USA Today story on adults with AS.

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Check out the disclaimer at www.autism.fm I was pleased to see this disclaimer about the USA Today article. I hope this answers a lot of questions and concerns.

I'm glad to see the disclaimer/retraction. And BOO on USA Today for shoddy reporting (of course, why am I not surprised) and perpetuation of stereotypes.

I am one of those AS who would desperately love to have a meaningful relationship but am hamstrung by my lack of social interaction abilities, which resulted in depression. I've since recovered from the depression, and been learning over the past few years and getting better, but still... *sigh*

USA Today needs to print that disclamer. I can't understand how they could be so misquoted.

Me either. There's no way to make that grave an error by accident. Somebody lied--I'm kind of hoping it was the reporter, Suzanne Leigh. Considering how harsh that disclaimer is, I do think she must have did some very sloppy and perhaps dishonest work in creating that article. If that is indeed the case, I have no idea how she thought she'd get away with such a thing.

I'm a rat-bastard cross poster. Parallel discussion here, for anyone who's interested.

Not only am I thrilled about the Yale disclaimer, but it is encouraging that somone else posted a similar thread, and that it took a similar course.

Good fortune,

- Icarus

I think the ill-informed reporter may have confused AS with the more severe "classic" version of Autism. It's true that a severely Autistic person is extremely unlikely to marry or have children (but still not impossible!).

Many reporters don't bother letting the facts get in the way of the story they're in a rush to get out. I'm guessing the logic goes like this--Autistic people don't connect with people and get married.--AS is a form of Autism--Therefore, AS people also don't connect with people and get married. It's an extremely poor use of reasoning, one that shows a remarkable lack of understanding of a topic that is being reported on.

Just my opinion...

kindofbluenote,

I agree with you dude, people really need to stick to the labels in the DSM; autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder, and not get the two confused.

Kanner had his early infantile autism
Asperger had his disorder

There's many similarities between the two, and the level of severity (and age of onset) is what basically defines the two -- I’m pretty “high functioning” for an individual with “classical autism” (I can type for example), but I’d easily be on the severe end of Asperger’s; the end where many cannot form relationships. Asperger's has another end and everything in-between of course where people can form relationships, even with individuals who aren't likeminded.

It certainly doesn't help public opinion any. Tell someone you have AS and they say, "Oh, you're this... I read it in USA today." Or think you're a psycho because all the reporters lately seem to want to tack AS onto the profile of any shooting nutjob that pops up.

I do find it kind of odd that the one says he/she has never met an AS parent... especially since it is considered genetic...

I'm a contradiction to that-I'm an HFA parent, and my 2 children are also HFA.

I'm not sure how big of a difference that makes, but the therapist seems to think I overlap into both in many ways...

I got an Email from USAtoday saying they may publish my letter after editing. this is what I sent back to them:

Dear Ken,

Your letter to the editor of USA TODAY is being considered for
publication. Before publishing a letter, however, we need to verify
several things:

1. Does USA TODAY have permission to publish your letter? Yes, but I feel you need to publish this disclaimer that was published here: http://www.autism.fm/ as well.

2. Does the letter contain only your own thoughts and words? Yes, but it was written before I saw that disclamer.

3. Know that the letter cannot be considered if it has been submitted to
other news sources. Only leter I sent out.

4. Please confirm the spelling of your name, and your city and state. Its good.

5. Know that your letter will be edited for clarity, accuracy and space
considerations. Thanks for your time and interest in USA TODAY. May we
print the following edited letter? Yes, but please include that fact the doctors in the article was misquoted.


I am a 39-year-old man who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome only
four years ago. I have a good job and many friends. I am glad USA TODAY
has brought attention to the syndrome, but the article included some
stereotypes of people living with this condition ("A long shadow is
lifted on Asperger's in adults," News, July 24).

Research scientist Katherine Tsatsanis, who works with the Yale
Developmental Disabilities Clinic, said dating and close relationships
aren't in line with "Asperger's adults' goals."

People I know with Asperger's syndrome want to have friends, and some
would like to have children. Many people, including me, want good
friendships and would like to date.

The effects of having the condition just make these wants difficult to
fulfill. People with Asperger's don't get body language or social cues
as easily as those who don't have the condition. This makes it harder
for us to really understand what other people are tying to communicate
to us, and it's something we have to work on. People who don't have
Asperger's need to be honest with those who do have the condition and
communicate clearly. Insinuating that everyone with Asperger's just
wants to be alone is not right and shows that more research needs to be
done on the condition.



I don't want them to publish the letter and make it look like those doctors were not misqouted.

If they publish your letter, and do a decent job of it, I'm going to steal a copy of the eidtion in which it was posted, clip it out, frame it, and hang it in my office. [I see you're on the other side of the country, but if you were in my neighborhood I might ask you to autograph my clipping of the printed letter.]

Good fortune,

- Icarus

Your letter was well written and without the emotional venom I was feeling after reading the furthering of misconceptions about adults with AS...good job.I hope they comply with your request to admit that their reporter is the one responsable for the shoody reporting.I will be interested in hearing if they are willing to admit their own culpability in sidcimating misinformation that could cause harm and further misunderstandings between NT's and AS people.

KRex, I love everything you said in your post at the top of this 3rd page. And I thought it was cute how you referred to procreation as "breeding" ; )

KenM, I am sooo proud of you for writing that letter. You did a great job on that! Bravo!! !!