The AspBlogosphere’s New Look
AANE is lucky enough to have two new blog authors join our ranks. Alex and Lindsay will be blogging about their lives and some important issues to them. Alex will be writing about his life and some of his interests (games, movies, etc) and Lindsay will be writing about her employment and experiences with work culture.Â
To keep things organized and easy to find you may notice a change in the layout of the Aspblogosphere. Don’t worry everything is still there and there will be even more to come thanks to our amazing new contributors. Keep an eye out for new posts under both Life and Work in the Aspblogosphere as well as additional posts regarding events, fund raising, and new things going on at AANE.
We hope you enjoy the newly updated Aspblogosphere!
August 6, 2009
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Clay Marzo - Just Add Water
From the time Clay Marzo stepped onto the scence he has been an inspiration to everyone. His creative, unique style of surfing are featured in his new film “Just Add Water” along with all of the challeneges that come with his recent diagnosis with Asperger Syndrome.Â
Recently Clay appeared on ESPN to talk about his surfing accomplishments as well as how living with undiagnosed Asperger Syndrome to this point has made him who he is today.Â
You can check out this wonderful interview and some of the best surfing anywhere by clicking below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYKbIM61fAM
August 6, 2009
Tags: AS, Community, Diagnosis, Sports Posted in: AS Community & Culture One Comment
Ben X - Asperger Syndrome in the Movies
Ben X is a 2007 Belgian film about a boy with Asperger Syndrome. Due to constant bullying at school he retreats into the fantasy world of an online game called ArchLord. This film received much attention after winning three awards at the Montreal World Film Festival including the Grand Prix des Amériques, the Prix du Public for the most popular film, and the Ecumenical Jury Prize for its exploration of ethical and social values. This fantastic tale is based on the novel “Nothing Was All He Said” written by the film’s director Nic Balthazar, a story that explores the life and suicide of a boy with Autism.
Check it out and send us your review!
January 14, 2009
Tags: AS Community & Culture, movie Posted in: AS Community & Culture No Comments
Kismet The Social Robot
However, this is not the case for all of us. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome often have a difficult time reading social expressions.  This can be a constant source of anxiety for people with AS, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.  New technology for making daily life easier is discovered each day. Current research by Dr. Cynthia Breazeal of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory may result in a new way to interact with robots as well as a new way for people with AS to feel comfortable in social situations. Dr. Breazeal continues to refine a robot named Kismet.Â
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Kismet
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Kismet is able to learn - not a huge feat in today’s world. How it’s able to learn is what is astounding. Kismet reads both audio and visual social cues thanks to an advanced system of cameras, microphones and computers. Dr. Breazeal explains more about Kismet and the way Kismet learns and interacts in the interview linked to below.
With the interface between technology and its users becoming more and more personal, the potential for it to then support people to make the same sort of personal connections with each other is huge.
For more information on “microexpressions” and Kismet please click below
: http://health.howstuffworks.com/microexpression.htm
January 14, 2009
Tags: AS, AS News, Asperger's, Robot, technology Posted in: AS News No Comments
Book Release and Fund Raiser Event!
AANE invites you to celebrate the release of Michael Palmer’s new book “The Second Opinion” and support AANE at the same time!  Michael Palmer, best selling author and parent of a teen with Asperger’s Syndrome will be joining us in celebration of the release of “The Second Opinion” which features a character with AS.
AANE and Michael Palmer don’t celebrate alone! Expect to see New York Times best selling authors Tess Gerritsen, Joe Finder and Mark Vonnegut along with featured speaker John Elder Robison author of “Look Me In The Eye” a memoir of a life with Aspergers.  They will be signing their books during the event.Â
To participate in this event you must pre-register online. Admission is $20.00 of which ALL will go directly to AANE so we can continute to offer comprehensive support to our community.
As a bonus, all registered donors/attendees for this event will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a dinner for two with Michael Palmer at a restaurant of their choice AND a personlized selection of Michael Palmers books.Â
Don’t hesitate - reserve your spot now. Unreserved tickets will be available on the day of the event at the door as space permits.
Click Photo to Register!
