PBS Presents "This Emotional Life." Asperger's Segment Included
This Emotional Life airs January 4 - 6 on PBS. Check your local listings. From PBS:
How can we all lead more emotionally healthy and fulfilling lives? What’s the secret – and is there a secret – to emotional and mental well-being, and happiness, according to those who study it and those who experience it? It turns out that connecting with others may be a huge part of it. But for many children and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders – including Asperger’s syndrome – connecting with others can be a constant challenge.

Getting Children To Say Thanks For Gifts
   I still wince at the memory of a childhood Christmas where I hurt my mother with a lack of gratitude. I’d asked for a pair of walkie talkees from the Montgomery Ward catalog. When I opened my present, I found a different brand of walkie talkies from Sears. They were bigger and not as cool looking. I looked up at my mother and said, "Couldn’t you have gotten them from Wards?" The joy drained from my mother’s face, and I felt wretched as she explained I needed to be grateful for what I was given. After recently being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, I can forgive my childhood self a bit with the knowledge that blurting out what you’re thinking is a common Asperger trait. Luckily, that incident and others helped me learn to resist saying the first thing that popped into my mind. If you have a child with Asperger Syndrome and want to avoid having a spontaneous reaction hijack the fun from your holiday gathering, here are some steps you can take in advance. By Dan Coulter

OR grad doesn't let autism stop his dream of authoring novel
  For 10 years Matthew MacNown had a story in his head that he always knew would make for a good book. But his autism sometimes made it difficult for him to translate those thoughts onto paper so his readers could understand them. None of that stopped the determined MacNown and with a little help from his family and teachers, he was able to put the pen to paper and make his vision a reality. Now at the age of 23, MacNown has accomplished something many his age haven't — written a book and had it published.

A Powerful Identity, a Vanishing Diagnosis
  It is one of the most intriguing labels in psychiatry. Children with Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism, are socially awkward and often physically clumsy, but many are verbal prodigies, speaking in complex sentences at early ages, reading newspapers fluently by age 5 or 6 and acquiring expertise in some preferred topic — stegosaurs, clipper ships, Interstate highways — that will astonish adults and bore their playmates to tears. In recent years, this once obscure diagnosis, given to more than four times as many boys as girls, has become increasingly common. Much of the growing prevalence of autism, which now affects about 1 percent of American children, according to federal data, can be attributed to Asperger’s and other mild forms of the disorder. And Asperger’s has exploded into popular culture through books and films depicting it as the realm of brilliant nerds and savant like geniuses.

Be Included in Autism Research
The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) believes in research WITH autistic adults, not just ABOUT autistic adults. The AASPIRE Gateway Project is an online gateway to research that fulfills AASPIRE's mission to encourage the inclusion of autistic adults in matters which directly affect them; include autistic adults as equal partners in research about autism; answer research questions that are considered relevant by the autistic community; use research findings to effect positive change for people on the autistic spectrum.

Oregon becomes one of 12 states to cover all kids with health insurance
  The state turned away Stacey Babcock when she tried to sign up her daughter for health insurance five years ago.  But Babcock, 27, filled out a new application last week with a promise that this time the Oregon Health Plan will find a way to cover her 8-year-old daughter, Keeley Lingley.  The assurance comes from Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who is scheduled to sign a bill at 10:30 a.m. today at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland extending health coverage to about 80,000 uninsured children in Oregon. 

New Support Group in Portland, Oregon Focuses on Helping Partners and Spouses of Adults with Asperger Syndrome
Dr. Kathy Marshack, is launching a new support group, "Asperger Syndrome: Partners and Family of Adults with ASD," in Portland, OR. In addition to providing a safe, supportive place to share their experiences, Dr. Marshack sees this group as a forum to learn more, through books, films and guest speakers.  - Licensed psychologist, Dr. Kathy Marshack, is launching a new support group, "Asperger Syndrome: Partners and Family of Adults with ASD," in Portland, OR. This is not a therapy group, rather a place for people to learn from others and to share their story about the often frustrating and isolating life of loving an adult with Asperger Syndrome Disorder (ASD).  In addition to providing therapy to families dealing with ASD, Dr. Marshack is the author of "Life with a Partner or Spouse with Asperger Syndrome: Going over the Edge?" (Autism, Asperger Publishing Co. 2009).  Marshack explains what motivated her to start this group, "After I posted the first chapter of my new book on my website, I was completely overwhelmed by the huge response from people around the world looking for guidance and support on how to navigate a relationship with a partner with Asperger Syndrome."

Central Oregon Autism Asperger Support Team (COAAST)
  Meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at St. Charles Hospital, Bend, Oregon.  People with Autism, Asperger’s, their friends and family as well as interested parties are all invited to attend.  Conference Room B is immediately inside and to the right of the main entrance of the hospital.  For comments or questions, please call Kristi Svendsen, CORIL at 388-8103.

NAMI's new Asperger's support group takes off
  Just a little behind schedule, Polly Yarnell opened the meeting with a small joke.  "Given that this is an Asperger's group, I'm sorry we did not get started at exactly 2 o'clock," she said. Everyone in the room understood she was referring to the insistence on routine often exhibited by those with the syndrome. About 25 attended the first meeting of NAMI's Asperger's support group Jan. 10. The turnout was testimony to what Yarnell already knew. As she told those gathered around the conference room tables that Saturday afternoon, NAMIhad decided to add this group to their offerings after an encounter their staff had had while doing outreach at St. Vincent's hospital.  A woman, with Asperger's, said she'd been looking all over the Portland area for a support group that would deal with the multiple disorders that can accompany the syndrome. These include depression, obsessive-compulsive rituals and anxiety. "These things are not addressed anywhere," Yarnell said. / Portland, Oregon

  GREAT article for children, siblings, partner's and spouses connected to AS
Growing up in an Asperger Family
by Maxine Aston
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