Scheherazade’s Sea – autism, parallel embodiment, and elemental empathy. Dawn-joy Sau Mun Leong A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy UNSW Art & Design April 2016 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Leong First name: Dawn-joy Other name/s: Sau Mun Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: UNSW Art & Design Faculty: Title: Scheherazade’s Sea – autism, parallel embodiment and elemental empathy Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Epic expedition. Ability and disability. Approbation and excoriation. Admiration and derision. Traversing alien social interactional landscapes, balancing contradicting extremes of mental anguish and physical pain, with unadulterated wonderment; the autist grapples constantly with a heightened consciousness of Parallel Embodiment: juxtaposed oxymoronic existence of Self within the realm of Other, as if awake inside a silent, roaring dreamscape. “Scheherazade’s Sea – autism, parallel embodiment, and elemental empathy” is not merely an investigation of compelling phenomena, or a crafted showcase of autism. It is an invitation to enter and partake of a parallel- embodied domain, sharing sympathetic resonances via channels through which the autist apprehends and experiences the world: intrinsic detail-focused cognition, and sensory portals of touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. The ‘social deficits’ ascribed to Autism Spectrum Condition in current authoritative diagnostic systems (DSM and ICD) are based on a normative model of social interaction, underpinned by traditional arguments that autism is defined by a lack of empathy and other social, functional deficits. Instead of addressing autism through prevalent neurotypical constructs and measurements focusing on perceived impairments, such as the so-called ‘Theory of Mind’ hypothesis, this thesis investigates the uniQue sensory and cognitive features inherent in autism that reveal richly dynamic sentience of Self and Other, in order to generate a distinct conception of contrapuntal embodiment and alternative Empathic Consciousness. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). 1 September 2016 ………………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….……………………...…….… Signature Witness Signature Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known , subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed 1 September 2016 Date AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.' Signed 1 September 2016 Date ORIGINALITY STATEMENT 'I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.' Signed 21 April 2016 Date Abstract Epic expedition. Ability and disability. Approbation and excoriation. Admiration and derision. Traversing alien social interactional landscapes, balancing contradicting extremes of mental anguish and physical pain, with unadulterated wonderment; the autist grapples constantly with a heightened consciousness of Parallel Embodiment: juxtaposed oxymoronic existence of Self within the realm of Other, as if awake inside a silent, roaring dreamscape. “Scheherazade’s Sea – autism, parallel embodiment, and elemental empathy” is not merely an investigation of compelling phenomena, or a crafted showcase of autism. It is an invitation to enter and partake of a parallel-embodied domain, sharing sympathetic resonances via channels through which the autist apprehends and experiences the world: intrinsic detail-focused cognition, and sensory portals of touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. The ‘social deficits’ ascribed to Autism Spectrum Condition in current authoritative diagnostic systems (DSM and ICD) are based on a normative model of social interaction, underpinned by traditional arguments that autism is defined by a lack of empathy and other social, functional deficits. Instead of addressing autism through prevalent neurotypical constructs and measurements focusing on perceived impairments, such as the so-called ‘Theory of Mind’ hypothesis, this thesis investigates the unique sensory and cognitive features inherent in autism that reveal richly dynamic sentience of Self and Other, in order to generate a distinct conception of contrapuntal embodiment and alternative Empathic Consciousness. (An abstract of 218 words) Dedication To my father, Dr. Leong Vie-Ying (1930-2007). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work would not have been possible without the following: Deepest gratitude to my supervisors, Professor Jill Bennett, Dr. Petra Gemeinboeck, and Dr. Sally Clark, for your patience, guidance, advice, support, and for believing. … My Lucy Like-a-Charm – my muse, inspiration and guardian angel. … My family: Thank you, mother, Molly Chye Gek Ong, for your care and fortification. My beloved baby-sister and faithful champion, Althea Leong, thank you for always being here, there, and everywhere for me. Dear brother-in-law, Robin Sing, thank you for your patience, sustenance and unquestioning support. My canine nephews, Bizcuit and Tiny Sing, for the cheer. … Much gratitude to my friends who have played important roles in my journey: Yee Sang, Ho Rick Johnson Minh Vuong Kateryna Fury C.J. Wan Ling, Wee Margie Anne Edmonds Brad Beadel Gavin Koh Boon Ling, Yee Shane Fenton Andrea Kingan Colin G. Marshall and Misty Marshall Shan Patterson and Sally Patterson Rosemary Wilkinson Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................3 SCHEHERAZADE’S SEA 2010: ESTABLISHING A PREMISE ........................................................................................8 Co-existence ..............................................................................................................................................................10 Eclectic expressions ...............................................................................................................................................11 2. PARALLEL EMBODIMENT ................................................................................................................13 ‘AUTISM AWARENESS’ – WHAT ARE WE ‘AWARE’ OF? ..........................................................................................13 The medical pathological model of autism .................................................................................................15 Sally, Anne and the Theory of Mind hypothesis .........................................................................................17 Who is lacking in empathy? ...............................................................................................................................20 AUTISM AND THE SELF-OTHER CONUNDRUM .........................................................................................................22