• 'We're more alike than we might think'

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Mar 31 22:30:46 2022
    'We're more alike than we might think'
    New study suggests autistic and non-autistic people share more in common


    Date:
    March 31, 2022
    Source:
    University of Bath
    Summary:
    A study published in advance of World Autism Day suggests we need
    a more evidence-based approach to neurodiversity.



    FULL STORY ========================================================================== Findings published in advance of World Autism Day (Saturday 2 April)
    reveal there are fundamental similarities between autistic and
    non-autistic people in mental processing.


    ==========================================================================
    The brain processes information using two systems: System 1 for quicker intuitive judgements, and System 2 for slower rational thinking. These
    systems are thought to work differently in autistic people, underlying
    the difficulties they may experience in everyday life and the workplace.

    Yet, a landmark study from the universities of Bath, Cardiff, Manchester,
    and King's College London reports that these fundamental psychological
    systems are not impaired in autistic people as once thought. In
    the largest study of its kind, which involved over 1000 people, the
    researchers tested the link between autism and 'quick' intuitive and
    'slow' rational thinking.

    In three experiments, they analysed the link between autistic personality traits and thinking style. In the fourth, they compared 200 autistic
    and over 200 non-autistic people. Overall, their results showed that
    autistic people think as quickly and as rationally as non-autistic people.

    The researchers conclude that certain, fundamental mental processes are
    more similar between autistic and non-autistic people than previously
    thought. In light of these findings, they call for a shift in the way
    that society thinks about autism as a mental processing disorder.

    They also recommend that it might be important to redesign educational, clinical, and workplace support for autistic people and their
    families. Support should be much more targeted, instead of assuming that autistic people all have mental processing difficulties, they say.



    ==========================================================================
    The research team argue that the requirement to make 'reasonable
    adjustments' in education and commercial organisations, underpinned by
    the Equality Act, such as allowing extra time in exams and extending
    deadlines, is not an evidence-based way to support neurodivergent people.

    Instead, more fundamental changes might be required, such as changing
    social and sensory environments and making them more equitable for
    autistic people to thrive.

    Dr Punit Shah, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath
    and the GW4 Neurodevelopmental Neurodiversity Network, explained: "There
    is a tradition of investigating mental difficulties in autism. While this
    can be important for developing clinical interventions, there is also
    a need to understand psychological similarities between different groups.

    "The University of Bath is doing ground-breaking work on this, showing
    that there is often more that unites than divides us, and our new neurodiversity research is another step in this direction.

    "Many employers and organisations assume that neurodiversity is simply
    about celebrating differences between people. But a comprehensive approach
    to neurodiversity must understand and celebrate similarities between 'neurodivergent' and 'neurotypical' people, too. Not only will our
    research feed into and improve the design of clinical and educational interventions for autism, it may help to break down stereotypes about
    how autistic people think and behave, moving us closer towards an evidence-based approach to neurodiversity." Dr Shah added: "If we
    continue telling autistic people and wider society that autistic people
    'think differently' -- however well-intentioned it might be - - that
    will lead to stereotyping and self-stereotyping, such that autistic
    people become restricted to thinking in certain ways and therefore
    doing certain jobs. Our research doesn't support this idea and,
    instead, indicates that autistic people often think in a way that is
    very similar to non-autistic people and they should not be constrained
    to certain tasks in educational and workplace settings." Commenting on
    the research, Charlotte Valuer, Chair of the Institute of Neurodiversity,
    said: "This is very interesting research which aligns with much of our
    work at the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION). We are indeed more alike
    than different and having research to show that is important. There are
    so many misconceptions out there and they are best addressed through
    research which will also help and underpin the work autism self advocates
    do. ION's purpose is to help us prosper equally to everyone else. Part
    of that is helping and supporting all of us in our self advocacy so we
    grow our global voice and agency."

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Bath. Note: Content
    may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Emily C. Taylor, George D. Farmer, Lucy A. Livingston, Mitchell J.

    Callan, Punit Shah. Rethinking fast and slow processing in autism..

    Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 2022; DOI:
    10.1037/ abn0000734 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220331170807.htm

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