Connecticut School Tragedy and Autism Link

I made this statement on Facebook earlier today:
  
"I need to say something. I understand the media has a job to do. I understand they are trying to figure out what prompted yesterday's tragic event in Connecticut. It has been stated the shooter had Asperger's Syndrome. To that I say - So What?! That is not a reason for killing innocent children. That is not a reasonable explanation for such a heinous crime. There are millions of people with ASD around the world and most of them will be the VICTIMS of crimes, NOT the instigators. So I would like to take this moment to ask the media not to say this man committed this crime simply because he had Asperger's. I would like to remind the general public that having an autism spectrum disorder does not automatically mean that a person is unstable and violent. Most people with ASD are kind and caring. Yesterday's events are the result of a rare and random act of violence from someone who snapped and lost touch with reality - not someone with Asperger's who decided to kill people."

Articles regarding autism and the elementary school shooting:

1- The Connecticut Shootings: What's autism got to do with it? http://www.lovethatmax.com/2012/12/the-connecticut-shootings-whats-autism.html

2- Connecticut school shooting thrusts autism into national spotlight: http://www.examiner.com/article/connecticut-school-shooting-thrusts-autism-into-national-spotlight

3- ASAN Statement on Media Reports Regarding Newton, CT Shooting: http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/12/asan-statement-on-media-reports-regarding-newton-ct-shooting/

4- Statement by Autism Speaks: "Our hearts go out to the families and town of Newtown, Conn. in the wake of this heartbreaking event. Several media outlets are reporting that the shooter might have had an autism spectrum disorder. Some have also inaccurately reported that there is a linkage between autism and planned violence. We ask that blame not be placed on people with disabilities or disorders in the midst of these types of tragedies and that everyone keep the families of Newtown in their prayers."

5-  Connecticut school shooting: Shooter Lanza may have had a form of autism: http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_22197051/connecticut-school-shooting-lanza-may-have-form-autism

6- A Gunman, Recalled as Intelligent and Shy, Who Left Few Footprints in Life: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/nyregion/adam-lanza-an-enigma-who-is-now-identified-as-a-mass-killer.html?hp&_r=0

7- Man named in Connecticut shooting recalled as shy, awkward: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-1215-shooter-20121215,0,3373353.story

Auism News for Monday, October 15, 2012

Hope you all had a good weekend!


1- Advocates: New autism law offers little help: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121015/LIFESTYLE03/210150341/1040/rss34

2- Cardinal Glennon autism study need children for assessment: http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/343072/9/Cardinal-Glennon-recruiting-children-for-autism-study

3- Mouse studies point out limits of Rett syndrome treatment: http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/conference-news/2012/society-for-neuroscience-2012/mouse-studies-point-out-limits-of-rett-syndrome-treatment?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

4- Video: Unrolling the motor deficit in autism: http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/conference-news/2012/society-for-neuroscience-2012/video-unrolling-the-motor-deficit-in-autism?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

5- Temple Grandin: Autism Is Not My Identity: http://news.yahoo.com/temple-grandin-autism-not-identity-040000931.html

6- Are Pesticides A Key Driver Of The Autism Increase? http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2012/10/15/are-pesticides-a-key-driver-of-the-autism-increase/

7- Accepting Autism: one father's path to understanding his son: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9602643/Accepting-Autism-one-fathers-path-to-understanding-his-son.html

8- Adding Up Autism Risks: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121015085630.htm

9- MURRIETA: Documentary about autism to be shown: http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/murrieta/murrieta-headlines-index/20121015-murrieta-documentary-about-autism-to-be-shown.ece

10- Oregon safety with autism pulls in touching interception: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/oregon-safety-autism-pulls-touching-interception-165313923.html

11- New study says autism may be partly genetic: http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/10/new-study-says-autism-may-be-partly-genetic/

12- Helping children with special needs achieve their potential: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2012/10/15/lifefocus/12039616&sec=lifefocus

