"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." – Khalil Gibran

Introduction

Autism, a condition often characterized by neural divergence, manifests through the unique ways individuals process and interact with the world. While it is widely understood that autism involves a systemizing cognitive style the underlying causes and the means to support these individuals from early stages remain a topic of vibrant discussion. This blog post explores how traumatic memories can impact socialization leading to extreme neural divergence and underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing systemizing cognitive styles.

The Impact of Trauma on Socialization

Traumatic Memories and Emotional Expression

Traumatic memories can profoundly block an individual's ability to participate naturally in the socialization process. Bessel van der Kolk's seminal work “The Body Keeps the Score” illustrates that trauma disrupts normal cognitive and emotional processing, impacting one's capability for social engagement and emotional regulation. This disruption aligns with the theory that trauma impedes the development of an empathizing cognitive style, necessitating an alternative reliance on systemized strategies.

Cognitive Styles: Empathizing Versus Systemizing

Empathizing and Systemizing: A Dichotomy

Simon Baron-Cohen's research on cognitive styles identifies empathizing (understanding others’ emotions) and systemizing (recognizing patterns and systems) as distinct modes of cognition. In those individuals where social and emotional learning is disrupted by trauma, a predominant systemizing cognitive style often emerges. This shift points to the importance of developing supportive environments tailored to these cognitive styles.

The Role of Prenatal Development

Memory Formation and Prenatal Stress

Studies such as those by deCasper and Spence demonstrate that fetuses can form memories, implying that experiences in the womb can impact developmental trajectories. Research by O’Connor et al. links maternal stress during pregnancy with developmental issues in children, suggesting that traumatic experiences in utero may contribute to the early stages of neural divergence leading to autism. This process could also begin in early infancy due to a traumatic event being experienced that causes exclusion from the socialization process.

What is considered highly traumatizing to a fetus or infant may seem completely inconsequential to an adult. Add to this that very few people can consciously recall events that happened to them before the age of 3, it may be very difficult for a clinician, parent or individual to be able to look back and identify a possible offending event.

The Power of Imagination and Neural Growth

Insights from Neural Plasticity

Alvaro Pascual-Leone’s piano practice study highlights how imagination can lead to neural development, reinforcing that thoughts significantly shape our neural structures. This supports the notion that the development of a systemizing cognitive style is a mindful adaptation, rather than a random divergence.

Our every thought creates our neural structure and those forced to develop a systemizing cognitive style in place of an empathizing must use completely different thoughts to make sense of the world that those participating in the socialization process do. These completely different thoughts create a completely different neural structure and cognitive style.

Extreme neural divergence and therefore autism is not something we inherently come into this world with. It is something that develops as an adaptive response to certain environmental conditions.

Supporting Systemizing Cognitive Styles

Embracing and Enhancing Unique Strengths

Rather than attempting to shift cognitive styles, which may imply that systemizing approaches are less desirable, the focus should be on early detection, effective support, and trauma-clearing techniques. Exceptional abilities often found in systemizers highlight that these cognitive styles hold immense societal value. To try and reverse the process once it has begun would be akin to trying to forcefully alter a homosexual’s sexual orientation to that of heterosexual. Apparently, the mental health establishment tried that a few years back and it didn’t work out so well.

In the same way they had to admit that classifying homosexuality as a disorder was a major mistake on their part, extreme neural divergence i.e. autism needs to be declassified as a disorder and recognized as a legitimate human experience.

Early Detection Systems

The creation and implementation of standardized screening processes in early childhood are needed to help identify early signs of extreme neural divergence. The earlier these signs are identified, the earlier the needed support can be implemented. Advanced diagnostic tools and continuous monitoring can aid in creating personalized support frameworks.

Because a fetus or infant can perceive some events as highly traumatizing that may seem inconsequential to an adult, it would be impossible to identify and block all possible events that could trigger the beginning of extreme neural divergence. However, some such events like introduced toxins either to the fetus through the mother or directly to the infant may be far easier to identify and eliminate. However, once the process has begun, it needs to be embraced and supported.

Addressing and Clearing Trauma

Innovative Trauma-Clearing Techniques

Traditional CBT methods are often complemented by alternatives such as EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, noted for effectively addressing trauma. There are also many other highly effective methods out there for treating trauma that are as yet unrecognized by the mental health establishment. Incorporating these methods into early intervention programs can mitigate the impact of traumatic memories, fostering more supportive developmental conditions. By dissipating the negative emotion stored within these traumatic memories, we effectively eliminate the triggers that are blocking access to the socialization process allowing the individual to rejoin the process.

Practically all of the challenges that extreme neuro divergents experience, are a result of the triggering of traumatic memories and the lack of skills taught in the socialization process that these traumatic memories block access to. By addressing these traumatic memories as early as possible and any new ones that may arise from having to navigate a world built for the empathizing cognitive, style with a systemizing style, we can drastically reduce the challenges that extreme neuro divergents face.

Amplifying Exceptional Abilities

Leveraging Systemizing Strengths Creating environments where individuals can explore and develop their systemizing strengths is crucial. Montessori and STEM-focused programs, for instance, cater to these cognitive styles and offer robust support for their exceptional abilities.

Research and Cognitive Exploration

Unveiling Hidden Potentials Further research into neurodevelopment and cognitive enhancement is essential for understanding and harnessing unexplored potentials. This interdisciplinary approach, combining neuroscience, psychology, and advanced therapeutic practices, holds promise for uncovering new talents and abilities.

Extreme neural divergence is the gateway into as yet unexplored areas of the brain where there exists, as yet undiscovered exceptional abilities. Rather than extreme neural divergence being the result of an unconscious response to environmental events, through better understanding we could learn how to take conscious control of this process and greatly expand the possibilities for discovering the unknown.

Conclusion

Autism, viewed through the lens of extreme neural divergence, showcases the adaptive and resilient capabilities of the human mind. By focusing on early detection, comprehensive support systems, and addressing trauma delicately, we can carve out pathways for those with systemizing cognitive styles to thrive. These approaches not only mitigate challenges but also amplify the exceptional contributions of individuals with neural divergences, enriching our collective society.

As we progress, embracing the gifts of all cognitive styles with compassion and understanding will pave the way toward a more inclusive future.

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