From the Spectrum: Finding Superpowers with Autism – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode, we challenge the modern trend of Autism and ADHD comorbid diagnosis. We will use children from Kanner and Asperger to show these so-called ADHD symptoms are simply parts of the Autistic Phenotype. However, society finds it easier to lump these two conditions together, and we question why. We review both, the inattentive criteria and the hyperactivity and impulsivity of ADHD and explain when the Autistic phenotype exhibit these conditions.

The criteria for ADHD are downstream behaviors seen across multiple reasons and act as a collect-all. I did not say ADHD does not exist, but I do say Autism and ADHD existing simultaneously seems unlikely if you really understand the phenotypes. Might it just be easier for society to lump these together instead of challenging the differences?

B.3 and Inattention are complete opposites. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity can show up when anyone is in the wrong or horrible environment.

Autism and ADHD https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8918663/

Leo Kanner http://www.autismtruths.org/pdf/Autistic%20Disturbances%20of%20Affective%20Contact%20-%20Leo%20Kanner.pdf

Hans Asperger https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-97284-002

0:00 Intro; Brief Note on how environmental signals such as electromagnetic fields (EMF, i.e., Light) informs the genes on how to respond, and how disease manifests

2:51 Autism and ADHD; Neurodiversity; and some problems in society

7:58 Core of Autism- B.3, and Donald Triplett example; B.2 and Social Communication

13:27 Autistic Phenotypes

19:01 ADHD Phenotypes

21:41 Specifiers and Lumping Contrasting Phenotypes

33:18 Medication and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) Rant

35:42 Autism conundrum with ADHD

38:45 Reviews/Ratings and Contact Info

Hopp: https://www.hopp.bio/fromthespectrum

X: https://twitter.com/rps47586

email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

My guest today is Jonathan Mitchell. Jonathan is a senior citizen Autistic, Author of numerous novels and blogs, and stands up for the purpose of Autism. His blog, Autism Gadfly, provides perspectives of Autism otherwise not considered by the lay-public or researchers in Autism. Jonathan's views have been mentioned in Newsweek, NPR, Autism Daily Newscast, and HuffPost.

Jonathan was born in 1955 in Los Angeles. We discuss his experience at an early age including psychoanalytic therapy, psychological assessment, and troubles through education. Eventually, Jonathan and his family learned about Autism while on a trip to the East. Jonathan faced many challenges through his education in different schools beginning in kindergarten. However, Jonathan graduated from UCLA with a bachelors of arts in psychology.

We also discuss challenges in professional and personal life as an adult where he faced various barriers. In the early 2000s, when the internet allowed for different communication platforms, Jonathan began to call out things wrong in Autism. In addition, he carries a loud voice for a cure/treatment for Autism. Recently, you can find him on X as he continues to be a voice for the Autistic community.

The Mu Rhythm Bluff https://www.amazon.com/Mu-Rhythm-Bluff-Jonathan-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B00BQN84GM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UHATAWKAT5YA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eocnp6hSIjLZqAuzxnIcPw.vv03H-Vx-BeqtHx4_dYo4W6QomZdOkuZ4JEBPgbA-IQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+mu+rhythm+bluff&qid=1724157644&sprefix=the+mu+rhy%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1

X: https://twitter.com/autismgadfly

Jonathan Mitchell website http://www.jonathans-stories.com

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Mitchell_(writer)

In this episode, we explore Oxytocin and Vasopressin's vast roles in Human Biology. We time travel to cover the evolution of the two molecules and learn about their functions with developing and socializing. Oxytocin and Vasopressin are dynamic molecules whereby they are Peptides and Hormones. In addition, we cover previously discussed brain regions and how the molecules work alongside key Neuromodulators like Serotonin and Dopamine.

Social Reward https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214365/

Social Reward Requires Oxytocin and Serotonin in Nucleus Accumbens (Parvo Path) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4091761/

Magnocellular and Parvocellular social Information Processing https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(20)30770-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0896627320307704%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Magnocellular and Parvocellular https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jne.12284

Meta-Analysis of Intranasal https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=intranasal+oxytocin+autism&sort=pubdate&filter=pubt.meta-analysis

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33400920/

Intranasal Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38579916/

(0:00) Intro; Oxytocin and Vasopressin; Episode Objectives

(2:46) Oxytocin and Vasopressin; 700 million year time travel (Phylogeny)

(4:12) Peptides and Hormones; Modes of Transmission- Endocrine, Paracrine, Synaptic

