Re: Mirror Neurons & Autism

[Guest guest]

For those of us capable of speaking for ourselves, I can tell you

that banging my head when I am really stressed feels good and

relieves tension. I question whether or not damping the effect will

be good since it will not relieve the stressors that cause head-

banging in the firhst place.

Again, here we have a case where external observers think " Ouch!

That must hurt! " And from this opinion they formulate a treatment

that isn't necessary. They ought to focusing on the external factors

that cause autistics stress and work to releive those.

Also, I would not respond well to a vest squeezing me when I didn't

want it to. Not only would it be uncomfortable, but it would be

claustrophobic. The lack of control over when it would squeeze would

produce annoyance in me and anger as well.

This is a stupid invention from people who have not considered what

the autistic actually wants. They created this thing based upon what

they THINK the autistic wants.

Tom

Administrator

Also, portable device that could monitor an autistic child's skin

conductance is currently being developed by Hirstein to help

the self-stimulation, such as head banging, believed to be acted out

by autistic children in an attempt to dampen the autonomic storms.

The self-stimulation causes a meaurable reduction in skin

conductance and a calming effect and this device would detect

autonomic arousal, turning on another device such as a squeeze

vest. The vest would provide a comforting pressure by gently

tightening around the child's body. It seems to be a new path to

helping and even if it doesn't work, I think this is a step in the

right direction. Yikes, this post has gotten quite lengthly.

Kim

[Guest guest]

For those of us capable of speaking for ourselves, I can tell you

that banging my head when I am really stressed feels good and

relieves tension. I question whether or not damping the effect will

be good since it will not relieve the stressors that cause head-

banging in the firhst place.

Again, here we have a case where external observers think " Ouch!

That must hurt! " And from this opinion they formulate a treatment

that isn't necessary. They ought to focusing on the external factors

that cause autistics stress and work to releive those.

Also, I would not respond well to a vest squeezing me when I didn't

want it to. Not only would it be uncomfortable, but it would be

claustrophobic. The lack of control over when it would squeeze would

produce annoyance in me and anger as well.

This is a stupid invention from people who have not considered what

the autistic actually wants. They created this thing based upon what

they THINK the autistic wants.

Tom

Administrator

Also, portable device that could monitor an autistic child's skin

conductance is currently being developed by Hirstein to help

the self-stimulation, such as head banging, believed to be acted out

by autistic children in an attempt to dampen the autonomic storms.

The self-stimulation causes a meaurable reduction in skin

conductance and a calming effect and this device would detect

autonomic arousal, turning on another device such as a squeeze

vest. The vest would provide a comforting pressure by gently

tightening around the child's body. It seems to be a new path to

helping and even if it doesn't work, I think this is a step in the

right direction. Yikes, this post has gotten quite lengthly.

Kim

[Guest guest]

" 1. Because mirror neurons appear to be involved in social

interaction, dysfunctions of this neural system could explain some

of the primary symtoms of autism, including isolation and absence of

empathy. "

They fail to take into consideration that I, as an autistic, ENJOY

isolation and don't see anything being wrong with it. So did Gretta

Garbo and so does Harper Lee. So do many other autistics. I will

never understand why people want to bang down our doors when we want

to keep them shut.

" 2. Studies of people with autism show a lack of mirror neuron

activity in several regions of the brain. Researchers speculate

that treatments designed to restore this activity could alleviate

some of autism's sysptoms. "

They speculate, but they do not know for sure. Yet they are going to

devise treatments for something which they do not even no for sure

exists. Had it ever ocurred to them that if there is no mirror

neuron activity in the autistic brain that perhaps it is not meant

to be there. Maybe because Aspies have high IQs, THAT is where the

neuron activity is. Now consider this: Would increasing activity to

a dormant part of the brain decrease activity in our intlligence

enters? Or, if it did not decrease activity in the intelligence

centers, would this new activity cause the brain to work on

overload? Messing with people's brains is serious business, but

apparently not to these people. I cannot believe anyone would

subject an autistic to such studies. Nor can I understand why an

autistic would subject himself or herself to such a study.

