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Rachel VanDaalen

@rvandaalen.bsky.social
107 followers 139 following 60 posts

Neurodiversity researcher--postdoc @ Uni of Oxford and UCL. Views are not my own—I have no idea where they came from. sites.google.com/view/rachel-vandaa… (DMs not available bc UK Online Safety Act)

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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
And now our mixed-methods implementation-focused portion of this project is published! Available open access here from JADD: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Implementing a Co-produced Curriculum for Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Purpose Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), especially autistic individuals, are disproportionately unemployed and underemployed. Job coaches (JCs), family members (FM...
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Reesha Zahir @reeshazahir.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Really important findings from our new qualitative study 👇 Social, academic, and sensory pressures can drive poorer mental health for autistic young people, while autonomy, safety, trust, and predictability can be protective
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A few yrs ago as an adjunct, I interviewed for a postdoc where the PI warned me it'd be v challenging and different than teaching, sometimes requiring extra hrs. I was rejected but have since been in postdocs at top tier unis. None have been as stressful, time consuming, or difficult as adjuncting.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Had a good time gathering autism-related research priorities from the community with Dorota Ali at @bathcaar.bsky.social 10 year anniversary event! Also there was ice cream!
Two women sitting and talking at tables with papers and post its on them. There is a sign behind saying “help us shape the future of CAAR research!”
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
I was on my first podcast: Neurodiversum! I met Fabian Hof at Autism Europe while in the quiet room when feeling overwhelmed by the conference BBQ, and we got to talking about the neurodiversity framework. You can listen here: youtu.be/4XYdKu2UA_k?...
youtu.be
Rachel van Daalen: An Autistic Researcher Researches Autism
YouTube video by NeurodiversumInt
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
🧪New paper out in EClinical Medicine on supporting autistic young people during the transition to adulthood: In the UK, the transition to adulthood often involves increasing expectations for independence, alongside reduced support from education and healthcare systems. (1/3)
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 24/04/2026
Thank you INSAR for not only listening re: how much your autistic attendees loathe the jet engine shrieking of air-propelling hand driers, but actually doing something about it. #INSAR2026
Sign taped on a public bathroom mirror, reading “hand dryers are currently switched off to reduce noise for participants with sensory sensitivities. Paper towels is dead. Thank you.”
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Presenting about this today at #INSAR2026 !
Rachel VanDaalen standing next to a conference poster titled “exploring correlations of employment, underemployment, and well-being among autistic job-seekers by race in the United States”
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
🧪 Sarah Liu and I have a new paper out in Rehabilitation Psychology on disability self-identification among adults with chronic conditions 🧵 Not everyone with a medical or psychiatric diagnosis identifies as disabled, but many services and research studies are designed with that identity in mind.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
My hot take: many of the problems we see in science would be solved if we got rid of journal word limits
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
🧪New paper out on employment and well-being among autistic job seekers in the US 🧵 We looked at 710 autistic job seekers interested in an employment support program. Of those, ~35% were employed and over half of that were underemployed. We didn't find differences in wellbeing by employment status.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The only thing holding together my qualitative analysis is these books holding down my different tiny slips of paper and a prayer that my cat won’t jump on this table over the weekend 🙏🙏
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Also I got to make some zines myself about autism and character strengths! Here are my favorite pages from my zines about curiosity and about needing space to express strengths.
Photo of a zine with pictures and text collaged onto a green background. The pictures are of a flying phalanger, a flying fish, and a cactus-like plant. There is collaged text saying "radioactivity in nature." There is also collaged hand-written text saying "Is there anything like me?"Photo of zine with collaged pictures and text, as well as writing and drawing on a blue background. The left-hand page has cut-outs of photos of eyes glued to a hand-drawn background of features. The right-hand page has text written in all capitals: "BE NOT AFRAID." It also has a pasted painting of someone lying down, with words collaged on saying "ceaseless bombardment" and "Wear and Tear."Collaged page from a zine with a blue background. At the center of the page is an illustration of a bird in a nest box, pasted to a photo of clouds, pasted to a photo of the ocean. There are music notes pasted on the top. On the bottom is text pasted that says: "In a safe territory there will be plenty of food"
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
As a teen going through Mental Health Stuff, academic summer camp was my refuge and the highlight of my year. Learning about zines there changed my life. This weekend, I helped lead zine workshops for autistic youth, and it felt like such a significant moment where my life was coming full circle. <3
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Work with our team at @topicgroup.bsky.social (Now called Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research)! We're hiring a postdoc and a research fellow on projects related to neurodiversity and strengths in children and adolescents. Links below:
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
🧪Our (me + UMD undergrad psychology alum Sarah Liu) new study is published in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social! Title: Endorsement of the neurodiversity framework and self-esteem among autistic and non-autistic adults. Read more here: www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/... + thread below
liebertpub.com
Endorsement of the Neurodiversity Framework and Self-Esteem Among Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Many autistic individuals struggle with poor mental health and low self-esteem, in part, due to internalized stigma. Given the strengths-based perspective of the neurodiversity framework, ...
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Danielle Kurtzleben @titonka.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
I like to think that I personally ruined the workplace.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
I've never been one to post a uni sweatshirt photoshoot upon getting a new position, but luckily I already bought this sweatshirt at age 17 at a thrift store in NYC for the postdoc at Oxford I started this week! The caveat is that my photoshoot is from when I was 17 visiting colleges in NYC.
Photo of me as a teenager wearing an Oxford University sweatshirt, standing on the New York City subway
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Dr Keren MacLennan @kerenmaclennan.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
New publication on Autistic adults’ experiences of attending live music! I am really proud of this study! You can read it for free here: doi.org/10.31219/osf...
New research: “It's like all of my senses and my body become more awakened”: Autistic adults’ experiences of attending live music. Herbet, G., Smith, A. & MacLennan, K. (2025). Autism in Adulthood JournalMusic matters for Autistic people: Live music can be deeply meaningful for many Autistic people - bringing both joy and social connection.

