http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=5033594&page=1

Kristina Chew said on her blog (http://www.autismvox.com) that she
didn't particularly care for them showing Charley with his hands over
his ears.  She said she knows he does that to filter things out and
thus better understand what is going on around him, but to everyone
else he may look like the stereotypical withdrawn child.

~Marcie

*At the request of the Tseglin Family, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
sent the following letter yesterday for use in a court hearing to determine
the future of Nate Tseglin. If you are as of yet unfamiliar with Nate's
case, please visit
**http://www.getnatehome.com/faq.html*<http://www.getnatehome.com/faq.html>
* for details. Please feel free to distribute.*
**


To Whom It May Concern:

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is an international organization
of adults and youth on the autism spectrum, including Asperger's Syndrome,
working to promote the interests of the autistic self-advocate community
through public policy and social change advocacy. We are writing as friends
of the court to express our concern about the treatment of Nate Tseglin, a
young adult with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome who has been taken away
from his family and placed in an institution under heavy psychotropic
medication.

The right of individuals with disabilities to live in the community has been
well established by the United States Supreme Court under the landmark
Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The ruling requires states to shift funding from
institutional placements to community living supports. Given the clear
evidence that institutional settings and the indiscriminate use of
psychotropic medication negatively impact the quality of life of autistic
adults and youth, we are concerned by Nate's continued placement under
restraint in a residential facility where he is isolated from his family,
his community, and any meaningful educational or social opportunities. The
overwhelming consensus of the scientific community indicates that such a
placement is inappropriate, unnecessary, and counterproductive.

Scientific studies have not found that autistic persons are more likely to
commit violent acts or violent crimes than non-autistic persons despite some
media sensationalism of isolated cases of violence (Murrie, Warren,
Kristiannsson, & Dietz, 2002; Barry-Walsh & Mullen, 2004). Autistic persons
are, however, more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and low
self-esteem, for which cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and one-on-one talk
counseling are the recommended interventions (Stewart, Barnard, Pearson,
Hasan, & O'Brien, 2006; Sofronoff, Attwood, & Hinton, 2005). Autistic
persons also require positive support systems, frequent encouragement and
praise, and living and learning environments that are compatible with their
cognitive strengths, challenges, and preferences in order to achieve success
in their life pursuits and gain a high quality of life (Renty & Roeyers,
2006; Plimley, 2007). Psychotropic medications should always be used with
extreme caution with autistic persons as typically these medications are not
specifically tested on this population in clinical studies, and psychotropic
medications may cause substantial harm if used in an indiscriminate fashion.

Nate's current placement does not meet his needs and is likely to result in
long-term physical and emotional damage. We urge the Court to recommend that
Nate be removed from the Fairview Developmental Center and returned to the
community.

Regards,

Ari Ne'eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network,
President
1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
aneeman@...
(732) 763-5530


Scott Michael Robertson
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network,
Vice President
srobertson@...
(973) 464-6315



*References:*

Barry-Walsh, J. B., & Mullen, P. E. (2004). Forensic Aspects of Asperger's
Syndrome. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 15(1),
96-107.Murrie, D. C.,

Warren, J. I., Kristiannsson, M., & Dietz, P. E. (2002). Asperger's Syndrome
in Forensic Settings. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 1(1),
59-70.

Plimley, L. A. (2007). A Review Of Quality Of Life Issues And People With
Autism Spectrum Disorders. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(4),
205-213.

Renty, J. O., & Roeyers, H. (2006). Quality of life in high-functioning
adults with autism spectrum disorder: The predictive Value of Disability And
Support Characteristics. Autism, 10(5), 511-524.

Sofronoff, K., Attwood, T., & Hinton, S. (2005) A randomised controlled
trial of a CBT intervention for anxiety in children with Asperger syndrome,
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 46 (11) , 1152–1160

Stewart, M. E., Barnard, L., Pearson, J., Hasan R., & O'Brien, G. (2006)
Presentation of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome: A review,
Autism, 10 (1), 103-116



--
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

***Please forward to whoever you think may benefit***

I now have an essay posted on-line entitled "Interpretations of the
Mind: An Exploration of Consciousness and Autism".  It's a paradigm I
serendipitously constructed after years of reading books on autism,
talking to autistic people, and studies neuroscience in general, etc.
  The first part examines the ways the mind interprets the sensory
environment and how it typically integrates those interpretations.
The second part looks at what happens when the sections of the brain
don't "speak" to each other like normal and so mono-processes instead
of multi-tasking.  There's a more detailed outline on the first page.
  You can go directly to the essay here:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/DocServer/Interpretations_of_the_Mind.pdf?doc\
ID=9161

This is being hosted by the Autism Society of America here:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1168&pg=docs

I would love to here any feedback anyone would care to provide.

Sincerely,
Marcie

I myself would find that an intolerable work situation. Chemical
smells, along with colognes and perfumes, can make me totally sick.