" 3. A complementary hypothesis, the salience landscape theory, could

account for secondary systoms of autism such as hypersensitivity. "

That's nice. Or it could be that this hypersensitivity is not a

fault. Perhaps everyone else has the deficiency. Just because other

people cannot detect loud noises or noxious smells does not mean

that there are no loud noises or noxious smells. Isn't it to

everyone's advantage to have people alive that can serve as

an " early warning system " to the pollutants and other destructive

things existing on earth and the effects they may be having on us

all?

" The findings of the many experiments provided compelling evidence

that people with autism have dysfunctional mirror neuron systems and

that discovery may open up new approaches to diagnosing and treating

the disorder. What impressed me about the conclusions in the article

this month was that researchers state further experiments are needed

to test their conjectures. More importantly, for the most part,

they are not looking to " cure " autistic children but to treat or

alleviate symptoms without medication. "

As I implied in a prior post, it is not the symptoms which need

alleviating, but the external factors which impress themselves

negatively on the autistic.

" They do mention that " novel therapeutic approach might rely on

correcting chemical imbalances that disable the mirror neurons "

using modified compounds found in medications that stimulate

neuromodulators but this is only been suggested. "

Great. More meds.

It will come to fruition. Parents tend to be med-happy, and if the

drug marketers can produce anything that sells, they will, even if

it is not really needed.

Meds are an excuse to correct people instead of the world that

people live in.

" These treatments may only offer partial relief because other

symptoms such as repetitive motions, eye contact avoidance,

hypersensitivities and adversions to certain noises. "

I saw a program on TV the other day which stated that the general

noise level in the world has risen. Ambient noise outside has gone

up an average of a few decibals with each passing decade. Perhaps

this is why autistm is becoming an " epidemic. " People are just

reacting more to all this new noise and air pollution.

Which again proves my point that we don't need meds. We need to get

rid of noise and air pollution.

" In my opinion, this kind of treatment does not sound like a viable

alternative given the lack of information on the long term effects

these medications could have on the brain. "

Aside from that, you'd have to keep upping the dosage every decade

if the noise pollution and air pollution get worse.

Tom

Administrator

[Guest guest]

" 1. Because mirror neurons appear to be involved in social

interaction, dysfunctions of this neural system could explain some

of the primary symtoms of autism, including isolation and absence of

empathy. "

They fail to take into consideration that I, as an autistic, ENJOY

isolation and don't see anything being wrong with it. So did Gretta

Garbo and so does Harper Lee. So do many other autistics. I will

never understand why people want to bang down our doors when we want

to keep them shut.

" 2. Studies of people with autism show a lack of mirror neuron

activity in several regions of the brain. Researchers speculate

that treatments designed to restore this activity could alleviate

some of autism's sysptoms. "

They speculate, but they do not know for sure. Yet they are going to

devise treatments for something which they do not even no for sure

exists. Had it ever ocurred to them that if there is no mirror

neuron activity in the autistic brain that perhaps it is not meant

to be there. Maybe because Aspies have high IQs, THAT is where the

neuron activity is. Now consider this: Would increasing activity to

a dormant part of the brain decrease activity in our intlligence

enters? Or, if it did not decrease activity in the intelligence

centers, would this new activity cause the brain to work on

overload? Messing with people's brains is serious business, but

apparently not to these people. I cannot believe anyone would

subject an autistic to such studies. Nor can I understand why an

autistic would subject himself or herself to such a study.

" 3. A complementary hypothesis, the salience landscape theory, could

account for secondary systoms of autism such as hypersensitivity. "

That's nice. Or it could be that this hypersensitivity is not a

fault. Perhaps everyone else has the deficiency. Just because other

people cannot detect loud noises or noxious smells does not mean

that there are no loud noises or noxious smells. Isn't it to

everyone's advantage to have people alive that can serve as

an " early warning system " to the pollutants and other destructive

things existing on earth and the effects they may be having on us

all?

