Neurodiversity and Stress Response Concepts

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is typically used to describe atypical neurological phenotypes?

Traditional Learning Styles

Behavioral Psychology

Neurodiversity (correct)

Cognitive Dissonance

Which trait is exemplified by neuro-minorities?

Consistent Academic Performance

Diverse Cognitive Abilities (correct)

Higher Musical Abilities

Average IQ Scores

What is considered an example of a spectrum in intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence Levels

Behavioral Neuropsychology

Social Intelligence Types

IQ as a Spectrum of Cognitive Abilities (correct)

Which of the following concepts relates to the experience of neurodivergent students in university?

Universal Design for Learning Signup and view all the answers

What does the outline suggest to be an area of exploration regarding neurodiversity?

Neural Correlates of Learning Difficulties/Disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Window of Tolerance?

To manage emotional arousal effectively Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence the stress response?

Fashion trends Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a challenge-perception response have on cognitive performance?

Enhanced cognitive performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a cognitive appraisal associated with a threat response?

Demands exceed resources Signup and view all the answers

How does exposure to controllable stressors contribute to resilience?

By expanding the Window of Tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What does a negative stress mindset typically invoke in an individual?

Survival mode activation Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes individuals who might thrive under stressful conditions if supported?

Orchids Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of evaluating a situation as threatening?

Higher cortisol reactivity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a stress-is-debilitating mindset and a stress-is-enhancing mindset?

One limits cognitive flexibility, while the other enhances it. Signup and view all the answers

How does adopting a stress-is-enhancing mindset influence attention control?

It enhances attention control. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a stress-is-debilitating mindset?

Increased desire for feedback. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a stress-is-enhancing mindset on the window of tolerance?

It expands the window of tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals with a stress-is-debilitating mindset typically perceive challenging situations?

As demanding with limited resources. Signup and view all the answers

What physiological change is associated with a stress-is-enhancing mindset?

Increased levels of DHEAS. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is linked to adopting a stress-is-enhancing mindset over time?

Facilitated long-term adaptive responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the evaluation in threatening situations for individuals with a stress-is-enhancing mindset?

Perceived demands approximately meet coping resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of resilience in the face of adversity?

Achieving a successful outcome despite challenges Signup and view all the answers

How does a person's stress mindset influence their responses to challenging situations?

It influences cognitive, emotional, and physiological reactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which mindset promotes physiological resilience in individuals?

A stress-is-enhancing mindset Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the HPA axis in stress management?

To modulate the body's response to stress Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the 'Window of Tolerance' (WOT)?

Optimal cognitive and emotional functioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a top-down strategy for expanding the Window of Tolerance?

Mindfulness meditation Signup and view all the answers

What does the Window of Tolerance refer to in emotional processing?

The emotional zone where intense arousal can be managed Signup and view all the answers

How does emotional regulation function in states of hyper-arousal?

It leads to impulsive decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

Which response describes the reaction to extreme stress that leads to inactivity or withdrawal?

Freeze or Shutdown Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reframing stress as a mindset?

To enhance resilience and learning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies would be considered bottom-up for stress regulation?

Deep breathing exercises Signup and view all the answers

In the context of learning, what does the 'Stretch Zone' signify?

The optimal area for growth and learning opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What impact does moderate arousal have on learning and performance?

It encourages high motivation and neuroplasticity Signup and view all the answers

What are hyperarousal and hypoarousal in relation to stress responses?

They represent extreme reactions outside the Window of Tolerance Signup and view all the answers

Which zone is characterized by maximum development but can lead to overload?

Stress Zone Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law illustrate in the context of learning and performance?

There is an optimal level of arousal for peak performance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Emotional Check-In

Students assess their energy level (activated/calm) and pleasantness (positive/negative) using a visual guide
A four-quadrant grid visually represents energy levels on a scale of -5 to +5 and pleasantness similarly
Key labels for emotional states are included on the grid, describing different ranges of energy and pleasantness

Tap into Your Mood

A visual scale helps students assess their energy and pleasantness levels quantitatively
Students use this scale to identify their current emotional state
An online link (menti.com) and a QR code provide access to a survey

Stress and Learning

Stress impacts learning
Building resilience involves expanding the window of tolerance (WOT)
Reframing stress (cognitive control) is a key aspect of resilience-building

