Death row inmate in Pennsylvania was granted stay of execution in November based on Asperger syndrome appeal

Hubert Michael Jr. was sentenced to death in Pennsylvania for the 1993 murder of a 16 year old girl to which he pleaded guilty.  Defense attorneys argued that there should be an opportunity for the court to review the argument that as a result of having Asperger syndrome, Michael did not accept the original plea deal he was offered which would have given him life in prison instead of the death sentence.  The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the stay and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it.  Read more about it at lancasteronline.com here:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/772714_Stay-of-execution-for-Hubert-Michael-Jr-.html

Analysis of studies testing the effectiveness of chelation therapy for autism did not find evidence it works

An article reporting a review of research done on the use of chelation therapy for the treatment of autism printed in the January 2013 issue of Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders analyzed five studies done on the efficacy of the treatment   Chelation involves injecting a chemical compound into the blood stream that bonds to heavy metals and causes them to be excreted in urine.  It is used to treat mercury poisoning for example.  Four of the five studies reviewed showed mixed results.  One showed positive results, but problems in the nature of the methods used in the research leaves it unable to not support the use of the therapy as an effective treatment according to the researchers.  Read more about it at reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/21/us-chelation-autism-idUSBRE8BK17220121221
Read the research article at sciencedirect.com here:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946712000724

Study appears to show link between mother having flu or lengthy fever during pregnancy and autism

A Danish study recently reported in the journal Pediatrics aimed to determine if there was a link between activation of a pregnant mothers immune system and the subsequent diagnosis of autism in the offspring.  Mothers of nearly 100,000 children were inteviewed by telephone during and following pregnancy and their responses were correlated with a central registry which identified approximately 1,000 children in the group that were later diagnosed with autism.  The results of the study suggested that influenza and fevers lasting longer than one week may be correlated with a two to three fold increase in the likelihood of developing autism.  Read more about it at usatoday.com here:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/12/autism-pregnancy-flu/1693083/
Find the abstract of the article in the journal Pediatrics at pediatrics.aappulications.org here:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/6/e1447.abstract?sid=ecec01e9-8807-452b-8545-5fae4c255138

Hacker that avoided extradition from UK to US because of Asperger syndrome and depression will not be prosecuted in the UK

A notorious hacker of the US military and NASA computers who recently won a decade-long fight against extradition from the UK to the US for prosecution there will likewise not be tried in the UK.  Gary McKinnon of Scotland, who suffers from "Asperger syndrome and depressive illness, as well as schizophrenia and other mental health issues," was spared from extradition for crimes he allegedly committed against the US because of his condition.  UK prosecutors have announced that they do not intend to pursue charges again McKinnon.  Read more about it at cnn.com here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/14/world/europe/uk-us-hacker/index.html?iref=allsearch

Blood pressure drug being tested as possible treatment for Autism symptoms

New research has been conducted using a diuretic drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure to reduce the symptoms of autism and Asperger syndrome.  The drug, bumetanide, is believed to reduce the high levels of chloride ions in neurons sensitive to the neurotransmitter GABA and has been used for that purpose in epileptics.  In a study conducted on 60 children aged three to eleven where half recieved the drug and half recieved a placebo the drug appeared to be effective at reducing symptoms.  The effect wore off once the drug was discontinued.  More research is planned.  Read more at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/news/diuretic-drug-improves-symptoms-of-autism-1.12000
Read the research report in the journal Translational Psychiatry at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n12/full/tp2012124a.html

More research indicates genetic link between Autism and Schizophrenia as well as Bipolar Disorder

The results of research conducted at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Sheba Medical Center were recently reported in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.  The research looked at three large databases of subjects in Israel and Sweden and found a link between subjects diagnosed with Autism to family members with Schizophrenia and to a lesser degree Bipolar Disorder signaling a genetic link.  Read more about it at psychcentral.com here:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/10/24/link-between-schizophrenia-bipolar-and-autism/46568.html

Book aims to help people with Asperger syndrome in the search for work

A new book by job coach Barbara A. Bissonnette titled, "The Complete Guide to Getting a Job for Individuals With Asperger's Syndrome: Find the Right Career and Get Hired" was recently published. Read a bit more about it at www.metro.us here:
http://www.metro.us/newyork/life/article/1154640--navigating-the-job-search-with-asperger-s-syndrome

Citing a risk of suicide UK's Home Secretary withdrew extradition order against NASA hacker Gary McKinnon who suffers from depression and has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome

Gary McKinnon, a hacker from Scotland diagnosed with Asperger syndrome will not be extradited from the UK to the US to face charges for computer hacking involving US military and NASA computers.  Following a decade-long battle over his extradition, the UK's Home Secretary Theresa May withdrew the extradition order against Gary McKinnon pointing out that extradition would put him at great risk of suicide thereby unacceptably compromising his human rights.  Read more about it at csmonitor.com here:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/1016/Britain-nixes-extradition-of-NASA-hacker-Gary-McKinnon-to-US

Man 57 with Asperger syndrome sentenced to life for smothering death of 91 year old father

Robert Cordingly, a 57 year old man with Asperger syndrome from Bradford, England, was recently given a life sentence for smothering his 91 year old father in their home last January.  After smothering his father with a pillow, Cordingly then left to locate a uniformed police officer outside a supermarket and confessed the crime.  Cordingly, who had lived with his father all his life and was his father's sole source for assistance, apparently acted out of desperation or frustration in dealing with his father who may have begun suffering from dementia.  Read more about it at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2218068/Robert-Cordingley-Life-sentence-Aspergers-sufferer-smothered-91-year-old-father-death.html

Survey of parents indicates autistic children may be more likely to wander from safety

A study conducted using online questionnaires completed by parents about their autistic children and non-autistic siblings may indicate that autistic children are more likely to wander from safety thereby increasing their risk of injury and death among other negative consequences.  Read more about it at nytimes.com here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/science/study-shows-autistic-children-are-likely-to-wander.html
Read the study results reported in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics at pediatrics.aappublications.org here:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/5/870

Study may indicate DSM-V not less likely to diagnose those with Asperger Syndrome

Study results reported in the October 1 issue of American Journal of Psychiatry seem to indicate that applying the diagnostic criteria as changed in the new DSM-V diagnostic manual to be published in the spring of 2013 will not exclude those diagnosed under the existing DSM-IV criteria.  This would include those previously diagnosed under the titles Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS who will be grouped under the general diagnostic title Autism Spectrum Disorder under the new criteria.  Read more about it at news-medical.net here:
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20121003/Study-examines-newly-proposed-DSM-5-criteria-for-autism-spectrum-disorder.aspx
Read the journal article at ajp.psychiatryonline.org here:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=1367803

New research on unreliability in sensory responses in autism may lead to core mechanisms, a biomarker for diagnosis and categorization for targetted treatments, and understanding of sensory sensitivity

The perception of sight, sound, and touch are less consistent in test subjects with autism than their typical peers according to new research from Carnegie Mellon researchers that is published in the October edition of the journal Neuron. This may be indicative of a more general neural difference that causes similar processing unreliability in the brains of those with autism, which in turn might explain the behavioral differences. The testing may also offer a biomarker for better diagnosis of autism and may also bring new insights into the sensory sensitivity aspects of autism.  Read more about it at sciencedaily.com here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120919125336.htm

View a summary and highlights of the Neuron journal article at schiencedirect.com here:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627312007088

An Australian Magistrate told a 24 year old man that his Asperger syndrome was no excuse for breaking the law

A man from Canberra Australia who was recently convicted of attacking his girlfriend was sentenced to 13 months in jail inspite of his lawyer's claims he has Asperger syndrome and was coming off drugs at the time of the incident.  The Magistrate apparently did not view Asperger syndrome as a basis for excusing such behavior or a basis for giving a more lenient sentence.  Read more about it at abc.net.au here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-24/monfries-jailed-for-13-months/4278060

Austrailian man with Asperger syndrome given lenient sentence due to mental condition and grim existence after pleading guilty to grooming underage girls online

A 23 year old Australian man with Asperger syndrome and manic depression pleaded guilty to grooming several underage girls he met on Facebook including offering to pay one to change clothes in front of a webcam, requesting nude photos, and asking about sexual experiences.  The judge who sentenced the man to a 15 months suspended sentence said she considered his mental issues and dysfunctional young life along with other factors when deciding on the lenient sentence.  The man explained that he discovered Facebook as a fantasy world to escape from an unpleasant life.  Among other unpleasant aspects of his life, he purportedly was forced by his family to sleep in a space with a dirt floor under the floorboards of their house.  Read more about it at heraldsun.com here:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/true-crime-scene/mentally-ill-facebook-sex-predator-given-lenient-sentence-after-judge-accepts-his-acts-were-an-excape-from-a-grim-reality/story-fnat7dhc-1226475890777
Also, read more about it at au.news.yahoo.com here:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/14875358/internet-groomer-avoids-jail/

Genetic testing to determine risk of developing autism spectrum disorder developed by researchers in Australia