" The findings of the many experiments provided compelling evidence

that people with autism have dysfunctional mirror neuron systems and

that discovery may open up new approaches to diagnosing and treating

the disorder. What impressed me about the conclusions in the article

this month was that researchers state further experiments are needed

to test their conjectures. More importantly, for the most part,

they are not looking to " cure " autistic children but to treat or

alleviate symptoms without medication. "

As I implied in a prior post, it is not the symptoms which need

alleviating, but the external factors which impress themselves

negatively on the autistic.

" They do mention that " novel therapeutic approach might rely on

correcting chemical imbalances that disable the mirror neurons "

using modified compounds found in medications that stimulate

neuromodulators but this is only been suggested. "

Great. More meds.

It will come to fruition. Parents tend to be med-happy, and if the

drug marketers can produce anything that sells, they will, even if

it is not really needed.

Meds are an excuse to correct people instead of the world that

people live in.

" These treatments may only offer partial relief because other

symptoms such as repetitive motions, eye contact avoidance,

hypersensitivities and adversions to certain noises. "

I saw a program on TV the other day which stated that the general

noise level in the world has risen. Ambient noise outside has gone

up an average of a few decibals with each passing decade. Perhaps

this is why autistm is becoming an " epidemic. " People are just

reacting more to all this new noise and air pollution.

Which again proves my point that we don't need meds. We need to get

rid of noise and air pollution.

" In my opinion, this kind of treatment does not sound like a viable

alternative given the lack of information on the long term effects

these medications could have on the brain. "

Aside from that, you'd have to keep upping the dosage every decade

if the noise pollution and air pollution get worse.

Tom

Administrator

[Guest guest]

I was wondering what others here thought about that. I'm an aweful nail

biter (never seen shorter or uglier than mine), skin picker, and pull on

my eyelashes. A " step in the right direction " only meant I think it is

a good thing that researchers are looking for other means to ease

distress without loads of meds if reduction of stimuli in a situation

wasn't possible. It might do some good to contact the developer with

your view and if you wouldn't mind, I would give him your opinion.

Kim

>

> Also, portable device that could monitor an autistic child's skin

> conductance is currently being developed by Hirstein to help

> the self-stimulation, such as head banging, believed to be acted out

> by autistic children in an attempt to dampen the autonomic storms.

> The self-stimulation causes a meaurable reduction in skin

> conductance and a calming effect and this device would detect

> autonomic arousal, turning on another device such as a squeeze

> vest. The vest would provide a comforting pressure by gently

> tightening around the child's body. It seems to be a new path to

> helping and even if it doesn't work, I think this is a step in the

> right direction. Yikes, this post has gotten quite lengthly.

>

> Kim

>

[Guest guest]

> >.... primary symtoms of autism, including isolation and absence of > empathy."> They fail to take into consideration that I, as an autistic, ENJOY > isolation and don't see anything being wrong with it.

As do I and I do not think of it as a disfunction. They are curious about something they do not understand and I won't fault them for it.

> "2. Studies of people with autism show a lack of mirror neuron > activity in several regions of the brain. Researchers speculate > that treatments designed to restore this activity could alleviate > some of autism's sysptoms." > They speculate, but they do not know for sure. Yet they are going to > devise treatments for something which they do not even no for sure > exists.

If you were a parent with a autistic child who was looking help, you may be demanding new alternative treatments for your child. Does it come down to the money to be made or are they making the vests at the request of desperate parents who don't want to drug the child?

"2. Studies of people with autism show a lack of mirror neuronactivity in several regions of the brain. Researchers speculatethat treatments designed to restore this activity could alleviatesome of autism's sysptoms."

> Had it ever ocurred to them that if there is no mirror > neuron activity in the autistic brain that perhaps it is not meant > to be there.

The article did not mention that possibility. Brain functions have been studied for quite some time and I would think, although this assumption may be wrong, that this thought did occur to the many researchers throughout the world who are working in this field.

> Maybe because Aspies have high IQs, THAT is where the > neuron activity is. Now consider this: Would increasing activity to > a dormant part of the brain decrease activity in our intlligence > enters? Or, if it did not decrease activity in the intelligence > centers, would this new activity cause the brain to work on > overload?

