Blog Posts

Appearances Are Often Deceiving

9/20/2021

So Neurotypicals do misunderstand Neuro-Diverse people.
But the people at the top of our society are often NEURO-DIVERSE
They don't need or don't think they need more NEURO-DIVERSE people.
- They need NEUROTYPICALS with those traditional Executive Functioning Skills.
- This is changing significantly in the Tech Industry --- but not every neuro-diverse person's area of advanced ability is engineering.

Of course, this goes to the DIVERSITY in NEURO-DIVERSITY.

Image Credit: Epic Assist
"The World Needs Neurodiversity, but Employers Still Don't Seem To Get It" (2020)

Honing our skills at SUPPORTING NEURO-DIVERSE people in the WORKPLACE and in ENTREPRENEURSHIP is likely to have many spill over benefits to the Society at large in both:

Goods and Services, and
Workarounds and Accommodations that could benefit a wide range of people

A lot of people use ramps who aren't in WHEELCHAIRS and a lot of people could benefit from these WORKAROUNDS and ACCOMMODATIONS in the Workplace & Entrepreneurship --- even if they don't identify as NEURO-DIVERSE.

Neuro-Diverse people at the bottom also need NEUROTYPICALS with those traditional Executive Functioning Skills.

Technology can help some with this
Pooling resources --- of some type could help for both VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON Assistance.

Image Credit: Syntactics, Inc.

One of the big challenges for our society is that NEURO-DIVERSE people are getting pretty COMMON --- and I would submit that is because of widespread INFLAMMATION in the population.

They Know NOT What They Do --- and the NEED to CHANGE "SYSTEMS"

9/20/2021

We're really BIG into PUNISHING INDIVIDUAL BAD ACTS and THEORETICALLY COMPENSATING INDIVIDUAL PLAINTIFFS

When we're talking about COGNITVE DIFFERENCE / DISABILITY in the JUSTICE SYSTEM or for that matter in the SOCIETY generally ----- that is COMPLICATED.

When Jesus said the ROMAN SOLDIERS --- "know not what they do" in crucifying Him --- Jesus didn't mean that the ROMAN SOLDIERS didn't appreciate that nailing Him to a cross would kill Him --- the ROMAN SOLDIERS were INTENDING to kill Jesus.

Those ROMAN SOLDIERS met the LOW BAR of "INTENT" in our CURRENT JUSTICE SYSTEM.

"The Three Kingdoms --- Heaven, Middle Earth and Hell" --- in Thailand

Dante's "Inferno" by Gustave Dore

What we really need are: SYSTEMIC OPTIONS

LAWSUITS CAN DRIVE THAT
SO Can Policymaking
So Can EDUCATION
So Can Research and TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & MEDICINE

Creating Innovation. Image Credit: Sojitz Corporation

Image Credit: Reuters

For our SOCIETY, we're in a MESSY MIDDLE GROUND --- where we KNOW:

*BAD BEHAVIOR is OFTEN (MOST

Of THE TIME) driven by COGNITIVE DISABILITY

Further, it is often NOT JUST ONE COGNITIVE ISSUE.
Understanding of these COGNITIVE ISSUES is either AMAZING or PATHETICALLY PARTIAL --- depending upon what one wants to do with that knowledge.
- COGNITIVE DISABILITY is IDIOSYNCRATIC and driven for many if not most people by DEVEPOMENTAL

INFLAMMATION --- plus --- LATER ACQUIRED INFLAMMATION --- plus --- GENETICS --- plus --- EPIGENETICS.

Some people have more SEVERE BRAIN INJURY because they started out with ADHD, they acquired a TRADITIONAL MENTAL ILLNESS --- and they have been using SUBSTANCES to try to deal with all this.

OUR TREATMENTS are often AMAZING and PATHETICALLY PARTIAL at the same time --- We NEED INDIVIDUALIZED, PRECISION MEDICINE --- and we're not quite there yet in many cases.

OUR CARE OPTIONS are not quite there yet --- EITHER

Colorado's Mental Health Continuum of Care Hell

Unmasking & Challenging the Social Mirror

9/18/2021

I can relate to Paul Micallef and the need to "UNMASK."

Orchid is serving several functions one of which is my "unmasking."

A BIG PART of that is to allow me to take on some of the TOUGH ISSUES I see--- and get out my own weaknesses as soon as possible --- so maybe people will wonder about that --- but it is not coming as an initial SHOCK.