13- Horses help children with disabilities move forward: http://www.kpcnews.com/index.php?view=article&id=45897&option=com_content

14- University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Selects Prometheus Research to Build Integrated Autism Database: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/university-missouri-thompson-center-autism-080000404.html

15- Handwriting study points to motor, memory problems in autism: http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/conference-news/2012/society-for-neuroscience-2012/handwriting-study-points-to-motor-memory-problems-in-autism

16- Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/slideshow/Comedy-Central-039-s-Night-of-Too-Many-Stars-50753.php

17- Classroom Yoga Improves Behavior of Kids with Autism: http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/10/15/classroom-yoga-improves-behavior-of-kids-with-autism/46081.html

18- Chickens kept by Florida family as therapy for autistic son found beheaded in backyard coop: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/autistic-boy-chickens-found-slaughtered-article-1.1183676

19- Jon Stewart's autism benefit features unlikely pairings: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/10/14/jon-stewart-autism-benefit/1632507/

20- Computer hacker Gary McKinnon waiting with "anxiety, but hope" ahead of extradition decision: http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/news/computer_hacker_gary_mckinnon_waiting_with_anxiety_but_hope_ahead_of_extradition_decision_1_1656378

Autism News for Wednesday, October 10, 2012

1- The Lion King's Rod Thomas on Autism-Friendly Performance: http://broadwayworld.com/article/THE-LION-KINGs-Rod-Thomas-on-the-Autism-Friendly-Performance-20121010

2- iPad Apps Can Support Evidence-Based Practice: http://proactivespeech.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/ipad-apps-can-support-evidence-based-practice/

3- Site for Free PECS: http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/

4- MEEP! Kids Tablet (on Android platform): http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=538795&cmSource=Search

5- Making Halloween Fun For Kids With Autism: http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2012/10/03/autism/making-halloween-fun-for-kids-with-autism/

6- Autism- What Every Parent Should Know: http://www.myabc50.com/news/local/story/Autism-What-Every-Parent-Should-Know/H7wHGKqdtUK21Y7Vvg5WDg.cspx

7- Environmental groups call for tougher pesticide regulations: http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/10/09/3023578/environmental-groups-call-for.html

8- Arts centre for autistic kids: http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/arts-centre-for-autistic-kids-1.155159

9- Tips You Need to Know to Protect a Wandering Autistic Child: http://www.emaxhealth.com/8782/tips-you-need-know-protect-wandering-autistic-child

10- Cambridge to track wandering elders, autistic children sing LoJack: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/cambridge/2012/10/cambridge_to_track_wandering_a.html

11- Autism center helps students, children with social skills: http://baylorlariat.com/2012/10/11/autism-center-helps-students-children-with-social-skills/

12- Dad demands apology from Ann Coulter for using 'retarded' as an insult: http://moms.today.com/_news/2012/10/09/14301189-dad-demands-apology-from-ann-coulter-for-using-retarded-as-an-insult

13- Golf has opened up the world for teen with autism: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12285/1268355-364.stm

14- Interview with Brian Johnston on the Landscape of Autism: http://dirt.asla.org/2012/10/10/interview-with-brian-johnston-asla-on-the-landscape-of-autism/

15- Grieving Barrow Mum Calls For Syndrome Awareness: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/grieving-barrow-mum-calls-for-syndrome-awareness-1.1003586?referrerPath=/evening-mail-news-round-up-1.118665

16- Autism resources around the world are extremely limited. Lack of resources leads to misunderstanding and mistreatment of individuals: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Autism-resources-around-the-world-are-extremely-3932714.php

Autism News for Tuesday, October 9, 2012

1- Linden High students rally around autistic classmate: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20121009%2FA_LIFE%2F210090301

2- Autism in America: The epidemic no one is talking about (video): http://current.com/shows/the-war-room/videos/autism-in-america-the-epidemic-no-one-is-talking-about

3- Autistic Piedmont boy, 10, found in good condition by Oakland police: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_21729612/police-locate-missing-autistic-piedmont-boy-10?source=rss