The complete article did state that they looked at persons with head injuries but did not provide information of increased funtion occuring in other areas as a result of the damaged area.

> Messing with people's brains is serious business, but > apparently not to these people. I cannot believe anyone would > subject an autistic to such studies. Nor can I understand why an > autistic would subject himself or herself to such a study.

All the experiments were not invasive procedures in the least. I do not think any of these scientists take their work lightly.

> "3. A complementary hypothesis, the salience landscape theory, could > account for secondary systoms of autism such as hypersensitivity."

> That's nice. Or it could be that this hypersensitivity is not a > fault. Perhaps everyone else has the deficiency.

I do not have the ability to see as an artist does nor hear like a musician can. Does this make me deficient?

> Just because other > people cannot detect loud noises or noxious smells does not mean > that there are no loud noises or noxious smells. Isn't it to > everyone's advantage to have people alive that can serve as > an "early warning system" to the pollutants and other destructive > things existing on earth and the effects they may be having on us > all?

Are you implying that those who can have the ability have evolved this way for survival. If this is true, then shouldn't those of us who have this ability help humanity or do we let them ruin this planet while we sit back and wait.

> "The findings of the many experiments provided compelling evidence > that people with autism have dysfunctional mirror neuron systems and > that discovery may open up new approaches to diagnosing and treating > the disorder. What impressed me about the conclusions in the article > this month was that researchers state further experiments are needed > to test their conjectures. More importantly, for the most part, > they are not looking to "cure" autistic children but to treat or > alleviate symptoms without medication."

> As I implied in a prior post, it is not the symptoms which need > alleviating, but the external factors which impress themselves > negatively on the autistic.

You've made it clear that external factors are the problem now what is the solution that will satisfy everyone. Do autistic's need their very own country to live in so that all factors can be regulated and controlled? That sounds ludicrous but building livings complexes designed specifically to cater to our likes and dislikes could be a great plan. That is a plan that very well could be implemented.

> "They do mention that "novel therapeutic approach might rely on > correcting chemical imbalances that disable the mirror neurons" > using modified compounds found in medications that stimulate > neuromodulators but this is only been suggested." > Great. More meds. > It will come to fruition. Parents tend to be med-happy, and if the > drug marketers can produce anything that sells, they will, even if > it is not really needed.> Meds are an excuse to correct people instead of the world that > people live in.

I was ruining the lives of my children and if taking my medication to help is an excuse to do what I failed for years to do, then so be it. I'm still me, a less volatile me, but a less guilty of harming my children me.

> "These treatments may only offer partial relief because other > symptoms such as repetitive motions, eye contact avoidance, > hypersensitivities and adversions to certain noises." > I saw a program on TV the other day which stated that the general > noise level in the world has risen. Ambient noise outside has gone > up an average of a few decibals with each passing decade. Perhaps > this is why autistm is becoming an "epidemic." People are just > reacting more to all this new noise and air pollution. > Which again proves my point that we don't need meds. We need to get > rid of noise and air pollution.

Short of mass sterilization or a huge epidemic, I can't see it happening. Oh, don't forget about light pollution in a city where kids don't know about stars or constellations.

Kim

> "In my opinion, this kind of treatment does not sound like a viable > alternative given the lack of information on the long term effects > these medications could have on the brain." > Aside from that, you'd have to keep upping the dosage every decade > if the noise pollution and air pollution get worse. > Tom> Administrator

[Guest guest]

You can if you want.

Tom

Administrator

Re: Mirror Neurons & Autism

I was wondering what others here thought about that. I'm an aweful nail

biter (never seen shorter or uglier than mine), skin picker, and pull

on my eyelashes. A " step in the right direction " only meant I think it

is a good thing that researchers are looking for other means to ease

distress without loads of meds if reduction of stimuli in a situation

wasn't possible. It might do some good to contact the developer with

your view and if you wouldn't mind, I would give him your opinion.

