Judge Rules That Asperger’s Syndrome Is A Disability
In ruling against a Maine school district that denied services to a student with Asperger’s syndrome who has no educational or behavioral difficulties, US District judge Brock Hornby made Asperger’s syndrome a federally recognized disability for the first time. In accordance with the ruling, the school district must provide appropriate special education services for the student, whose name has been withheld. The student did once attempt suicide, but her district initially refused services because of her academic success. Read article >
CNN Airs Profile On Woman With Asperger’s
The February 9 broadcast of the CNN program Anderson Cooper 360 included a human interest segment about Katrin Andberg, a 22-year old Boston-area resident with Asperger’s syndrome. She suffers from sensory issues, including extreme sensitivity to light, and according to Cooper did not make eye contact at any point during his interview. Andberg, with the help of a service dog, has been able to operate her own business. The webpage below contains responses from viewers and testimonials about AS below a synopsis of the program. Read article >
Wrongly Rejected Job Applicant with AS Wins Judgement
Despite having been previously successfully employed at a similar position, British native Mark Isles’ application for employment at the Ealing Council was rejected because of his Asperger’s syndrome. He recently was awarded over £9,000 in a court decision over his dismissal under Britain’s Disability Discrimination Act, the court having rejected the council’s argument that his symptoms of AS were too insubstantial to qualify under the law. A member of a local disability union accused the council of failing to meet its hiring requirements. Read article >
NAAR and Autism Speaks Announce Merger
Two of the largest U.S. Autism organizations, which first announced they would be combining their operations in November, made their merger official through a unanimous vote by the board of directors of both groups this month. The new organization will be called Autism Speaks, and many of NAAR’s board members will serve on its board and committees. Autism Speaks has said that it expects the merger will increase funding for the biomedical research toward which NAAR has dedicated its efforts, and increase public awareness of autism. Read article >
Autism Center Makes Free Online Courses Available
Working with the business technology firm Avalon Consulting, the Ohio-based Rich Center for Autism will make two online courses for parents and educators available on its website free of charge. One of them is an interactive course for information on Asperger’s syndrome. The course is designed to offer an alternative to non-interactive means of gathering information on autism, and offers different treatment strategies for autism and Asperger’s. Read article >
Asperger’s Association of New England Presents Award to Teacher
Middle school teacher Judy Robinson was recently honored with the Costen Award, which is presented by the Asperger’s Association of New England for educational achievement. Robinson has credited her flexibility in teaching and willingness to communicate for her gift in teaching students with Asperger’s, and also gave recognition to her school’s special education staff. Read article >
Professionals in Asperger’s Field Protest Recent Dr. Phil Episode
Representatives from several leading autism organizations recently signed on a letter addressed to talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw and CBS president Les Moonves about what they considered to be a negative depiction of Asperger’s syndrome on an episode of Dr. Phil which aired on January 17. The letter accuses the program of implying that violent behavior in people with Asperger’s is the norm and not the exception, suggesting that parents might be responsible for such behavior, and ignoring the positive aspects of AS.
Fish Oil Supplement To Be Tested On Autistic Children
A group of students with learning disabilities, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and other related conditions, will be given daily supplements of Omega-3, a fish oil believed to improve communication, memory, and behavior. People with autism and related disorders are believed to have a shortage of fatty acids, which are present in the fish oil supplement. Other potential positive effects include a decrease in side effects from Ritalin and higher amounts of vitamin D. Read article >
Psychologist Publishes Two Books About Asperger’s
John M. Ortiz, Ph.D., the founder of the Asperger’s Syndrome Institute in Pennsylvania (www.asperger-institute.com) has recently made two books available on his website. The Gifts Of Asperger is a collection of stories about children and adults with Asperger’s who have become successful in their careers and developed their talents through supportive environments. He has also written a children’s book called My Kitty Catsberger and has put out a series of CDs for aid in relaxation. Read article >
Social Program For People With Asperger’s Featured in Local Paper
The Spotlight Program is a social program for people with Asperger’s syndrome and related disorders, presented by the North Shore Arc in Massachusetts, which aims to build relationships between students through acting and dramatic training. The group has experienced a rise in enrollment and has been praised by parents and educators. The program recently announced they will be beginning field trips, the first of which was to a production of A Christmas Carol. Read article >
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