<![CDATA[Orchid Advocacy - Olmstead Law & Order Thursday]]>Sat, 29 Mar 2025 04:45:32 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Executive Functioning, Pre-mature Aging & Staffing]]>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:12:21 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/executive-functioning-pre-mature-aging-staffing
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • ​The RATE OF AGING is IDIOSYNCRATIC and dependent on a number of factors among which is MATERNAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION.
  • Also, there are complicated sex differences in aging.
Further, we are prepared to fund Alzheimer's Units and Locked Nursing Home Wards 
  • ​Some of the people on those locked wards are younger people with "mental illness" or "brain injury" who could live in the community with sufficient supports.
  • There are a lot of people with "mental Illness" in jails or prisons, there are even more with "Neuro-Developmental Disorders" and an IQ over 70.
  • Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) needs to be available to people transitioning out of the nursing home as well as the Jail or Prison.
So What?

"These findings suggest major changes in microglial subsets developmental trajectories and reactivity contributing to NDDs [Neuro-Developmental Disorders] induced by neonatal inflammation."
Staffing
  • There is so much that can be gained by Public Education,
  • A website dealing with the challenges and strengths of being a person with a Neuro-Developmental Disorder and an IQ over 70 --- could be very helpful.
  • AI could potentially be very helpful.
  • These new understandings are the precursors to better treatments and likely reduce the need for more Staff across education, employment, healthcare, etc.
  • Neuro-Diversity is often associated with many diverse chronic disease categories --- of course, it is.
  • If you've lived this --- you know there are a lot of Highs and Lows.
  • In the meantime, there is a need to re-allocate resources and staff.
For younger people with Neuro-Developmental Disorders and an IQ over 70
  • Historically, we haven't appreciated the underlying biology and executive functioning deficits or the idiosyncratic strengths.
  • At least sometimes the Societal Response has been --- "If you don't stop crying, I'm gonna give you something to cry about."​ 
"These findings provide novel, prospective evidence that maternal inflammation uniquely predicts child cognitive flexibility deficits, and that these associations depend on the timing of exposure before or during pregnancy."
The effects of Maternal Immune Activation are not static over the life span, although those effects are not uniform and are idiosyncratic.

  • Something needs to be brought to bear on this challenge of people with Neuro-Developmental Disorders and an IQ over 70 who make up big chucks of:
    • the Homeless
    • Criminal Justice
    • Child Welfare populations
    • as well as a problematic Elite
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<![CDATA[ACCOMMODATING "FATIGUE" and IDIOSYNCRATIC BIO-ENERGETICS In Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders]]>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 21:32:12 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/accommodating-fatigue-and-idiosyncratic-bio-energetics-in-neuro-developmental-and-psychiatric-disorders
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • When We're Talkin' Neuro-Diversity, We're Talkin' Neuro-Diversity
  • ​It is that Diversity that makes Neuro-Diversity so complicated to understand in the absence of BIO-MARKERS --- although researchers are identifying biomarkers.
  • Neuro-Diverse kids, adolescents and adults are more different from one another than Neuro-Typical people are different than one another.
  • When I use the word "Neuro-Diverse," I generally mean someone who was subject to Maternal Immune Activation IN UTERO and has some greater form of systemic developmental inflammation.
  • This DIVERSITY which has so many benefits is also putting a lot of pressure on policymakers and system designers at various levels to provide systems that are even adequate, much less good or excellent.
​There are some Neuro-Diverse folks often viewed as having "ADHD" --- who need a lot of physical activity --
  • ​Need that at School and for much of the day, and
  • A Work Environment with a lot of Physical Activity that will pay them a living wage.
  • Further, HYPER-MOBILITY is more and more associated with Psychiatric Disorders
For some people, just saying MORE EXERCISE is the Answer is going to lead to DISASTER.
  • Whether or not they have ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), they may need any Exercise Routine carefully tailored to their "FATIGUE LEVEL" and that may not be "the average person."
  • Further, their Metabolism may be dysregulated as the result of DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES.
For kids who need significantly more physical activity at school, "fidget spinners" and "brain breaks" may be far from adequate educational responses.

Further kids in general, especially neuro-diverse kids need individualized programming and attention.
THAT MEANS ADEQUATE STAFFING which many Colorado schools do not have.
“I’m really interested in looking at what a typical day looks like for a child with ADHD, and the typical activity levels,” Logan said.

“There’s hyperactivity and inattention. So we might see differences in activity levels depending on which symptom is greater in a child. Hyperactivity-based children are very active.

"Maybe those children need more bouts of physical activity throughout the day to really burn off some energy and to refocus when they come back in for the school day.