Kim

[Guest guest]

I said:

" Just because other people cannot detect loud noises or noxious smells

does not mean that there are no loud noises or noxious smells. Isn't

it to everyone's advantage to have people alive that can serve as

an " early warning system " to the pollutants and other destructive

things existing on earth and the effects they may be having on us all? "

You replied:

" Are you implying that those who can have the ability have evolved

this way for survival. If this is true, then shouldn't those of us

who have this ability help humanity or do we let them ruin this planet

while we sit back and wait. "

To which I am replying:

I DO try to help where I can. If you notice, I am an environmentalist.

That means I write lots of protest letters and help where and when I

can. But that is the limit of what I will do. You wouldn't find me

lying down in front of a train carrying nuclear waste or participating

in a protest march.

Aspies seem to be peace lovers, and, except for a few I have known,

most stick to letter writing or being inspirational within whatever

circles they choose to frequent. Some would say this is a rather weak

way of using our talents, but I see it as a good thing. It models how

to protest something within the confines of the law and within the

confines of social acceptibility. And sometimes, it even gets things

done.

Tom

Administrator

[Guest guest]

> They fail to take into consideration that I, as an autistic, ENJOY

> isolation and don't see anything being wrong with it. So did Gretta

> Garbo and so does Harper Lee. So do many other autistics. I will

> never understand why people want to bang down our doors when we want

> to keep them shut.

>

Here is the problem, so many autistic persons think all other

autistics are like them. One of the biggest problems we have is all

the self proclaimed experts who claim to speak for all autistics.

There is no such thing. We are all individuals each with our own

needs, desires and ecentricities. I don't want to keep the doors shut.

I am tired of the isolation. I see everything wrong with it. Please

don't claim to speak for me. I am on the autistic spectrum and I want

people to reach out and try to help. I want to end the isolation.

Please don't condem them for wanting to help and searching for ways to

do that.

TT

[Guest guest]

TT (To Touch) wrote: " Here is the problem, so many autistic persons

think all other autistics are like them. One of the biggest problems

we have is all the self proclaimed experts who claim to speak for all

autistics. "

Fact is, MOST autistics prefer isolation to socializing so when an

atypical Aspie is driven to socialize out of personal desire, the

AS 'norm' is skewed.

TT (To Touch) wrote: " I am on the autistic spectrum and I want people

to reach out and try to help. I want to end the isolation. "

I hope that you are able to find what you are looking for in reaching

out to others from where you are.

Raven

[Guest guest]

> Fact is, MOST autistics prefer isolation to socializing so when an

> atypical Aspie is driven to socialize out of personal desire, the

> AS 'norm' is skewed.

Where do you get this " fact " from? I am not convinced that it's true.

My own personal experience and what I read from others posting on

various list I believe the facts are quite different from that.

The foremost trait of people with AS is that they lack social skills.

That does not preclude wanting to connect. What is true is that for

most of us it is very unfamiliar and very scary territory. I suspect

that many of those who say they prefer to be alone the reality is

simply that they have resigned themselves to that to protect

themselves from the hurt that they have experienced when around

others. Being alone becomes a protection and a safe refuge. That does

not erase the desire to be among others it just covers it up for safety.

TT

[Guest guest]

> Fact is, MOST autistics prefer isolation to socializing so when an

> atypical Aspie is driven to socialize out of personal desire, the

> AS 'norm' is skewed.

One more comment, AS is a broad spectrum I doubt there is such a thing

as an AS " norm " I think we all want a norm. I certainly know I have

been searching all my life for a norm so that I could fit in. I found

out that it's just as hard to fit in with other Aspies as anywhere

else because of this broad spectrum where there is no " norm " .

TT

[Guest guest]

>

> Good luck, , in your struggles against idling fast-food

> employees. this REALLY

> gets action, because the employer/manager knows that you can send the

> pictures to local/national newspaper/TV reporters.

This really is plain silly. NO news reporters are going to care or see

it as newsworthy because some fast food joint was late in opening. It

may simply have been a problem in the kitchen with faulty equipment

beig fixed befor they could open.

Hell I would simply move on to the next place of business. No harm, no

foul.

This is most definately not worthy of me busting a gut over.