Balancing Stress and Challenge

Optimal learning and performance lie within the 'stretch zone' of the Yerkes-Dodson curve (ZPD)
Moderate arousal, high motivation, and maximum development characterize this zone
Excessive stress/arousal leads to anxiety and reduced performance while boredom/stagnation reduces learning and neuroplasticity

The Spectrum of Stress Response

Stress responses range from adaptive (positive and tolerable) to toxic
Positive stress involves brief increases in heart rate and mild elevations in stress hormones, while tolerable stress involves short-term, temporary responses buffered by supportive relationships
Toxic stress involves prolonged activation of stress responses in the absence of protective relationships

The Window of Tolerance

The window of tolerance (WOT) is a zone for managing intense emotional arousal
It's an optimal arousal zone where daily life in the river of well-being is experienced
A graphic depicts the wOT, along with labels for positive, tolerable and toxic emotional states

Hyperarousal and Hypoarousal

Hyperarousal and hypoarousal are responses to extreme stress, occurring outside of the wOT
Hyperarousal represents emotional overwhelm or feeling unsafe, while hypoarousal involves feeling numb or emotionless.
Each emotional response is shown on a graph along a scale of WOT zone

Building Resilience

Building resilience is defined as expanding one's ability to deal with stress in positive or tolerable ways, instead of feeling overwhelmed
Expanding the window of tolerance (WOT) is a part of building resilience
Applying a stress-enhancing mindset is beneficial for overcoming cognitive, emotional and physiological stressors

Your Stress Mindset

Your stress mindset affects how you physiologically respond to threatening and challenging situations
A threat perception response activates survival mode leading to negative effects on cardiovascular function, cortisol reactivity, emotions and cognitive performance
A challenge perception response can promote learning and growth, resulting in improved cardiovascular efficiency, lower cortisol reactivity, positive emotions and enhanced cognitive performance

Factors That Shape Our Stress Response

Stress responses vary by multiple factors
These factors include the nature of the stressor (e.g., duration, intensity, predictability), the nature of the individual (e.g., orchid vs. dandelion), the objective demands of the situation (e.g., task complexity, time pressure), and the available resources (e.g., social support, coping skills, physical conditions), and even mindset.

Cognitive Appraisal

Cognitive appraisals determine stress responses
A perceived threat (demands > resources/ability to cope) activates a survival mode
A perceived challenge (demands ≈ resources/ability to cope) promotes learning and growth, leading to different physiological responses

Stress Level and Mindset

Identifying your stress level and mindset is crucial for managing stress
A visual guide with different emoji faces helps represent different stress levels and mindsets

From Surviving to Thriving

Resilience is the ability to succeed when facing adversity
Brain resilience reflects adaptive plasticity allowing the brain to adjust naturally over time
Recovery, from trauma, involves neuroplastic adaptation, not reversing the trauma itself.

Neuroscience of Window of Tolerance (WOT)

A specific outline relating to Stress and Learning. This outline includes relevant discussions of Stress and Learning, Stress Building Resilience, and Group Work.

Stress Regulation and Building Resilience

Students analyze brain mechanisms involved in emotional regulation when an individual is within, or outside of, their Window of Tolerance

Self-Reflection

A survey is conducted online using Mentimeter using an online code to collect and analyze responses

What Brain Superpower

Students choose from a variety of cognitive, intuitive, and emotional-based brain powers

Superpowers Come With Neurodiversity

The diverse nature of various neuro-differences and associated cognitive abilities are displayed

Looking for Neural Correlates of Learning Difficulties

Research examines how brain connectivity, or the connectedness of neural hubs (regions in the brain that have connections to many other areas), strongly predict cognitive difficulties/differences in children with and without learning difficulties instead of just identifying regional differences in the brain.

Neurodiversity Exists Across the Entire Population

Neurodiversity exists in a spectrum, and atypical neurological phenotypes are examples included are: lower IQ, neurotypical, and high IQ

Neurodiversity in Higher Education

Challenges faced by neurodivergent students in higher education, such as difficulty accessing support services, disconnect between available support and students' needs, and emotional well-being, along with institutional attitudes, are outlined

Multilevel Stigmatization

Various factors contribute to the stigmatization of neurodivergent students: structural stigma, interpersonal stigma and intrapersonal stigma

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress negatively impacts the learning performance of neurodivergent students
The underlying causes of cognitive challenges often include stress, anxiety or depression instead of other, possibly misidentified, underlying issues.