Researchers in Australia have identified a number of genetic markers that either increase or decrease the likelihood of developing an autism spectrum disorder.  Utilizing that information the researchers suggest they are able to predict autism sectrum disorders with 70% accuracy.  The next step is to further evaluate the accuracy of the predictions in patients not yet otherwise diagnosed.  Read more about it at sciencedaily.com here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120912093827.htm
Read the research publications in the journal Molecular Psychiatry at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/mp2012126a.html

NHS patients in the UK with Asperger syndrome may soon be able to see a doctor remotely via Skype

Patients with ADHD and Asperger syndrome who are within the area of the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS trust will be the first in the UK to be able to attend an appointment with a doctor remotely using Skype online video telephony.  The idea is to save time and money, offer appointments outside times when clinic rooms are available, and allow patients to be seen from a place they feel safe.  Read more about it at publicservice.co.uk here:
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=20852

Study reported in a new publication tries to measure whether hacking and Asperger syndrome in fact go hand-in-hand

Research conducted on hacker conference attendees has been reported in a new publication containing a collection of studies related to hacking.  Survey participants were given the Autism-Spectrum Quotient questionnaire and two thirds scored in the intermediate range.  The researchers concluded that the results of the survey indicated hackers thinking and behavior are not much different from people working in computer science, mathematics, and natural science.  Read more about it at new.cnet.com here:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57507160-83/aspergers-study-asks-are-hackers-cognitively-different/
Find the study collection publication at igi-global.com here:
http://www.igi-global.com/book/corporate-hacking-technology-driven-crime/41753

Man age 18 with Asperger syndrome pleads guilty but mentally ill for killing his mother and receives 27 years in prison

A diagnosis of Asperger syndrome was apparently enough to get a judge in Greenville, South Carolina (US) to accept the manslaughter plea of 18 year old Joshua David McEachern based on a claim of "guilty but mentally ill" in the shooting death of McEachern's own mother on Mother's Day 2011.  McEachern also pleaded guilty to attempted murder for shooting his brother in the chest three times on the same occasion.  On September 5, 2012 McEachern was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the crimes.  Read more about it at waff.com here:
http://www.waff.com/story/19470853/teen-who-killed-mom-on-mothers-day-sentenced?clienttype=printable

UK man in his 20's with Asperger syndrome accused of sexually assaulting 4 girls aged 14 to 15 years old

According to allegations made at trial, Simon Dabbs, a UK man currently 28 years old picked up under-aged girls by offering them a lift home in his car from near their schools between 2005 and 2010.  He then allegedly offered the girls cannabis and coerced them into performing sex acts.  At trial it has been acknowledged that Dabbs has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, but the prosecution does not believe the diagnosis should serve as a defense. Read more about it at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2199078/Exmouth-driver-Simon-Dabbs-offered-underage-girls-lifts-home-raping-them.html?openGraphAuthor=%2Fhome%2Fsearch.html%3Fs%3D%26authornamef%3DMark%2BDuell

New research confirms what many of us already knew, children with autism spectrum disorders are more likely to be bullied

The lead author of a new study, Paul R. Sterzing, said, “The rate of bullying and victimization among these adolescents is alarmingly high.”  It seems that those on the higher functioning end of the spectrum who are placed in regular classrooms are at the highest risk for being singled out.  Data from the new study indicates that about 46% of students in the survey with autism were bullied as opposed to only 10% of students without autism.  Interestingly the rate of perpetration of bullying is about the same for those with and without autism. Read more about it at well.blogs.nytimes.com here:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/school-bullies-prey-on-children-with-autism/

See the abstract of the article in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine here:
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1355390

UK woman with Asperger syndrome wins gold in 2012 Paralympics

Jessica-Jane Applegate, a teen age woman from the UK won a gold medal swimming in the S14 200m freestyle at the 2012 Paralympics in London and set a new Paralympic record in the process.  Applegate, who has Asperger syndrome, qualified under the Intellectually Disabled classification.  Read more about it at telegraph.co.uk here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9516077/Jessica-Jane-Applegate-become-first-intellectually-disabled-Brit-to-win-gold-at-2012-Paralympic-Games.html

Responses of children with and without autism to odors may give a hint about the elusive nature of the emotions of those with autism

According to research recently reported in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, children with and without autism were exposed to some pleasant and unpleasant odors.  The children's responses in three forms were observed and recorded.  Those included their facial expressions, autonomic responsiveness, and their verbal descriptions of their emotional states.  The children with autism were not as likely to verbally describe an emotional reaction that coincided with their facial expression indicating this may be key in explaining observed differences in the expression of emotions by children with autism.  Read the abstract and the full article at springerlink.com here:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/x47l46662n91044j/

Autism research is on the rise according to newly reported analysis of research articles published over the past 30 years.

