In the Media


Articles and presentations about Asperger Syndrome and autism are appearing more and more frequently in the media.  This points to a growing public awareness of these disabilities.  Listed below are links to current programs, articles and interviews that have appeared in print, on radio, on television or on the web.

A Scouting Manual

The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX -- April 9, 2004
Nick Irwin, a member of one of our D.A.N.I.S.H. families, is featured in this article about a video on Asperger syndrome that he wrote, directed, and produced to earn his Eagle Scout status.
Article: http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/fea/texasliving/stories/040904dnlivscout.596db.html
Photos: NickPix.htm

Children Apart: Asperger Syndrome is Coming into Focus

The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX -- October 14, 2002
Several of our D.A.N.I.S.H. families and children were featured in this article. The article is available online at the link above. Thanks to all of our families and children who welcomed Sherry Jacobson into their lives and shared with her their struggles and triumphs!
http://www.dallasnews.com/texasliving/stories/101402dnlivasperger_14liv.ART0.17264.html

NPR "All Things Considered" program on Autism

National Public Radio (NPR) -- June 19, 2002
Diagnoses of autism and related disorders are growing rapidly, especially among young children. Educators and clinicians suspect this is a result of better diagnostic tools. It has raised new challenges for parents and educators, who are trying to find ways to help children with this learning and communication disorder become independent. Audio.
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/index.html

"Bright but shunned: Talented, quirky children struggle with a form of autism called Asperger's"

The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR -- December 9, 2001
You remember that kid from school - the one who was obviously smart, but painfully awkward, stunningly unathletic, profoundly weird?
Other children could sniff out his vulnerability in a heartbeat, making him the favorite object of ceaseless teasing and cruel jokes. They could always count on a satisfying reaction.
http://www.registerguard.com/news/20011209/1a.aspergers.1209.html

"A Gift and a Curse for Max"

The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR -- December 9, 2001
WHEN MAX LESTER was 4, he didn't give a hoot about toy action figures, Legos, "Sesame Street" or most other garden-variety preschool entertainment fare.
Max, now 8, was too busy memorizing dialogue from the movie "Titanic." And mourning Princess Diana. And tracking the activities of President Clinton.
http://www.registerguard.com/news/20011209/1a.aspergermax.1209.html

"New Approaches to Autism: Dr.'s Q & A"

Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - Children's Health Channel Website -- October, 2001
In this interview, Eric Hollander, M.D., discusses a combination of different drugs which may help better treat children with autism. Dr. Hollander is a psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Director of the Seaver Autism Research Center at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/childrenshealth/newapproachestoautismqa.shtml

"Major Stress During Pregnancy Linked to Autism"

ScienceDaily Website -- November 28, 2001
Women who have had a major stressful event - death of a spouse, job loss, or a long-distance move - midway through their pregnancy may have a greater chance of having an autistic child than do their unstressed counterparts say researchers at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/11/011127005411.htm

"Think Different?"

WIRED Magazine -- December 2001
Autism researcher Simon Baron-Cohen on "mindblind" engineers, hidden pictures, and a future designed for people with Asperger's.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/baron-cohen.html

"The Geek Syndrome"

WIRED Magazine -- December 2001
Autism -- and its milder cousin Asperger's syndrome -- is surging among the children of Silicon Valley. Are math-and-tech genes to blame?
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aspergers.html

"Take the AQ Test"

WIRED Magazine -- December 2001
Psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at Cambridge's Autism Research Centre have created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults. In the first major trial using the test, the average score in the control group was 16.4. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

"Plano Mother Starts School for Special Needs Children"

Plano Star-Courier -- March 15, 2001
The Noah Project is hoping for a flood of support to start a school for autistic children. Audrey White, the Plano mother of an autistic child, said she founded The Noah Project in December 1999 to help parents like her find one-on-one assistance. She said the program brings therapists and educators to the home to work with autistic children, but that set-up is not convenient for all families. Her intent with The Noah Project is to provide personalized, private school environments for children with certain needs.
Link to article 

"A Time To Embrace"

The Dallas Morning News -- February 24, 2001
Parents of special-needs children find respite in night-out programs.
Link to article 

"The Little Professor Syndrome"

The New York Times -- June 18, 2000
"They talk like adults and often have sky-high I.Q.'s, but their social skills are nonexistent.  Can kids with Asperger's Syndrome, a recently diagnosed form of autism, harvest their strange talents in adulthood?"
Link to article
 

"David Leavitt: Comforting Lessons in Arranging Life's Details"

The New York Times -- November 6, 2000
This column by David Leavitt appeared in the Arts section in a column called "Writers on Writing". He talks about his reaction to the recent PrimeTime segments on Asperger Syndrome, some of his similar tendencies, and how these attributes evolved into a writing career. Viewing this article requires registering at the website.
Link to article

"Struggling with Life:  Asperger's Syndrome Makes Fitting In a Complicated Challenge"

ABC aired this segment on the October 26, 2000, segment of PrimeTime about 3 boys with Asperger Syndrome.
Link to article

"A Chance Like No Other For Autistic Children"

The Seattle Times carried this article on August 7, 2000, about their school programs for children with autism.  Sounds like a great program.
Link to article