"That goes in line with where physical activity guidelines are going… more physical activity spread throughout the day might be more beneficial for us.”
Val's Conjecture

I think the benefits of exercise and the frequency and intensity of exercise vary greatly among individuals generally,  and among Neuro-Diverse people with MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION.
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<![CDATA[Colorado Teachers complain of "DisreSpect" ---]]>Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:10:56 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/colorado-teachers-complain-of-disrespectWhat is the Role of Inadequate Staffing for students with An IQ over 70 and 'invisible disabilities'?
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • My observation is that some Schools have improved their staffing for High Needs Students.
    • Some schools may be struggling, but others even in less well funded school districts seem close to IDEAL.
      • There are notable exceptions.
    • This is severely restricted observation.
​On the other hand,  kids with Medium Needs and "ADHD" and/or "Autism" are challenging staffing schedules.
  • There may be some paraprofessional support but it is often not enough.
  • What is enough? 
A legislative audit of School Staffing for kids with disabilities could provide the data that is needed.
  • This should include kids with an IQ over 70 and invisible disabilities.
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<![CDATA[Olmstead & CO HB 25-1017]]>Sat, 08 Feb 2025 13:13:41 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/olmstead-co-hb-25-1017
Val's Take​​
  • Ostensibly this bill is about securing Olmstead protections should the US Supreme Court overturn the 1999 landmark decision.
    • That is one of its purposes.
  • What is not said is that most States, including Colorado, are not fully complying with Olmstead anyway --- although the bill does note that Colorado's State Plan is 10 years old and many feel it is insufficient.
    • So this also lays the groundwork/foundation for BETTER REALIZING THE PROMISE OF OLMSTEAD.
    • Additionally, the bill provides more of a PROCESS to do that without being unduly prescriptive. 
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Lois Curtis, one of the original Olmstead plaintiffs
"HB25-1017 - lays the groundwork for putting Olmstead into state statute should the Supreme Court of the United States overturn the decision."
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<![CDATA[Policy making for over-lapping intellectual, Developmental & Mental Health Disorders]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:58:49 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/policy-making-for-over-lapping-intellectual-developmental-mental-health-disorders

Schizophrenia: more same than different to neurodevelopmental disorders?

"The neurodevelopmental continuum is based on emerging evidence for shared genetic risk and overlapping pathogenic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders in early ages –

Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder."

[Va]'s Take:  Many researchers are including aspects of Depression in that NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL CONTINUUM].
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<![CDATA["bio-energetics," Disability & Accommodations]]>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 01:34:55 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/bio-energetics-disability-accommodations
Val's Take/Conjecture

Many illnesses and disabilities have some element of FATIGUE.

People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis had a hard time getting this neurological disorder taken seriously.

Fatigue is also a feature of many Neuro-Developmental & Psychiatric Disorders.

In the case of Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders, the issue of fatigue is often flying under the radar for patients.

In part, I think that leads to the underlying biology becoming even more dysregulated and presenting more serious symptoms.

Further, the need to manage the Fatigue is often met with an even greater resolve to WORK THROUGH IT -- which can further exacerbate the Energy Issues for a Brain that already has energy issues.
​As our understanding of the biology of Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders is making dramatic improvements --- fatigue will be more treated and accommodated.
Recently, "BRAIN ENERGY" has become a Hot Topic in Mental Health.  Dr. Chris Palmer and others are pushing a KETO diet and there has been some promising research.​
​"The accumulation of defective mitochondria accelerates cellular nerve dysfunction.

"In addition, impaired mitochondria aggravate alterations in the brain microenvironment, promoting neuroinflammation and energy depletion, thereby exacerbating the development of depression."
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<![CDATA["Mad Moms" poised to change the System]]>Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:05:37 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/mad-moms-poised-to-change-the-system
Val's Take
  • If ever there was a need for specialized organizing and advocacy --- I think it is needed for Adult Children with cognitive issues in mental hospitals and jails.
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<![CDATA[chevron overturned, HUD "OLMSTEAD VOUCHERS," 2nd Trump Administration & Olmstead]]>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:57:44 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/chevron-overturned-hud-olmstead-vouchers-2nd-trump-administration-olmstead
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • In 2015, CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) determined that Medicaid would NOT COVER HOUSING but would cover "Housing-Related Services" and even "Olmstead Planning."
  • Under the first Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions withdrew over 20 pieces of US Department of Justice "Guidance."​
  • But it would be the US Supreme Court that overturned the Chevron Doctrine this year in 2024 and held such Executive Agency Guidance was not binding.
  • The 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision was about a "Comprehensive, Effectively Working State Plan for People with Disabilities"  --- "moving at a reasonable pace."
  • The most glaring failure has been the failure to provide adequate housing for people with disabilities.
  • In Denver, the city took on the task of housing people with disabilities ---- it was seemingly was after the fact that city officials realized these were people with disabilities and needed a fair amount of case management, etc.
    • Val's Take:  One of the things that is so confusing about the Neuro-Developmental/Psychiatric Continuum 
      • Most of the people on it do have an IQ over 70, sometimes a lot over 70
      • They are dealing with idiosyncratic pre-natal Neuro-Developmental Disorders to the Immune System, Microbiome, and Endocrine System as well as the Central Nervous System.
      • Further, the environmental INFLAMMATORY HITS can be exaggerated by pre-natal Maternal Immune Activation.
      • Biomarkers are important for individualized, personalized treatment.
HUD Takes Action to Support Community Living for People with Disabilities (August 2024)