Here's an interesting story for you. When my office was located next to
a container manufacturer (Ball), sometimes some truly noxious fumes
would waft over into our offices. Many employees (not just me!) would
get terrible headaches, and often I would just leave because of the
level of discomfort. However, the really interesting thing is that
SOMETIMES my tattoos would rise up like welts on my skin!! It was the
weirdest thing EVER! So, it would be like my tattoos were embossed on
my body, and I had to go home and get away from the chemicals and
usually apply Cortaid cream in order to have my skin go back to normal.

Anyway, back to your problem. Is this job something you could do
remotely, once you were familiar with the work?

Shannon :-)


--- Mircea Pauca <mircea.pauca@...> wrote:
> Reluctantly, I started again seeking jobs that may fit.
> I've found one that would seem less bad than others
> (business statistics for controlling)
>     BUT it's in a new steel&glass building and the
> interior smells quite strongly of plastic chemicals.
>     So I wonder if it's wise to try it here, staying
> 8 or more hours every day... if it's really harmful,
> or only my subjective discomfort... if there's any
> "reasonable accomodation" to ask, or something
> that would benefit others too.
>
>     Thank you for thinking about this,
>     Mircea Pauca, Bucuresti, Romania
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Hello all,

Reluctantly, I started again seeking jobs that may fit.
I've found one that would seem less bad than others
(business statistics for controlling)
     BUT it's in a new steel&glass building and the
interior smells quite strongly of plastic chemicals.
     I stayed in it now 2 hours, not long enough for
a clear effect but some 'dulling'. The sensation
diminished over time with some 'accustoming' of
sensors. In another case, staying and trying to
concentrate 3-4 hours in a similarly-smelling library
generated strong headaches and confusion.
     Other people clearly had noticed but became
accustomed too (or the money surpassed all).
I had some weird unexplained allergies some time
ago, before such exposures - so unrelated.

     So I wonder if it's wise to try it here, staying
8 or more hours every day... if it's really harmful,
or only my subjective discomfort... if there's any
"reasonable accomodation" to ask, or something
that would benefit others too.

     Thank you for thinking about this,
     Mircea Pauca, Bucuresti, Romania

Coincedentally I was just thinking about looking for such an info packet a
few weeks ago.

On 23/03/2008, tikigalharkins@... <tikigalharkins@...> wrote:
>
>   Hi Mircea, Bill & all here,
> This is a super idea!!!! I would also like to see more of this type of
> literature around to help us out here of working age to senior citizens.
> If more people have ideas where we can get such helpful information
> personally, my advice would be to "hit 'em up Witness style" with those
> pamphlets/tracts. For instance, hit job fairs, go door to door (or use
> snail mail) to send out these tracts/pamphlets--even stick 'em in those
> ValPaks to get word out. To phrase this with the least possible words,
> ANYWHERE that could have the potential contact/impact on an Aspie's life
> must be well informed about AS as they presently are about other
> "disabilities" and such which might affect work/production. Take it
> from me, one who has in her 32 years working in the "service"
> industries, faced some bad (read NT type) bosses/managers, politics,
> firings, being "forced to quit" on principle/being turned down from
> positions as an applicant when I knew i was capable (& even
> Goodwill/VR)-yet one of these places today remains very liberal in
> hiring of the homosexual community. HMMMMM.... "Nuff said here.
> Anyone else here with good ideas??
> Sorry I ranted on here...Sore subject that must be talked about.
> Wanda
>
> http://community.webtv.net/tikigalharkins/LETSTALKASPERGERS
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Mircea, Bill & all here,
This is a super idea!!!!  I would also like to see more of this type of
literature around to help us out here of working age to senior citizens.
If more people have ideas where we can get such helpful information
personally, my advice would be to "hit 'em up Witness style" with those
pamphlets/tracts.   For instance, hit job fairs, go door to door (or use
snail mail) to send out these tracts/pamphlets--even stick 'em in those
ValPaks to get word out.  To phrase this with the least possible words,
ANYWHERE that could have the potential contact/impact on an Aspie's life
must be well informed about AS as they presently are about other
"disabilities" and such which might affect work/production.  Take it
from me, one who has in her 32 years working in the "service"
industries, faced some bad (read NT type) bosses/managers, politics,
firings, being "forced to quit" on principle/being turned down from
positions as an applicant when I knew i was capable (& even
Goodwill/VR)-yet one of these places today remains very liberal in
hiring of the homosexual community.  HMMMMM....  "Nuff said here.
Anyone else here with good ideas??
Sorry I ranted on here...Sore subject that must be talked about.
Wanda


http://community.webtv.net/tikigalharkins/LETSTALKASPERGERS

There's no evidence that he is aspies or even autistic at all. Even though I
would surmise such a guess based on what I've read of his court behaviour,
I'm not sure having aspies in the jury would even be beneficial to him.

