Autism Theory

What bothered me about a lot of the theories regarding autism is that it always requires an unknown, some bogeyman causing damage like vaccines or something else that can’t be logically explained. I must admit I personally didn’t plan on trying to come up with a theory, it definitely wasn’t my intention. I had a plan for the campaign and making it public, a lot of it worked, a lot more than expected to be fair. However In doing that, I ended up on a journey of self discovery I genuinely never saw coming. I think because I needed to understand what happened in my life I needed to go internal. I had to analyse my memories to get some kind of clarity and understanding. I found that clarity, and so much more. The insights in this document are not from available information but from a hyperfocused autistic mind turned inward. I wouldn’t put this out publicly without both neurotypical and neurodivergent professionals agreeing on my findings. I was able to get that last week while I was having a break. I believe that the autistic mind and brain works differently from the neurotypical one, that our instincts are confined to one side, consciousness the other. The conscious side is the left hemisphere which controls speech, comprehension, arithmetic, and writing. The instinctual right hemisphere controls creativity, spatial ability, artistic and musical skills. There are less connections between both hemispheres in an autistic brain. The bridge between both hemispheres can be limited or closed by instinctual response. This limited connectivity reduces function, along with the ability to think clearly. Closed means an inability to function but to still be aware of oneself and one’s surroundings. In the photo where I look most disconnected, I could not see my surroundings clearly. My vision was very blurry but I knew when I was in frame and where to tap on the screen to take the image. https://www.mylifeautistic.com/post/contrast I believe that regression in autistic people is caused by instincts forcing the self to rewind to an age which felt safe, and I don’t think internal awareness is lost as this happens. I imagine the actual cause for regression is complex and that is why I think the majority of research should be focused on this area. To help people with regressive autism and their families, I think that is of the upmost importance. I believe because our mind has two definable sides, that when the connection is open, we have access to instinctual memories and databases. This is only possible when your instincts are not protective or defensive. This theory would lead me to believe that autistic people have two measurable IQs not one, a conscious IQ and a combined IQ. I think that environment, not being understood (or accepted), and lack of social interaction all play a part. Higher levels of negative sensory impact are unavoidable, due to the invasive nature of the world through the natural workings of an autistic mind. An autistic mind is highly precise but it does require an environment and information to suit. My first really clear memory comes from being less than a year old. My Mum confirmed because the bedroom wallpaper was changed at this time, so considering I remember this change, it is clear I did in fact have this memory. It was the wallpaper that they put in the room for my older brother. Instinctual memories and memory banks are there but you may not be conscious of it, unless you find a way to create a suitable environment. If an autistic child feels scared or uncomfortable, instinctual response comes in and concentration becomes increasingly limited. It requires both your conscious and instinctual side to learn. Without both working together, you’re just using your conscious IQ. I believe an autistic person can go their entire life without access to their full mental potential. Some autistic people will always be disabled, as is the case with some neurotypical people. However, I think with the appropriate adjustments, this world wouldn’t be so disabling. With a binary thought process everything is being judged as positive or negative. However both sides are making that call. Imagine two seesaws, one conscious, one instinctual. If your conscious one goes down so does the other one. It’s then instinctually reinforced, so getting your mind back to a positive takes willing your conscious side to do that. If a sensory issue has cut too deep, then both may be negatively impacted, so each then requires a fix to get back to a state of function. They are linked in a way that cannot be described as causal, yet they clearly have a great deal of influence over one another. In this sense, they are in a relationship. Opposites that are equal. Each informing the other. The original chicken and egg conundrum. Difficulty looking people in the eye or fear or doing/saying the wrong thing is an example of mental rules, a collection of rules that have been reinforced going back to childhood. They are never removed, they have to be taken away by the person that reinforced them. My Mum did this for me, my voice and life is in my control and her rules were a guide that no longer applies. I have consequently been able to go into a crowded place without having a panic attack. My arm was up at my chest, prepared for the impending panic, but for the first time my hand wasn’t fully clenched. I felt calmer and much more in control. I was intently aware of everyone around me but was stunned that I didn’t panic and the difference that had occurred overnight. The idea of masking is what got me curious about this. An autistic mind can read micro expressions of someone’s mannerisms, process the information and then reply back in real time – possibly without the person being consciously aware they are doing it. By creating environments that are more suited for an autistic person and their mind, it will reduce their instinctual responses. I believe a lot more autistic people will be able to access their own mental capabilities and go on to become who they were meant to be all along. The New Life Autistic campaign was designed to allow for the information needed to start making these changes. I always knew having a way to allow individual voices from the community and caregivers was important. A way of guiding and creating a better future for the community. I now believe it’s absolutely vital, change the world, change lives. All the best Ross Fraser www.mylifeautistic.com Words – Ross A Fraser Graphic Design App – Canva #NewLifeAutistic

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