On our regular Thursday morning segment on The Ranch, 99.1 FM, we talked about the differences in the autistic brain. When people understand the "why" behind the "what", they can be helpful to those children and adults with autism.
In part, I wanted to present this information because it is the beginning of the school year (September 1) and if teachers have not been introduced to these facts, it just might help them get their year off to a good start with their students who are "on the spectrum". Because the parents of those with autism are "scrambling" every moment to provide services and support (just as many parents are), they may not have all the time they need to educate themselves, especially if the diagnosis is recent. So, here we go!
In part, I wanted to present this information because it is the beginning of the school year (September 1) and if teachers have not been introduced to these facts, it just might help them get their year off to a good start with their students who are "on the spectrum". Because the parents of those with autism are "scrambling" every moment to provide services and support (just as many parents are), they may not have all the time they need to educate themselves, especially if the diagnosis is recent. So, here we go!
The neurological differences cause the social, language, learning and emotional challenges that those with autism experience.
One of the biggest issues is the minimal amount or lack of "mirror neurons", in particular, the F5 neurons, that play a vital role in the ability to imitate others. Why is the ability to imitate important?
We benefit from observing others because "following their lead" not only teaches us "what" to do, but shows us "how" to express the feelings that accompany that behavior. Imitation also allows us to develop empathy. In turn, imitation helps with "perspective taking" which is a fancy way of saying, "being in someone else's shoes"!
A "neurotypical" (typically wired) brain is primed and wired to imitate others. When I sat my baby in a high chair to feed him, I noticed he watched my mouth instead of watching me "deliver" the food to him. What? I realized that I was opening my mouth as the spoon got closer to his mouth and so, he imitated me and "opened wide"! I wish I had known that I, too, was primed to demonstrate the behavior I wanted him to imitate! If science had already learned about mirror neurons, I might have known "what" was going on in his little baby brain!
One of the biggest issues is the minimal amount or lack of "mirror neurons", in particular, the F5 neurons, that play a vital role in the ability to imitate others. Why is the ability to imitate important?
We benefit from observing others because "following their lead" not only teaches us "what" to do, but shows us "how" to express the feelings that accompany that behavior. Imitation also allows us to develop empathy. In turn, imitation helps with "perspective taking" which is a fancy way of saying, "being in someone else's shoes"!
A "neurotypical" (typically wired) brain is primed and wired to imitate others. When I sat my baby in a high chair to feed him, I noticed he watched my mouth instead of watching me "deliver" the food to him. What? I realized that I was opening my mouth as the spoon got closer to his mouth and so, he imitated me and "opened wide"! I wish I had known that I, too, was primed to demonstrate the behavior I wanted him to imitate! If science had already learned about mirror neurons, I might have known "what" was going on in his little baby brain!
Those with autism also have a larger frontal lobe which is the area behind the forehead, the "home" of executive functioning. This excess brain matter compromises executive functioning which are those skills that are related to monitoring what you are doing while you are in the middle of doing it, stopping yourself before you say or do something you shouldn't be saying or doing, shifting gears from one task or environment to another, using social judgment, planning, organizing, thinking about the consequences of your behavior before you actually do something and using working memory. Working memory allows you to temporarily hold onto bits of data such as a phone number, so you can use it immediately. Clearly, the frontal lobe is a "major player" in "getting life done".
You can appreciate that if these skills are not sufficient to manage daily tasks, then a variety of problems result. These are the same issues that plague those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is frequently diagnosed along with autism.
You can appreciate that if these skills are not sufficient to manage daily tasks, then a variety of problems result. These are the same issues that plague those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is frequently diagnosed along with autism.
There is a thick, fibrous structure in the brain that "connects" the hemispheres (halves) of the brain. In those with autism, this structure is "undersized" and because it is smaller, messages get jammed resulting in poorly coordinated behavior and responses to situations. For those with autism, they frequently have "poor timing" when responding to situations because it takes them longer to evaluate and orchestrate a reaction.
The amygdala is the "seat of emotions" in the human brain. This area is activated when the autistic person looks at faces causing them to interpret them as a threat. This is one of the reasons behind the struggle with establishing and maintaining eye contact. Problems with eye contact communicates to others, "I'm not connecting with you", but they may actually be connected, just not in the way you expected.
Another area that can be different in the autistic brain is the hippocampus which is a seahorse-shaped organ toward the back of the brain. Hippocampus is Greek for "seahorse". Actually there are two and they appear to be facing one another. The hippocampus is where memory is stored. It is part of the limbic (the emotional system) and is also involved in spatial navigation. Clearly, it's a multi-talented organ.
But, if you are autistic, it can be 10% larger than is typical. Why is this an issue? Because the autistic person ends up relying on the hippocampus to interpret situations that most people process elsewhere. The enlarged hippocampus allows them to recall a great deal of (often) irrelevant details which is oftentimes "off putting" to others.
But, if you are autistic, it can be 10% larger than is typical. Why is this an issue? Because the autistic person ends up relying on the hippocampus to interpret situations that most people process elsewhere. The enlarged hippocampus allows them to recall a great deal of (often) irrelevant details which is oftentimes "off putting" to others.
Finally, the cerebellum, which plays a key role in physical coordination, motor planning and anticipating events, is overloaded with white matter which is the kind of cells responsible for communicating and coordinating various regions of the brain. Struggling with predicting "what" will happen next throws off social timing and makes the person appear awkward. Problems with physical coordination create serious challenges in elementary school when playground skills are the "social currency" of boys. Boys with autism typically have greater difficulties with language processing than girls and in elementary school, without adequate language processing and playground skills, boys do not have the quality or quantity of social exchanges that enhance their social development.
I hope you can appreciate the intense challenges that autism creates and be patient and understanding when interacting with children, teens and adults with autism.
It's my hope that you extend the same patience and understanding to their parents, regardless of the age of their autistic children.
Persons with autism need varying levels of support. Society has yet to catch up with the needs of the thousands of adults with serious levels of symptoms. Parents are joining together to create informal day treatment programs that offer their children a safe place to participate in meaningful activities. Do what you can to support them. These parents are the pathfinders.
TTFN, Claudia
It's my hope that you extend the same patience and understanding to their parents, regardless of the age of their autistic children.
Persons with autism need varying levels of support. Society has yet to catch up with the needs of the thousands of adults with serious levels of symptoms. Parents are joining together to create informal day treatment programs that offer their children a safe place to participate in meaningful activities. Do what you can to support them. These parents are the pathfinders.
TTFN, Claudia
