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Neuroplasticity

NowhereManNot

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Guys I have found massive hope, for AS sufferers & we do suffer!! I think God is definitely into miracles but more often than not he does it via the mundane much less and rarely by the spectacular. The devil and 'his children' love spectacle - the faith of the christian does not need spectacle. Anyway I just wanted to say I am discovering a thing called neuroplasticity - its not new but don't for one minute think you are without hope. I was reading a book titled look me in the eyes by John Robison. In that book he mentions what he described as Brain Plasticity - only in passing. But towards the end of the book he experiences wonderfull changes in his life, for himself and for his AS son. It was so encouraging. It is obvious from his writing that he has the condition but his relationships with NT's improved remarkably, and I put it down to NEUROPLASTICITY. Perhaps this is my special interest right now but I don't care I really think I'm onto something here. Has anyone else heard how this principlal can be applied to help AS sufferers??? Please do tell for all to see.
 

MoeSzyslak

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I love the field of neuroplasticity. A year or two ago I purchased and read any book I could find on the subject. Lately, it has been waining as an interest of mine due to I can find no new material to read. You asked for examples and this is a religious forum. Lets see if I can bring AS, religion and neuroplasticty into a single topic.

I know a lot of peope on the spectrum deny the whole impaired empathy thing, so i will only speak for myself. But my empathy as a child was worse than lacking. I would say it was non-existant until my early twenties. Now, it could probably be described as impaired, but for the first twenty years of my life it largely didn't exist.

Dr. Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman did allot of research on how belief in God affects ones brain. Their findings are reported in a book called “How God Changes your brain, Breakthrough findings from a leading Neuroscientist”. (Now keep in mind that both authors are non-believers so one cannot accuse them of distorting their findings to support their belief structure.) In their book, they show evidence (MRI, CAT scans, etc) that belief in a loving accepting God actually stimulates the anterior cingulate cortex, that portion of the brain responsible for empathy and compassion. However, belief in a judgmental angry God actually damages the anterior cingulate. Here is a quote from their book “Contemplative practices (such as meditation on a compassionate, accepting, loving God) stimulate activity in the anterior cingulate, thus helping a person to become more sensitive to the feelings of others. Indeed meditating on any form of love, including God’s love, appears to strengthen the same neurological circuits that allow us to feel empathy/compassion towards others. In contrast, religious activities that focus on fear may damage the anterior cingulate, and when this happens, a person will often lose interest in other people’s concerns or act aggressively against them. We suspect that fear-based religions may even create symptoms that mirror post-traumatic stress syndrome.”

Did it. AS, God and neurplasticity in a single quote. It's not the best book on neuroplasticity out there,but it is interesting becuase they look at the concept of God/religion and how that may cuase your brain to rewire.
 
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NowhereManNot

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Reaaly encouraging to find like minded believer. Thanks for the I/P. Have you heard of Caroline Leaf she is well versed in this topic and written several books from a Christian perspective. I have ordered one and listened to her speak in public. Hard to keep up with her when she speaks, she is that excited about it.
 
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RCF

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This sounds very exciting, but does it work? We have tried meds, gluten free diets, etc. I want to believe something can help with anger issues with a 10 year old, but I refuge to continually experiment on him with everything that comes along.

What do you say? Tell me more about this. I did a Google search and found a trademarked system that offers to fix all / sooth all, but I am still a bit skeptical. Any information on practical application for kids with AS?

RCF
 
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GarfieldJL

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I know a lot of peope on the spectrum deny the whole impaired empathy thing, so i will only speak for myself. But my empathy as a child was worse than lacking. I would say it was non-existant until my early twenties. Now, it could probably be described as impaired, but for the first twenty years of my life it largely didn't exist.

Well I got news for you, I've always had a lot of empathy, and I'm also on the spectrum. My problem has been an inability to read body language. Seriously, I can't even stand to play villainous charecters in computer games, because I feel guilty afterward about the pain caused to another fictional character...
 
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Sabertooth

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There is one theory out there that Aspergers, itself, is an example of neuroplasticity; that the brain initiated a "plan B" development process, because the "plan A" one had been thwarted in some way. A similar theory has been proposed for left-handedness.
 
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Sabertooth

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...Seriously, I can't even stand to play villainous charecters in computer games, because I feel guilty afterward about the pain caused to another fictional character...

I stopped writing stories with villains in them for the same reason.
 
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NowhereManNot

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Encouraging to read your responses, (forgive me if this lookks disjointed or misspelt, has nothing to do with Aspergers & everything to do with the fact that I just got back from the eye specialist and I can hardly see the letters on the keyboard) Haven't been back on the forum, for a while - sorry.

