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5102
How Movement, Anxiety, Communication and Sensory Differences Affect My Autism [Social Work Session]
Friday, July 9, 2010: 4:15 PM-5:30 PM
Cumberland IJ (Hyatt Regency Dallas)
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Neurophysiological researchers are learning a lot about the autistic brain, but what does this mean for those of us with autism? How does what they are learning help those of us with autism understand ourselves better so we can advocate for what we need? How does this knowledge help the people who know us provide the most helpful interventions and supports? Come learn how we have translated neurophysiological reasearch into practical strategies for me and others.
The neurophysiological research has confirmed movement, anxiety, communication and sensory (MACS) differences in autistic brains. Why else would we have difficulty controlling our bodies? These difficulties can take many forms and can also have great impact on our ability to form words other than echolalia in our oral musculature. The research also shows many of us have higher levels of anxiety. Why else would so many of us have the need for anti-anxiety medications? The research also points to sensory challenges, whether these are facial recognition, hypersensitivity in hearing or proprioceptive problems like feeling that we are suddenly missing a body part. Why else would we behave so strangely sometimes?
When I didn’t know about my brain differences, I was focused only on the fact that I couldn’t communicate and that others thought I was stupid. Understanding my brain differences made it possible for me to explain my autistic behaviors, not to excuse them, but so I could work with my parents and support staff to individualize what works to help me better control myself. Otherwise, people would just try different treatments on me; sometimes they worked and sometimes they made me more anxious, which made my body harder to control, made my communication more echolalic and made me more sensitive to sensory differences. This vicious circle can only be stopped by understanding how these separate brain systems affect each other.
Once these phenomenon are understood, you can break the cycle by avoiding things that make you anxious, telling people what you need to help move accurately and deal with sensory feelings of being overwhelmed.
I will share what I wrote for others about how my MACS differences affect me and what to do about it. When participants see these differences in someone else with autism, maybe the same things will work for them.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn what movement, anxiety, communication, and sensory (MACS) differences in the autistic brain are
- Participants will learn some strategies to use with people with autism whose MACS differences are like mine
- Participants will learn how MACS differences affect me as an adult with autism
Content Area: Life with Autism
Presenter:
Jacob Pratt, Person with Autism
Executive Director
Autism Spectrum Differences Institute of New England, Inc.
Jacob is the Executive Director and consultant-trainer for the Autism Spectrum Differences Institute of New England, Inc. A brilliant person who uses alternative communication, Jacob is committed to breaking down barriers so that others have the opportunities he has had for inclusive education, meaningful employment, and self-determined living.