Thomson Reuters along with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee analyzed the publication of autism related research articles between 1980 and 2010 to determine trends in the quantity and type of research being done on autism.  The amount of research being done has grown to about twelve times what it was at the beginning of the time frame analyzed among other noticeable trends.  Read more about it at disabilityscoop.com here:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/08/20/autism-research-explosive/16281/
Read the actual report at iacc.hhs.gov here:
http://iacc.hhs.gov/publications-analysis/july2012/index.shtml

Stem cell therapy trial for autism treatment approved by FDA in US

A study investigating possible treatment for autism involving the injection of stem cells grown from each participant's own stored cord blood has received approval to proceed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Thirty children with autism between two and seven years old will be given injections and then re-evaluated after six months.  They will received injections again and will then be evaluated again after another six months.  Half of the participants will receive the actual stem cell treatment and the other half will receive a placebo in the first round.  In the second round the treatment and placebo will be reversed.  The participants and those evaluating their response will not know which participants are receiving treatment during each round to avoid influencing the evaluation results.  The researchers are hopeful they will get measurable results which could come about through several possible mechanisms, but others are skeptical.

Read more about it at bloomberg.com here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-21/stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-to-be-tested-in-first-trial.html

Father's age may increase the risk of autism according to research that attempted to measure the number of genetic mutations in sperm verses egg.

In cases of autism not linked to a family history of the condition, genetic mutations that might account for autism increase along with the age of the father, but not so much the age of the mother according to whole-genome research conducted in Iceland.  The study looked at the genomes of sets of parents and their child to measure the number of unique mutations present in the child's genome that may be attributed to the father's sperm verses the mother's egg.  Sperm are produced throughout the father's reproductive years through continuous cell division, but the mother's eggs are produced prior to her birth and do not undergo further cell division until fertilized.  The implication that logically follows is that with each cycle of cell division the opportunity for new mutations to be introduced increases the likelihood that a father's sperm will pass on mutations linked to conditions including autism and schizophrenia.  Watch a report on the new research at cbsnews.com here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57498675/study-fathers-age-a-likely-factor-in-autism/
Read the article reporting on the research at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/news/fathers-bequeath-more-mutations-as-they-age-1.11247

Presence of private companies providing autism related services in U.S. public schools is seen as profitable and likely to keep growing

Some in private business see inroads into public education in the U.S. as an opportunity for big profit.  Autism education in particular is viewed as an area of business opportunity.  While, at least some who follow the public education system in the U.S. seem to be worried that the quality of eduction may not be furthered by profit motive.  Read more about it at reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/usa-education-investment-idUSL2E8J15FR20120802

Woman with ASD sentenced to prison for sexual assault against teen girls is the subject of a new television documentary.

Gemma Barker who pleaded guilty for sexually assaulting two teen girls while she was disguised as teen boys and pleaded guilty for criminal fraud for faking an assault by one of the fictitious boys was sentenced to 30 months in prison last spring.  Barker was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD prior to sentencing.  Her crimes are the subject of a recent television documentary which can be viewed online at channel4.com here:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-girl-who-became-three-boys/4od

Research shows how a gene associated with autism may effect neurons in the brain.

Genetic research conducted in association with the UC Davis MIND Institute on mice may have identified a mechanism through which genes associated with autism effect energy use in neurons.  The disruption causes harm in the mitochondria of nerve cells and this then seems to lead to some social avoidance and repetitive behaviors in mice of the type associated with Autism.  Read more about it at medicalnewstoday.com here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249009.php
Read the research article at plosone.org here:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0042504

Hormones released by male fetuses and boys may explain prevalence of autism in males.

In newly reported research from the University of Otago levels of two male hormones in boys with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders varied a lot from boy to boy, but where not abnormal for boys with ASD's.  On average the hormone levels where within the same range for boys with or without ASD's, but within the group of boys with ASD's the hormone levels were linked to the severity of their autism symptoms.  Read the full story at sciencealert.com here:
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news-nz/20121508-23660-2.html
Read the research article in Translational Psychiatry at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n8/full/tp201272a.html

Article shines a spotlight on four women with careers, with relationships, and with Asperger syndrome.

