diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'content')
| -rw-r--r-- | content/entry/autism-and-memory.md | 20 |
1 files changed, 5 insertions, 15 deletions
diff --git a/content/entry/autism-and-memory.md b/content/entry/autism-and-memory.md index 18fcdfa..3e5c269 100644 --- a/content/entry/autism-and-memory.md +++ b/content/entry/autism-and-memory.md @@ -2,11 +2,10 @@ title: "Autism and Memory" date: 2022-07-20T00:00:00 draft: false -makerefs: false --- -Memory function in autism has been studied for decades.[1] The research is fascinating to me because I have high-functioning autism and it helps me describe things I already implicitly know about myself. People with high-functioning autism such as myself have both difficulties and strengths in memory compared with neurotypicals. +[Memory function in autism has been studied for decades.](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_and_memory) The research is fascinating to me because I have high-functioning autism and it helps me describe things I already implicitly know about myself. People with high-functioning autism such as myself have both difficulties and strengths in memory compared with neurotypicals. -In my entry, Coming Out as Autistic[2], I recall a few anecdotes which illustrate the weakness of my short-term memory, starting with middle school English class: +In my entry, [Coming Out as Autistic](/2022/05/16/coming-out-as-autistic/), I recall a few anecdotes which illustrate the weakness of my short-term memory, starting with middle school English class: ## Short-Term Memory ### Anecdote 1: English Class @@ -42,7 +41,7 @@ At first I tried to write down the students' names and the route on paper, but t For clarification, I did try to learn the route for weeks. I just couldn't remember it, no matter how hard I tried. ### Anecdote 2: No Sense of Direction -My whole life, I've never had any sense of direction. When I'm driving, I take wrong turns going places I've been dozens of times already. My driving skills are fine. It's knowing where I'm at and where I'm going that's the problem. Luckily, I can use the offline GPS app OsmAnd[3] as an assistive technology to help me get where I'm going. Not having a sense of direction in 2022 isn't a big setback. +My whole life, I've never had any sense of direction. When I'm driving, I take wrong turns going places I've been dozens of times already. My driving skills are fine. It's knowing where I'm at and where I'm going that's the problem. Luckily, I can use the offline GPS app [OsmAnd](https://osmand.net/) as an assistive technology to help me get where I'm going. Not having a sense of direction in 2022 isn't a big setback. ## Memory Strengths ### Non-Social Intuitive Knowledge @@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ Besides my episodic and short-term memory, nothing else seems to be affected. I ### Facts I can learn facts very rapidly when I'm interested in the subject. When I become hyperfocused, I can ingest new information for days on end without getting tired, bored, or needing a break. I believe I have a higher capacity for uncomfortable facts as well and I'll explain why I think that. -Experimentally, it has been show that autistic people may be less biased.[4] Anecdotally, when I discuss difficult topics with neurotypicals, I notice their cognitive defense mechanisms being easily triggered when they think that believing a certain thing will negatively affect them personally. +Experimentally, it has been show that [autistic people may be less biased](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797617694867). Anecdotally, when I discuss difficult topics with neurotypicals, I notice their cognitive defense mechanisms being easily triggered when they think that believing a certain thing will negatively affect them personally. I believe that high-functioning autistic people are less prone to this bias because we have an easier time separating the truth of a belief from how holding that belief affects our lives or how it fits into our overall worldview. For instance, it took me no extra effort not to get derailed by a personal sense of disgust while writing entries considering the morality of incest and beastiality. Neurotypicals can be unbiased too, but it's easier for autistic people. @@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ I think the lower tendency for bias in autistic people gives us an increased cap My strongest memory strength is anything related to my special interests. If I'm interested enough in something, I don't forget it and if I do, it takes minimal priming to recover it. I have an interest in computer security and I'm able to recall very long passphrases even after months of not entering them. I'm never worried about forgetting them, because my long-term memory with regards to special interests is intact. ## Front of the Class -There's a movie[5] and a book[6] about neurological differences which I'd like to share. It's based on the true story of a teacher with Tourette Syndrome named Brad Cohen. The movie and book are titled "Front of the Class". The movie does a good job of depicting how education leads to empathy, but it also does a good job of showing that not everyone is open to being educated. Many people are ignorant and content in their ignorance. That adversity is something all neurodiverse people have to learn to deal with. +There's a [movie](https://libremdb.herokuapp.com/title/tt1292594/) and a [book](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/788452.Front_of_the_Class) about neurological differences which I'd like to share. It's based on the true story of a teacher with Tourette Syndrome named Brad Cohen. The movie and book are titled "Front of the Class". The movie does a good job of depicting how education leads to empathy, but it also does a good job of showing that not everyone is open to being educated. Many people are ignorant and content in their ignorance. That adversity is something all neurodiverse people have to learn to deal with. ## Reflecting In many ways, my story is similar to Cohen's. I got called weirdo in school. I struggled to make any real friends. I struggled with employment thanks in part to employers not accepting my differences. Although Cohen and I have very different neurological conditions, the lessons from his life are transferable to mine. There will always be people ready to point out my deficits, whether it's memory related or something else. No matter how well I explain my autism, some of them will never accept it. It's a waste of time trying to gain the approval of those people. @@ -74,12 +73,3 @@ I'll end this entry by generalizing that advice to something that I think can he > Put yourself in situations where your neurological differences are strengths and the weaknesses don't matter so much. Thanks for reading. - - -Links: -[1: Autism and Memory](https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_and_memory) -[2: Coming Out as Autistic](/2022/05/16/coming-out-as-autistic/) -[3: OsmAnd](https://osmand.net/) -[4: People With Autism Spectrum Conditions Make More Consistent Decisions](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797617694867) -[5: Front of the Class Movie](https://libremdb.herokuapp.com/title/tt1292594/) -[6: Front of the Class Book](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/788452.Front_of_the_Class) |