Comments on: Research on the Brain and Autism

By: Marcie

Marcie — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:50:54 +0000

Yes, I’m thinking that there might be some underlying connectivity, for which “mirror neurons” are the end product. (Sorry, I have to put “mirror neuron” in quotes because it makes me think of glass in the brain.)

By: More on Mirror Neurons

More on Mirror Neurons — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:13:31 +0000

[...] November 2007 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience is all about mirror neurons, brain cells that are activated or “fire” both when we perform an action and also when [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:53:47 +0000

Marcie: Perhaps what might be found out is why they go off, or why the mirror neurons don’t?

Charlie does something similar to your son, Beth, also with his eyes sliding to the corners of his eyes (to the left, often). He looks like he is looking at something completely different but I’m very sure (based on later interactions) that he is indeed listening and absorbing things, in his way.

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:31:34 +0000

This is an interesting study and I look forward to more studies like this which focus on how the brain works differently in autism. My son with Asperger’s, like the boy watching Scooby Doo, seems to be unable to hear me when his attention is occupied. Instead of repeating myself over and over, I actually have to break his attention by touching him on the shoulder or standing right in front of him before I can be sure that he hears what I am saying.
More insight into how an autistic brain works differently may help parents and teachers develop specific strategies for dealing with challenges and obstacles.
This is the kind of research that I like to see.

By: Marcie

Marcie — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:06:32 +0000

The reports on “mirron neurons” keep insisting that’s its a particular type of neuron, yet I’ve never read anything to suggest that it would be structurally different. Maybe further research will show the basis of why those go off, rather than the researchers just assuming. Hear’s hoping.

By: Lisa/Jedi

Lisa/Jedi — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 03:38:49 +0000

Brendan has been thinking a lot lately about the word “disorder” & has decided that he doesn’t have a “disorder”, that he doesn’t feel “disordered”. We have decided together as a family to refer to him has having “Autism Spectrum Difference” from now on, which he’s much more comfortable with. I’m really proud of how he’s challenging the way we & the rest of the world speak & think of things that are so important to him! He’s just 11, but taking charge of his life already…

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:30:09 +0000

I have to agree! My own noggin is surely getting a workout these days trying to keep up with my guy’s….

By: mcewen

mcewen — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:29:08 +0000

The research is certainly very interesting, but it’s the ‘how to help’ component that we’re still hoping to hear about.

As for empathy, I still think that they’re all far more ‘in tune’ than the rest of us.
Cheers