When we talk about "INVISIBLE DISABILITIES" -- we often need to understand that it is "INVISIBLE" to the person themselves.

How do we really SEE our STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES --- somebody tells US we have a STRENGTH or tells us we have a WEAKNESS.
Further there are HARD-GRAINED IDEAS that if someone has particular "weaknesses" (especially in EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING) --- they couldn't possibly have Higher STRENGTHS or even STRENGTHS that are higher than the person without the same level of EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES or DIFFICULTIES.
- Those hard-grained IDEAS are often shared by the person themselves.
- So they are often working as hard as they can to IMPROVE or if that doesn't work or work well enough --- CONSTRUCT a FACADE for OTHERS.
- Or maybe for some people -- it can be so PAINFUL --- a lot of emotional energy is being used to CONSTRUCT A FACADE for THEMSELVES.

BUT IF We're In a HIERACHICAL Society --- it is NOT a TWO-WAY STREET about who gets to LABEL "STRENGTHS" and "WEAKNESSES"

Further, this is COMPLICATED. The Black Community talks about BLACK on BLACK VIOLENCE ---- well, there's NEURO-DIVERSE on NEURO-DIVERSE Emotional Violence and certainly there is a high percentage of NEURO-DIVERSE people in the JUSTICE SYSTEM and plenty at the TOP OF THIS SOCIETY.

This blog today was originally to be about how INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING of NEURO-DIVERSITY HAS "DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES"

That "INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING" has by and large been in every segment of our Society, including large swaths of the Mental Health Profession.
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation has recognized that better TREATMENTS are needed for "PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS."
The National Institute of Mental Health has recognized that better DIAGNOSTICS and TREATMENTS are needed for "PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS."
Research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and subsequently promoted by NIMH concluded that:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression, and
- Schizophrenia
- WERE NOT DISTINCT, but WERE BLURRED (2013)

I can relate to Paul Micallef and the need to "UNMASK."

(See Paul's video on the Night Gallery).

Orchid is serving several functions one of which is my "unmasking."

A BIG PART of that is to allow me to take on some of the TOUGH ISSUES I see--- and get out my own weaknesses as soon as possible --- so maybe people will wonder about that --- but it is not coming as an initial SHOCK.

When we talk about "INVISIBLE DISABILITIES" -- we often need to understand that it is "INVISIBLE" to the person themselves.

How do we really SEE our STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES --- somebody tells US we have a STRENGTH or tells us we have a WEAKNESS.
Further there are HARD-GRAINED IDEAS that if someone has particular "weaknesses" (especially in EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING) --- they couldn't possibly have Higher STRENGTHS or even STRENGTHS that are higher than the person without the same level of EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES or DIFFICULTIES.
- Those hard-grained IDEAS are often shared by the person themselves.
- So they are often working as hard as they can to IMPROVE or if that doesn't work or work well enough --- CONSTRUCT a FACADE for OTHERS.
- Or maybe for some people -- it can be so PAINFUL --- a lot of emotional energy is being used to CONSTRUCT A FACADE for THEMSELVES.

Image Credit: Nature

Asperger's from the Inside
(Paul MiCallef)
Unmasking: 3 Steps to Take Off the Mask

This is really to contrast / show the commonalities between two groups we think of as opposites --- CREATIVES or Athletic people and Engineering Types --- ADHD vs. Autism.

These categories are at the very least blurred, and I don't think are going to hold up for too many more decades.

They both have differences in Information and Sensory Processing and they are both HIGH LY VULNERABLE to Psychiatric Disorders.

I think one of the BIG STRESSORS is that often what is being paired is HIGH ABILITY in some SUBSTANTIVE AREA and an UNEXEPECTED DIFFERENCE or DEFICIT in some or more aspects of EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING.

Neuro-Diverse people need their own STANDARDS OF SUCCESS -- if it is just the SOCIAL MIRROR --- that can be both HARD & DISTORTED.

The "Odd Couple I'm referring to is ADHD & AUTISM

Lex Morningstar
"What Happened to the Lost Generation of Women with ADHD."

