Autism/Asperger's Syndrome in the news


Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability - A consultation
Department for Education March 2011

Extra Testosterone Reduces Your Empathy, Researchers Find
Science Daily 10/02/11

Campaign here to let your MP know they should stand up for people with Autism in face of massive DLA cuts.
The NAS

What could have driven Yvonne Freaney to murder her son?
'Loving mother' Yvonne Freaney has been charged with the murder of her autistic son. What could have driven her to it, asks Elizabeth Grice.
The Telegraph 19/05/10

Judge says extraditing Gary McKinnon may be unlawful
Asperger's sufferer faces lengthy prison sentence in the US for breaching US military and Nasa computers.
The Guardian 14/01/10

People with autism make more rational decisions
People with autism-related disorders are less likely to make irrational decisions and are less influenced by gut instincts, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust. The study adds to the growing body of research implicating altered emotional processing in autism.
Welcome Trust 16/10/08

Employing adults with autism: Don't write them off
They can be highly numerate and analytical, but only 15% of adults with autism are in full-time paid employment. So how can companies better cater for them?
The Guardian 17/10/09

National Autistic Society comes off the fence: MMR isn't linked to autism
Times online 22/09/09

Autism just as common in adults, so MMR jab is off the hook
Autism affects 1% of the adult population, the same rate as for children, says a large study, which undermines claims that the MMR vaccine is to blame.
The Guardian 22/09/09

Playtime with mum: A new approach to treating autism
A new method of tackling autism involves showing mums how to engage with their children. Liz Lightfoot looks at how an apparently simple solution works miracles.
The Independent 17/09/09

A safe haven for children with Asperger's syndrome
Out-of-school clubs for children with Asperger's syndrome are hard to find, but they provide a vital support.
The Guardian 15/09/09

The Autistic Me
At last: TV tackles autism without being worthy and po-faced. The results are terrific.
The Guardian 12/08/09

Hacker Gary McKinnon loses appeal against extradition to US
McKinnon's family and supporters express dismay at decision. High court rules that Jacqui Smith had taken Asperger's into account.
The Guardian 31/07/09

Asperger's syndrome: the eyes have it.
TimesOnline 31/07/09

The curious incident of the straight-A student
Alex Goodenough was the cleverest kid in his school - so why didn't he get a sixth form place? Decca Aitkenhead talks to his family about the impact of Asperger's.
The Guardian 04/07/09

Government should spend to save on autism
Reuters UK 06/06/09

Pink Floyd star David Gilmour joins fight to halt extradition to US of hacker Gary McKinnon
Musicians from such diverse groups as Pink Floyd and Boyzone have joined forces in a last-ditch campaign to halt the extradition to the US of north London computer hacker Gary McKinnon.
The Guardian 25/05/09

A Snapshot of Autism Education Provision in Wales
Educational institutions in Wales are not meeting the needs of young people with autism.
Children in Wales 19/05/09

Ed Balls enlists Ofsted to help children with special needs
Children's secretary tells inspectors to rate schools on how well their most vulnerable pupils are doing.
The Guardian 29/04/09

Rash actions and dire consequences
I'm furious - the selfish, wrong-headed beliefs of a few precious MMR refuseniks have put my daughter's life at risk.
The Guardian 01/05/09

Scientists find genetic clues to how autism can develop
Studies could help in diagnosis and treatment. Work 'moves research significantly ahead'.
The Guardian 29/04/09

Pupil with Asperger's syndrome rejected by school
A teenager who was refused a place at his local school because he has Asperger's syndrome has won a conditional offer to study engineering at Cambridge.
The Guardian 20/04/09

Doctors are 'failing to spot Asperger's in girls'
It is a condition on the autistic spectrum that has long been known to affect boys, who may have obsessive interests or struggle to make friends. Now an expert says many more girls have it than was thought, and failure to diagnose them can lead to misery and self-harm. Amelia Hill reports.
The Observer 12/04/09

Asperger's stress hormone 'link'
Children with Asperger's Syndrome may dislike change to their routine because of their different levels of the stress hormone cortisol, a study suggests.
BBC News 02/04/09

The Medicalisation of Normality
Health journalist John Naish asks if we are turning normal human behaviour and normal stages in human development into medical conditions. It is estimated that 10 per cent of British people take anti-depressants and 10 per cent of American children take Ritalin to control their behaviour.
Interesting article - only available until 7th April 2009.
BBC Radio 4 01/04/09

The Romantic Lives of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome.
By Tony Attwood - www.TonyAttwood.com.au
http://www.opposingviews.com/ 16/03/09

'Ivan's death was tragic. His life was not'.
The now iconic images of David Cameron and his son have done much to alter perceptions of disability. Here, a mother of a disabled child hopes real change may follow.
The Guardian 28/02/09

Teachers 'failing to spot' causes of bad behaviour
Schools not identifying special needs, report finds.
Disruptive pupils may be suffering ADHD or autism.
The Guardian 06/02/09

Soon we'll be on an ugly quest for perfect embryos
The Times 18/01/09

Why can't we face the truth? Having an autistic child wrecks your life ...
The Daily Mail 14/01/09

British prosecution could save hacker from extradition to US
The Guardian 13/01/09

New research brings autism screening closer to reality.
Call for ethics debate as tests in womb could allow termination of pregnancies.
The Guardian 12/01/09

Autism: A mother's story
I've brought up autistic sons - and I would not take a prenatal test.
The Guardian 12/01/09