(6:35) Proteins and Peptides; Amino Acids and Aromatic Amino Acids and Light

(8:58) Magnocellular and Parvocellular

(12:33) Roles of Oxytocin and Vasopressin and connections to various Brain Regions

(22:20) Scientific Literatures

(27:12) Oxytocin and Serotonin; 1) Reward Processing, 2) Fear Response, 3) Social-Emotional Processing

(30:07) Oxytocin and Dopamine

(31:08) Dopamine Receptors

(31:37) GABA

(33:57) Intranasal Oxytocin

(36:08) Take aways from Intranasal Literature

(37:24) Biggest Take Away (Magnocellular versus Parvocellular and Intranasal Administration)

email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

In this episode, we discuss Autism with Dr. Catherine Lord. Dr. Lord is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Education at UCLA and one of the foremost researchers in Autism. Dr. Lord provides tremendous insights into her roles in Autism and Autism Assessment.

Dr. Lord discusses her journey into Autism, the evolution of the Assessment including the ADOS growing from her basement and being overran by demand to the Gold Standard, the Challenges with understanding the Spectrum, updates on the Lancet Commission and Profound Autism, and Barriers in the Medical and Educational Systems.

Dr. Catherine Lord:

https://www.semel.ucla.edu/autism/team/catherine-lord-phd

https://childmind.org/bio/catherine-lord-phd/

https://labs.dgsom.ucla.edu/lord/pages/our_team

The Lancet Commission https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01541-5/abstract

The Lancet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30078460/

Nature Reviews Disease Primers https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31949163/

Autism and Education https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-spectrum-finding-superpowers-with-autism/id1737499562?i=1000656055638

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d948fecc-8cfa-4203-8493-a12d2c9c92ed/episodes/bf7ce843-0dd2-4fe8-b800-82ea9cace96d/from-the-spectrum-finding-superpowers-with-autism-autism-and-education

The mention of a recent article on Predicting Profound Autism and Cell Biology and me shying away from saying "Organoids" in real-time https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11127428/

(0:00) Intro

(3:22) Dr. Lord's journey into Autism and Recognizing a Spectrum

(11:25) The Evolution of Autism Assessment and Discussion on the ADI and ADOS- from making the ADOS in her Basement and being Overran by Demand to the Gold Standard; Revisions of Assessment Instruments

(16:36) Gaps in the Autism Assessment

(23:15) The Challenges with Understanding the Spectrum of Autism

(29:32) Updates on the Lancet Commission and Profound Autism

(35:19) Barriers with Autism and the Medical Field

(39:29) Barriers with Autism and Education- Four Strikes against the Autistic Phenotype: Sensory-Processing, Speech and Language, Social Communication/Interaction, and Subject Switching (understand B3: Fixated Interests)

(44:25) The Future of Autism and Helping Autistics Across the Life Span

(51:03) Reviews/Ratings and Contact Info

email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

In this episode, we explore three regions associated with social awareness- the medial Prefrontal Cortex, the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, and the Insula. We review the functions of each, the interactions between each region, and the inputs and bi-directional connections to some crucial areas of the brain. In large part, we will review adaptive responses and cover some scientific literature on these regions and the implications to Autism.

https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-024-00593-6

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9354837/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6766703/#:~:text=Schematic%20structure%20of%20different%20regions,and%20infralimbic%20cortex%20(IL).

https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(12)01108-7?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0896627312011087%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-06016-9

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763409000815?via%3Dihub#aep-section-id15

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17470919.2023.2242095

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006322308011578

(0:00) Intro; mPFC, ACC, and Insula

(3:26) mPFC, Excitation / Inhibition; CNTNAP2, SHANK3, Neuroligin, and PTEN

(7:42) Functions of mPFC and a primary dive into Adaptive Responses; Neuromodulators

(13:52) ACC

(15:23) the mPFC and ACC lead the way

(19:29) Scientific Studies on Theory of Mind Task and Sensory Processing

(21:52) Insula

(26:49) Scientific Study: Eye Gaze, Social Attention, Social Cognition, Observational Learning

(30:11) Social and Nonsocial Studies- different areas for Autistics versus Non-Autistic

(32:38) A study using 6-week-old Infants, attentional biases and sensorimotor and different brain areas

(35:05) Wrap Up

email: info.fromthespectrum@gmail.com

In this episode, we discuss biology of anxiety, responses from anxiety, and common situations causing anxiety with Autism. The stress response system of the body is very finite and the nervous system reflexively responds based on what it knows. A few biological components of anxiety include the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and the spine. Common responses to anxiety include avoidance, shifts in physiology, and valance, or how we feel about the situation. To end, we have a lengthy discussion on some common sources of anxiety.