And Nobody Finishes all their "PROJECTS" --- there are at least sometimes PRINCIPLED REASONS why the "UNFINISHED PROJECT" is being put to the "BACK BURNER." ---even if the person with ADHD didn't go through all the proper channels to do that --- IT WAS AN EXECUTIVE DECISION,

I think often people with ADHD are putting things to the BACK BURNER for the same reasons everyone else does, LACK OF RESOURCES, CHANGE in PRIORITIES
But that Lack of Resources and Change in Priorities can be different for NEURO-DIVERSE people than NEURO-TYPICALS.
- The problem is THE NEURO-DIVERSE PERSON isn't BELIEVED (if they even know they are NEURO-DIVERSE) or they are BELIEVED --- and DEEMED INHERENTLY UNFIT.

What I can really relate to is being with the "THEORIES" and "IDEAS" and my mind and senses GOING ALL THE TIME.

I can also relate to being someone ---- a Woman ----who is expected to be ORGANIZED and ISN'T.

Of course, top that off with being someone who did well in school and is an attorney ---- those EXPECTATIONS are even higher that I'm going to have TRADITIONAL EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING --- and I don't.]

This blog today was originally to be about how INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING of NEURO-DIVERSITY HAS "DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES"

That "INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING" has by and large been in every segment of our Society, including large swaths of the Mental Health Profession.
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation has recognized that better TREATMENTS are needed for "PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS."
The National Institute of Mental Health has recognized that better DIAGNOSTICS and TREATMENTS are needed for "PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS."
Research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and subsequently promoted by NIMH concluded that:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression, and
- Schizophrenia
- WERE NOT DISTINCT, but WERE BLURRED (2013)

How to ADHD: What if We Could Make Our World More ADHD Friendly?

9/12/2021

I'm not someone who struggled in School --- and School coupled with my Home Life was really about as close to a perfect ENVIRONMENT as one could hope for.

I really came out of that thinking I was PERFECT or PRETTY CLOSE --- at least academically. I had organizational issues that my family was aware of --- both my parents were NEAT FREAKS --- and that served me very well.

BUT they didn't imagine and I didn't imagine that I had significant EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES or DEFICITS --- HEY, I WAS AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS.

ADULTHOOD was to be one TRIAL BY FIRE after another, professionally and personally.

Now a lot of this has to do with HOW SENSITIVE ONE IS.

Hair Stylists often ask: "Are You Tender-Headed" --- Man am I "Tender-Headed"

Further, I think there might be some problematic EPIGENETICS going on ---- You're SO SENSITIVE to the ENVIRONMENT
- That if things are going well --- Hey, I'm next to perfect;
- If things are not going well --- Your whole body and mind is becoming MORE SENSITIVE in an attempt to right itself --- and that can certainly be problematic.
  - Bipolar Disorder involves MULTIPLE SYSTEMS of the BODY -- not just one.
  - Further, one of the discoveries coming out of the University of Michigan School of Medicine--- your cells are MORE REACTIVE / SENSITIVE --- and that's DEVELOPMENTAL.

My experience is that the MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSION is NOT UP TO SPEED on NEURO-DIVERSITY and that is having DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.

WELL: The Mental Health Profession is the most "PROXIMATE LINK" in the CAUSAL CHAIN or NET (after the person themselves)---

But they are not going to be able to SOLVE this problem by themselves anymore than the person is-----
- That's because there are a lot of DRIVERS of inadequate understanding of NEURO-DIVERSITY and its RELATIONSHIP to Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use, Homelessness and Criminal Justice Involvement.

THAT brings us to TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE FRIDAY.

Further, on Sunday we will get into HOW and WHY this INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING of NEURO-DIVERSITY is causing DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.

Click Here for the How To ADHD Website & Neurodiversity University

We've Been SELECTING for NEURO-DIVERSITY

9/9/2021

*Except we didn't think we were selecting for NEURO-DIVERSITY -- we thought we were selecting for Intelligence & Talent

Part of what I'm trying to say here is --- not only bad diet, lack of exercise, modern farming practices, the Old Friends Hypothesis are responsible for an increase in Immune Disorders, Mental Illness & Neuro-Diversity

--- at the same time --- we've been selecting for Neuro-Diversity --- but what we thought we were selecting for was Intelligence and Talent.

I'm critical of some of the incarnations of "Emotional Intelligence" BUT part of what they got right is that TRADITIONAL INTELLIGENCE does have weaknesses that have historically not been talked about.

