ASAN issues press releases to inform the public of our policy positions and actions. Other categories of articles, along with past entries sorted by date and tag, can be accessed via the sitemap.
Recent media reports have attempted to suggest a link between individuals on the autism spectrum and violent behavior. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is concerned by the proliferation of misinformation which may contribute to increased stigma and discrimination against Autistic Americans. Autistic people are no more likely than any...
Dear Chairman Mica and Ranking Member Connolly: On behalf of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the nation’s leading advocacy organization run by and for autistic people, I write to express concern about the upcoming May 20th, 2014 Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing entitled “Examining the Federal Response to Autism...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Autistic Self Advocacy Network applauds President Obama’s inclusion of workers with disabilities in executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contractors. Inclusion of disabled contractors means real pay for thousands of workers with disabilities. Washington, DC — February 12th, 2014 — The Autistic Self Advocacy...
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network issued a statement on Monday, October 14th, expressing dismay at the media coverage of the attempted murder of Issy Stapleton, age 14. Both local and national media coverage of Issy’s attempted murder have emphasized her mother’s alleged stress, the “burden” of Issy’s disability, and...
On Saturday, September 14th, Marilyn Edge murdered her son Jaelen, and her daughter, Faith. Jaelen, age 13, was autistic. His mother left his body with that of his nine-year-old sister’s, only revealing the location of their bodies to authorities after multiple suicide attempts. Jaelen and Faith join Issy Stapelton,...
Guardianship request by estranged parents denied; disabled woman granted right to self-determination and citizenship The Autistic Self Advocacy Network issued a statement today expressing full support and celebration at the decision handed down by the court today granting Jenny Hatch full legal control over her own life. Jenny Hatch,...
Last week, Alex Spourdalakis, a 14-year Autistic boy living in River Grove, Illinois, was murdered by his mother and godmother. After failing to kill him with sleeping pills, they stabbed him in the chest repeatedly before slitting his wrists. This murder was premeditated and motivated entirely by Alex’s disability....
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network issued the following statement today regarding the upcoming House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on autism: “We’re profoundly concerned by the decision by the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform to convene a hearing on autism next week without the inclusion of...
National Autistic Advocacy Organization Urges MSNBC Host to retract unfounded comments Washington, DC – July 23, 2012 – The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the leading national advocacy organization run by and for adults on the autism spectrum, issued a statement today expressing concern and disappointment regarding comments by MSNBC...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ASAN expresses concern regarding new HHS report on autism research New report uses “creative accounting” to reflect increase in services-research; confirms persistent under-representation of adult needs Washington, DC – July, 10th, 2012 – This morning, the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) within the federal Department...