Universal Design For Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) aims to remove perceived barriers that prevent neurodiverse students from succeeding in educational settings

How The Brain Is Organized

The organization of brain networks, especially those centered around hubs, influences learning

Challenges in Higher Education

There are significant challenges neurodivergent students face in universities, specifically relating to inaccessible support services and outdated accommodations.

Motivation and Reward

Recap of dopaminergic pathways of the brain reward system
Reward systems & mental health issues
Evolutionary Mismatch
Techniques to protect your reward system

Dopamine Levels

Dopamine fluctuations affect mental health conditions like depression, addiction and schizophrenia

Neurological and Developmental Conditions

Dopamine dysregulation affects conditions like ADHD and Parkinson's Disease

Evolutionary Mismatch

The reward system evolved to reinforce survival behaviors but modern life bombards the brain with quick, often overwhelming rewards.

Modern World Exploits Brain's Reward Pathways

The modern world's reward systems (like social media, instant gratification, etc.) create harmful dopamine exposures that lead to problematic behaviors, and impact mental well-being

When Quick Rewards Come at a Cost

Frequent dopamine surges reduce receptor availability and impair daily tasks and natural rewards, making them less appealing

How to Protect Reward System

Several techniques help protect the reward system
These include aligning with evolutionary needs by improving brain health through nutrition and proper activity. Creating a suitable social environment with support is also helpful.

Bridging Neuroscience to Real-World Applications

Utilizing the knowledge gained in this course and neuroscience for individual and community engagement with a focus on project creation

Today's Topic: Brain and Stories

Deeply explores how the brain constructs reality and engages with information, discussing what influences how the brain assesses and prioritizes good information

The Storyteller Brain & Scientific Thinking

This outlines the function of the brain in terms of navigating facts, falsehoods and opinions

Neuromyth

Inaccurate or misinterpreted information about the brain

The Brain Does Not Represent Reality

The brain filters, interprets, and actively constructs a personalized representation of reality from sensory input

The Brain Prioritizes Survival Over Accuracy

Explains how the brain's evolutionary drive for survival influences the way it processes information, highlighting a trade-off between speed and precision when encountering new information

Information Processing

Information processing is not neutral, but rather driven by survival-promoting priorities, with significant influence from previous knowledge, and expectations as well as social implications

Expectations Impact Information Processing

Expectations affect how information is processed and judged, with novelty attracting attention and familiarity reinforcing perceived truths.

This study found a disconnect between determining the accuracy of information, and the decision to share information on social media, and found that values like social incentive and social validation were strong determinants of the decision to share information, regardless of its accuracy.

Critical Thinking

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and lateral PFC are central to deep information processing and decision-making, involving integration of affective and contextual factors, response selection, logical reasoning, and filtration of irrelevant information
Critical thinking is a trainable skill that involves actively seeking alternative explanations, fact-checking, and challenging assumptions

Key Steps to Engage Critically

Important ways to engage critically include considering multiple reliable information sources, challenging assumptions and seeking a well-rounded understanding of the topic

Agenda: Course Summary and Reflection

Course summary and reflection sessions are a part of the class agenda, and is used to help consolidate the entire curriculum and for personal reflection

Agenda-Final Project

Final projects are a part of the curriculum. Students will gather information to complete their assignment

Group Projects

Group projects lead to a more robust understanding of the subject matter by engaging stronger levels of thinking and learning

Educational Tools For Neurodivergent Students

Provides practical approaches, including inclusive pedagogical tools and strategies, catering to neurodivergent learners' preferences in educational or workplace settings, specifically addressing the needs of students on the Autism Spectrum through the application of neuroscience

How Can You Help Your Child?

Methods to improve resilience and recovery via Neuroplasticity in trauma, and TBI, as well as neuro-degenerative conditions

Neuroscience Behind Attachment

Genetic variability and its effect on stress responses that affect attachment

Agenda - Course Wrap Up

Specific items discussed in this section: projects (themes and summaries), course summary and reflection, teaching evaluation (with student feedback emphasis). Exam overview with Q&A sessions are all included on this agenda.

Your Projects

Students will complete projects

Understanding Your Brain

Includes information about the different things students learned

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to neurodiversity and the neurological experiences of neuro-minorities. It addresses the impact of stress perceptions on cognitive performance and resilience, focusing on various factors influencing the stress response. Engage with questions that challenge your understanding of these important topics.