A new human interest article features four UK women with successful careers, loving partners, and Asperger syndrome. By opening up and sharing their stories it seems these four can serve as role models and should offer some hope and encouragement to others on the spectrum.  Read all about it at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2188423/They-successful-career-women-loving-relationships--live-affliction-surprise-you.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

A young man has been denied a place on a heart transplant center's list of eligible recipients due at least in part to autism

Twenty-three year old Paul Corby is in need of a heart transplant due to a congenital heart condition.  He was not recommended for the donor heart recipient list by Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania "given his psychiatric issues, autism, the complexity of the process, multiple procedures and the unknown and unpredictable effect of steroids on behavior."  Read more about it at the strollerderby blog at blogs.babble.com here:
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/08/07/family-young-man-denied-heart-transplant-because-hes-autistic/

After conviction and sentencing of Pennsylvania County Councilman his attorney aserts Asperger syndrome as new evidence relevant to criminal intent

An Erie Pennsylvania County Councilman, Ebert Beeman, was recently convicted of Social Security fraud and sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison by a federal court.  Beeman is now seaking to delay serving time until issues suggested by his sister, a social worker, at trial can be further examined.  Beeman's sister suggested he might have attention deficit disorder and Asperger syndrome while acting as a character witness on her brother's behalf and he has apparently very recently been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.  Beeman's attorney appears to be suggesting that Beeman's mental condition may have precluded him from forming the intent required to be guilty of criminal fraud.  Read more about it at goerie.com here:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20120804/NEWS02/308039902/Lawyer%3A-Beeman-should-not-be-jailed-now 
Also read more at erietvnews.com here:
http://www.erietvnews.com/story/19192190/attorney-says-beeman-diagnosed-with-aspergers-syndrome

Asperger Syndrome did not get a convicted murderer in Japan a reduced sentence.

In Japan the prosecutors requested a 16 year sentence in the trial of a 42 year old man with Asperger syndrome who was recently convicted of murder in the stabbing death of his sister.  The court sentenced the man to the maximum 20 years, beyond the prosecutions requested sentence and despite the pursuit of a suspended sentence by his defense.  The court apparently acknowledged the man's Asperger syndrome diagnosis and that it factored into the man's intent to kill, but cited maintaining social order and concern about the possibility the man might commit murder again as reasons for the harsh sentence.

Read more about it at japandailypress.com here:
http://japandailypress.com/asperger-syndrome-patient-given-20-years-for-murder-sign-of-failure-in-japans-support-018020

Asperger syndrome diagnosis after trial not justification for appeal of murder conviction in Canada

A Canadian man sentenced to life in prison following his 2008 conviction for second-degree murder has been denied a new trial based (among other things) on a subsequent diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.  Read more about it at calgaryherald.com here:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Supreme+Court+denies+appeal+shooting+Calgary+owner/7003044/story.html

Research using magnetoencephalography reading brainwaves continues aimed at identifying differences in brains of those with autism

Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) are using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to map differences in the timing and connection of signals in the brains of subjects with autism.  It appears they have found some delay in the transmission of signals in the brains of those with autism.  By identifying differences in brain-wave activity of those with autism researchers hope to use MEG as a biomarker for diagnosing autism and possibly lead to treatment for some of the impediments of autism.  Watch and read more about MEG research as reported at nbcphiladelphia.com here:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/Autism-Breakthrough-MEG-CHOP-163905396.html
Read more about MEG and CHoP at chop.edu here:
http://www.chop.edu/service/radiology/meg/
Read more about research ambitions of CHoP at chop.edu here:
http://www.chop.edu/news/brain-imaging-may-help-diagnose-autism.html

Joe Scarborough seems to think mass murderers such as the perpetrator of the Colorado theater shooting are on the autism "scale" and without support young white males from affluent neighborhoods with autism might also become mass murderers, but he doesn't want to generalize

While commenting on the recent mass shooting that occurred in Colorado during his morning television program, Joe Scarborough opined that people like shooting suspect James Holmes are “somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale,” without specifically claiming that is the case with Holmes, Scarborough further suggested “it happens more often than not.”  Scarborough went on to suggest that people with autism who do not have "a loving family and support group" (like his son with Asperger syndrome did) may become shooters in similar mass murders.  The bits of Scarborough's "appology" that made there way to online news seem to simply say that he is aware of autism and that people who took offense missed his point.

