness of potential threats and a strong sense of self-preservation. However, while trauma brains develop these traits as a result of negative experiences, autistic brains are wired this way from birth​(Neuroscience News)​(NeuroLaunch.com).

This suggests that autistic individuals are naturally wired to operate in a heightened state of awareness and independent thought, offering insights and protection to the groups they are part of. While trauma survivors might develop these traits as a coping mechanism, autistic individuals offer these traits as part of their neurological makeup, playing a vital role in balancing the social dynamics of a group.

Conclusion: The Evolutionary Role of Autistic Individuals

Autistic individuals bring a unique and essential perspective to both historical and modern societies. Their lack of dependence on social rewards, coupled with their ability to challenge norms and think independently, has allowed them to serve as crucial members of any group—whether it’s questioning harmful practices, spotting unseen dangers, or pushing for innovations that others might be too risk-averse to consider.

In modern society, these traits make autistic individuals indispensable in areas such as advocacy, leadership, and social reform, where independent thinking and resistance to conformity are vital for progress. Understanding and embracing these differences helps not only in supporting autistic individuals but in recognizing the essential role they play in ensuring the safety, innovation, and ethical integrity of society as a whole.

References

  1. Belmonte, M. K., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2004). Autism: Reduced connectivity between cortical areas?. Brain, 127(1), 1811-1813. Retrieved from: Journal of Neuroscience​(The Journal of Neuroscience)
  2. Tang, G., Gudsnuk, K., Kuo, S. H., Cotrina, M. L., Rosoklija, G., Sosunov, A., … & Sulzer, D. (2014). Loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy causes autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits. Neuron, 83(5), 1131-1143. Retrieved from: Columbia University Irving Medical Center​(Columbia Irving Med Ctr)
  3. Neurons With Too Many Synapses: A Hallmark of Specific Forms of Autism. (2021). Neuroscience News. Retrieved from: Neuroscience News​(Neuroscience News)
  4. Autism and Fear Response: Understanding Connections. (2023). Neurolaunch. Retrieved from: Neurolaunch​(NeuroLaunch.com)
Autism

Faces Lie

Leave a comment

Faces Lie: Why I Don’t Look at Faces

From a young age, neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, often develop a unique perspective on social interactions and communication. One behavior that frequently draws attention and misunderstanding is the tendency to avoid looking at faces. This behavior is commonly misinterpreted as a lack of interest or an inability to engage socially. However, the reality is far more complex and deeply rooted in the nuanced ways we process and respond to visual and emotional information. This article delves into the reasons behind this behavior, challenges common misconceptions, and highlights the importance of direct and honest communication.

The Disconnect Between Words and Faces

One of the primary reasons neurodivergent individuals avoid looking at faces is the frequent inconsistency between what people say and what their facial expressions convey. For example, someone might insist that “nothing is wrong” while their face shows clear signs of distress. These mixed signals create confusion and frustration. For many autistic individuals, this disconnect becomes apparent early in life, leading them to distrust facial expressions that do not match spoken words.

The Importance of Internal Understanding

Many neurodivergent individuals, including myself, have a highly visual internal world. Our understanding and interpretation of the external world heavily rely on visual consistency. When examining our surroundings, we need to ensure that they match our internal visual representation. This process extends to understanding people and their emotions. If faces do not align with the spoken word, they lose their credibility and relevance. Thus, focusing on faces becomes less interesting and more of a distraction from seeking the underlying truth.

The Inefficiency of Lies

When people lie about their feelings, it wastes our effort in trying to decipher their true emotions through facial expressions. This is particularly frustrating when neurodivergent individuals are often punished or reprimanded for noticing and pointing out these discrepancies. As a result, many of us choose to divert our attention away from faces, seeking more reliable and consistent sources of information. This decision is not about a lack of empathy or social disinterest but rather a logical response to a perceived inefficiency in social communication.

Why Faces Become Uninteresting

The lack of transparency in facial expressions leads to disinterest in looking at faces. The inability to break down and understand the truth behind these expressions makes them less engaging. We prefer honesty and directness in communication, and when someone’s face says one thing while their words say another, it is seen as dishonest and not worth the effort to decipher. This preference for straightforward communication aligns with our need for clarity and consistency.