On 22/03/2008, Sean Casey <sean@...> wrote:
>
>   Being a techie, I've been following the Hans Reiser trial a bit...
>
> Regardless of guilt, it seems like he's getting a lot of judgement for the
> NT interpretation of aspie characteristics. It seems like he'd get more
> fair
> treatment if there were one or more aspies on the jury.
>
> Any thoughts on this? It's pretty disturbing to thing that the legal
> system
> will judge and castigate based on flawed interpretation of vocal and
> nonvocal
> communication.
>
> What may appear to be a towering ego is often someone who has no choice
> but
> to tell the truth as they see it. There's a big difference.
>
> Doesn't it make sense that if you're going to try an AS person there
> should be some on the jury to make sure it's fair?
>
> Sean
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Being a techie, I've been following the Hans Reiser trial a bit...

Regardless of guilt, it seems like he's getting a lot of judgement for the
NT interpretation of aspie characteristics. It seems like he'd get more fair
treatment if there were one or more aspies on the jury.

Any thoughts on this? It's pretty disturbing to thing that the legal system
will judge and castigate based on flawed interpretation of vocal and nonvocal
communication.

What may appear to be a towering ego is often someone who has no choice but
to tell the truth as they see it. There's a big difference.

Doesn't it make sense that if you're going to try an AS person there
should be some on the jury to make sure it's fair?

Sean

Mircea Pauca wrote:
>     Greetings from Romania !
>
>     I wonder what good materials exist to help bosses etc.
> manage effectively Aspies with not too much frustration.
>
>     The best short one I found so far:
> Barbara Bissonnette - The Employer's Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
> www.forwardmotion.info/home2.html
> The site will direct to write and ask the author.
> She also sent the PDF to me and allowed me to redistribute
> to anyone to whom I'll think it will be useful.
>
>     Other suggestions ?
>     Mircea Pauca, Bucuresti, Romania

    Not written expicitly for supervisors, nonetheless this may be helpful:

<http://www.amazon.com/Asperger-Syndrome-Employment-Workbook-Roger/dp/1853027960\
>

    Meyer's home-page:

<http://www.rogernmeyer.com/index.htm>

    Here's a book list _re_ autism vs. adults.  A few do concern
employment matters; a few of those are fairly recent and may be useful:

<http://www.autism-resources.com/nonfictiontopics/adult.html>

- Bill

--
WD "Bill" Loughman  -  Berkeley, California  USA
http://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm

Greetings from Romania !

     I wonder what good materials exist to help bosses etc.
manage effectively Aspies with not too much frustration.

     The best short one I found so far:
Barbara Bissonnette - The Employer's Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
www.forwardmotion.info/home2.html
The site will direct to write and ask the author.
She also sent the PDF to me and allowed me to redistribute
to anyone to whom I'll think it will be useful.

     Other suggestions ?
     Mircea Pauca, Bucuresti, Romania

Please circulate widely:


Autreat is a retreat-style conference run by Autism Network
International, for autistic people and our families, friends,
supporters, and interested professionals. We are accepting
presentation proposals for Autreat 2008, to be held Monday-Friday,
June 23-27, 2008, at a small campus near the New York-Pennsylvania
border, approximately 80 miles from Buffalo.

FOR HELP PREPARING A PROPOSAL:
If you want to submit a proposal but you have trouble reading these
instructions and putting your proposal in the requested format,
contact Jane Meyerding, jmeyerding@..., for help. Send only
plain text messages, with no attachments.

WHAT KINDS OF WORKSHOPS ARE WANTED AT AUTREAT?
Autreat is very different from typical autism conferences:

WHEN PREPARING A PROPOSAL FOR CONSIDERATION, BE AWARE THAT THE
*PRIMARY* AUDIENCE AT AUTREAT IS AUTISTIC PEOPLE.
Parents and professionals do attend, and most who attend find the
presentations to be of interest, but Autreat is basically autistic
space.

Be sure your information is being presented in a manner that is both
helpful to and respectful of autistic people.

We expect that you will be speaking *to* us, not speaking to non-
autistic people *about* us.

We are interested in presentations, by either autistic or non-
autistic people, about POSITIVE WAYS OF LIVING WITH AUTISM, about
functioning as autistic people in a neurotypical world, and about the
disability movement and its significance for autistic people.

We are *not* interested in presentations about how to cure, prevent,
or overcome autism.

We do *not* appreciate having non-autistic people come into our space
to talk to each other about how difficult we are to deal with, or how
heroic they are for putting up with us.

If your presentation is geared toward the interests of parents or
professionals, it should focus on positive ways of appreciating and
supporting autistic people, not on reinforcing negative attitudes
about autism and autistic people.

AUTREAT AIMS TO BE WELCOMING AND RELEVANT TO THE BROADEST POSSIBLE
CROSS-SECTION OF THE AUTISTIC POPULATION.
Autreat is attended by autistic people who speak and by autistic
people who do not speak;
by autistic people who communicate fluently and by autistic people
who have limited communication;
by autistic people who live independently and by autistic people who
need intensive support with daily living;
by autistic people who have jobs and by autistic people who live on
disability benefits;
by autistic people who are able to present as "socially acceptable"
and by autistic people who require support to help them manage their
behavior;
by autistic people who have been labeled "high-functioning" and by
autistic people who have been labeled "low-functioning"--including
some autistic people who have had *both* labels, at different times
or under different circumstances.