Further, while some might disagree, my observation is that TWICE EXCEPTIONALITY is much more the RULE than the EXCEPTION in the GIFTED and NEURO-DIVERSE POPULATIONS.

Many if not most of the great thinkers, scientists and artists ---- were NEURO-DIVERSE --- my meaning is that they had significantly advanced abilities in one or more areas and executive functioning differences or deficits.

I would submit that greater developmental inflammation is responsible in many cases for BOTH:

Significantly advanced abilities in one or more areas, and
Executive Functioning differences or deficits

If DEVELOPMENTAL INFLAMMATION is the source of these advanced abilities --- what's the MECHANISM?

I would submit that the MECHANISM is heightened SENSITIVITY to the ENVIRONMENT
- BUT TOO MUCH Heightened Sensitivity can OVERLOAD the SYSTEMS of the BODY --- causing MORE INFLAMMATION, leading to INFLAMMATORY and/or PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

Einstein didn't talk until he was 5 and was really the model for the Absent-Minded Professor.

Smithsonian Magazine: New Study Suggests Leonardo da Vinci had ADHD

Leonardo da Vinci --- our great RENAISSANCE MAN --- was considered unreliable by some if not many of his patrons.

I suspect that Leonardo had his own agenda, and it wasn't always that of his patrons.

[BTW --- I know Leonardo was gay]

This is a lot about finding the intersection between:

the PEOPLE WE REALLY HAVE (& Developing their Talents and Working Around their Weaknesses even if those STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES are NOT TYPICAL) and
the NEEDS & WANTS of the SOCIETY for GOODS & SERVICES (Morality somehow prevailing).

We're not doing that ---- and the REALITY is a significant number of neuro-diverse people are finding it hard to fit into this economy.

And that among other things is leading to:

A Mental Health Crisis
A Substance Use Crisis, and
Homelessness

Colter Wall's "Sleeping on the Blacktop" ---When our Society FAILS Us or the People We Care About ----- It is a Spiritual Crisis

9/9/2021

Corn liquor tastes sweeter in this town
Could it be it's the same as the last?
I swear I've seen ya face elsewhere before
Just as familiar as a bottle and a glass

Lyrics

Hey darlin'!
Sleeping on the blacktop
Hey darlin'!
Running through the trees honey
Hey darlin'!
Leaving for the next town
Less'n my sense catches up with me

Colter Wall paints a PICTURE of Homelessness

The Dangers INHERENT in homelessness (See Colorado's own HORROR STORIES)
The UBIQUITY of Homelessness from one town to another --- that is often true in Colorado.

Wall also paints a picture of HIMSELF --- the NARRATOR

Feeling Morally Obligated to Help
BUT having his own problems and limitations
Choosing to Help (for the moment) even as he appreciates the daunting odds

Dublin City University
DCU Autism and Homelessness research presentation (2022)

I think as a Society we do appreciate that "Mental Illness" and "Substance Problems" are big drivers of HOMELESSNESS.

What we're just beginning to appreciate is that NEURO-DIVERSITY is a big driver of "MENTAL ILLNESS," "Substance Problems" and sometimes HOMELESSNESS.

What's needed is SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, but we also must have SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT and SUPPORTED ENTREPENEURSHIP,

Two Dynamics: Abilities and a Hierarchical Society

9/8/2021

Abilities

ABOVE AVERAGE: A lot of neuro-diverse people have abilities in one or more areas that are ABOVE AVERAGE.
- We can't just cram these people into menial labor and think it is all going to work out.
- Certainly Australia labor data showed that JOBS need to fit the person --- otherwise it is going to DAMAGE their MENTAL HEALTH.

I think there is a real relationship between INFORMATION PROCESSING and EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ISSUES. My experience is that if you can ACCOMMODATE / WORK WITH some of those INFORMATION and SENSORY PROCESSING ISSUES ----- Emotional Regulation will likely be improved and other areas as well.

It is important to recognize that the person is often just more BIOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE to the ENVIRONMENT --- whether the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT and/ or the SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE THINK. We think the problem is the PERSON IS NOT SENSITIVE --- from my perspective, it is the person's heightened sensitivity to stimuli that is OVERWHELMING THE PERSON and sometimes those around the person.