Biology and Anxiety https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6690364/

Deisseroth on Anxiety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtCeIefq_PM

Deisseroth on Autism and Anxiety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oiKOX2lCmE

Physiological Sighs https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(22)00474-8

Jack Feldman https://bioscience.ucla.edu/people/jack-feldman/

David Spiegel https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/david-spiegel

Joseph LeDoux https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/joseph-e-ledoux.html

(0:00) Intro; Comorbid Tendency and the DSM

(2:56) Anxiety's role

(3:42) Biology and responses of Anxiety; Amygdala and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis; Avoidance, Physiology, Valance

(7:48) Avoidance (Action)- Hypothalamus

(9:11) Brief notes on Cortex

(11:36) Back to the Hypothalamus

(12:27) Physiology/Breathing (Body)- Parabrachial Nucleus; Physiological Sigh; Brainstem, Spine, and Body

(17:48) Valance (Feelings)- Ventral Tegmental Area; direct or indirect exposure- it doesn't matter

(20:00) Dopamine, Neuroplasticity, Side note on Testosterone, Multiple words have the same meaning

(24:58) Common situations for Anxiety and Autism

(35:58) Wrap Up, Reviews and Ratings, Contact Info

In this episode, we cover Autism and employment- some Superpowers and some Superdeficits. We discuss different types of work that are easier and fit our abilities and cover some challenges in the workplace. Some challenges include the social dynamic and being misunderstood, which are driving forces and sources of burnout and avoidance. Remember the metabolic "bank" account and the Excitation/Inhibition discussion.

Brain Science and Sir Simon Baron-Cohen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMxfq_QLuUU

Brain Science Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@BrainSciencePodcast

Pattern Seekers by Sir Simon Baron-Cohen https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Seekers-Autism-Drives-Invention/dp/1541647149

Autistic Brain by Temple Grandin https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Brain-Temple-Grandin/dp/0544227735

(0:00) Intro; Clip of Sir Simon Baron-Cohen on Brain Science with Dr. Ginger Campbell; Society's trap and time perception

(6:20) Autism and awareness; Do others see or understand our abilities

(9:12) The applying process and the interview- we hate look at me; Superdeficits are easier to remember; Honesty and accuracy and Employers don't have an accurate comparison

(12:39) Understanding the Autistic Brain

(14:25) Autistic Traits - some Superpowers

(21:20) Autistic Traits - some Superdeficits

(28:43) Good and Bad: Perfectionism- a tough balance

(30:42) Do things that you can do, you will do, and you love to do; The Nervous System just does; See Temple Grandin and Sir Simon Baron-Cohen on types of employment for different types of Autistic Brains

(31:38) Reviews and Ratings; Contact Information

In this episode, we discuss Autism and Education. We explore some current condition within education and some personal experiences. Specifically, the school day is in complete conflict with Autism- both Criteria A and B. This is the primary factor with the challenges of Autism in Education. The classroom requires a Social Dynamic, a Speech and Language Dynamic, and Sensory-Processing Dynamic, which is 3 strikes against Autism. In addition, the subject switching throughout the school day complicates our path of learning- Our learning style prefers spending extended times on a single subject. Autism gives us the ability to be comfortable within ourselves and this accelerates our learning, our Superpowers. School and the world mostly requires the social communication and interaction.

Antipsychotics https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/antipsychotic-drugs-market-2784#:~:text=The%20antipsychotic%20drugs%20market%20size,period%20(2023%20%2D%202030).

Pediatrician and Psychologists on the Medical Paradigm https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radically-genuine-podcast-with-dr-roger-mcfillin/id1573253801?i=1000624733618

Autism and Education https://www.fhautism.com/shop/autism-and-education-the-way-i-see-it-what-parents-and-teachers-need-to-know/

Thinking in Pictures https://www.grandin.com/inc/visual.thinking.html

Autism and Intelligence and an Explanation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxNg0xcadsM&t=316s

(0:00) Intro; Autism and Education; Are Educators educated on Autism?; Biases from others towards the environment

(7:00) The Prescription Era; Medication first Paradigm

(10:32) The School Day- Conflicts with Criteria A and B; Limits a Capacity to Think; Underlying thoughts and feelings of agitation and frustration when learning;

(13:15) Autism gives us the ability to be comfortable within ourselves; Are we like the so-called normal people, or not?

