Alia Breon, MD
@aliabreonmd.bsky.social
I’m a physician, a parent to an autistic son, and a partner in a neurodiverse marriage. My work explores autism through the neuroscience of attention, monotropism, sensory processing, and stress biology.
A great paper on double empathy theory: autistic social challenges aren’t deficits, but a mismatch between autistic and non-autistic communication and experience. The DSM’s deficit-based framing of autism obscures that reality.
Lovely article from my friend and colleague @cjcrompton.bsky.social exploring the intersection of the double empathy problem and autism diagnostic criteria:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Autism diagnosis and the double empathy problem | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core
Autism diagnosis and the double empathy problem
www.cambridge.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
A great paper on double empathy theory: autistic social challenges aren’t deficits, but a mismatch between autistic and non-autistic communication and experience. The DSM’s deficit-based framing of autism obscures that reality.
Ezra Klein recently wrote: "Attention is sometimes an act. But first it is an instinct."
We think we choose what we notice. But the initial decision was made before conscious awareness arrived. Pulling attention from its natural direction? That takes effort.
We think we choose what we notice. But the initial decision was made before conscious awareness arrived. Pulling attention from its natural direction? That takes effort.
December 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Ezra Klein recently wrote: "Attention is sometimes an act. But first it is an instinct."
We think we choose what we notice. But the initial decision was made before conscious awareness arrived. Pulling attention from its natural direction? That takes effort.
We think we choose what we notice. But the initial decision was made before conscious awareness arrived. Pulling attention from its natural direction? That takes effort.
We tell autistic kids to stop spinning, stop flapping—stop expressing joy so visibly. When did you last let happiness move through your whole body? Laugh without checking yourself, or swing just for the rush? My autistic son is teaching me to remember.
December 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We tell autistic kids to stop spinning, stop flapping—stop expressing joy so visibly. When did you last let happiness move through your whole body? Laugh without checking yourself, or swing just for the rush? My autistic son is teaching me to remember.
Autism studies say the autistic brain is over-connected. Others say under-connected. Others: both.
Monotropism makes sense of it.
Is the Salience Network the neurobiology beneath it?
I explore that idea here ⬇️
Monotropism makes sense of it.
Is the Salience Network the neurobiology beneath it?
I explore that idea here ⬇️
Could the Salience Network Be the Neurobiological Basis for Monotropism?
A speculative synthesis from a physician steeped in autism, sensory science, and the neuroscience of attention.
aliabreonmd.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Autism studies say the autistic brain is over-connected. Others say under-connected. Others: both.
Monotropism makes sense of it.
Is the Salience Network the neurobiology beneath it?
I explore that idea here ⬇️
Monotropism makes sense of it.
Is the Salience Network the neurobiology beneath it?
I explore that idea here ⬇️
I’ve been holding these reflections quietly for a long time.
I’m finally ready to begin writing about autism, monotropism, attention, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Excited to share my first post!
aliabreonmd.substack.com/p/why-im-wri...
I’m finally ready to begin writing about autism, monotropism, attention, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Excited to share my first post!
aliabreonmd.substack.com/p/why-im-wri...
I needed a new lens
How lived experience reshaped what I thought I knew
aliabreonmd.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
I’ve been holding these reflections quietly for a long time.
I’m finally ready to begin writing about autism, monotropism, attention, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Excited to share my first post!
aliabreonmd.substack.com/p/why-im-wri...
I’m finally ready to begin writing about autism, monotropism, attention, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Excited to share my first post!
aliabreonmd.substack.com/p/why-im-wri...