Read about an autistic journalist's demand that Joe Scarborough retract the statements he made linking autism to mass murder and watch a clip of Scarborough's comments at mediaite.com here:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/autistic-journalist-demands-joe-scarborough-retract-comments-linking-autism-to-aurora-shooting/

Read about Joe Scarborough's response to those critical of his comments linking autism to mass murder in the follow up on mediaite.com here:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/joe-scarborough-on-autism-remarks-perhaps-i-could-have-made-my-point-more-eloquently/

Read another report on Scarborough's response at hollywoodreporter.com here:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joe-scarborough-apologizes-autism-james-holmes-shooting-353595

Satirical news website GlossyNews.com runs a bit of fake Asperger syndrome-related news

The satirical news website GlossyNews.com has published a fake story purporting that Florida Governor Rick Scott was secretly diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2008 before his 2010 election and that Scott subsequently resigned as Governor after news emerged that he kept the diagnosis secret from voters.  This all appears to be entirely baseless and arguably not very funny to people with Asperger syndrome.  Read the fake news story at glossynews.com here:
http://glossynews.com/top-stories/politicos-and-polticians/201207170213/florida-gov-rick-scott-steps-down-citing-medical-reasons/

Resting pupil size and levels of an enzyme in saliva may be indicative of autism and may tie autism to autonomic dysfunction according to a new study

New research out of the University of Kansas reports that the levels of the enzyme salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) in children known to have autism remained steady throughout the day as compared to typical children whose levels fluxtuate.  Also the pupils of children with autism measured on average to be more dilated throughout the day.  These two biomarkers associated with the autonomic nervous system may support the theory that dysfunction of the autonomic system plays a role in causing autism.  Read more about it at psychcentral.com here:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/07/14/salivary-enzyme-pupil-size-possible-biomarkers-for-autism/41574.html
Read the journal article reporting the results of the study at wiley.com here:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dev.21051/full

New research indicates uncommon mutations on the X chromosome increase susceptibility to autism

Results of research conducted at Emery University School of Medicine which identified five gene mutations on the X chromosome that appear to be linked to autism susceptibility where recently published in Human Molecular Genetics.  The results seem to support the emerging consensus that susceptibility to the development of autism spectrum disorders may be caused in large part by a multitude of different gene mutations instead of a more discrete number of more easily identifiable genetic contributors.  The greater prevalence of autism in boys than in girls has led researchers to anticipate that individual genetic triggers will likely be found on the X chromosome or the Y chromosome because boys posses only one of each while girls posses two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome.  Read more at medicalxpress.com here:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-mutations-autism-susceptibility-gene-boys.html
Read the journal article in Human Molecular Genetics at hmg.oxfordjournals.org here:
http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/07/10/hmg.dds267

New study results do not support the idea that particular eye movement and lying are linked

If you have ever had people conclude that you were lying to them because you averted your gaze while speaking to them, then you might want to keep a copy of a new study report on hand to use in your defense!  One of the co-authors of the study report says the research showed no support for the popular notion that eye movements can be used to detect lies.  Read a bit about the study at cbsnews.com here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57471114/eyes-and-lies-new-study-debunks-connection-of-eye-movement-and-dishonesty/
Read the report of the actual study at plosone.org here:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0040259

Autism and autistic traits appear to be more prevalent in prodigies and their families than in the general population according to a new study

A study recently reported in the journal Intelligence by researchers from Yale University and Ohio State University appears to show a link between autism and autistic traits and prodigy abilities.  Attention to detail seems to be the autistic trait most commonly shared among the prodigies studied.  The research suggests that there may be some type of modifier present in the prodigies that helps keep them from suffering some the the more debilitating traits of autism while benefiting from the more positive traits.  Read more about it at disabilityscoop.com here:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/07/11/child-prodigies-autism-linked/15992/
Read a more in-depth report on the study at psychologytoday.com here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201207/are-prodigies-autistic
Read the actual research report here:
http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Ruthsatz-Urbach-2012.pdf

Population Genetics and ARC of Cambridge University team up to study two genes associated with Asperger syndrome

The Cambridge University Autism Research Centre (ARC) and Population Genetics Technologies Limited have begun a joint venture to conduct research into the genetics of Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism.  The research aims to measure differences in the frequency of variants in two previously identified genes in subjects known to have Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism verses a control group of subjects not known to have the conditions.  The research will also aim to associate the frequency of the gene variants with measures from the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and other tools used to identify the conditions.  The research may also measure whether or not there are differences in the associations of the genes to Asperger syndrome verses classic autism.  Read more about it at expresspharmaonlin.com here:
http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/index.php/latest-updates/717-population-genetics-cambridge-university-to-study-genetic-causes-of-asperger-syndrome

If you are autistic, then rapper 50 Cent may not want you to follow him on Twitter

