Hope for a Grand Explanatory Theory of Cognitive Impairment?

MIT scientists just reported that the Ptchd1 gene may underlie a number of cognitive impairments, autism and schizophrenia but perhaps others. My Psychology Today article today summarizes their findings and lays out a basis for hope that such research will lead to more effective treatments.

Come See My Show, "RETARD!" This Saturday

The word "amazing" is tossed around much too easily but I will stake whatever reputation I have in saying that the story of Jeffrie Givens and me is amazing. No Hollywood filmmaker would make the movie because it's so improbable. Yet it's absolutely true.

I'm so moved by her story, our story, that I created a play starring her (with me in a secondary role) to tell the tale. We do so with story and song.

A Taste of "RETARD!" 

Every performance of "Retard!" has received a standing ovation . 

We perform the show every few months. The next performance is THIS Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Berkeley Arts Festival. 2133 University Ave. Berkeley, CA.

Doors open at 7:30 and the show begins at 8:00 and is over at around 9:45. 

Admission to this performance is free. 

If you'd like to come, please RSVP me at mnemko@comcast.net.

An Autistic Person Performs

The latest show I've co-written with Jeffrie Givens is "Retard!" It tells her story from when she was called retarded by both children and her school to today, when she has been diagnosed with autism.

I've been her career coach and musical performance coach and here is a sample from the show.  I accompany on the piano.  

I haven't yet figured out how to keep the video from rolling over to my previous videos. So, after you've watched this, you may want to press "Stop."

You're Invited to a Free Performance of a Show I'm Doing with Jeffrie Givens: "Retard!"

Jeffrie Givens was called "Retard!" by kids and retarded by teachers. She's come a long way.

You are invited to a special performance of the show that tells her story, "Retard!""

In it, I interview her and accompany her on the piano.

It is the reinvented version of her previous show, Big, Black, and Shy.

It will be at my home in Oakland, CA on Sunday May 4 at 2 PM. It will conclude at around 3:30.

We did our first performance of it last month in San Francisco and the audience truly loved it.

This performance will be free but my living room holds only 22 people. So, if you want to attend, you might want to email me soon, letting me know the number of seats you want. My email address is mnemko@comcast.net.

Days of Our Work Lives: Part III: Adam's Saga. Episode 11, the final episode: Do Who You Are

Days of Our Work Lives

Part III: Adam's Saga

Episode 11 

Do Who You Are

In the previous episode, Adam accepted his first optometrist job, joining the clinical and research team at the VA hospital in Palo Alto, California.

Patient visits being quite structured made it easier for Adam to display the necessary social skills. But even more key to his success, he customized his job to fit him. For example:

Some children's dentists, at the end of an appointment, give the child a small toy. Adam adapted that to his optometry practice. Whether child or adult, at the end of an appointment, he asked, "Would you like me to play a song for you on the keyboard?" 

In the years after being Dr. Van Doren's student assistant, Adam didn't learn much more about penetrating eye injuries but having the degree and experience made him perceived as an expert. A show-off from early childhood, Adam thus was able to land himself public speaking opportunities, first at local chapter meetings of the American Optometric Association, then at its national conference. 

Adam's talks were more interesting than the typical academic presentation. For example, instead of just flowchart models and diagnostic checklists, his Powerpoint slides included ones like the one on the right.

fish hook in eyeball

And rather than just citing statistics, Adam told stories, remembering that in his own education, stories made the biggest impression, for example, the Obama Messaging Unit story and the Pope and Mussolini story.

With dozens of optometrists attending each of his training talks, Adam indirectly saved thousands of patients' eyesight. 

Adam had his talks video-recorded, then edited to two minutes of nuggets, and uploaded to YouTube. Then he sent the link to lecture bureaus. One chose to represent him and got him dozens of speaking engagements at $10,000 to $15,000 a pop. Sure, he keynoted veteran events but also anti-war festivals, general surgery conventions, even a fisherman's expo.

Adam always gave credit to Van Doren and--with Harry's permission--pointed out that he had Asperger's Syndrome yet still made an amazing contribution--"Dr. Van Doren is an inspiration to all of us who are trying to succeed despite a serious problem."

To ensure his heart didn't harden as do many successful professionals, rather than taking standard vacations, Adam spent two weeks each year volunteering for Unite for Sight.

And throughout the year, Adam donated a few hours a week to the Lions, a Rotary-like organization that recycles donated eyeglasses to the poor, worldwide. He felt the need to rebel from his mom who continued to be active in Rotary but his rebellion didn't take him further than another service club.

Part III of Days of Our Work Lives: Adam's Saga, ends with Adam in his optometry office, fitting Ben for bifocals and writing a prescription for Susan: "Too young for bifocals." He had finally developed social skills. 

I am now working on Part IV: Linda's Story. AOL plans to publish it and may require that it be original to AOL so, at least for now, I can't post it here. I'll let you know if and when it's available on AOL.