Reframing the Night: Cognitive Pattern Recognition for Autistic Sleep Empowerment
As an autistic Gestalt Language Processor (GLP), I’ve long been fascinated by our brain’s remarkable capacity for pattern recognition and the formation of rich, impactful gestalts. It’s a cognitive strength that’s intrinsic to our neurology, yet often overlooked or misunderstood by traditional therapeutic approaches. In my previous exploration of nocturnal panic attacks in autistic GLPs, I introduced the concept of Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training. Today’s article aims to delve deeper into this proposed approach, examining its potential to harness our natural cognitive tendencies to improve sleep quality and reduce nighttime traumas.
The crux of this method lies in providing direct, explicit instruction about how our minds process information, particularly during sleep. By intentionally training our brains to leverage these innate pattern recognition abilities, we can potentially mitigate the occurrence of night terrors and other sleep disturbances that many GLPs experience. This approach isn’t about changing how we think; rather, it’s about understanding and optimising our unique cognitive style.
Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training, as proposed, seeks to address a critical gap in current support for autistic individuals. It acknowledges that our brains naturally seek patterns and form gestalts, but recognises that we often lack the explicit understanding of how to use these abilities effectively, especially in the context of sleep. By providing a framework for intentional practice and development of these skills, this approach could offer a new path to better sleep management for autistic GLPs.
Moreover, this training method could have broader implications for how we approach autistic cognition in general. It suggests a shift from trying to make autistic brains conform to neurotypical patterns, towards embracing and enhancing our natural cognitive strengths. Through Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training, we may not only find ways to turn our neurological traits into powerful tools for better sleep and overall wellbeing, but also pave the way for more neurodiversity-affirming approaches to autistic support and therapy.
The Cognitive Landscape of Autistic GLPs
In a previous article, I delved into the intricacies of GLP and its implications for autistic individuals, particularly in the context of nocturnal experiences. For a comprehensive background on GLP, I encourage readers to revisit that piece. Here, I want to expand on the fascinating interplay between pattern recognition and gestalt processing that characterises the cognitive landscape of autistic GLPs.
The GLP brain operates on a foundation of complete, multifaceted units of meaning—our gestalts. These are not mere fragments of information, but rich tapestries woven from sensory details, emotions, and contextual nuances. It’s as if our minds house a vast library, each volume a complete experience rather than isolated facts or sensations. This holistic approach to information processing lends itself naturally to pattern recognition on a grand scale.
Unlike the analytical processing style more common in neurotypical cognition, where information is often stored and retrieved in discrete pieces, our gestalt-based system allows for rapid identification of complex patterns. When we encounter a new situation, our brains swiftly scan through our library of gestalts, seeking matches or similarities. It’s not about finding a single piece of the puzzle, but recognising the entire picture—or one strikingly similar to it.
This process of pattern recognition in the GLP brain is both a strength and a potential challenge. On one hand, it allows us to make connections and recognise complex patterns with remarkable speed and insight. We might grasp the entire structure of a system or the full implications of a scenario in a single moment of recognition. On the other hand, when faced with unfamiliar patterns—especially during vulnerable states like sleep—this same process can lead to cognitive overload.
As explored in my previous article, the challenges faced by autistic GLPs during sleep stem from this very cognitive style. Our pattern recognition systems don’t simply switch off when we close our eyes. Instead, they continue to process sensory inputs and internal states, constantly seeking matches in our gestalt library. When sleep presents us with unfamiliar patterns—be they new sensory experiences, emotions, or dream scenarios—our minds can enter a state of heightened alert, frantically searching for a matching gestalt.
This deep dive into pattern recognition and its relationship to gestalt processing sets the stage for understanding why Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training could be so crucial for autistic GLPs. By actively expanding our ‘gestalt library’ and honing our pattern recognition skills, particularly in the context of sleep-related experiences, we may be able to mitigate the cognitive overload that can lead to nocturnal panic attacks and other sleep disturbances.
In the sections that follow, we’ll explore how we can potentially leverage this understanding of our cognitive landscape to develop strategies for better sleep management. As we do so, we'll keep in mind the fundamental nature of GLP cognition—our tendency to process information in rich, complete units—and how this shapes our experiences, both awake and asleep.
Understanding Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training
Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training, as I envision it, is a novel approach designed specifically for autistic GLPs to enhance our natural pattern recognition abilities, particularly in the context of sleep and dreaming. At its core, this training method bears a striking resemblance to the practice of lucid dreaming, but tailored to the unique cognitive landscape of autistic GLPs.
The fundamental principle of this training is to cultivate a heightened awareness of our cognitive processes, especially the rapid pattern identification and categorisation that characterises GLP thinking. By doing so, we aim to gain a measure of control over our nocturnal experiences, much like a lucid dreamer learns to navigate and influence their dream state. However, instead of focusing solely on dream content, our training extends to the very fabric of how we process sensory inputs, emotions, and experiences during sleep.
