Asperger's Syndrome (Mar 18)
This week's Media7 may have left you wanting to know more about Asperger's Syndrome. The internet is home to much unsubstantiated and plain wrong information about autism spectrum disorders - but also to valuable resources and online gathering places.
Here's some of the good stuff: The key New Zealand organisation for anyone with a stake in ASD is Autism New Zealand. Also locally-based: Alyson Bradley's Aspergers Parallel Planet; the website for Jen Birch's book Congratulations! It's Asperger's Syndrome! , which includes basic information about Asperger's, readings from the book and links to buy it; and Humans.org.nz, where Russell Brown, Hilary Stace, Matt Frost and guests offer stories, news and views.
The Wellington-based Autism Intervention Trust raises money to fund Applied Behavioural Analysis therapy for more severely autistic children, as well as teacher-aides and holiday programmes. It's a good place to look for information about ABA services in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Education's special education information page may be useful. Brightmind Labs is a New Zealand company whose downloadable game MyFriendQuest, helps young children on the spectrum to recognise emotions and develop social skills. OASIS @ MAAP evolved from Barb Kirby's remarkable O.A.S.I.S. website - the first (1993), and most important, parent-driven site for Asperger families.
While the vacuum that led Kirby to launch her original site has to some extent been filled, her contribution remains hugely valuable. As noted by Helen Baxter on the programme, Wrong Planet is a rich and supportive environment for people on the autism spectrum, their friends and families.
Its forums offer support, advice and an insight into politics in the sector. Neurodiversity.com provides a huge amount of information, including sensible advice about biomed therapies.
Ballasexistenz is the website of the amazing Amanda Baggs, a non-speaking, physically disabled and autistic woman, and the place she writes about " human rights, autistic liberation, disability rights, and so forth." Baggs' nine-minute YouTube video In My Language is a stunning statement of Baggs' worldview "in my native language" - with a translations for everyone else. And Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism is a recent and important book by Roy Richard Grinker.