4- Lawmakers protest DOE deals with large agencies for special education: http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/40/specialneeds_ln_2012_10_04_q.html

5- Annual Conference - Mount Sinai School of Medicine: http://www.mssm.edu/research/centers/seaver-autism-center/resources/annual-conference

6- Theft of autistic son's iPad deprives assistance with basic living skills: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20121009/SHE06/310090203/Theft-autistic-son-s-iPad-deprives-assistance-basic-living-skills?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

7- Victory is Sweet for Autistic Teammates: http://santanvalleytoday.com/pages/?p=228730

8- Top 10 books dedicated to Sensory Processing Disorder: http://specialhappens.com/2012/10/09/top-10-books-dedicated-to-sensory-processing-disorder/

9- Laura Shumaker: Not a Regular Mom (video): http://www.autismafter16.com/article/10-09-2012/laura-shumaker-not-regular-mom

10- New Jersey Bookshop with a Mission - to Help Autistic Kids: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/54267-new-jersey-bookshop-with-a-mission-to-help-autistic-kids.html

11- Study Roundup: Autism Diagnoses Remain Consistent Under New Criteria, Researchers Say: http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/study-roundup/autism-diagnoses-new-criteria-100912

12- Study links pesticides to childhood illnesses: http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Study-links-pesticides-to-childhood-illnesses/Pfpl0h_CRUGYcpOKZ9i0Dg.cspx?rss=91

13- What marriage, love and Asperger's are all about: http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012310090014&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

14- Father and son launch exhibition at Hamilton Artists Inc: http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/10/08/hamilton-autism-art.html

15- FL teen finds MN fairy godmother thanks to magical Asperger's connection (video): http://www.kare11.com/news/article/994243/391/Fla-teen-finds-Minn-fairy-godmother

Autism News for Monday, October 8, 2012

1- Experts brace for wave of autistic adults: http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Experts-brace-for-wave-of-autistic-adults-3921071.php#src=fb

2- Video of autistic child being beaten provokes Internet outrage: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/05/world/asia/china-autistic-child-florcruz/index.html

3- Pennsylvania shelves Medicaid copays for disabled kids: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Pa-shelves-Medicaid-copays-for-autistic-kids-3922381.php#src=fb

4- 21, Autistic and Having a Party: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/21-autistic-and-having-a-party/

5- Information for Autism Treatment Account (Utah): http://www.utahautismcoalition.org/2012/10/information-for-autism-treatment-account.html

6- Study on Wandering Published Today in Pediatrics: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=faomd6n6&v=0011iPQ44HokkqqwlSkPnXNqPgfoD7zZVNqQRUlgw4zyTaKx_bWmubE4BNv78DH0No26sokWwi0hHa_3BzGquCGwU7iUGNx5kxILdwUXL5u5ZM%3D

7- Study: Kids With Autism Tend to 'Wander.' Parents: No S**t: http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/10/08/study-kids-with-autism-tend-to-wander-parents-no-st/

8- I talked to a bunch of third graders... and I liked it: http://four-sea-stars.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-talked-to-bunch-of-third-gradersand-i.html

9- Autism Non-Verbal Safety Tattoos: http://store.safetytat.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6&zenid=95f36d5119202f98124c90f4d04868cb

10- Autistic kids ride wave of achievement: http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/277480/250/Autistic-kids-ride-wave-of-achievement

11- New Haven's Chapel Haven plans October events: http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/10/07/news/new_haven/doc50723ec202b9b265680383.txt

12- Barrow Asperger's Teen's Web Suicide Threat: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/asperger-s-teen-s-web-suicide-threat-1.1002788?referrerPath=news%2F

13- Chesapeake board looks at special needs program: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/chesapeake-board-looks-special-needs-program

14- Special needs dog seeks special home: http://critters.blogs.starnewsonline.com/14286/special-needs-dog-seeks-special-home/

15- Special needs centre revamps Barton Street site: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/813907--special-needs-centre-revamps-barton-street-site