It is alleged that 50 Cent recently tweeted in response to a post by a follower, "yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic," and later followed up with "I dont want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else."  Read more about it at huffingtonpost.com here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/50-cent-autism-tweet_n_1651256.html

Former soldier in UK with Asperger syndrome and PTSD given minimum five years for killing landlady

Aaron Wilkinson admitted to manslaughter under diminished capacity after killing his landlady by shooting her in the face and chest with a shotgun.  Wilkinson is a veteran of Afghanistan and has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Based upon Wilkinson's mental condition the jury apparently found that he was not in control of his actions when he shot his landlady twice, then reloaded and shot her a third time.  Read more at dailymail.co.uk here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169801/Soldier-shot-landlady-dead-like-killed-jailed-just-years-jury-hears-Afghanistan-left-mentally-scarred.html#ixzz1zvns4mxg
Read more in an earlier report at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117681/Afghanistan-veteran-shot-landlady-point-blank-range-failed-kill-serving-warzone.html

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may be linked to autism according to new study

Children with family members diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders including Asperger syndrome according to results of a recent study.  Read more about it at msn.com here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48084867/ns/health-childrens_health/#.T_bw5ZG8jbI

New guidelines for GP's published by NICE to help identify autism spectrum disorders in UK adults

At the end of June the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published clinical guidelines to help healthcare professionals in the NHS better recognize, refer, diagnose and manage autism spectrum disorders in adults in the UK.
Read more about it at healthcare-today.co.uk here:
http://www.healthcare-today.co.uk/news/guidance-offered-to-gps-on-spotting-autism/22229/
Read more about it at guardian.co.uk here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2012/jun/28/nice-guidelines-improve-care-autism?newsfeed=true
Read what the National Autistic Society has to say about the NICE guidelines at autism.org.uk here:
http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/nhs-must-implement-nice-guidelines.aspx
Have a look at the NICE guidelines at nice.org.uk here:
http://www.nice.org.uk/CG142

Low birth weight may increase risk of autism, but not Asperger syndrome

Research results recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics seem to indicate that the risk of developing autism may be increased to as high at three times more likely as a result of low birth weight.  Low birth weight did not appear to increase the likelihood of developing Asperger syndrome.  Read more about it at reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/29/us-babies-autism-idUSBRE85S1FS20120629

California law requiring health insurance to cover autism takes effect in July and is expected to increase costs less than one percent

A law requiring health insurance policies in California to pay for some services provided to patients with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome, goes into effect on July 1, 2012.  According to one of the major employee benefits consulting and brokerage service companies in California the requirement will likely increase the cost of insurance plans between 0.2 and 0.8 percent.  California joins over half the states in the US that have passed laws requiring coverage for autism. Read more about it at marketwatch.com here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/burnham-benefits-expects-californias-autism-coverage-requirement-to-increase-medical-insurance-costs-2012-06-26

Electroencephalography (EEG) may be a means of diagnosing autism

Results of a study just published show that reduced connectivity between portions of the brains of children aged two and up with autism as measured by EEG might be a possible diagnostic tool for identifying autism.  Those with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism were specifically excluded from this study.  Read more about it at marketwatch.com here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/computer-analysis-of-eeg-patterns-suggests-a-potential-diagnostic-test-for-autism-2012-06-25
Read the study publication on biomedcentral.com here:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/10/64/abstract

MIT research using zebrafish in investigation of the genetics of autism

Who would have guessed that zebrafish brains are similar enough to work as a model for human brains for certain types of research.  Research being conducted by Dr. Hazel Sive at MIT utilizes zebrafish with certain genes knocked out one at a time to begin to better understand how the equivalent genes in humans known to be associated with autism effect brain development.  Read more about it at psychcentral.com here:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/06/20/zebrafish-to-man-tracking-the-genetics-of-autism/40410.html

Seaside Therapeutics of Massachusetts and Swiss-based Roche combine efforts to produce autism treatment drugs

Two of the leading developers of drugs for the treatment of autism are partnering to combine efforts in the development and marketing of drugs aimed at relieving some behavioral problems associated with autism and fragile X syndrome.  At least one line of drugs based on mGluR5 antagonists expected to come out of the partnership between Roche and Seaside Therapeutics will likely end up competing with drugs under development by Novartis, which is said to be further along in developing a treatment that blocks the mGluR5 receptors in the brain thereby dampening the signals received (presumably making life a bit easier for the patients using it.) Read more about it at nytimes.com here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/health/roche-and-seaside-team-up-to-develop-autism-drugs.html