Barriers to live music: Autistic people encounter challenges at music venues and events. We investigated Autistic adults’ experiences to understand what could make live music more inclusive. Planning is essential: Attending a gig can feel like a “military operation” - from mapping exits to packing earplugs, Autistic attendees prepare carefully to manage uncertainty.

Crowds are complex: Being in a crowd can be a positive experience (social connection, shared energy) but also stressful (noise, closeness, unpredictability).

Sensory duality: Live music can create moments of immersive joy (“the vibrations bring out the colours in my mind”), but also sensory overload (“my brain is screaming at me”).Staff make the difference: Supportive, understanding staff can transform the experience - reducing stigma and creating safe, inclusive spaces.

Inclusion reduces isolation: Working together to improve inclusivity at live music venues and events would help Autistic people access the joy of live music - fostering social connection and belonging.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
I'm never not tempted by a beginning-of-term poster sale on a university campus, despite the fact that I am not a college freshman. Today I considered this Eraserhead poster from the University of Bath.
A poster advertising a variety of movie and art posters available for sale, including a thumbnail of the Eraserhead film poster.
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 14/09/2025
If we can turn away from interminable social media arguments into practical examination of service provisions that actually benefit autistic people, we will be making a better world. #neurodiversity #SNS25
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Laura Crane @lauramaycrane.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
#AECongress25 attendees: here's some Autism Research Starter Packs, where I've tried to collate BlueSky accounts from those who do/support/facilitate autism research. Let me know if I've missed anyone! 1. go.bsky.app/B9XV8UA 2. go.bsky.app/Pfbbvot 3. go.bsky.app/DWvXhk6
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
There’s a free #AECongress2025 / #AEC2025 barbecue ticket that I put at a high table near the codex booth for anyone interested in going. I had a colleague who had to leave early for a family emergency and I don’t know who to give it to. Someone use it!
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
#AECongress2025 guys please 😭😭
Bernie sanders meme that says “I am once again asking that you don’t loudly chat and leave at the beginning of the q and a”
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Kate Cooper and Leon Allain presenting our lab’s work at Autism Europe #AECongress2025 ! (I spent a long time editing this photo to make it look normal but it looks like the northern lights now!)
Two people (Kate cooper and Leon allain) on a stage by a podium that is labeled Autism Europe. They are in front of a PowerPoint slide with the title of the talk and its authors. Title: Autism transition to adulthood groups (ATAG): feasibility RCT of a new peer-group intervention to promote successful transition to adulthood for autistic young people. Authors: Kate Cooper, Leon Allain, Benjamin Redmayne, Rachel VanDaalen, Annabel Burnley, Bryony Beresford, Laura Crane, Labeebah Islaam, Max Vazquez Morales, Lucy Portway, Ailsa Russell, Will Mandy. Logos of universities are on the bottom of the slide.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
When you read a paper from 2007
Screenshot from an academic paper of text that says, "Asian respondents were solicited using the online social networking site MySpace. Two of the authors joined a Korean MySpace group, and shortly after becoming..."
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 27/08/2025
The Stanford Neurodiversity Summit will be Sept 13-15. Once again we are offering tickets for up to 50 online attendees! Info linked below. Contact us at ThinkingAutism at gmail if you'd like a ticket. It's going to be a fantastic event. stanfordneurodiversityproject.stanford.edu/stanford-neu...
stanfordneurodiversityproject.stanford.edu
Stanford Neurodiversity Summit
Welcome to the Stanford Neurodiversity Project. We are holding our sixth annual Stanford Neurodiversity Summit from September 13-15, 2025. The theme of this year's summit is "Leveraging Neurodivergent...
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
unfortunately me whenever i go to a bookstore