TT

[Guest guest]

TO TOUCH GENTLY wrote: " Where do you get this " fact " from? I am not

convinced that it's true. "

In a recent study done and as reported by CASA, 60% of persons with

AS cited a preference for isolation in comparison to only 21% for

NTs. Just so you know, support for CASA is provided in part by a

grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

The University of Western Australia is currently conducting a survey

[Friendship and Loneliness in Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome]

and while the data compiled supports the findings of preference by

Aspies for isolation, the research paper has not yet been

presented. It is an ongoing study at this time, intended to keep

the results current.

Results based on data and proof is much more accurate -- and

believable -- than personal anecdotes and claimed personal anecdotes

of third party individuals who may or may not have AS.

TO TOUCH GENTLY wrote: " My own personal experience and what I read

from others posting on various list I believe the facts are quite

different from that. "

Perhaps you and your online friends should participate in medical

research surveys so your opinions and personal experiences can be

included in the correlation of data materials.

TO TOUCH GENTLY: " The foremost trait of people with AS is that they

lack social skills. That does not preclude wanting to connect. "

Isolation and a desire to connect are not necessarily the same

thing. One can connect and still prefer isolation. Perhaps you are

confusing the two.

TO TOUCH GENTLY wrote: " I suspect that many of those who say they

prefer to be alone the reality is simply that they have resigned

themselves to that to protect themselves from the hurt that they

have experienced when around others. Being alone becomes a

protection and a safe refuge. That does not erase the desire to be

among others it just covers it up for safety. "

I disagree. While this may be true of some, it is not necessarily

true of most who prefer isolation over socialization.

Social people experience periods in their lives when they wish

to 'get away from everyone and everything.' This does not negate

the fact that they prefer socialization over isolation.

Likewise, people who prefer isolation also experience periods in

their lives when they wish to 'get involved and be connected

socially to others.' This, too, does not negate the fact that they

are firstly people who prefer isolation over socialization.

Truth be told, TT, I trust research results -- especially when they

come from more than one reliable source -- over personal anecdotes

and claimed personal anecdotes of third party individuals who may or

may not have AS, since research results require *data and proof*

whereas personal anecdotes and claimed personal anecdotes of third

party individuals who may or may not have AS do not require either

data or proof. ;-)

Raven

[Guest guest]

> In a recent study done and as reported by CASA, 60% of persons with

> AS cited a preference for isolation in comparison to only 21% for

> NTs. Just so you know, support for CASA is provided in part by a

> grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

>

> Results based on data and proof is much more accurate -- and

> believable -- than personal anecdotes and claimed personal anecdotes

> of third party individuals who may or may not have AS.

> Truth be told, TT, I trust research results --research results

require *data and proof*

So what you are reciting here is not research but rather data

collected from personal anecdotes. These are not backed up by fact or

research, only the stated opinion of individuals. They may well be

coming from exactly the place I stated that they prefer isolation

because it is easier and less threatening not because of true desire.

In reality there is no difference in what you quoted and what I quoted

as to how accurate it may be.

Secondly the 40% not stating a preference for isolation is a large

enough percentage to not make it an anomaly. It does not skewer the AS

norm as you suggested. 60% is certainly a majority but not enough to

classify it as the norm.

TT

[Guest guest]

TOO TOUCH GENTLY wrote: " So what you are reciting here is not

research but rather data collected ... <snip> ... "

It would appear you want to be adversarial so in the best interests of

the forum board, I will refrain from posting to you about on this

subject.

Raven

[Guest guest]

>

Good luck, , in your struggles against idling fast-food

employees. this REALLY gets action, because the employer/manager

knows that you can send the pictures to local/national newspaper/TV

reporters.

This really is plain silly. NO news reporters are going to care or

see it as newsworthy because some fast food joint was late in

opening. It may simply have been a problem in the kitchen with

faulty equipment beig fixed befor they could open.

Hell I would simply move on to the next place of business. No harm,

no foul.

This is most definately not worthy of me busting a gut over.

TT

[Guest guest]

Tom,

I thought you might be interested in the reply I got about your opinion of the vest.

