The Fantastic Voyage to the Autistic Cortex: or researching things we didn't even know were things...
It’s the end of the school year. Grades are in and teachers are looking for fun and engaging activities to keep students working - even though they know that grades are already in. So, I turned to my old bag of tricks - playfully re-writing old scripts to cover modern issues. We had a lot of fun, so I wanted to share my exemplar.
“ … Today, we’ll critique some recent “autism research” by framing it within the old Fantastic Voyage storyline from the 60’s …”
The research titled “Sex differences in trajectories of cortical development in autistic children from 2–13 years of age” investigates the differences in cortical thinning between autistic boys and girls. Utilising a longitudinal study design, researchers analysed brain scans of 290 autistic children (202 AMAB, 88 AFAB) and 139 non-autistic children (79 AMAB, 60 AFAB) across multiple time points from ages 2 to 13. They found that autistic girls showed a thicker cortex in specific regions at age 3 compared to non-autistic girls, while these differences were less pronounced in boys. Throughout childhood, autistic girls experienced more rapid cortical thinning in certain brain regions, whereas autistic boys had less rapid thinning overall, with notable differences in regions related to motor tasks, attention, and emotional responses. The study, they say, highlights the importance of understanding sex-specific developmental trajectories in autism to improve diagnostic accuracy and “personalised interventions.” Following the medical model, and using person-first language, it also (rather ironically) calls for more inclusive research practices to better represent autistic females and address the unique aspects of their neurodevelopment.
—begin script—
Scene 1: The Bold Beginning
In the grand tradition of the 1966 classic “The Fantastic Voyage,” a team of intrepid eugenic scientists embarks on a daring expedition, this time not through the human body to save a life, but to the mystical, enigmatic territory of the autistic cortex. Shrink rays at the ready, our scientists—armed with microscopes, clipboards, and a hearty dose of misguided superiority—prepare to uncover the secrets of those who dare to think differently.
Scene 2: The Shrunken Heroes Enter the Cortex
Our heroes, now minuscule and navigating the intricate pathways of the autistic brain, are immediately struck by the sheer complexity and beauty of the landscape. They expected to find chaos and dysfunction, but what they see instead is a marvel of biological engineering. Neurons fire in perfect synchrony, networks light up with activity, and a chorus of brain cells hums with life.
“Well, this isn’t what we expected,” grumbles Dr. Mendelson, the leader of the expedition, as he adjusts his glasses to get a better look at the synaptic connections. “Where’s the dysfunction? Where’s the pathology?”
Scene 3: The Cortex Thinning Conundrum
The team dives deeper, following the trail of the much-feared cortical thinning. “This is where we’ll find our answers,” says Dr. Mendelson, with a gleam in his eye. “The rate of cortical thinning must surely reveal the inherent deficiencies of the autistic brain!”
As they measure and analyse, they notice that, yes, the cortical thinning process is slightly different in autistic individuals. But to their chagrin, these differences do not reveal any inherent pathology. Instead, they find that these variations are part of a natural, albeit diverse, pattern of brain development. In fact, they observe that the areas undergoing more rapid thinning in autistic girls are linked to enhanced cognitive functions.
Scene 4: Meeting the Neuronal Residents
Whilst traversing the landscape of the limbic system, our scientists encounter the brain’s emotional and behavioural command center. They expect to find disarray, but instead, they meet neurons busily managing emotions and social interactions with an efficiency that puts their own research team to shame.
“Welcome, travelers,” says a neuron in a deep, resonant voice. “We have been expecting you. Here, we manage emotional responses, not dysfunction.”
Dr. Mendelson stammers, “B-but, aren’t you supposed to be malfunctioning?”
The neuron chuckles, “Ah, the arrogance of assuming that different means defective. We operate within a range of human variability. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Scene 5: The Default Mode Network - A Place of Reflection
Next, they journey through the Default Mode Network (DMN), expecting to see it in disrepair. Instead, they find a serene place, where introspection and imagination flourish. The DMN is abuzz with creative and reflective thought, challenging the notion that autistic brains are incapable of such activities.
“Our scans indicated abnormalities here,” protests Dr. Mendelson.
“Abnormalities?” echoes the DMN. “Or simply a different way of thinking, one that values internal reflection over external distractions?”
Scene 6: The Unexpected Revelation
After days of exploring, measuring, and analysing, the team gathers their findings. They are reluctantly forced to admit that the autistic brain, whilst different in its developmental trajectory, is not deficient. The variations in cortical thinning and brain structure merely highlight the diversity of human neurodevelopment.
Dr. Mendelson, staring at the data, sighs, “It seems we were wrong. These brains are not broken. They're just…different.”
“And that difference,” adds Dr. Johnson, the team’s junior scientist who had been silently observing, “is what makes them human. We set out to find pathology and instead found humanity.”
Scene 7: Return to Normal Size, and Normalcy
Returning to their normal size, the scientists are changed. They address their peers not with the grand revelations of a new disorder to fix, but with a humbling lesson on the richness of human diversity.
“We have discovered that the autistic brain, in its unique cortical development, offers a different but equally valuable perspective on human cognition and behaviour,” announces Dr. Mendelson, swallowing his pride.
Dr. Johnson steps forward, “It’s time we shift our focus from trying to ‘fix’ autism to understanding and supporting autistic individuals in their unique ways. Let’s celebrate these differences, not stigmatise them."
Scene 8: The Future of Autism Research
The team’s findings lead to a new era in autism research. No longer driven by a desire to diagnose and intervene, scientists now seek to understand and support. They collaborate with autistic individuals, valuing their insights and experiences.
Epilogue: A New Paradigm
Our once eugenic scientists now advocate for a neurodiversity paradigm, recognising that autism is a natural variation of the human brain. They emphasise the importance of creating supportive environments that allow all individuals, regardless of neurological makeup, to thrive.
“After all,” concludes Dr. Mendelson, “the real voyage is not about shrinking ourselves to scrutinise differences, but expanding our minds to embrace and celebrate them.”
In the end, “The Fantastic Voyage” to the autistic cortex teaches us that the true adventure lies in understanding and acceptance, not in imposing our narrow definitions of normalcy. And perhaps, just perhaps, the real discovery is that we are all, indeed, just as human as everyone else.
—end—
Whilst our “journey” into the autistic cortex reveals a fictional world of understanding and acceptance, the harsh reality remains that such revelations are unlikely to materialise soon. The “autism industrial complex,” driven by the relentless pursuit of profit through tests, treatments, and interventions, continues to dominate the landscape. Diagnostic companies and pharmaceutical giants see lucrative opportunities in the endless quest to “normalise” autistic individuals, pushing products and therapies that promise to fix what isn’t broken.
Furthermore, the lingering shadow of eugenics looms large, with some viewing the elimination of the autistic neurotype as a step toward a so-called perfect humanity. This dangerous mindset fails to recognise the intrinsic value of neurodiversity and the unique contributions autistic individuals bring to society - or, to paraphrase the detestable Simon Baron Cohen, if we eliminate autistic people, who will do all the maths.
Until we dismantle these profit-driven and eugenic ideologies, true acceptance and support for autistic individuals will remain a distant dream. Real progress lies in shifting the focus from attempting to change autistic people to celebrating and supporting our unique ways of being, ensuring a future where diversity is valued over conformity. Only then can we hope to achieve a society that truly embraces and understands autism.