January 8, 2009
Tags: AS Community & Culture, books, Events Posted in: Events No Comments
Dr. Roy Richard Grinker Discusses “Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism”
    AANE is proud to present a discussion with Roy Richard Grinker, Ph.D., and Professor of Anthropology at The George Washington University. Dr. Grinker is the father of a teenager with autism and the author of “Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism”, which documents the shift from previous notions that Autism was a rare disorder to its current state, being diagnosed in 1 out of every 166 children. This shift is highlighted by Dr. Grinkers personal story as well as the study of populations in South Korea, South Africa, India and Peru.
    Dr. Grinker will speak about the effect of changing prevalence rates on awareness of autism, and social and economic opportunities for people on the spectrum. He will also explain the history of autism epidemiology, with special attention to international studies and the role social and cultural processes have helped to create the concept of the autism spectrum.
Join this discussion:
When: Friday, January 16, 2009
9:30 am - 12 noon (Check-in: 9-9:30 am)
Where: Museum of Our National Heritage
33 Marrett Road Lexington, MA
Advanced registration with payment is required to participate in this event. Please click below for online registration instructions.
Click Photo To Register
January 8, 2009
Tags: Asperger's, Events Posted in: Events No Comments
I’m A Person Not A Puzzle
Thanks to Lauren Moynihan for sharing her artwork with AANE and all of our blog readers. Lauren is a 22 year old college student with Aspergers.
Aspergers Awareness - Asperger
January 7, 2009
Tags: Art, Asperger's Posted in: AS Community & Culture No Comments
All In the Family; Living With An Autistic Sibling
Often when a child is born with a disability they are put under a spotlight of good intention. All of a family’s efforts are directed toward their disabled child’s support and well-being. It’s obvious why this happens. All of the plans for a “normal” childhood and life are suddenly in danger of being replaced by something entirely unknown.  In a whirlwind of activity focused on the disabled child and their place in the world the effect of a child’s disability on their siblings can easily be overlooked.
Recently on NPR, Marrisa Skillings shared her story as a neuro-typical sibling of a brother with Asperger’s Syndrome. Equally protective and annoyed, loving and fed-up, her story is one that, although common in the Asperger community, is not heard enough.
Follow the link provided to hear the interview - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98012194
OR
go to - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98012194Â to read exerpts from the interview.
January 7, 2009
Tags: Asperger's, Community, siblings Posted in: AS Community & Culture No Comments
Billy The Kid
Billy The Kid is the story of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome from a small working class town in Maine. This documentary follows Billy as he navigates life, trying to mesh together his ideas of the world and its workings and the reality of it all. Billy shows the audience the way love, relationships, and daily life are viewed by someone with AS and invites the viewers to suspend thier ideas of the “real world” and really experience something different. It is surprising how much a neurotypical person can relate to the individual situations Billy finds himself in throughout this film.
Billy The Kid Documentary
AANE has a special relationship with Jennifer Venditti. After discovering this film AANE and Jennifer collaborated to put together a screening event at the Coolidge Corner Theater. It was a wonderful event that attracted those with AS, those wanting to learn more and proffesionals who work with individuals with AS. This diverse crowd found that the topics and ideas being conveyed were important and accessible to all who watched.
Recently released on DVD, Billy The Kid is now available from the film’s official web site along with other information, reviews, etc.
http://www.billythekiddocumentary.com
November 10, 2008
Tags: AS, Asperger's, Community, culture, movie, teen Posted in: AS Community & Culture No Comments
Asperger’s Syndrome On Prime Time
Everyone needs dessert, right? After long days spent working hard to make our way in the world, sitting down in front of the TV is like indulging in a big piece of cheesecake. It’s a chance to relax and release the tensions of life by watching the tension in an other’s. Often this is the case because the viewers relate to the life and experiences of the characters on their favorite shows and today on the small screen more and more diverse characters are popping up.Â
A recently announced addition to the line-up of quirky characters on ABC’s hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” will help bridge the gap with the AS population. With Mary McDonnell planned to play a surgeon with AS everyone in our community will have one more TV character to connect with. Hopefully McDonnell’s character will shine a light upon AS, increasing awareness of the disorder.
Now let’s just hope she does her job portraying such a nuanced, complicated character well. Let us know what you think!
Check out “Grey’s Anatomy” on Thursdays at 9pm ET on ABC (Check local listings) and follow the link below for more information.
November 6, 2008
Tags: AS, Awareness, culture, TV Posted in: AS Community & Culture No Comments