The "I should buy a boat" meme where a cat in a suit is reading a newspaper with the caption "I should buy a boat." However, it has been edited to say, "I should write a book"
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
everything is terrible except for this
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Laura Crane @lauramaycrane.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Calling autism community members and justice professionals (with experience in Magistrates/Crown Court) to help co-design new, accessible resources for autistic people involved in criminal court systems in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 & 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Autism community: lnkd.in/ekxQ_wV5 Justice professionals: lnkd.in/ee8SXbmd #AutRes
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 17/06/2025
The Stanford Neurodiversity Summit is coming, September 13-15, 2025! This incredible learning opportunity is hybrid, with neurodiverse (not just autistic!) employers, service agencies, educators, plus students, parents, and professionals. stanfordneurodiversityproject.stanford.edu/stanford-neu...
stanfordneurodiversityproject.stanford.edu
Stanford Neurodiversity Summit
Welcome to the Stanford Neurodiversity Project. We are holding our sixth annual Stanford Neurodiversity Summit from September 13-15, 2025. The theme of this year's summit is "Leveraging Neurodivergent...
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 16/06/2025
Alright everyone, one last push. If you or anyone you know is: - LGBTQ+ - 13-24 years old - In the US Trevor Project is recruiting responses for their survey on LGBTQ+ mental health. It has HUGE impacts on policy, please take it and share widely if you can :) trvr.org/survey2025
trvr.org
To proceed to the survey, please check off the box and click the button below.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Amazing
Screenshot from job ad that says:
PhD studentship: assistive wearable technologies: what are the right trousers? And who are they right for?
School of engineering mathematic and technology & school of psychological science.
University of Bristol.
Location(s): Bristol
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Centre for Research in Autism and Education @craeioe.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
For next month’s #CRAEwebinar we are looking foward to being joined by Sarah Hampton who will share their research on environmental influences on anxiety and depression and autistic young people. 10th July 4pm gmt www.eventbrite.co.uk...
eventbrite.co.uk
Environmental influences on anxiety and depression in autistic young people
Join Sarah Hampton as she shares research that asks, why do many autistic young people experience anxiety and depression, and what can help?
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
happy pride to everyone from me, a person who was referred to by university counseling center colleagues as a "queer elder" at the ripe old age of 28 a few years ago
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Wait this article on neurodiversity and Overwatch by @rebecchikevin.bsky.social combines all of my interests !
tandfonline.com
Representation of neurodiversity in video games: analyzing autism through the character of Symmetra in Overwatch 2
This study explores the representation of neurodiversity, particularly autism, through the character of Symmetra in the popular video game Overwatch 2. By employing the Digital Game Analysis Protoc...
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
🧪New paper published in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social: "Development and preliminary efficacy trial of DIVERSE: A curriculum for job coaches, employers, and family members supporting autistic individuals and people with IDD in the workplace" www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
liebertpub.com
Development and Preliminary Efficacy Trial of DIVERSE: A Curriculum for Job Coaches, Employers, and Family Members Supporting Autistic Individuals and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabi...
Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including autistic individuals, face challenges in securing and maintaining competitive employment. To fill this gap, t...
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants. Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
