Here is a glimpse at new ideas that are shaping how we talk about and understand Autism.

WHAT鈥橲 IN A NAME?

There is an ongoing disagreement over grammar and semantic in the autism community over the use of 鈥減erson with autism鈥� vs. 鈥淎utistic person.鈥� The argument is split between the community who supports Autistic people against Autistic people themselves. The words and language we use to describe people can be confusing to navigate. Intentions to be respectful, accurate and descriptive can in fact cause harm and division. The silver lining of this debate is that both parties are arguing on how to be respectful to the Autistic community.

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AUTISTIC DIFFERENCES

Just like there is an autism spectrum, there is a spectrum with understanding Autism. At one end of the spectrum are people who think neurodevelopmental differences are a myth, conjured as excuses for being lazy or a lack of intelligence. At the other end of the spectrum are people who believe Autistic people aren鈥檛 suffering from a 鈥渃ondition鈥� at all, they are just people who think differently. The latter group is gaining supported from scientific reviews and data that indicate a that Autistic people are more closely aligned with neurotypical people that previously understood.

While adjusting to how we understand Autism, is important to familiarizing ourselves with the positive attributes of Autism that so often get left out of the conversation when discussing how to 鈥渉elp鈥� Autistic people navigate the world around them.

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INCLUSION

Inclusion of Autistic individuals in neurotypical spaces is proven to help create a sense of belonging by building friendships and staving off depression and loneliness. One space often overlooked when discussing inclusion is that of recreation. The 鈥渄eficits鈥� of Autistic people have crated a barrier to their including in spaces that haven鈥檛 been specifically created for them. We need to reexamine our understating of what it means to be inclusive and diverse.

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MORE TO THINK ON

Understanding Autism is a work in progress. Knowledge and understanding are expanding to include topics of convergence, improved screening, exploring science, and gender difference among others. There is no shortage of material to dig into and learn about how to best support the Autistic community. Being a good advocate is being open to change.

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*Thank you to Maureen Bennie, Director of Autism Awareness Centre Inc. for sharing the linked resources.

Hi. My name is Gabriel. I鈥檓 13 and I like science, technology, engineering, analyzing art and board/video games. I have been attending 优蜜视频’s program for a few years and had my first summer as a camper last year.

This year I created a science project about trying to fix one of autism鈥檚 most pernicious side effects: spacing out.

As any 2E or autistic and ADD person can tell you, 鈥渟pacing out鈥� cripples their studies and hours and hours are lost and time becomes nebulous until they are aroused by a sound or perhaps a pat on the back. This causes workloads to seemingly multiply like tribbles!

My goal was to fix this problem by using tech 鈥� namely, artificial intelligence (AI) 鈥� that already existed to fix a conundrum that had seemingly been around forever. 鈥淭herefore, spacing out could be fixed by a device to treat and prevent the problem of losing focus in class via artificial intelligence augmented shock therapy from intelligent analysis of electroencephalography,鈥� as I stated in my research paper.

Translated, this means that it is possible to fix this problem by observing the excess static electricity from a gifted and/or autistic brain using a headset and running it through an AI, which attempts to find patterns between the live data and the examples. If it resembles the spaced out datasets, it stimulates the user via either the originally planned method of zapping them on the wrist 鈥� or, the more 鈥渟cience-fair-friendly鈥� method of intense vibration on the wrist.

After spending vast quantities of time researching and contacting many other experts, I attempted to assemble the software and headset from scratch by hacking a toy I own that uses electroencephalography.

First, I attempted to bore the user with pressing the space bar when they see a symbol, but the code was too complex for a Python newbie (or noob). The headset was tricky to solder, and things just did not work out. I have attempted to use many programs, including Github to organize files, Arduino to create the hacked headset, OSCulator to connect systems, Wekinator and WekiInputHelper to run the AI, Python to program with, and many more programs I have spent 200+ hours arranging in every way I can think of to try to get my theoretical system and ambitious dream running. However, I was unable to connect my rig, so I was unable to gather data.

When I started my project, I was notified that my project would not follow school convention, so I could expect to be shamed by the judges. What happened was radically different and a completely unexpected turn of events. After receiving 3rd place at my school, I was unexpectedly entered into the county fair as the only homeschooler, yet received 1st place and entry to state. I am currently preparing to attend the state fair.

Gabe currently volunteers his time to work with youth at his church club, AWANA, and he loves to ski, boogie board, and get completely trounced by waves and ocean. He actively participates in Boy Scouts, has never met a book that he doesn鈥檛 like, loves any and all things put on by 优蜜视频, and loves making animated movies and inventions.