This infographic is adapted from Raun Kaufman’s presentation at the World Autism Conference 2023, which I think is one of the most brilliant insights I’ve come across on the mechanisms of autistic functioning. The model presents what autism looks like in three different “neuro-states.” A regulated autisic is social, productive, flexible–happy and flourishing. A dysregulated autistic is burning out, melting down, shutting down, and not functioning at all. In between, we have either imposed situations dysregulating the autistic person, or the autistic person trying to regulate back up, with control over their situation–stimming, comfort with sameness, etc. This regulating behavior is what allistics see as “autistic symptoms.”
What blows me away is the notion that it is possible–if one has full control over their situation and environment–for the autistic person to be regulated, with no limits on what they can do, and not show any regulating behaviors. This model shows us the paramount importance of autonomy and agency in autistic lives.
References:
Adapted from: Kaufman, R. K. (2023, December 2). Autism Intel: What your child/adult wishes you knew about their brain. Conference presentation. 2023 World Autism Conference, Loveland, CO, USA. https://worldautismconference.org/2023-schedule#sessions
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