While it is not expected that any one presentation will be of
interest to each and every autistic person, we do look for
presentations that will appeal to the widest possible audience.

We are *not* interested in presentations that reinforce what we
consider to be artificial distinctions between members of our
community who are labeled "low-" vs."high-functioning."

A NOTE ABOUT "PERSONAL EXPERIENCE" PRESENTATIONS:
Be aware that everyone at Autreat either knows what it's like to be
autistic, or knows what it's like to care about someone who is autistic.

All of us have our own personal stories. Presentations about the
presenters' personal stories are not going to generate much interest,
unless you're able to use your story in a way that will help other
people to share and understand their own experiences in a new way.

Your proposal should describe what participants can expect to get out
of your presentation, not just what personal experiences you're going
to talk about.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRESENTATION TOPICS OF INTEREST
If you have never attended Autreat before, please review the ANI web
site (www.ani.ac) and the past Autreat brochures (http://www.ani.ac/
past-workshops.htm), and contact Jim Sinclair (jisincla@...) if
you have questions, to make sure you understand what Autreat is about
and whether your topic is relevant to ANI's philosophy.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PRESENTERS?
If you submit a proposal, we expect you to be available to attend
Autreat if we accept your proposal, and to give your presentation on
the day and time scheduled. We make every effort to accommodate
presenters' preferences in setting the Autreat schedule, but it is
not always possible to give every presenter his or her preferred time
slot.

Presenters are expected to send advance copies of any handouts or
slides they plan to use, so that we can prepare alternate format
copies for print-impaired attendees.

Presenters are expected to submit an article on their topic for
inclusion in the program book. These also need to be submitted in a
timely manner, so we can prepare copies in alternate formats.

Presenters are expected to consent for their presentations to be
recorded, and for the recordings to be sold by Autism Network
International.

Presenters are invited to attend all of Autreat. If presenters opt
not to attend the entire event, they are expected to arrive on-site
by 8:30 a.m. for afternoon presentations, and to arrive the night
before for morning presentations.

Please be prepared to meet these expectations if you decide to submit
a proposal.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE PRESENTERS?
Autreat presenters receive free registration, including on-site meals
and lodging in a shared (2-person) room.

ANI is a volunteer-run, member-supported grassroots organization with
minimal funding. We cannot reimburse for off-site expenses, nor can
we pay travel expenses or honoraria. If your proposal is accepted, we
will send you a formal letter of invitation if this would help you in
raising your own travel funds.

Presenters are entitled to receive one free copy of the recording of
their presentations.

PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE:
* Your name and title (if any) exactly as you want them listed in
program materials should your proposal be accepted
* Contact information (address, phone, fax and/or email if you have
them)
* Title of your proposed presentation
* Detailed description for consideration by the Planning Committee
* Brief (5 sentences or less) abstract exactly as you want it listed
in program materials should your proposal be accepted
* Indicate ONE theme that BEST relates to your proposed presentation:
   [ ] Advocacy skills
   [ ] Life skills/adaptive strategies
   [ ] Helpful support services
   [ ] Communication
   [ ] Social/interpersonal issues
   [ ] Autistic community and culture
   [ ] Education
   [ ] Employment
   [ ] Family issues
   [ ] Residential issues
   [ ] Disability rights and politics
   [ ] Autism research and theory
   [ ] Other (describe):
* Indicate which group(s) you believe would find your proposed
presentation of interest. Check as many as apply. Briefly describe
what your presentation would offer to each group:
   [ ] Autistic adults
   [ ] Autistic teenagers
   [ ] Family members of autistic people
   [ ] Educators
   [ ] Clinicians
   [ ] Service providers
   [ ] Other (specify):
* Brief (5 sentences or less) presenter bio exactly as you want it
listed in program materials should your proposal be accepted
* Any audiovisual equipment you would need for your presentation

If you have never presented at Autreat before, please also include an
introduction for the Planning Committee summarizing your relevant
experience, including any presentations or other education/advocacy
activities elsewhere, and the nature of your interest in autism and/
or in general disability issues.

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: April 1, 2008

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
Proposals can be submitted via email to Jim Sinclair
(jisincla@...), or via postal mail to ANI at the address below,
or submitted online at www.ani.ac/aut08cfp.php.

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO PRESENT, BUT I HAVE AN IDEA FOR A
PRESENTATION I'D LIKE TO SEE?
If you want to make suggestions for Autreat presentations, or make
comments about previous presentations or presenters, please fill out
the questionnaire available at www.ani.ac/autplan2.php.