(13:39) The Classroom- Social Dynamic, Speech and Language Dynamic, Sensory-Processing Dynamic, 3 strikes against Autism;

(14:39) Subject Switching and Criteria B conflict

(17:14) If you have met one child with Autism, you have met one child with Autism

(17:49) Elementary School, 2 reasons why Reading is HARD, Social dynamic experience;

(23:07) 4th Grade personal experience- easy task from the outside, tremendous difficulty for Autistics;

(27:00) Art was fine, other subjects were not fine; Details to General versus General to Details;

(27:58) High School personal experiences; Pathway to Success > General Education;

(29:52) Did I graduate, or Not?

(31:56) SAT

(32:43) Assessment Superpowers and Superdeficits- Very Superior to Severe/Impaired; Schools simply cannot accommodate to all- within group (Autistic to Autistic) or between group (Autistic to Masses)

(36:34) Education Arrangement; Taking Notes is challenging

(39:16) Wrap Up, Reviews, Ratings, Feedback, Contact Information

Criteria B is Autism. Hans Aspergers called the children with the syndrome "little professors." This is Autism. Our routines and fixated interests. Autism gives us the ability to be comfortable within ourselves, and this accelerates our abilities, our Superpowers. How will society handle these so-called "differences" and the conflict within the so-called "normal" people?

In this episode, we expand to real-life examples of Criteria B components and review some personal experiences.

Dopamine Nation (Pleasure and Pain SeeSaw) https://www.annalembke.com

https://www.templegrandin.com/templegrandinbooks.html

(0:00) Intro; Autism is Criteria B, how will society handle "differences," those differences create conflict in others, stimulus-response, conflict, and comfort

(4:44) Routines (B2) and Plans, Exact Planning, Plan versus Actual Time and Execution, Reality meets our Visualized Thinking; Pleasure and Pain SeeSaw; More Relationship Struggles Implicated by Criteria B,

(9:01) Punctual- for others and ourselves; Bias yourself into Action; Understanding the need for Breaks; Others take the easy way out; get Sunlight for our Biology

(12:34) Personal Experience and a Glimpse into an Autistic Thought; Traffic Spacing

(16:33) Researching Items and Fixated Interests (B3); personal experience; Hans Aspergers and his Little Professors- This is Autism!

(20:40) Other examples- Pant Sizes and Alpha instead of Numerical, Restaurant Rant, Never Underestimate a Human's Capacity to Think; Don't try to change Autism because it is offends you- offends your expectations and beliefs

(23:12) Reviews and Ratings and Contact Information

Don't try to change an Autistic Person because they are "different" than you.

In this episode, we explore more examples of Criteria A- Deficits in Social Communication and Interaction. Yay, more DSM-5-TR. Can you fit in, or not? Are you like the so-called "normal" people, or not? This episode is highlighted by personal experiences and examples. Plus, I have three jokes. The examples and episode is not exhaustive, however, I try to capture some of the conditions on the spectrum. There are lots of examples in our social world that just does not make sense, and we like to say, "that does not make sense."

See Jack Kruse, Quantum Engineering 45

(0:00) Introduction; Crude Symptoms intend to capture the Spectrum; Can you fit in, or not? Are you like the so-called normal people, or not?

(2:08) Facts and Reality over Make-Believe; Methodical and Seeing Bottlenecks in Society- I hate "that's just the way it is"; Traffic; Names- Landon?, Associations; Repeating things- I hate, "like I said."

(7:09) "This does not make Sense"; Romantic Interests and Joke 1; Verbal Responses; Task-Switching from Fixated Interests; Sound Blends

(11:44) Social Media Use- Strange; Eye-Contact- Humans say we need to do it, and We are not Birds; Leaving Social Gatherings and Joke 2, the gathering will gather without me

(15:32) High-Fives = Stereotypy?; I hate Favors- favors create conflict; Henry David Thoreau; Self-Checkout Lanes and Autism, Neuroplasticity and Preference; Emotional Empathy

(20:04) Debriefing and Understanding; Supplementing Relationships and Visual Thinking; Joke 3 and Fixated Interests and Perfect Intensity- the DSM can have it's "abnormal" label; Echolalia; Fitting In and Modeling as a Blueprint

(26:03) Wrap-Up; Don't try to change an Autistic Person because They are "different" than you; Contact Information