This approach differs significantly from traditional cognitive therapies in several key aspects. Firstly, it doesn’t seek to alter our fundamental cognitive style but rather to enhance and refine our natural tendencies. Secondly, it acknowledges the holistic nature of GLP thinking, working with complete gestalts rather than attempting to break experiences down into smaller, manageable parts. Lastly, it places the autistic individual in the driver’s seat, empowering us to understand and optimise our own cognitive processes rather than imposing external coping mechanisms.
The training focuses on three primary areas: expanding our ‘gestalt library’ with sleep-related experiences, honing our ability to rapidly identify and categorise patterns, and developing strategies to maintain cognitive equilibrium when faced with unfamiliar or overwhelming sensory inputs during sleep. This is where the parallels with lucid dreaming become most apparent. Just as a lucid dreamer learns to recognise dream signs and stabilise their awareness within the dream, we learn to recognise the patterns in our sleep experiences and maintain a sense of agency even as our minds process complex sensory and emotional inputs.
Incorporating elements of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), our training also emphasises the importance of meaning-making. When we encounter threatening or overwhelming patterns in our sleep state, we practice attributing meaning to these experiences and identifying the elements of power at play. This aspect of the training helps to contextualise our nocturnal experiences within our broader life narratives, potentially reducing their power to trigger panic or distress.
Furthermore, by integrating principles from Glasser’s Choice Theory, we introduce an element of intentionality to our nighttime cognitive processes. We learn to ask: what basic need is our brain attempting to satisfy through this cascade of gestalts? By identifying these underlying needs—be they for safety, connection, or understanding—we can work with our cognitive processes rather than being overwhelmed by them.
This multifaceted approach to Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training aims to transform our relationship with sleep and dreaming. Instead of being passive recipients of our nocturnal experiences, we become active participants, leveraging our natural cognitive strengths to navigate the complex landscape of our sleeping minds. Whilst the training would require dedication and practice, much like mastering lucid dreaming, it holds the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of night terrors and other sleep disturbances, offering a path to more restful and empowering sleep experiences for autistic GLPs.
Key Components of Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training
The Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training I propose comprises four key components, each designed to work with the unique cognitive style of autistic GLPs. These components are interconnected, building upon each other to create a comprehensive approach to managing our sleep experiences.
Expanding the “Sleep Gestalt Library” forms the foundation of our training. This process involves consciously building a rich repertoire of sleep-related gestalts, complete with sensory details, emotions, and contextual information. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that our starting points in this journey can vary significantly. Factors such as poverty and adverse childhood experiences can profoundly impact both the content and accessibility of our gestalt libraries. Those who’ve experienced trauma or deprivation may find their libraries filled with more threatening or unstable gestalts, requiring additional care and patience in the expansion process. The goal here isn’t to erase these experiences but to integrate them into a broader, more nuanced understanding of our sleep landscape.
The techniques for Rapid Pattern Identification form the next critical component. This process is remarkably similar to viewing those magic eye pictures that require a specific focus to reveal a hidden image. Just as not everyone can easily see these hidden pictures, not everyone naturally excels at rapid pattern identification. However, as autistic individuals, many of us have a predisposition towards entering flow states - those moments of deep, effortless concentration. In our training, we harness this ability, applying it to the recognition of sleep-related patterns. We learn to relax into the process, allowing our minds to naturally detect the underlying structures in our sensory and emotional experiences during sleep. This isn’t about forcing recognition but about cultivating a state of relaxed awareness that allows patterns to emerge organically.
Our third component focuses on Categorisation Strategies for New Sensory Inputs. Here, we move away from rigid labelling systems and towards a more fluid, personally meaningful approach to categorisation. The key isn’t in how we name or define our experiences, but in knowing where they ‘sit on the shelf’ in our mental library. This approach acknowledges the often multilingual nature of our thinking and dreaming. Just as bilingual individuals might dream in multiple languages, our categorisation system needs to be flexible enough to accommodate the rich, often non-linear nature of our thought processes. We might categorise a sleep experience by its emotional tone, its sensory qualities, or its relationship to waking life experiences - whatever makes the most intuitive sense to our GLP minds.
The final component involves the Integration of Sleep State Pattern Recognition. This is where we bring together all the elements of our training, learning to apply our expanded gestalt library, rapid pattern identification skills, and flexible categorisation strategies within the sleep state itself. This process is akin to lucid dreaming but extends beyond dream content to encompass our entire sleep experience. We practice maintaining a thread of awareness throughout our sleep cycles, not to control our dreams necessarily, but to provide a sense of continuity and agency in our cognitive processes. This integration allows us to navigate even unfamiliar or potentially threatening sleep experiences with greater ease, reducing the likelihood of nocturnal panic attacks or night terrors.
Together, these components can form a holistic approach to sleep management for autistic GLPs. By working with our natural cognitive tendencies rather than against them, this training could offer the potential for more restful, empowering sleep experiences. It acknowledges the complexities of our individual histories and cognitive styles whilst providing a framework for growth and self-understanding.
Implementing Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training
As an autistic GLP proposing Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training, I find myself in a unique position. Whilst I believe deeply in the potential of this approach, it’s crucial to acknowledge that I cannot offer such training in my state (California) or country (US) due to the tight regulations surrounding therapy and coaching practices. I’m not a licensed therapist, and there’s currently no coaching certification that covers what I’m proposing here.