​After 25 years of Olmstead, it became painfully obvious that there were not enough housing resources for people with disabilities in most states, and it wasn't getting addressed ---- except maybe by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and he was relying at least in great part on Federal Housing Vouchers.

Could a 2nd Trump Administration roll back "Olmstead Housing Vouchers" --- It could but it may not want to.

If HUD can cover Housing Vouchers, I think that makes the process of "Olmstead Planning" much easier for all the Stakeholders.

I don't think a 2nd Trump Administration is going to be focused on Olmstead Enforcement --- but there could be encouragement of reasonable, flexible plans to address the needs of people of disabilities who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization.
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<![CDATA[The Mental Health Crisis and better paradigms]]>Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:44:05 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/the-mental-health-crisis-and-better-paradigms
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • People with Neuro-Developmental and/or Psychiatric Disorders and an IQ over 70 have been at great risk of institutionalization or homelessness in this society and many societies.
  •  "MIA [Maternal Immune Activation] induces widespread gene expression changes in neuronal and non-neuronal cells; importantly, these responses are abolished by selective genetic deletion of microglia."
  • These are big time paradigm shifts involving the Developmental Disorders of ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Schizophrenia-- that are now seen as blurred as opposed to distinct.
    • That would make a lot of sense if what we're talking about are IDIOSYNCRATIC activation of INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES on most notably MICROGLIA during pregnancy.
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<![CDATA[Moving towards biomarkers and Precision Medicine In Treating "Invisible Disabilities" ---To better avoid institutionalization]]>Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:15:07 GMThttps://orchidadvocacy.org/olmstead-law--order-thursday/moving-towards-biomarkers-and-precision-medicine-in-treating-invisible-disabilities-to-better-avoid-institutionalization
Val's Take/Conjecture
  • The BLESSING and the CURSE of the Neuro-Developmental/Psychiatric Continuum is that most people on it do not have any visible MOBILITY issue.
  • However, many people with MOBILITY ISSUES do have PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS.
    • That includes Autoimmune Diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Cancer, Parkinson's, Dementia, etc.
  • People with Neuro-Developmental/Psychiatric Disorders and an IQ above 70 can be at risk of Incarceration and/or Homelessness.
    • This is not a situation in which ignorance is bliss.
I think there can be a lot of fear of the "MEDICAL MODEL" --- but many people feel ill-served by the "NON-MEDICAL MODEL" or PRIMITIVE MODEL of SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOM CLUSTERS in the DSM.

Further, while many neuro-diverse people do not have obvious MOBILITY issues, many do have IDIOSYNCRATIC "FATIGUE" and/or ENERGY/OVER-EXCITABILITY issues that relate to MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION, among other things.
Can lifestyle choices help this, I think it probably can but that is a lot more complicated than how we normally treat it.

We need to acknowledge the challenge of ACCELERATED AGING AT A CELLULAR LEVEL as a result of MATERNAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION.

BIOMARKERS can make that a lot clearer for everyone.
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Mitochondrial dynamics and psychiatric disorders: The missing link (2024)

Accumulating data have underlined how mitochondrial bioenergetics affect major psychiatric disorders. However, how mitochondrial dynamics, a term addressing mitochondria quality control, including mitochondrial fission, fusion, biogenesis and mitophagy, is im …
Neurodivergent Rebel
Setting & Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
Val's Take:  This is an interesting video and it goes in part to the difficulty of defining "Neurodivergence" from symptoms alone --- because those symptoms can be fairly idiosyncratic.

There are often processing differences --- but those too tend to be idiosyncratic.

To me, Neurodevelopmental Inflammation is a much better predictor of Neurodivergence --- at least in many to most cases.
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Mitochondria: multifaceted regulators of aging (2019)

Metabolic processes, including nutrient sensing pathways and mitochondrial function, have emerged as prominent regulators of aging.

Mitochondria have been considered to play a key role largely due to their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in DNA damage that accumulates over time and ultimately causes cellular failure.
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