Our Beautiful Brains

 

 

UNHELPFUL NARRATIVES

 

Many couples arrive in neurodiverse couples therapy with one or both of the following stories:

 

Neurotypical: "My partner doesn't care" or "He just can't give me what I need."

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Autistic: "I'm a failure." or "My partner is overly emotional."

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We are here to tell you that you are both mistaken. 

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If you don't understand the problem you are trying to solve, it is virtually impossible to solve it. 

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First, the root problem is that your brains are wired differently.

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Second, you are reaching conclusions based on your experiences of your partner's behaviors, not is what is happening inside.

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Third, once you begin to understand what and why a behavior is happening, you can begin to find a way to make your relationship work.

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Without his clear problem definition, you are more likely to:

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• assume bad intent on your partner,

• blame yourself, and

• stay stuck without change indefinitely.

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These assumptions keep you locked in a state of conflict, isolation and misunderstanding.

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TRENDS IN BRAIN RESEARCH

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Ok, so how do the autistic and allistic brains function differently?

 

Studies that make use of a brain-scanning technique called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have highlighted brain regions that are structurally distinct in people with autism. However, research has not uncovered a ‘characteristic’ brain structure for autism, meaning that no single pattern of changes appears in every autistic person. This reflects the wide variety across individuals in general.

 

Nonetheless, there are some consistent differences that have emerged for subsets of autistic people. Some of these differences are summarized on the information table on this page. Unfortunately, making direct connections between brain structures and the differences in thinking styles, body awareness, use of emotional language, focused interests, literal language interpretation, pattern perception, and theory of mind is imprecise. 

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BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES

To understand the autistic brain at a deeper level, it is helpful to focus on the biological differences; thus examining the structural, functional, and neurochemical aspects rather than behavioral manifestations.

 

Here's an overview emphasizing these biological distinctions:

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Neuroanatomy and Brain Structure

Autistic brains can exhibit variations in brain structure compared to neurotypical brains. This includes differences in the size and development of certain brain regions. For example, studies have found early brain overgrowth in some young children with autism, and there are often variations in the cerebellum and amygdala, which are regions involved in motor control and emotional processing, respectively.

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Neural Connectivity

There are notable differences in neural connectivity in the autistic brain. This encompasses both hyper-connectivity and hypo-connectivity in various brain regions. Hyper-connectivity might occur within certain areas, leading to enhanced abilities in specific tasks, while hypo-connectivity between different regions can affect integrative functions such as social cognition.

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Synaptic Function and Neurotransmitters

Research indicates differences in synaptic function in autistic individuals. Synapses are the junctions where neurons communicate, and alterations here can impact neural communication. Additionally, variations in neurotransmitter levels and functioning, such as glutamate and serotonin, have been observed, which play a role in mood, learning, and sensory processing.

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Brain Plasticity

The autistic brain may exhibit unique patterns of neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to change and adapt. This can influence learning and development. Neuroplasticity in autism is a complex area of study, with research indicating both enhanced and reduced plasticity in different contexts or brain regions.

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Cerebral Cortex Organization

Differences in the organization of the cerebral cortex, especially in regions involved in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, are noted in autism. This includes variations in the minicolumns – small units of neurons in the cortex – which may affect information processing.

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Genetic Factors

Autism has a strong genetic component, with numerous genes identified that contribute to its development. These genes often play a role in brain development and functioning, influencing aspects like neuron growth and synapse formation.

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Sensory Processing and Integration

At the biological level, differences in how sensory information is processed in the brain are evident in autistic individuals. This can be linked to the aforementioned differences in neural connectivity and brain structure, leading to atypical sensory experiences.

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These biological aspects underlie the wide range of experiences and abilities seen in autism, highlighting the complexity and diversity of the condition. As research continues, our understanding of these biological differences is constantly evolving, offering deeper insights into the neurological basis of autism.

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THE MAIN POINT

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We encourage you (both allistic and autistic) to be open to seeing your partner's behavior with a new level of acceptance, knowing that their behaviors are not a reflection of bad intent, lack of will, or an inability to care. With this in mind, building bridges in a relationship become immensely easier.

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FOR THE RESEARCH MINDED

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For excellent detailed explanations about the biological differences in the autistic brain, see:

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1. Spectrum: Autism Research News offers insights into how brain structure differs between people with and without autism, with a focus on regions like the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum. They also discuss changes in brain structure during development and alterations in white matter. You can explore their content for more detailed visual representations and explanations here.
    

2. NeuroClastic provides a series of infographics and detailed discussions on apraxia, agnosia, and similar processing disabilities in autism. These infographics explore how these conditions manifest and their impact on autistic individuals. The infographics are part of a broader series that delves into various aspects of neurological differences in autism. You can view these infographics and accompanying explanations here.
    

3. Embrace Autism discusses autistic brain differences in the cerebrum, including aspects like hemispheric connections, gray matter, and cerebral cortex. They provide a comprehensive overview with diagrams and tables that illustrate the structural brain differences, mostly in terms of gray matter increases, in areas related to social cognition, communication, and repetitive behaviors. To see their detailed infographics and read more, visit this page.
    

4. Knowing Neurons features an infographic on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing an overview of the disorder characterized by deficits in language acquisition and social communication. This resource offers a broad perspective on ASD, including its symptoms and developmental aspects. You can find their infographic here.
    

These resources provide a range of information and visual aids that can help in understanding the complex neurological aspects of autism.

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MORE RESEARCH

For those who want to dig in further, here are links to relevant research summarizing some of the key brain differences. 

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Brain structure changes in autism, explained - Spectrum. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/brain-structure-changes-in-autism-explained/

 

Autistic traits and individual brain differences: functional network .... https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-020-00377-8

 

Analysis of Brain Scans Reveals Differences in Brains of Boys and Girls .... https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/analysis-brain-scans-reveals-differences-brains-boys-and-girls-autism-spectrum-disorder

 

Bundles of cells hint at biological differences of autistic brains .... https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/bundles-cells-hint-biological-differences-autistic-brains

 

4 Functional & Physiological Brain Differences, Child Autism. https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/4-functional-and-physiological-differences-in-the-brain-of-a-child-with-autism/

 

Study Provides Evidence That Autism Affects Functioning of Entire Brain .... https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-provides-evidence-autism-affects-functioning-entire-brain

 

Autism and the Brain: What Does the Research Say?. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-translation/201803/autism-and-the-brain-what-does-the-research-say

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The Autistic Brain

https://www.psycom.net/autism-brain-differences

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Are Autistic People Better at Logical Thinking?

https://psychcentral.com/autism/why-people-with-autism-are-more-logical#autism-thinking-styles

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Reasoning on the Autism Spectrum: A Dual Process Theory Account

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4860198/

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Emotional decision-making in autism spectrum disorder: the roles of interoception and alexithymia

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5062918/

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