#conference notes

Takeaways:

Qualitative research with autistic adults identify that too much of program evaluation looks at "improvement in symptoms", sometimes terribly surrounding "reducing autistic traits", when autistic adults want programs that support in building wellbeing, AND, not having arbitrary goal posts as measurement. Some people will want more social connection in a neurodivergent friendly way, and some people have no interest in social connection. Using scales like the Goal Attainment Scale is important to be able to tailor to specific needs when looking at effectiveness of a group.

Imane Kostet shared a qualitative study asking about BIPOC autistic adults' experiences, finding patterns that often BIPOC autistic people are told they can't really be autistic because people will attribute their neurodivergent traits entirely to cultural differences.

Enjoyed the story about the granddaughter biting the grandson (quite a perfect explanation of what children are like though I don’t know the best way to understand how to apply that to becoming more like Christ, but I think it is there). Definitely a story better explained by sexism as if it was an older grandson being bit by a three year old granddaughter, the granddaughter would’ve been the one punished for biting. But not the point (should’ve been the point).

The story about passing the sacrament was terrible. First off, so many girls and trans boys fit in the I wish I can pass the sacrament space. There are likely plenty of disabled boys who would love to pass the sacrament in wheelchairs and yet I haven’t seen it in my limited exposure. Also, highlighting the inaccessibility of Church buildings is not very inspiring.

This story wouldn’t have happened if the boy wasn’t the Bishop’s son as a Bishop would say no or come up with something smaller if it weren’t his own son. Asking for help is an important Christ-like attribute. Christ literally pointed to people and said, you are going to feed me. It isn’t inspiring that a child wanted to participate in a culturally exclusive event and only was able to hobble his way through it because his dad had the power to let him.

There is no faith here, only pride and culture induced priorities. The boy of course does not understand this and likely managed to have a spiritual experience, but the adults are dumb to claim it as anything more than a failure on their part to build a better society. This is a point of failure and not a point of inspiration that a disabled boy felt he had to act like he wasn’t disabled to get a blessing or participate in an activity everyone else gets to do.

Since I found a few new friends who can appreciate this... :D

(if you have no idea what this is and would like to know, see ComeUntoChrist.org)

New temple in Missoula, MT! I served my mission in that area and those people have been waiting a long time for a temple closer to home. And only a year after the Helena, MT temple was announced, too! <3

Also, there were 16 other temples announced! Again! So I guess we can just get used to this awesomeness haha. Until a few years ago, it was rare to have more than like 5 announced per conference, and I remember at least one conference where there weren’t any new ones at all. Hasn’t happened since, though :D

Elder Holland and Elder Kearon’s back-to-back talks were incredible. First because of the messages—if anyone’s feeling down or trapped in a dark place, please please please give them a listen, they’re less than 15 min each and absolutely worth it—but also their jokes. Conference is this interesting balance between actually formal and mock-formal, and Elder Holland has opened a few talks now with memes and memeable material, and I love it, and then Elder Kearon kept the joke rolling. I wish I knew if they talked about that beforehand or not—either way, it was fantastic XD

Elder Uchtdorf almost gave a whole talk without mentioning airplanes (he used to be a pilot), and then he did and milked it and at this point it’s become the “where’s Perry?” of General Conference and I love it

- I genuinely don't care what other people want to call themselves. Identity or person first, Autistic (capital A), Aspie, ASD, on the spectrum, disabled or not... everyone has a label they are used to and/or feel comfortable with, and that can also change and evolve over time. Some of those do come with baggage, but it's not my place to police others and their choices. Personally, I use autistic, but may say ASD when talking about e.g. diagnostic criteria (bc that's what it says in the DSM).

- I personally will try not to use the term "special interest" anymore (if others like it, that's ok, see above). It has come to feel too infantilising and othering to me, like "special" is a euphemism for something not to be taken seriously (heck, I made mine in to a job complete with PhD, how's that for special?). I will do my best to substitute intense interest, fascination, expertise, hobby... whatever feels most appropriate in context.

[Podcast Notes] HBR Ideacast: The Making of a Manager – with Julie Zhuo, VP Product at Facebook

podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/hbr-ideacast/id152022135

Some takeaways:

– key skill for a manager is learning to work Through things WITH others

– a manager is not necessarily the smartest person in the room (and neither the longest tenured or has the most experience in your field)

– key role is to help others meet the goals they’ve / you’ve set together

– to be a good manager is to be brutally…

Conference Notes: Three Marriage Myths

This past weekend Amy and I participated in a marriage conference with Restoration Church. The morning session was led by Dr. Allen and Tina Holmes from Daystar Church in Greensboro, NC. In that session Dr. Holmes shared three marriage myths:

Marriage Myth #1 – Marriage Should Be Easy

Marriage Truth – Relationships Bloom Over Time

Marriage Myth #2 – The Secret to a Perfect Marriage Is Picking…

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #508 – Act While Your Mind is Stretched!

“A mind that is stretched by a new idea can never go back to its original dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have you ever been to a super, amazing, fantastic conference?  I sure hope so.  Attending conferences helps you keep on top of your industry OR keep on top of yourself for personal development skills.

But have you ever been to a conference and thought it was great, but can’t remember one…

[Video Notes] How to Begin a Presentation – Simon Sinek

1) Start with the Why / the end state (e.g., “Imagine if…”)

2) Maintain a mindset of: “How can I help?” / To share (humbly, with the desire to give with wanting nothing in return)

tyw: Identify how your skills and what you can offer can help them solve the problem/challenge/goal they are trying to achieve

3) Don’t start by talking…