OBSESSED: Should a Computer Hacker with Asperger Syndrome Go to Prison?
By Kathy J. Marshack, Ph.D
Human rights activist backs computer hacker.  When human rights activist Terry Waite spoke in support of Gary McKinnon, the noted Pentagon hacker, it made quite a stir in March 2009.  Waite is a former Beirut hostage, imprisoned for four years in Lebanon in the 1980s.  Waite told the press that the US should thank McKinnon for “exposing the fragility” of the Pentagon’s computer system.

Supreme Court Rules in favor of a teenage boy from Oregon
The Supreme Court has ruled that parents of special education students who opt for private school instead of trying the public system cannot be barred from seeking public reimbursement for their tuition costs. The court ruled 6-3 Monday in favor of a teenage boy from Oregon whose parents sought to force their local public school district to pay the $5,200 a month it cost to send their son to a private school.
 

A GPS for Fathers Day
By Dan Coulter
Father’s day is a celebration of the times we get it right.  The times we’re wise and strong and patient, like the fathers in the 1950’s sitcoms "Father Knows Best" and "Leave it to Beaver."   And that’s great, because the more we get credit for the things we do that work, the more likely we are to repeat them.  Being a dad is a special challenge for fathers of children with Asperger Syndrome. You have to deal with all the normal parenting stuff, plus all the "Asperger Stuff." Frankly, it feels good when someone acknowledges what we’re doing right.

Online Survey looking at behaviors in autism spectrum disorder
Dr. Karen Grant at Oregon Health and Science University and Dr. Tony Attwood, Australia, are conducting a study looking at the behavioral differences in autism spectrum disorders (ASD: includes autism, PDD-NOS, High Functioning Autism, and Asperger's Disorder) between males and females. The aim of the study is to see if differences do exist so that we can identify, diagnose, and treat ASD's more effectively.

Tillle Use Study of Adolescents with anAutiSlll Spectrulll Disorder  
This study explores how adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder spend their free time. We will focus on what television programs they watch, what they are doing when using a computer and how they spend time with friends. 

ChARM demos first online app for autism treatment
Zoho is perhaps best known for its range of free online productivity and collaborative tools – Zoho Office – which competes with Google Docs, but most recently the company has donated its development platform and resources to the treatment of autism with the newly launched ChARMTracker.   What ChARMTracker does is provide an online tool – the first of its kind – for parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders (AUD), enabling them to gather and track information on treatments, and dietary and health conditions.

Autism's lonely questions
Without better research, Oregon families will keep exhausting themselves looking for answers - If any medical condition warrants more attention and research, it is autism. The uncertainty surrounding this common brain disorder takes a terrible toll on families -- especially in Oregon, where diagnosed autism rates are higher than the national average.  It is a condition characterized by questions rather than answers: Who will help us? Will I ever connect again with my child? How much hope should we have? Do any treatments work, and what if we can't afford any of them?  No family should have to face these questions alone.  About 1 in 150 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate in Oregon is considerably higher. Some estimates based on school data peg the number as high as 1 in 87.

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."

Autism carries enormous costs for us all
The consequences of the epidemic will include higher rates of incarceration, divorce and unemployment
April 2 was the United Nations’ second international Autism Awareness Day, and in Lane County it seemed to pass with little fanfare. We all lead busy lives, and isn’t there some sort of U.N. awareness day for everything? Well, not for health-related issues; only AIDS, diabetes and now autism have that dubious distinction. Sixty-seven million people have been diagnosed with autism worldwide, but tens of millions more live with it each and every day as the parents and caregivers for those living on the autism spectrum. Society will pay for this challenge for decades to come. ~ Register-Guard/OR

YES on HB 3000!
Representative Peter Buckley (D-5) introduced an autism insurance reform bill, HB 3000, which will seek to end insurance discrimination for children with autism in the state of Oregon. The bill has been scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, April 8th at 3pm in Hearing Room D at the State Capitol before the House Health Care Committee

Autism's lonely questions
Without better research, Oregon families will keep exhausting themselves looking for answers - If any medical condition warrants more attention and research, it is autism. The uncertainty surrounding this common brain disorder takes a terrible toll on families -- especially in Oregon, where diagnosed autism rates are higher than the national average.  It is a condition characterized by questions rather than answers: Who will help us? Will I ever connect again with my child? How much hope should we have? Do any treatments work, and what if we can't afford any of them?  No family should have to face these questions alone.  About 1 in 150 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate in Oregon is considerably higher. Some estimates based on school data peg the number as high as 1 in 87.

Kulongoski creates Autism Commission
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski issued an executive order Wednesday creating the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The commission is designed to improve state autism services. Officials say it will serve as a resource to parents in need of information regarding autism. By 2010, the group will present a 10-year plan to address the growing autistic population.  "That tells us that they really care that the needs of our children are going to be met," says Autism Society of Oregon Rep. Tanya Savko.  Katie and Tim Lareeve have a 16-year-old autistic son. They say resources in Southern Oregon could be better. "Overall, there's a lot of room for growth in providing services for autistic children. The malady has been around for a long time. Obviously, its becoming much more prevalent," says Tim. Statistics say 1 in every 150 children nationwide is diagnosed with autism.

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

THEY KNOW: Classmates and Asperger Syndrome
  I’ve heard it too often.  The teasing and rejection that many children with Asperger Syndrome face in school from classmates who don’t understand why they act different.  The frustration and impatience from teachers who assume that these students are simply being disrespectful, stubborn, or lazy. By Dan Coulter

Mozart and the Whale
Starring Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill, Man on Fire), Mozart and the Whale is a heartwarming romantic drama inspired by the true story of two people with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism). ~ Sony Pictures Home Entertainment scheduled to be released on DVD.  The emotional dysfunctions of two people suffering from an autistic disorder known as Asperger's syndrome threaten to derail the pair's emerging romance in director Petter Næss' affectionate tale of love among the mentally afflicted. For friendly taxi-driver Donald (Josh Hartnett), patterns and routines are of the utmost importance. In addition to his love for birds and his uncanny ability to process numbers, Donald does his best to give back to fellow Asperger's sufferers by leading an autism support group. When the lovely but intensely complicated Isabelle (Radha Mitchell) shows up at one of Donald's meetings, the good-natured cabbie finds that love can be as painful as it is elating. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide.  ...to order.
 

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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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