Ryan Cleary being charged under indictment in US for alleged LulzSec hacking

Despite indications that US prosecutors will not seek to extradite Ryan Cleary from the UK to the US in news articles last week, US prosecutors have obtained an indictment to prosecute him never the less.  The charges in the indictment suggest Cleary was more involve with LulzSec than the hacking group had previously alluded.  An article on InformationWeek.com indicated the following when reporting on these latest developments:
"Many researchers suspect that a disproportionate number of people who get arrested for hacking have Asperger's syndrome, although such a link hasn't been conclusively proven."
Read the rest of the article on informationweek.com here:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/management/240002206

Aspie and alleged LulzSec hacker Ryan Cleary to be tried in UK, not US

Accused hacker Ryan Cleary will not likely be extradited as US prosecutors have indicated they would be satisfied if he is prosecuted in the UK for his alleged involvement in attacks on US targets.  Cleary's situation may have some influence on the similarly situated Gary McKinnon who has been avoiding extradition for prosecution in the US for a decade.  Read more about it on Telegraph.co.uk here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/9335023/Alleged-hacker-Ryan-Cleary-to-be-tried-in-UK-not-US.html
More about Cleary and McKinnon on the notorios aspies page

Specialisterne Foundation announcing implementation of jobs program for Aspies in Delaware

Denmark-based nonprofit organization Specialisterne Foundation has implemented programs in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland to help create jobs for people diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and they are setting up operations in Delaware that will have a ribbon cutting marking its beginning on June 15, 2012.  Read more at CommunityPub.com here:
http://www.communitypub.com/news/x345281077/Specialisterne-Foundation-to-announce-opportunities-for-residents-with-high-functioning-autism
Specialisterne Foundation website

Anders Behring Breivik, Norwegian who admits to killing 77 is believed to have Asperger syndrome

In criminal trial proceedings two sets of experts have come to two different conclusions about Anders Behring Breivik's mental condition.  One group apparently believes him to be psychotic and the other does not believe he is paranoid schizophrenic.  Instead the one group of experts purports that Breivik has Asperger syndrome, Tourette syndrome, narcissistic personality disorder, and apparently other possible issues.  Breivik has admitted to killing 77 people in July of 2011 in Oslo and the nearby island of Utoeya in Norway.  According to the Daily Mail article "Asperger's support groups in Norway have attacked previous attempts to attribute Breivik's massacre to the condition, arguing that there is no evidence that Asperger's is associated with increased criminality or violence. "  Read more about it at DailyMail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2156530/Anders-Behring-Breivik-rare-forms-Aspergers-Tourette-s-syndromes-says-Norways-leading-psychiatrist.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Autism may be linked to folic acid (vitamin B9) in mothers' prenatal diet

The results of a recent study that surveyed the mothers of children in California indicates there may be a link between lower intake of folic acid during pregnancy and autism.  Read more about it at Reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/us-less-folic-acid-idUSBRE85519G20120606

Pilot drug trial of NAC indicates it may reduce irritability in children with autism

Preliminary research at Stanford University and the Cleveland Clinic may indicate that a drug known as NAC, which is currently used to treat acetaminophen overdose, may help reduce irritability in children with autism.  There may be some hope that it could help other symptoms as well.  Read more of the story on  PsychCentral.com here:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/06/04/pilot-study-suggests-drug-may-reduce-irritability-in-autism/39644.html

Brain scans show differences in fiber tracts in brains of people with autism

In people with autism the connections between the front and back of the brain may not allow for the synchrony that occurs in more typical brains.  Mental exercises might improve connections in the brains of those with autism.  For the full story have a read or a listen on NPR.org here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/06/04/154175007/whats-different-about-the-brains-of-people-with-autism

University of Alabama program for supporting students on the spectrum

The University of Alabama has a program for providing assistance to its students on the spectrum.  It has grown from supporting one student when the program started in 2006 to currently supporting twelve utilizing the help of graduate students in psychology.  Read more here at newswise.com:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/college-transition-program-for-students-with-autism-grows

Aspie sold education she can't use, won't have to pay

In an exceptional bankruptcy case a judge in the U.S. allowed a 63 year old woman with Asperger Syndrome to avoid repaying nearly $340,000 in student loan debt due to her disorder.  Read more about it at time.com:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/05/30/woman-with-aspergers-dodges-bullet-on-nearly-340000-in-student-loans/

Aspies have a fan at The Economist

The positive attributes of "misfits" are apparently becoming better recognized and sought after by employers (according to a writer at The Economist anyway.)  Read more here at economist.com:
http://www.economist.com/node/21556230

Project 45P13 inception