🧪 New open access paper in Neurodiversity with my amazing UMD alums (Vallefuoco, Fernandez, Liu, Lemaire): "Public perceptions of the neurodiversity movement: A thematic analysis." Read here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Public Perceptions of the Neurodiversity Movement: A Thematic Analysis - Rachel A VanDaalen, Alessandro A Vallefuoco, Margarette Lorraine Fernandez, Sarah Y Liu, Cecilia JA Lemaire, 2025
Interpretations of the goals and meaning of the neurodiversity movement (NDM) have varied within scholarly, advocacy, and general public communities, as it has ...
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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 23/03/2025
Calling all Neurodiversity researchers to submit abstracts for the 2025 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit! DEADLINE FOR POSTER SUBMISSION: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Details: stanfordmedicine.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #neurodiversity
stanfordmedicine.qualtrics.com
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
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Steven Kapp @drstevenkapp.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
My @uoppald.bsky.social student Edward is recruiting autistic adults who have been assessed by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule to share your experiences of & views on ADOS, an interaction- & observation-based diagnostic measure. Participants can be anywhere globally. See more info below.
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Disability Rights UK @disrightsuk.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
💥Co-Production Group for Disabled people 💥 At DR UK, we’re starting a major project to make sure that Disabled people are fully involved in everything we do and we want YOU to be involved! Learn more👉 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/help-us... Sign-up👉 forms.office.com/e/4knFM9eE4E
disabilityrightsuk.org
Help Us Make a Real Difference at Disability Rights UK
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Tellingly, this comes as women outnumber men in graduate degrees.
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
New paper with N Mallipeddi and @carlos-e-santos.bsky.social in Self and Identity: "Examining the associations between endorsement of disability models and system justification within disabled and non-disabled individuals" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Examining the associations between endorsement of disability models and system justification within disabled and non-disabled Individuals
Despite the influence of oppression on the lives of persons with disabilities, disability studies concepts are underrepresented in psychological research. The aim of this study was to examine how e...
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Jonathan Lambert @jonlambert.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Is your NSF grant on this list? Reach out if so! Ted Cruz released a list of grants flagged for DEI or "neo-Marxist class warfare propaganda" from his Oct. report. NSF is using keywords from that report for their review, though Cruz's list is likely larger. www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/2/cruz-...
commerce.senate.gov
Cruz-Led Investigation Uncovers $2 Billion in Woke DEI Grants at NSF, Releases Full Database
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
I reviewed a manuscript for a journal in May 2022. Today, in the year of our Lord 2025, I received an email from that journal asking me to review that manuscript again, now that the authors have responded to the feedback 🙃
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Beth Popp Berman @epopppp.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
The number of people surprised by the long list of words NSF is targeting makes me think many of you all have not seen this: www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
maybe 250 words describing status250-ish social justice wordssmaller text -- 400 words on social justice and gender?And another 150 or so on race
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Rachel VanDaalen @rvandaalen.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Djt: I’m going to incarcerate migrants at Guantanamo People online: this is bad bc it’s too expensive to do that
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Autism: The International Journal of Research & Practice. @journalautism.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
How can we make therapy better for autistic adults? Autistic adults’ ratings of helpfulness of adaptations to therapy journals.sagepub.com...
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