Autism Group Calls For End To ‘Infighting’

By MICHELLE DIAMENT

August 7, 2012


(Updated: August 7, 2012 at 1:19 PM CT)

A leading national advocacy group is calling for a summit this fall in an effort to mitigate divisiveness within the autism community.

The Autism Society wants to bring together all of the major autism organizations to establish a series of joint goals.

“The infighting that a lot of times characterizes the autism community needs to stop,” said Scott Badesch, president of the Autism Society. “Until we come together, we’re not going to be able to move the needle on enhancing autism services.”

Tension has been brewing for years with parents and even professionals at odds over everything from possible causes of the developmental disorder to whether precious dollars should be spent on research or services for those on the spectrum...

Read full article and comments here

Read AMR editor's commentary on her blog

Washington Examiner: Boom in Autistic Students Prompts New Montgomery School Centers

Winston Churchill High School in Potomac is one of the Montgomery County schools that will house an autism resource center. (Examiner file photo)

 "Montgomery County Public Schools is planning to open autism centers at three high schools in the new school year, as the district grapples with a fivefold increase in the number of students diagnosed with autism over the last decade.

In the 2000-2001 school year, 266 students on the autism spectrum enrolled in MCPS. By 2010-2011, that number had jumped to 1,642, as autism became better diagnosed thanks to its federal classification as a disability and more awareness of the disorder's symptoms..."

read full article 

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Manages to Offend Entire Autism World-- Demonstrates Stunning Ignorance

BREAKING NEWS FROM WWW.CHANGE.ORG WEBSITE -

http://www.change.org/petitions/joe-scarborough-msnbc-retract-your-statements-about-autism-and-the-colorado-shooting

"On Monday morning, July 23, Joe Scarborough of MSNBC asserted that James Holmes is probably on the autism spectrum, and that autism would explain why he allegedly committed mass murder. These statements are ignorant and potentially damaging to people who already struggle against stigma and prejudice. There is absolutely no link between autism and criminal behavior; in fact, people on the autism spectrum are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators..."


Read Scarborough's comment below:

"As soon as I hear about this shooting, I knew who it was. I knew it was a young, white male, probably from an affluent neighborhood, disconnected from society -- it happens time and time again. Most of it has to do with mental health; you have these people that are somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale...I don't know if that's the case here, but it happens more often than not. People that can walk around in society, they can function on college campuses -- they can even excel on college campuses -- but are socially disconnected."

The petition letter was composed by autism advocate Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg who is affiliated with Change.org, as well as publishing her writings on www.journeyswithautism.com, www.autismandempathy.com and www.sojournerartist.com .

For further information and commentary view AMR editor's 7.23.12 blog at www.livewith.autism.us

Autistic Pianist Performs Concerto with Symphony

Autistic Pianist Performs Concerto with Symphony

Sheffield, Alabama, 6/6/12—Awetism Videos announces the publication of their first advocacy short video on their Youtube channel.

The 4 minute video features a 50 year old pianist, Sharon Howarth, who was diagnosed as an adult, with Asperger’s Syndrome, a high-functioning sub category of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Ms. Howarth’s performance is exceptional in that she is not a ‘savant’ type of autistic musician, which has previously gained much attention in the media.

Instead, she has been able to achieve a level of mastery in perception and musical expression, unlike many autistics featured in past media pieces, including her ability to create, produce and distribute her own recordings.


read full story here

CNN's Robin Meade features Autistic Teen: Breakthrough Women

"Amanda LaMunyon was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome when she was eight. Asperger's made it tough for her to communicate -- until she picked up a paintbrush.

According to her website, since she began painting Amanda has "emerged from an inward world to a world of giving and caring." She's become an activist, speaking and even singing to groups about her journey. 

She writes, “It is important that we as Americans must take the lead to find the cause, cure and prevention of Autism. We have the privilege and freedom in our great country to raise money and speak about our concerns."

LaMunyon sells her paintings to raise money, and has given them to President George W. Bush and former First Lady Nancy Regan among others.

You can read more about her journey, her art and all the things that make her a Morning Express with Robin Meade breakthrough woman on her website:amandalamunyon.com. "

see full video and CNN article

What Would You Do? - Autistic Child Defended in Cafe

ABC's John Quinones does an interesting piece on this autistic child's public behaviors. This YouTube link has generated some controversial comments from both autistic and neurologically typical viewers. Warning : some profanity in the approved comments if you view directly on YouTube,  but the video is informative.

ARTICLE LINK David Finch--Combatting Asperger's: A Losing Proposition

Learn to say yes to your best possible life.

Published on February 20, 2012 by David Finch in The Journal of Best Practices

Finch and his saintly neurotypical wife, Kristen.

Though I've had Asperger syndrome my entire life—more than thirty-four years, now—I've only known about it for the past few years. Like many who are diagnosed as adults, I was surprisingly relieved when I found out: It all makes sense now, I thought. I'm supposed to be different from the other 109 people around me at any given time; this is how I'm wired...When I realized, for instance, that my marriage was in trouble largely because of my behaviors and detachment from my wife, Kristen, I immediately blamed Asperger's. (I don't pay attention to her needs? Asperger's! I don't help with the housework? Also Asperger's! It takes me three hours to make my breakfast yet I can't find time to help the kids get ready for school? Yep, that would be the Asperger's, too...I'm sure of it.) I thought the only way to save our marriage would be to somehow conquer my disorder. After all, erasing my neurological condition would automatically make me a better husband. Wouldn't it? read article at Psychology Today