Happy World Autism Day
A little aside before I move on to state-dependent memory
Historically, world autism day (and autism awareness month) have been about fear-mongering and “warning” people about autism, beseeching parents to “watch out” for the scary signs of autism in their children.
These misinformation campaigns are more about selling “early interventions” (aka harmful behaviourism-based practices) than genuine concern for children’s wellbeing.
If it were, these organizations would be increasing awareness about Autistic communication, sensory needs, and autism acceptance. This is why Autistic self-advocates are taking back the messaging around autism, doing what organizations who claimed to represent us should have been doing all along.
Move over, “autism speaks” and similar allistic-led groups who speak over us, instead of for us and with us. These so-called charities have long become obsolete and their operations are harmful to the Autistic community.
For world autism day, autism awareness month, and all year long, please help Autistic self-advocates spread accurate, helpful information borne from our lived experiences, rather than harmful misinformation perpetuated by hateful anti-Autistic organizations.
Thanks!
State-dependent memory
Ever notice that when you’re angry, you start to remember and think about all the other times you were angry, or all the other things that have made you feel angry?
Likewise, when you’re sad, suddenly your mind turns to other events which have made you feel sad?
This is due to a psychological phenomenon called state-dependent memory. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines state-dependent memory as,
“a condition in which memory for a past event is improved when the person is in the same biological or psychological state as when the memory was initially formed.”
— The American Psychological Association
You may also have noticed that when people become dysregulated (scared, mad, upset, etc.), they tend to recycle or rehearse the same (or very similar) messaging or phrasing each time they are feeling that way.
This may be especially true for Autistic folks and people who struggle to communicate verbally when dysregulated.
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