Autism Network International
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse NY 13235
USA

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/20080216-9999-1m16measles.html
Health
officials await results for 12th child*By Cheryl Clark*
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 16, 2008
Five more children in San Diego have tested positive for measles, bringing
to 11 the total number of patients in a monthlong outbreak that has spread
to schools, grocery stores, the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Hawaii, county
officials said yesterday.

Public health experts are awaiting test results for a 12th child.

Two other youngsters have developed symptoms of measles, but county
officials have not discovered a link between them and the current outbreak.

One of the newly confirmed patients is an 8-year-old who may have spread the
measles virus during a visit to Whole Foods Market in Hillcrest that started
at 5 p.m. and lasted about an hour Jan. 29.

Two days later, the child attended "Corteo," a performance by the group
Cirque du Soleil, at the fairgrounds. He or she may have infected spectators
and employees at the 4 and 8 p.m. shows.

The child also went to Trader Joe's in Hillcrest between 1 and 2 p.m. Feb.
3.

"It is extremely important that people, particularly children . . . are
aware that they may have been exposed to measles," said Dr. Wilma Wooten,
the county's public health officer. The potentially fatal and highly
contagious disease takes several weeks to run its course.

Wooten said there's no longer an infection risk at the fairgrounds and two
supermarkets because the measles virus can't survive for more than two hours
after it is expelled by a cough or sneeze.

The measles outbreak is San Diego County's first since 1991. It began when a
7-year-old patient returned from Switzerland on Jan. 15 with what would
later be confirmed as measles. He or she infected two siblings and at least
four classmates. The 8-year-old patient identified yesterday is a classmate
of the 7-year-old.

On Jan. 25, the 7-year-old's parents took the youngster to the Children's
Clinic of La Jolla. The child may have coughed and sneezed in the office,
thus infecting four other children.

Those four patients returned to the clinic between Feb. 5 and 8, possibly
spreading the virus to 60 other children.

All of the 11 confirmed patients, from 10 months to 9 years old, were not
vaccinated either because they were younger than 1 – the minimum age for
measles inoculation – or because their parents objected to having them
vaccinated, county officials said.

School leaders, health officials and physicians say they hope the outbreak
will persuade parents to have their children inoculated against measles,
mumps and rubella. They said the vaccine is safe.

However, a growing number of parents are exercising their right under
California law to decline vaccination for their children. They fear that
vaccines may be linked to autism.

Measles was widespread in the United States before a vaccine was developed
in the early 1960s. At that time, many parents felt relieved when their
children got measles because the infection meant the youngsters would be
immunized for the rest of their lives.

Today, non-immunization rates throughout San Diego County average
1.6percent in preschool students and
2.5 percent in kindergartners, Wooten said.

As the outbreak continues to unfold, health officials in San Diego and
Hawaii are trying to track down the thousands of individuals potentially
exposed to measles.

Infection experts from the national Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the state Department of Health Services are working with more
than 30 of San Diego County's employees.

These health officials are seeking prospective patients linked to the San
Diego Cooperative Charter School in Linda Vista; Children's Clinic of La
Jolla in Bird Rock; School of the Madeleine and the Alcott Elementary School
Infant & Toddler Development Program, both in Clairemont; Baldwin Academy
and Murray Callan Swim School, both in Pacific Beach; the fairgrounds; and
the two grocery stores in Hillcrest.

Hawaiian health officials are contacting the roughly 250 passengers who may
have been exposed to measles from an infected child aboard Hawaiian Airlines
Flight 15, which left Lindbergh Field on Feb. 9. Also potentially affected
are people who were at the airport's Terminal 2, Gate 41 between 8:30 a.m.
and 12:30 p.m. that day.

Measles causes a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. A rash
usually follows.

In the United States, measles can be fatal in up to three per 1,000 children
who contract it. The death rates are higher in developing countries.

Children are more at risk of suffering complications, including pneumonia
and swelling of the brain, than senior citizens. Most adults have been
immunized by the measles vaccine or by getting measles when they were young.
------------------------------
Cheryl Clark: (619) 542-4573;
*cheryl.clark@...*<http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/MAILTO:ch\
eryl.clark@uniontrib.com>

      Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/20080216-9999-1m16measles.html


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Slight point of clarification: February 9th is a Saturday, not a Sunday.
Thank you and we hope to see you there.

Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@...
732.763.5530
On Wed, Feb 6, 2008 at 3:30 AM, Ari Ne'eman <aneeman@...> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> This Sunday, February 9th, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's New Jersey
> Chapter will be meeting at 1 PM. The location is below. Please feel free
> to distribute this message.
> ASAN's Jersey Social/Support Group is having its 4th session on:
> Saturday, February 9th, 2008 @ 1:00
> We'll be meeting at:
> Van Gogh's Ear Cafe
> 1017 Stuyvesant Ave
> Union, NJ 07083
>
> The meeting is open to all adults on the autism spectrum, including but
> not limited to Asperger's, NLD, PDD-NOS and other autism spectrum
> neurologies. ASAN encourages family members and other allies of the
> autistic community to contact us at  info@... if they are
> interested in being informed about future meetings open to the general
> public. Please e-mail IanS73@... to RSVP or go
here<http://aspergers.meetup.com/318/calendar/7097761/?a=cv1c_grp>.
> Please indicate in your e-mail if you require any accommodations to attend.
>
> Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.
>
> Regards,
> Ari Ne'eman
> The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
> http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
> info@...
> 732.763.5530
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all,

