@dbc3 @PhilippaB
I totally get your initial disappointed reaction; but when you think about it, having some kind of account of the mechanisms behind your uniqueness (eg the #IntenseWorldTheory of autism) doesn't actually make you any less unique or complex. It just gives you more insights into yourself and possible tools for tweaking / channelling your behaviour.

I've had a life long interest in cognitive science, and the more I learn about how brains work the more magnificent I find them. ❤️

I studied modern dance and #ballet when I was in my teens and 20s. I was drawn to it as an abstract art form. I was quite good... alas, I moved on from it lacking support. I was #autistic... no one knew I needed encouragement, no one knew that even though I was told a thousand fucking times by accomplished dancers and teachers that I was really, really good, I didn't believe it, but said nothing. I walked away from it.

I internalized everything. Held it all silently inside. But I was focused like a laser, unrelenting, practicing, practicing, practicing, beyond everyone else in our Hollywood studio in the Los Angeles area.

I would wake up at night doing plié exercises and leg extensions. I literally did ballet in my sleep.

For me it was a world of autistic "stim" every day, all week long, all month long. Heaven. It was ritual, routine, special interest, and hyper-focus all wrapped into one activity.

I tragically and so regretfully have no photos. When my teacher offered his students photos from one of our performances, which showed me flying through the air, my #hypermobile feet perfectly pointed, legs extended, all in perfect form, I rather cryptically, stoically and autistically declined. Who needs photos? There will be more photos on another day.

Part 1 of 2.

@actuallyautistic
@actuallyadhd
#adhd
#autism
#intenseworldtheory

Impact of #IntenseWorldTheory on autism research?

Markram's Intense World Theory reads like a game changer, but, 15+ years after publication, I'm struggling to find rebuttals, corroboration or even mainstream discussion. What's the history here?

In the #ActuallyAutistic community you do see a few mentions, but it took me a year of reading to stumble across the paper. Maybe I somehow blanked it, but surely, if not disproved, it should have more buzz.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2010.00224/full

@actuallyautistic