Kim

From:

"Bill Hirstein" <williamh@...>

To:

" Appel" <dmappel@...>

Subject:

Re: Squeeze Vest

Date:

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:52:16 -0500

OK, thanks for the feedback. No one would claim that anything such as this will work on everyone. This sort of global pressure works well on a lot of children with more severe autism--we haven't tried it with people with Asperger's. See Temple Grandin's squeeze machine idea for a related concept. What's different about our idea is the feedback/regulation technique.

Bill Hirstein

> > Re: Mirror Neurons & Autism > > > I was wondering what others here thought about that. I'm an aweful nail> biter (never seen shorter or uglier than mine), skin picker, and pull > on my eyelashes. A "step in the right direction" only meant I think it > is a good thing that researchers are looking for other means to ease> distress without loads of meds if reduction of stimuli in a situation> wasn't possible. It might do some good to contact the developer with> your view and if you wouldn't mind, I would give him your opinion.> > Kim>

[Guest guest]

I am coming into this late, and with all the research flying around,

I don't know what to say about Mirror neurons. I have a very strong

almost dibilitating response to others pain. I do gage it by my

impression of their plight. When my 20 yr old over spends and then

is wondering where the money has gone vs. A person that has lost

their husband of 31 years. I cry at sad stories and cannot watch

the news because I become literally neauseated. Perhaps it is a

lack of a regulator? Can some have a reduced response and others

have an over response. When I was employed my boss used to call me

radar because I anticipated what he would ask for and I would hand

it to him. Sometimes it made him look at me sideways but he grew to

rely on it. I admit this was all done on my part as a way of

securing my safety. I am very anxious in conflict and so I seek to

head it off. It is a sensitivity, I really cannot bear. On the non-

functional side, if a person manages to get me to participate in a

thing, I cannot stop.

Ex. I had a person doing carpentry in my home. They were being

friendly and although I was reluctant to become his friend, I spoke

to him during the time he was working. I made the mistake of

offering him lunch. I actually got ill when my BF stepped in and

told me I had to stop offering lunch. I got through it but had to

leave the environment. Then I also tried not to tell this same

worker that they had invaded my personal space (another occasion) He

was becoming friendly in a man-woman way and I (very hard to be firm

with someone in person), thought I could stop the action before it

was too late. Again my BF had to step in and insist that I couldn't

be alone with this person. Truth be told I was afraid of him and

hoped to appease him long enough to get the job done and out of our

house. Nothing physical happened, except for this person being way

too close to me and being too suggestive and friendly. I have since

taken on the carpentry myself and although I am slow. I am MUCH

happier not to have the association. I stay away from people

because I have a hard time not getting involved (too involved). So

instead I work on helping my own family and stay a recluse, a lot of

the time. It is my form of self preservation.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for relaying it and providing the response, Kim.

As usual, people like these are receptive to input...but not really

interested if their minds are already made up as to which way they

want to go with it.

Aside from that, I am on the autistic spectrum and, from their point

of view I am thinking, incapable of rendering an objective response

due to my " disability. "

I'm curious to know if they are thinking of marketing opportunities

rather than the comfort of the autistic. If they are thinking in

terms of marketing opportunities, I am sure there are plenty of

parents who would like to swaddle their kids in these things, but

it's quack medicine if you ask me. A simple blanket can do the same

thing this contraption can, and the autistic can CHOOSE when to wrap

up and to what degree,

Tom

Administrator

Re: Mirror Neurons & Autism

Tom,

I thought you might be interested in the reply I got about your

opinion of the vest.

Kim

From: " Bill Hirstein " <williamh@...>

" Appel " <dmappel@...>

Subject: Re: Squeeze Vest

Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:52:16 -0500

OK, thanks for the feedback. No one would claim that anything such

as this will work on everyone. This sort of global pressure works

well on a lot of children with more severe autism--we haven't tried

it with people with Asperger's. See Temple Grandin's squeeze machine

idea for a related concept. What's different about our idea is the

feedback/regulation technique.

Bill Hirstein