BELOW AVERAGE or DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING

Hobbs Consultancy

HILDA: Household Income & Labor Dynamics in Australia

The psychosocial quality of work determines whether employment has benefits for mental health: results from a longitudinal national household panel survey

Image Credit: Wikipedia

HIERARCHICAL SOCIETIES: My Strengths are Better than Your Strengths, and my Weaknesses Don't Matter --- Your Weaknesses do Matter and I don't Understand Your Strengths

Colorado Needs a Supportive Housing Plan for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities

9/5/2021

Alaska is on the right track.

In April 2014, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), its Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (the Trust) formally embarked on a statewide strategic supportive housing planning process.

The purpose of the process was to develop a three-year action plan that would enable Alaska to achieve the following objectives:

1. Maximize the development of integrated, affordable, lease-based permanent supportive housing (PSH) for Alaskans with serious behavioral health conditions served by DHSS and the Trust.

2. Identify, develop, and implement the services that individuals need to succeed in PSH.

3. Coordinate efforts among state and partner agencies working to develop and ensure access to PSH.

4. Leverage additional federal financial participation through modifications to state Medicaid services.

DBH and the Trust contracted with the Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. (TAC), a national non-profit consulting and technical assistance firm and recognized leader at the intersection of affordable housing, health care, and human services policy and systems to facilitate the planning process and develop strategic goals for these partnering state agencies to implement.

Nothing is related: bodily System Edition

8/31/2021

"NOTHING IS RELATED"

What is A Tribe Called Red up to in this video:
- While there are indigenous vocalizations --- we don't see "indigenous" people in the video
- The main characters are Black and seemingly Arab.

The Song

A Tribe Called Red (now known as The Halluci Nation) is a Indigenous Music Group in Canada --- they are not neuroscientists.

BUT I think the song R.E.D. is about getting EVERYONE into the SAME HUMAN TRIBE and into the same "IN GROUP."

For The Halluci Nation that is being done for SACRED REASONS.

The Law: "Nothing is Related" --- Some of the MOST RELEVANT FACTS are routinely deemed "IRRELEVANT"

Whether TRAUMA or a Brain Injury --- people are used to Courts deeming those things "IRRELEVANT" to the disposition of a criminal case.

BUT what is often driving those MYOPIC LEGAL DECISIONS is:

UNCONSCIOUS BIAS FOR the negative impacts of our COMPLEX, HIERARCHICAL SOCIAL ORDER, and

STATE FAILURE to provide INTENSIVE SERVICES including Supported Employment , HOUSING & PLACEMENTS at the SCALE NEEDED for Justice Involved People.

People have latched onto the "HEART" or the "HUMORS" or the "BRAIN" as the bodily answer to it all for a long, long time.

It doesn't appear in 2021, that we can understand COGNITIVE DISABILITY / DIFFERENCE without understanding not only the BRAIN, but other SYSTEMS of the BODY as well.

Much focus is on the IMMUNE SYSTEM, but researchers are also investigating the ENDROCRINE SYSTEM, the MICROBIOME and METABOLISM and their INTER-RELATIONSHIPS with THEMSELVES and the BRAIN.

Intent is relevant --- but not for punishment -- for dangerousness

8/26/2021

Right now: Proof Beyond A Reasonable Doubt is running headlong into some outdated COMPETENCY & INSANITY STATUTES.

While most people INTENDED THE CRIME --- Most People who COMMIT CRIMES have:

A Brain Injury, and/or
Substance Issues, and/or
Mental Illness, and/or
Developmental Disabilities

that are greatly mediated by INNATE & ADAPTIVE INFLAMMATION affecting the Brain.

"INTENT" is RELEVANT ---- but not for "PUNISHMENT" --- On the other hand, "INTENT" often can indicate "DANGEROUSNESS" or at least be RELEVANT EVIDENCE of that.

If "BAD INTENT" is often the result of a COGNITIVE DISABILITY, we don't need to PUNISH the COGNITIVE DISABILITY --- we need to TREAT the UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUE/ COGNITIVE DISABILITY which probably involves INNATE & ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY as well the BRAIN and other SYSTEMS OF the BODY.

If we don't have great treatments, we provide whatever level and duration of HUMANE SUPERVISION necessary to protect the public.

That looks very much like Civil Commitment or Outpatient Certification --- BUT just like traditional MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION --- it is INEFFECTIVE if we don't provide the Supportive Housing, Intensive Services and/or Placements needed.