This Sunday, February 9th, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's New Jersey
Chapter will be meeting at 1 PM. The location is below. Please feel free to
distribute this message.
ASAN's Jersey Social/Support Group is having its 4th session on:
Saturday, February 9th, 2008 @ 1:00
We'll be meeting at:
Van Gogh's Ear Cafe
1017 Stuyvesant Ave
Union, NJ 07083

The meeting is open to all adults on the autism spectrum, including but not
limited to Asperger's, NLD, PDD-NOS and other autism spectrum neurologies.
ASAN encourages family members and other allies of the autistic community to
contact us at  info@... if they are interested in being
informed about future meetings open to the general public. Please e-mail
IanS73@... to RSVP or go
here<http://aspergers.meetup.com/318/calendar/7097761/?a=cv1c_grp>.
Please indicate in your e-mail if you require any accommodations to attend.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@...
732.763.5530


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*
http://www.newscien tist.com/ channel/health/ mg19726414. 300-voices-
of-autism- silenced- by-charity. html(subscription
required)
*

*
*

*VOICES OF AUTISM 'SILENCED' BY CHARITY*
02 February 2008

AN EXTRAORDINARY dispute has broken out between people with autism and a
charity that aims to help them. At stake is how such people are
perceived by
the general public.

Like many people with autism, an autistic blogger who goes by the screen
name "Abscout" is angry about the way the condition is portrayed by some
charities. To try and paint a different picture, Abscout set up a spoof
website called NTSpeaks.org, a parody of the site of the New York-based
charity Autism Speaks. The NT stands for neurotypical, a term
sometimes used
by people with autism to describe the rest of the population.

Last week, however, in response to demands from Autism Speaks, Abscout
took
the site down. Autism Speaks claims the site infringed its copyright, and
that it could have confused people looking for information about autism.
That in turn has outraged Abscout's supporters, who say that Autism Speaks
is suppressing the views of the very people it is supposed to
represent and
help.

"If we do speak, we're only allowed a voice if it agrees exactly with the
people who say they're speaking for us," says Amanda Baggs, another
blogger
with autism based in Burlington, Vermont. "That keeps people believing the
same thing Autism Speaks wants people to believe, including every negative
stereotype of autism out there."

Autism Speaks says its aim is "to change the future for all who struggle
with autism spectrum disorders". One of its stated goals is to "cure"
autism
- an aim some people with autism find offensive. "The autism spectrum is
something that is intrinsic to our personalities, " says Ari Ne'eman,
president of the Autism Self Advocacy Network in Baltimore, Maryland. "We
can no more separate the autistic part of ourselves than we could our
gender
or race."

Particularly galling for people with autism, he says, is a video on the
charity's site called Autism Everyday, in which mothers of children with
autism talk about the emotional and financial impact the condition has had
on their lives. "Autism Speaks puts out a very fear-based message," says
Ne'eman.

NTSpeaks.org carried a much more assertive message. Under the slogan
"Learn
the signs of NTism", it listed "dislike for people who are different",
"refusal to accept that there is a problem" and "conforming attitude".
Another one of its headlines read, "NTs destroying AS/Auties pride and
joy".

Autism Speaks says that people could have confused NTSpeaks.org with
its own
site, as it carried a similar logo. "If an improper use of our name or
logo
creates confusion among those we serve about the source of information, it
is a disservice to all," a charity spokesman says.

Baggs insists there is a need for people with autism to publicise
their own
messages. She says the charities "change a lot about how autistic
people are
treated and understood by other people and by professionals" .

Gareth Nelson, who founded the autism rights group Aspies For Freedom is
doing his bit. In protest at Autism Speaks's actions, he has secured the
NTSpeaks.net and NTSpeaks.com domains and posted new parodies of Autism
Speaks there. "It is important to do this in order to stop Autism Speaks
from simply silencing their critics and to show them that we are not going
to sit back while they intimidate people," he says.

Hello all,
Just a reminder: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network will be holding our New
Jersey Social/Support Group Meeting tomorrow. The time and location are
below. Please feel free to distribute this message.

ASAN's Jersey Social/Support Group is having its 3rd session on:
Saturday, January 12th 2008 @ 1:00
We'll be meeting at:
Van Gogh's Ear Cafe
1017 Stuyvesant Ave
Union, NJ 07083

The meeting is open to all adults on the autism spectrum, including but not
limited to Asperger's, NLD, PDD-NOS and other autism spectrum
neurologies. ASAN encourages family members and other allies of the autistic
community to contact us at info@... if they are interested
in being informed about future meetings open to the general public. Please
e-mail IanS73@... to RSVP or go
here<http://aspergers.meetup.com/318/calendar/6878989/>.
Please indicate in your e-mail if you require any accommodations to attend.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@...  <info@...>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you don't see it, then click on "About ASDS" and then scroll a little bit
down. It should be in the middle of the page, off the right.