Re empathy a counsellor I spoke to the other day said one of her other ASP clients told her she is very empathetic, she just feels so sad when she hears about children suffering in the world it's just in her case the 'correct' response is DELAYED.

You know I was really struggling in my relationship with my wife one day and I'm sure God showed me something that to me is very profound. He kind of said - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ASPERGERS IN CHRIST! - & that makes so much senses to me. At the time it was so comforting to discover this - Suddenly all the hurtfull things that people say to you are just like water off a ducks back - there is an out, somewhere i can go to get away from this thing. I just need to practice what it means to be IN CHRIST. - I get so challenged and kind of sad when I read the bible and it describes the nature of love - it seems so unfair that this love does not seem to come naturally or automatically - it seems out of reach. But then we need to realise that Neurotypical is just a statistical ter,m, ie just because everybody else does it another way does not mean its right either. The good bok has said that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. - not just the Aspies. If I remember rightly - Broad is the way that leads to destruction and many are they that travel on it. We Aspies actually are at a bit of an advantage, we don't have the luxury of sitting on the fence, getting away with bad behavior as I believe so many neuro's do because they know how to play the game. Aspergerism tends to result in a kind of polarisation where relational (love) defficets are more obvious so we are confronted with our flaws everyday. This means that everyday we are challenged to make the choice to love. (Isn't that what AGAPE love is anyway - a choice not a feeling) We don't have the usual 'love' default so we have to learn and practice what it is. And we have a wonderful resource to go to - the WORD. When it says Blesssed are the poor - I believe it means blessed are those who have come to realise their self sufficincy is not enough, they have come to the point where they are finally willing to admit they need help. Aspergers can drive you to that place and that is a blessing. So be jealous neurotypicals!

As I said previously; Aspergerism tends to result in a kind of polarisation where relational (love) defficets are more obvious so we are confronted with our flaws everyday - boy are we confronted. At this point this is where so many aspies fall. We give up and withdraw from people choosing to immerse ourselves in some special interest so we can insulate ourselves from the constant hurt and feel like we still have purpose. We may get hostile or bitter towards people, especially when they criticise our special interest, diminishing our significance even more. And this is it, we get better at the micro and worse at the macro. & this is a catch 22, the worse you get at relationships the worse you become if you continually practice withdrawal. So if I can offer you any advice RCF for your 10 year old it is this, force them to continue to interact with people, as much as they hate it. Find people who are willing to be understanding. (Unfortuantely this is a big ask of potential friends who are not mature enough to understand - hence I felt more comfortable with grown ups than with my peers - they didn't expect so much of me.) Find environments that are 'policed' by mature adults who you can ask to help your child mix in (without them knowing) - sport is a good one. Sport also helps their motor skills which can be under developed. Watch out for parrallel playing at this point, in sport the kids can focus on the objective rather than each other which can take the heat off the Aspie, but the Aspie can hide in that place. There has to come a point where you find ways to subtly encourage INTERACTION. Oh Oh! It is awsome that you are being proactive now while they are young, my counsellor told me her son is charming, you wouldn't even know he was diagnosed with aspergers when he was young and she attributes this to early intervention.

I referred to Caroline LEafe in one of my last posts - well I got the book and it is great. She describes the 'mechanics' of what is going on and then explains how to reformat the hard drive as it were (using the bible promises, praise etc). For example did you know there are something like 40,000 neurons in your heart. They are not just in your brain. Once again the writings in the Bible are more accurate than we may have given it credit. - It saya as the HEart THINKETH so are we. Or elsewhere, The word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the HEART. How about that the heart actually does think. Caroline explains how the heart actually acts as an arbiter for your thoughts - your conscience if you like. She explains the process how our thoughts are formed and solidified. She explains when they are most maleable and it is at this time they are most easily changed. Nothing in the brain is fixed, it is a very dynamic organ, re-utilising realestate all the time, mapping patterns into specific areas that change size or overlap depending on usage and stimuli.....

Wow where did all that come from I had better finish up - Hey my eyes are much better - Be encouraged, love your brother.
 
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Verve

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I haven't read much on neuroplasticity but have had personal changes occur personally that could be chalked up to what I know of it.

I joke sometimes about having "rewired" my brain in certain ways that make my behavioral patterns more "normal"...

There are some things I still struggle with but it's not really much of an issue.
 
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RCF

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NowhereManNot,

Thanks. There is a lot of wisdom in your post. For the record, last week my son asked Jesus to be his Savior and was subsecuentialy baptized.

I must get the book you refered to because this is a time that he not only needs, but wants to learn more about God. I can think of no other nurishment over the love of our Lord to feed him. Which book would you recommend for my situation?

