New  »   Gator Country  ·  Pony  ·  Sunshine Jen  ·  Post-Modern Drunkard  ·  Robot Journal
shaking up the grey matter
I think I need to adopt a whole new model of learning.
I was reading a couple of articles on autism last week (this week it is all about cougar attacks). The first was an excellent piece from Wired calledThe Geek Syndrome, recommended by Cory and the second was an article in the New Yorker last week about a family struggling to get proper education for their THREE kids with autism.

The latter article talked about learning patterns for kids whose synapses fire in a different order than the rest of us. They need
something called "ABA" learning. The theory is (and chris 'honkycracker' can prob elucidate for me) that "neurotypical" brains connect A directly to B; autistic brains "may connect from A to C to D to E before finally reaching B". Which can result in a lot of neuropathic "noise", hindering congitive processes and development.

ABA learning means teaching a specific task through constant repitition in order to drown out the "noise".

My point in bringing this up? I think I want to find my own tasks that will drown out the noise.

I have been wrestling with the way I learn and focus and approach tasks. Which is a huge huge topic that I usually ponder then abandon for all its intricacy.

But lately, I am thinking that perhaps something small new task, like walking to work instead of biking, or like writing for 1 hour every night, or even something that is not specifically "good for you" but is 'different' would shake up those noisy connections and make me re-think the way I am wired.

«« past   |   future »»

12.2.2003
«« past   |   future »»


Previous Posts
That time facebook killed a robot
Vaccine dreams and waiting for some release
It's okay to miss who you used to be
What's a Nice Jewish Girl Doing With a Tree Like This?
How To Celebrate Mother's Day When You've Lost Your Mom
Cassette Players Were A Pain, But There Was Nothing More Romantic Than A Mixtape

comments[0]
all comments

post #653
bio: adina
perma-link
12/2/2003
11:12

archives
first post
that week




Share This



Category List
bun in the oven
February Smackdown
gastro-intentional
India
me likey
monkey cake
narcisimo
news
open letters
politico

My Links
twitter
»More...