Ari

On Jan 10, 2008 5:04 PM, Adam Sanford <gryph@...> wrote:

>   Ari N. wrote:
> >
> >
> > The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by Kennedy
> > Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking if
> we
> > want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No." Currently,
> the
> > polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few
> seconds
> > out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
> >
> > http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> > <http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/>
> >
> > -Ari
>
> Ari, where is the poll? I can't find it on this page anywhere.
>
> Griff
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ari N. wrote:
>
>
> The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by Kennedy
> Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking if we
> want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No." Currently, the
> polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few seconds
> out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
>
> http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> <http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/>
>
> -Ari

Ari, where is the poll? I can't find it on this page anywhere.

Griff

Hi all,
I found it difficult to find the poll page but I did tell them what I
want as a "middle aged 47 yo AC".    I capitalized the words "acceptace"
& "patience."  I further went on to say that as adults, we desperately
need funding to go towards assistance programs which would help us
during transitional/crunch times (like attaining housing, education,
employment & relationships) which impact one's independence & quality of
life.  Also having better accessibility in attaning communication and
social skills assistance is a must.  I mean, we show more compassion to
those who are HIV+!
WHASSSSUP?
Wanda-whose dollar's worth wants to thank you for her rant.



http://community.webtv.net/tikigalharkins/LETSTALKASPERGERS

Oh, Ari!! I missed THAT, probably because I am so focused on the
current target of my wrath. However, what you noted is much more
egregious. There's nothing "autism-LIKE" about Asperger's! Hence its
being *on* the autistic spectrum! How annoying! [This reminds of
Schafer insisting that we Aspies are not autistic and therefore don't
count. Grrrr!]

The problem is that the general community is being overrun by newbies
who have done little research, therefore are not educated enough to
know the correct terminology, or nefarious types who are advancing
their own agendas, political or financial, at the expense of those of
us who are in this for the long haul and/or are autistic ourselves.

Very disappointing. Surely we don't need "help" from either of those
types of people!

Shannon


--- "Ari N." <Aneeman@...> wrote:

> I'm somewhat annoyed about their referring to Asperger's and PDD-NOS
> as
> "autism-like". They are all part of the same spectrum, and when
> they're
> spoken about in the media, the term autistic people is used to refer
> to all
> of us.
>
> Quote I'm referring to from the site: "Add into the mix conditions
> that are
> *autism-like* –such as Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive
> Developmental
> Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)—and there is even more
> variation."
>
>
>
> On Jan 9, 2008 11:58 PM, Shannon T Ahern <shannon_terra@...>
> wrote:
>
> >   I voted!
> >
> > I also sent a strongly-worded letter about the devolution of a
> genuine
> > medical phrase, "autistic spectrum", into the grammar fiasco,
> "autism
> > spectrum". It's a pet peeve of mine and I am now perseverating on
> it.
> > "Autism" isn't an adjective, therefore cannot modify "spectrum".
> Sigh.
> >
> > Shannon :-)
> >
> >
> > --- "Ari N." <Aneeman@... <Aneeman%40gmail.com>> wrote:
> >
> > > The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by
> > > Kennedy
> > > Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum,
> asking
> > > if we
> > > want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No."
> > > Currently, the
> > > polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a
> few
> > > seconds
> > > out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> > >
> > > -Ari
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> --
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

I'm somewhat annoyed about their referring to Asperger's and PDD-NOS as
"autism-like". They are all part of the same spectrum, and when they're
spoken about in the media, the term autistic people is used to refer to all
of us.

Quote I'm referring to from the site: "Add into the mix conditions that are
*autism-like* –such as Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental
Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)—and there is even more
variation."



On Jan 9, 2008 11:58 PM, Shannon T Ahern <shannon_terra@...> wrote:

>   I voted!
>
> I also sent a strongly-worded letter about the devolution of a genuine
> medical phrase, "autistic spectrum", into the grammar fiasco, "autism
> spectrum". It's a pet peeve of mine and I am now perseverating on it.
> "Autism" isn't an adjective, therefore cannot modify "spectrum". Sigh.
>
> Shannon :-)
>
>
> --- "Ari N." <Aneeman@... <Aneeman%40gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> > The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by
> > Kennedy
> > Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking
> > if we
> > want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No."
> > Currently, the
> > polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few
> > seconds
> > out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
> >
> > http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> >
> > -Ari
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I voted!

I also sent a strongly-worded letter about the devolution of a genuine
medical phrase, "autistic spectrum", into the grammar fiasco, "autism
spectrum". It's a pet peeve of mine and I am now perseverating on it.
"Autism" isn't an adjective, therefore cannot modify "spectrum". Sigh.