Everyone, this forum is awesome. Thanks to all of you. I have been able to encourage, and be encouraged by so many people. You are all such a blessing to me.

RCF
 
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NowhereManNot

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Hi RCF
The book is titled: Who Switched Off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions'[/font]
Author: Caroline Leafe not sure on spelling
don't have the ISBN, ordered it through Fishpond.Com
I think it's more a book you should read in order to guide your child.

A book I just loved when I first discovered the truth is titled:
"Dangerous Journey" It is a picture version of Pilgrims Progress. Not sure if you can still get it. It is a fantastic allegory with exciting pictures describing the Journey Of a man called Christian encumbered with a huge ugly Burden on his back. He eventually finds the place where the Burden falls from his back - at the foot of the cross - where it rolls into the grave/cave never to be seen again, and then his subsequent journey to the celestial city. Now that is a book I'm sure your child will get their teeth into, my kids did at that age. You can read it to them and discuss its meaning to them.

Another good movie for you to watch: is Temple Grandin by Claire Dane. It will help give you a lot of insight into the mind of a supposedly severely autistic girl who grows up to become an amazing world changer. Temple provides a running commentary in the movie if you select that option and it is quite accurate in most places.

Hope this helps bro
Regards NMN
 
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NowhereManNot

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Hey RCF
I'm not sure how to reply to this one, I'm a bit embarrased to tell you I have not been metacoging as Caroline recommends. I read a reply on this forum once where an Aspie had run out of material to read & I thought what you are just reading this stuff for the sake of reading it - you have got to be kidding!. I don't want you to think that of me especially after I recommended it to you.
Carolines teachings to me are another weapon to add to my arsenal to fight this thing I consider to be an enemy. But my battle field seems to have many fronts at the moment. You may have been informed that Aspies find safety or appeal in rigid routines and structure in their otherwise bewildering worlds. I often feel like I am trying to balance many brooms all at once and it can get quite overwhelming so I just ignore things, let those brooms fall. At the moment, my second marriage is crumbling my step children don't want me around & my world hasn't seemed that friendly as of late. Although you get used to that.
Yet I am extremely blessed, a couple who are pastors have just helped me arrange a team of 3 men to come along side myself and my wife to provide support advice & prayer for 12 months. I do practice what Caroline suggests when she speaks of the time when our thoughts are more maleable, to capture those moments and start to think the way we are encouraged to in the bible. Think upon these things whatever things are pure whatever is just .... Phillipians 4:8. For me I believe God has been challenging me to choose to always give people the benifit of the doubt, to stop righting them off as yet another enemy. There is a temptation to be bitter toward people but I'm not like that. The Bible says not to allow a root of bitterness to rise up, but the cry of many an Aspies heart is one of despair "I just want to be liked, I just want to be accepted" SO what I think I'm trying to say to you is yes I am sowing seeds but there is a dormant time between sowing and harvest - don't always expect results straight away but do expect results. Believe God will come through for you - Something occurred to me yesterday, if you lift your eyes and look ahead for encouraging outcomes WITH GOD then todays problems seem to find their own solutions, but if you constantly look at todays problems then your future has no direction and you could end up who knows where. A preachger once said if you aim at nothing your bound to hit it. Thx for keeping me accountable - I hope this helps somehow - keep in touch mate.
 
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RCF

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NowhereManNot,

I have an idea. I am going to go back through Caroline's book and find the toxic topic I need to work on the most. Why don't you do the same? We can work through some of this as an experiment. Like you, I find this interesting. I hope that I can integrate it into my 10yo Aspie son's life...if it works.

This is far from a scientific method in to test the principles in the book, but it does give us something to compare it to.

Think about it, and let me know. If you are interested, we can set up a scheduled and plan for our trial run.

Hang in there brother, and thanks for letting me know you are having some life struggles. You are in my prayers.

RCF
 
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NowhereManNot

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Thx so much 4 your support :) it means a lot to me right now.
Not sure what you mean by toxic topic, Caroline deals with lots of toxic topics? Toxic thoughts, toxic emotions etc she calls them the dirty dozen. But yep willing to give it a go, my 14 yr old son also has it so I too want to find ways to implement what she says in his life.
What if we start with chapter 10 & 17. But we need to work out how to get our boys to Gather Reflect Journal Revisit & Reach as she suggests, any ideas how to get the boys to do that???
 
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RCF

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I thought it would b a good idea to try it ourselves first and see what it is like, what it actually entails.

Basically, I was looking at the dirty dozen and trying to decide where to begin, which toxic theme to begin on. She says you can do them one at a time, or all back to back if I remember correctly. I will go back and check as well as go over the chapters 10 & 17.

I think we will have a better idea on how to get the boys on board when we know what it is like and what we're doing.
 
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