Instead, what I’m offering is an invitation for research, collaboration, and discussion within our community and beyond. This concept of Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training isn’t a finished product ready for implementation, but rather a starting point for a broader conversation about how we, as autistic GLPs, can better understand and work with our unique cognitive processes.
The practical steps I envision aren’t for immediate application, but for exploration and refinement. I encourage fellow autistic individuals, researchers, and mental health professionals to consider this approach, to question it, to build upon it. Perhaps we could start with small-scale, ethical studies to examine the potential benefits and challenges of this training method.
Potential challenges are numerous. How do we ensure that such training is truly accessible and beneficial to all autistic GLPs, regardless of their background or co-occurring conditions? How do we navigate the ethical considerations of working with sleep states and potentially vulnerable individuals? These are questions that require careful consideration and collaborative problem-solving.
The importance of consistent practice and personalisation in any potential implementation cannot be overstated. Our experiences as autistic individuals are diverse, and any approach to supporting our cognitive processes must reflect that diversity. However, the specifics of how such practice and personalisation might look need to be developed through rigorous research and community input.
My hope is that by putting this idea out to the community, we can spark meaningful discussions and potentially inspire new directions in autism research. Perhaps, instead of focusing on how to ‘cure’ us, researchers might be encouraged to explore how we can learn to use our cognitive systems as they’re naturally designed. This proposal is not an endpoint, but a beginning - an invitation to reimagine how we approach autistic cognition and sleep experiences.
Potential Benefits and Outcomes
In considering the potential benefits and outcomes of Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training, it’s crucial to shift our focus away from capitalistic notions of productivity and efficiency. As autistic GLPs, our worth isn’t measured by our ability to conform to neurotypical standards or to be more ‘productive’ for a system that often fails to accommodate our needs. Instead, let’s explore how this proposed approach could enhance our quality of life and reduce the stress and anxiety that many of us experience.
One of the primary potential benefits of this training could be an improvement in our ability to recognise and navigate sleep patterns. This isn’t about optimising our sleep for better work performance, but about fostering a deeper understanding of our own cognitive processes during rest. By becoming more attuned to our sleep experiences, we might find ourselves better equipped to handle the unpredictable nature of our nightly journeys through consciousness.
A reduction in nocturnal panic episodes could be another significant outcome. These episodes can be deeply distressing, leaving us feeling vulnerable and exhausted. If we can develop strategies to work with our GLP cognition during sleep, we might be able to mitigate the frequency and intensity of these experiences. This isn’t about eliminating all challenges - our neurodivergent minds will always process information differently - but about finding ways to navigate these challenges with greater ease and self-compassion.
Enhanced overall sleep quality could lead to improvements in our daily lives, not because it makes us more productive, but because it allows us to engage more fully with the aspects of life that bring us joy and fulfillment. Better rest might mean more energy for our hobbies, more emotional resilience for navigating social interactions, or simply a greater sense of well-being as we move through our days.
Importantly, these potential benefits aren’t about changing who we are or how our minds work. They’re about embracing our cognitive style and learning to work with it more effectively. The goal isn’t to make us ‘fit in’ better or to increase our economic output, but to reduce our stress and anxiety, to help us feel more at home in our own minds and bodies.
By focusing on these quality-of-life improvements, we resist the capitalistic urge to commodify every aspect of human experience. We assert that our well-being has intrinsic value, independent of our productivity or economic contribution. This approach aligns with a broader neurodiversity-affirming perspective, one that celebrates the unique ways our minds work and seeks to support us in living authentic, fulfilling lives on our own terms.
Final thoughts …
As we consider the potential of Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training in supporting autistic GLPs, we’re faced with both exciting possibilities and sobering realities. This approach, rooted in our natural cognitive tendencies, offers a promising avenue for improving our sleep experiences and overall quality of life. However, its development and implementation require a significant shift in how autism research is conducted and funded.
The Autism CARES Act allocates vast sums of money for autism research, yet much of this funding has historically been directed towards efforts that don’t meaningfully improve the lives of autistic individuals. Imagine if even a fraction of these resources were redirected towards exploring approaches like Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training - interventions designed by and for autistic people, aimed at supporting us in working with our minds rather than against them.
This kind of research could be genuinely lifesaving. By focusing on strategies that help us navigate our unique cognitive landscapes, particularly during vulnerable states like sleep, we could potentially reduce the anxiety, stress, and trauma that many autistic individuals experience. It’s not about finding a ‘cure’ or making us conform to neurotypical standards; it’s about empowering us to live authentically and comfortably as our autistic selves.
I call upon researchers, funding bodies, and the broader autism community to consider the potential of this approach. Let’s shift our focus from trying to change autistic people to supporting us in understanding and leveraging our cognitive strengths. By doing so, we might not only improve individual lives but also contribute to a more nuanced, respectful understanding of neurodiversity in our society.
The journey towards developing and refining Cognitive Pattern Recognition Training will undoubtedly be complex, requiring rigorous research, ethical considerations, and ongoing input from the autistic community. But it’s a journey worth taking - one that could lead to more restful nights, more empowered days, and a world more accepting of the beautiful diversity of human cognition.