0. A Robot May Not Harm Humanity, Or, By Inaction, Allow Humanity To Come To Harm.

I wish more people understood this.

What Does Executive Dysfunction Look Like?

Here, while focused and not overstimulated, I asked The Kid to draw an apple and spell it:

He is able to write the word apple all by himself, from memory. He knows how to spell apple, and he knows that he knows. He needs a simple visual aid to draw an apple himself, his apple resembles an apple (as drawn by a 6 yo, anyway).

Here, while slightly overstimulated, I ask The Kid to draw a cat and write the word cat:

Though he definitely knows how to spell cat, he needs a visual aid here to do so. He also needs a simple visual aid to draw a cat, but even with an aid, he draws the parts in the wrong order. You can tell he's struggling to perform the task.

Here, absolutely overstimulated, I ask The Kid to draw a whale and write the word whale:

After 3 minutes of picking up the pencil and then putting it down again, with lots of echolalia, he makes an attempt. He needs a visual aid for both tasks. While he writes each letter in the correct order, their sequence is mostly random. He cannot draw at all in this state.

This is Executive Dysfunction. A symptom common in autism, and adhd.

A person with Executive Dysfunction is not making a decision not to do something (chores, homework, cooking, etc.) -- they genuinely cannot do the thing. At least not under certain circumstances, such as overstimulation or stress. They might require help and step by step guidance to get through it, or to abandon the task entirely until circumstances are more ideal.

This is a normal experience and not something to be punished for (by yourself or others). In fact punishment or the fear of punishment actually makes ED worse and more frequent. The only things that actually help the severity and frequency of Executive Dysfunction is patience and understanding.

This is also why functioning labels are outdated and inaccurate. You can go from 1 to 3 in the same day. Heck, the same hour if you're having A Time of It. For example, I go straight from 1 to 3, skipping 2 entirely when I look at road maps.

(Obligatory disclaimer: The Kid was not compelled to perform these tasks against his desire. I compiled these images over the course of summer break, when he requested the activity but wasn't always in a state to complete the activity. Then realized what a keen visual representation of ED this was, and that it could be helpful.)

A gorgeous painting of the enterprise I commissioned from my very lovely friend. @angelic_artsy on instagram.

We have hope; hope that things can get better. And they will.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Can not agree more with this. Andor has been outstanding.

I feel qualified to say this because I too have been in this fight since I was 6 years old.

Andor continues to raise the bar every week. This production design is stunning. The acting is fantastic. No episode has felt like a filler episode. This week the main character did nothing but be in prison and yet it was intriguing. Mon Mothma’s story is gripping. This show deserves awards beyond the usual Star Wars Best Effects, Best Sound, etc. This show is a dramatic contender

I love this!

The Senior Officer Bridge Ballet Talent Show went exceedingly poorly

R.I.P. Peter.

R.I.P. Peter Mayhew (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019)

Beautiful!

Guiding Star by djvoltz

Warriors of great skill and cunning

Now I have to have this

Star Trek Missing Scenes 1

I got this book recently and I highly recommend it.

Most of the scenes in it were filmed but then cut for time. I thought I’d share some of the highlights from certain episodes. Many are very revealing and/or just delightful. Apologies for the poor photography.

I, Mudd. When they are being held by the androids and discussing their options. Chekov contributes this fact:

By Any Other Name. When Scotty is getting Tomar drunk. Ever wonder what set up the “It’s green” liquor joke?

Elaan of Troyius. A lovely exchange between Spock and Uhura in a party scene that SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CUT!

The Immunity Syndrome. When the ship is stuck in the black void of the amoeba. A beautiful scene between Bones and Christine that again, never should have been anywhere near the cutting room floor.

To be continued in my next post……