Personal Experience of Misinterpretation

This is my personal experience, and it is compounded by the fact that my own expressions are often dissected and my emotions inferred by non-autistics. When I attempt to interpret their expressions and emotions, I am frequently told that I am wrong or misled. This double standard is perplexing and frustrating. If my interpretations are deemed incorrect, then the same scrutiny should apply to the interpretations of my expressions by others. The inconsistency in how our expressions are evaluated makes little sense and adds to the difficulty of engaging with facial expressions.

Misinterpretations of Autistic Behavior

Recent studies, such as the one on abnormal visual perception in autism, highlight significant differences in how autistic individuals process visual information. These differences are often misinterpreted as social deficits. For instance, what might appear as aimless visual exploration is, in reality, a methodical process of examining the external world to ensure it matches the internal visual picture. The tendency to avoid looking at faces is not due to a lack of social interest but a logical response to the frequent dishonesty observed in facial expressions.

Social Implications

This disinterest in faces can lead to misunderstandings in social interactions, especially in a world where neurotypical people expect facial expressions to be a fundamental part of communication. Neurodivergent individuals, however, prioritize direct communication and consistency between words and actions. Understanding these different priorities can help foster more inclusive and effective communication practices.

Conclusion

Not looking at faces is a rational response to the inconsistencies and dishonesty often observed in facial expressions. For neurodivergent individuals, this behavior is rooted in a preference for direct and honest communication that aligns words with true feelings. It is crucial to challenge common misconceptions about autistic behavior and recognize the importance of providing clear, consistent communication. By doing so, we can create more inclusive social norms that respect the communication preferences of neurodivergent individuals and enhance mutual understanding and respect.

Editorial

Words and Pictures

Leave a comment

Beyond Words: Understanding and Respecting Autistic Communication Styles

It’s crucial to understand that autistic individuals often think and process the world in fundamentally different ways than non-autistic individuals. For many autistics, thinking in pictures or using visual and sensory experiences is a natural and efficient way to navigate life. This visual thinking is not inferior; it’s simply different.

When therapies and interventions insist that autistic individuals must use words and communicate in ways that are more comfortable for non-autistics, it can feel oppressive and disrespectful. It’s as if the unique, natural ways in which autistic minds work are being dismissed or devalued.

Historical Context of Forced Assimilation

Throughout history, there have been numerous instances where dominant groups have imposed their ways of life on others, often with devastating consequences. For example, during the era of colonialism, indigenous populations were often forced to abandon their languages, traditions, and ways of life in favor of the colonizers’ customs. This resulted in a loss of cultural identity and significant psychological trauma for many indigenous communities.

A more recent example is the forced assimilation policies in the United States and Canada, where indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in residential schools. These schools aimed to “civilize” the children by erasing their native languages and cultures. The long-term impact of these policies has been profound, contributing to intergenerational trauma and the erosion of indigenous cultures.

Scientific Insights into Neurodiversity

Research into neurodiversity underscores the importance of respecting different cognitive styles. Studies have shown that autistic individuals often have enhanced visual and spatial skills, which can be a significant advantage in various fields, such as art, engineering, and computer science (Grandin, 2006). Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent autistic advocate, has written extensively about how her visual thinking has been instrumental in her success.

Forcing autistic individuals to conform to non-autistic communication styles without considering their natural preferences can be seen as a form of compliance training rather than genuine support. It’s akin to saying, “You must fit into our mold, or you’re not acceptable,” which can be deeply harmful and invalidating.

The Need for Mutual Respect

True inclusivity and support should be about finding a middle ground where both neurotypical and neurodivergent ways of thinking and communicating are respected and valued. Instead of demanding that autistics change to fit into a non-autistic world, we should seek to understand and integrate autistic communication styles. This approach fosters mutual respect and acknowledges the richness that diverse ways of thinking bring to our world.

The philosophy of neurodiversity advocates for the recognition and respect of different neurological conditions as natural variations of the human genome. This perspective encourages society to accommodate these differences rather than trying to “fix” or “normalize” them (Singer, 1998).

Conclusion

Imposing non-autistic communication methods on autistic individuals without mutual compromise echoes the dark chapters of history where conformity was enforced at the expense of cultural and individual identity. By recognizing and valifying neurodiverse communication styles, we move towards a more inclusive and empathetic society.

References:

  • Grandin, T. (2006). Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism. Vintage.
  • Singer, J. (1998). Odd People In: The Birth of Community amongst People on the Autistic Spectrum: A Personal Exploration of a New Social Movement based on Neurological Diversity.