Feb 24A Neurodiversity Paradigm Lens on Polyvagal TheoryPeople keep asking me how the Autistic community views polyvagal theory. Right now, I can’t speak for the community’s perspective. People are just now learning about the theory, so we don’t have any consensus data from the Autistic community about agreement or disagreement. I can, however, speak for myself as…7 min read7 min read
Feb 9A Neurodivergent Review of the Safe and Sound ProtocolThe Safe and Sound Protocol is a powerful trauma intervention designed by Dr. Stephen Porges and team. Dr Porges is best known for developing the Polyvagal Theory. The protocol involves 5 hours of computer modified music. The music is pop music and it sounds a bit like listening to an…Trauma10 min readTrauma10 min read
Feb 1Food, Weight, And Diet: A Trauma-Informed ReframeThis set of graphics came out of personal research that has been a necessary part of my recovery from a restrictive eating disorder. The information presented in this infographic set comes from a wide variety of sources and demonstrates a paradigm shift from the western medical model on weight and eating disorders to a new trauma-informed / disability model.Trauma3 min readTrauma3 min read
Published inAge of Awareness·Jan 23Neurodivergent IdentityA set of infographics informed by neurodivergent activists and scholars and the greater neurodivergent community (21 images)Neurodiversity2 min readNeurodiversity2 min read
Mar 26, 2022Lost in Translation: The Social Language Theory of Neurodivergence (part 2 of 2)The second part of a two part series. The first is here. While speaking different languages makes relationships difficult, invalidation makes relationships impossible. The med/psych system is losing or failing most neurodivergent people. This is the most common theme I am hearing from patients, parents, teachers, and therapists alike. And it’s not just that we are “falling through the cracks” in…Neurodiversity9 min readNeurodiversity9 min read
Jan 29, 2022Evolution of a Theory: Polyvagal is Not DeadA measured response to the debate between Porges and Grossman I’ve been studying Polyvagal Theory (PVT) from primary sources and secondary summaries for about 5 years. This framework has allowed me to make sense of my own trauma symptoms and befriend my nervous system instead of working against it. …Polyvagal Theory6 min readPolyvagal Theory6 min read
Published inAge of Awareness·Dec 6, 2020The Vagus Nerve & Chronic IllnessA set of infographics by Janae Elisabeth, informed by Dr. Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, Robert Naviaux, Veronique Mead, and disability theoristsVagus Nerve2 min readVagus Nerve2 min read
Dec 3, 2020My Autistic Social Engagement System is Not DysfunctionalAn emotional response to Polyvagal Theory researchers My autistic social engagement system is not dysfunctional. My social engagement system hears every nuance in your voice, tracks your body language, and builds a complex editable picture of who you are as a person. My social engagement system easily attunes to animals…Autism3 min readAutism3 min read
Nov 7, 2020Discovering a Trauma-Informed Positive Autistic IdentityIf you’ve been reading my writing for a little while, you might have caught on to the fact that I comprehend autism as something entirely different from the stereotype many people have in their minds when someone says “autism.” …Autism6 min readAutism6 min read
Oct 31, 2020A Neurodiversity Paradigm Breakdown of the DSM-5 Criteria for AutismFrom the perspective of a trauma-informed positive autistic identity Reader’s Note: Quotes from the DSM-5 appear in regular text. The neurodiversity paradigm perspective appears in italic text written by autistic trauma specialist Janae Elisabeth. The medical model of autism presented in the DSM may be particularly disturbing for autistics to…Autism6 min readAutism6 min read