Shannon :-)


--- "Ari N." <Aneeman@...> wrote:

> The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by
> Kennedy
> Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking
> if we
> want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No."
> Currently, the
> polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few
> seconds
> out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
>
> http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
>
> -Ari
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> --
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Done.

The "No" vote is up to 75%.

--- "Ari N." <Aneeman@...> wrote:

> Try it now:
> http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
>
> On Jan 9, 2008 10:56 PM, Gracie Groove
> <mscoolout@...> wrote:
>
> >
> > I agree on the vote, but the link didn't work for
> me
> > even after I deleted a few spaces. Could you
> repost?
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Ari N. <Aneeman@...
> <Aneeman%40gmail.com>>
> > > Bcc: kgrant5709@... <kgrant5709%40aol.com>
> > > Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 6:39 pm
> > > Subject: [AS-and-Proud-of-it] Poll on IANProject
> > > About Cure
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism
> Speaks
> > > and hosted by Kennedy
> > > Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on
> the
> > > spectrum, asking if we
> > > want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and
> > > unequivocal "No." Currently, the
> > > polling is running about 57% against a cure. If
> you
> > > could take a few seconds
> > > out of your day to vote, it would be
> appreciated.
> > >
> > > http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> > >
> > > -Ari
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> > > removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
__________________________________________________________
> > > More new features than ever. Check out the new
> AOL
> > > Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> > > removed]
> > >
> > >
> >
> > =============================================
> >
> > Gonna make you think if it's the last thing I do.
> >
> >
>
__________________________________________________________
> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
> > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>


=============================================

Gonna make you think if it's the last thing I do.


      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Try it now: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/

On Jan 9, 2008 10:56 PM, Gracie Groove <mscoolout@...> wrote:

>
> I agree on the vote, but the link didn't work for me
> even after I deleted a few spaces. Could you repost?
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ari N. <Aneeman@... <Aneeman%40gmail.com>>
> > Bcc: kgrant5709@... <kgrant5709%40aol.com>
> > Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 6:39 pm
> > Subject: [AS-and-Proud-of-it] Poll on IANProject
> > About Cure
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks
> > and hosted by Kennedy
> > Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the
> > spectrum, asking if we
> > want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and
> > unequivocal "No." Currently, the
> > polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you
> > could take a few seconds
> > out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
> >
> > http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
> >
> > -Ari
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> > removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> __________________________________________________________
> > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL
> > Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> > removed]
> >
> >
>
> =============================================
>
> Gonna make you think if it's the last thing I do.
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree on the vote, but the link didn't work for me
even after I deleted a few spaces.  Could you repost?


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ari N. <Aneeman@...>
> Bcc: kgrant5709@...
> Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 6:39 pm
> Subject: [AS-and-Proud-of-it] Poll on IANProject
> About Cure
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks
> and hosted by Kennedy
> Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the
> spectrum, asking if we
> want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and
> unequivocal "No." Currently, the
> polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you
> could take a few seconds
> out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
>
> http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
>
> -Ari
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
>
> --
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
> More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL
> Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>


=============================================

Gonna make you think if it's the last thing I do.


      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Thanks, 'Xenia'.

-Ari

On Jan 9, 2008 10:16 PM, <KGrant5709@...> wrote:

>
> Ari:
>
> I answered the IANProject thing about a cure.? I am against a cure.?
>
> Xenia Grant
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ari N. <Aneeman@... <Aneeman%40gmail.com>>
> Bcc: kgrant5709@... <kgrant5709%40aol.com>
> Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 6:39 pm
> Subject: [AS-and-Proud-of-it] Poll on IANProject About Cure
>
> The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by Kennedy
> Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking if
> we
> want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No." Currently,
> the
> polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few
> seconds
> out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.
>
> http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
>
> -Ari
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> --
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> __________________________________________________________
> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
> http://webmail.aol.com
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ari:

I answered the IANProject thing about a cure.? I am against a cure.?

Xenia Grant







-----Original Message-----
From: Ari N. <Aneeman@...>
Bcc: kgrant5709@...
Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 6:39 pm
Subject: [AS-and-Proud-of-it] Poll on IANProject About Cure










The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by Kennedy
Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking if we
want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No." Currently, the
polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few seconds
out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.

http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/

-Ari


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



--

Yahoo! Groups Links









________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The IAN Project, which is funded by Autism Speaks and hosted by Kennedy
Krieger, is hosting a poll directed at adults on the spectrum, asking if we
want a "cure". Let's give them a strong and unequivocal "No." Currently, the
polling is running about 57% against a cure. If you could take a few seconds
out of your day to vote, it would be appreciated.

http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/

-Ari


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

An interview (broken in 4 parts) with Agnetha
Faltskog (The ABBA Blonde ;-). Enough evidence
(esp. from part 2) that she is One Of Us ?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MPLPy2Eb2dQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bNoSAje5ZL0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lHRCGJLIs0k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OP-mqb1iFso

     Thank you for thinking about this,
     Mircea Pauca, Bucuresti, Romania