0 - 2010 - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Can’t Be Choosers

When you try to get SSI, the process is all about telling them how horrible you are at doing things; how you can’t cook for yourself except for heating things up in the microwave; how it takes you forever to get your place clean; how you didn’t learn to shower until you were twenty; how you can’t use a bus or drive a car or order at a restaurant. Can’t, can’t, can’t. You’re a bundle of deficiency. You may or may not be accepted, and it routinely takes years.

April 15, 2010

How I Became an Autistic Self-Advocate

An essay by Kate Goldfield. I hadn’t thought much about it for those months; it was kind of at the back of my mind. I didn’t see much reason to tell people about my diagnosis; it was just another part of me. Well, that all changed one day at my college library.

April 11, 2010

Improving Health Care

ASAN’s Paula C. Durbin-Westby was quoted in a HealthLeaders article on providing better health care services to the Autistic population by means of care coordination programs. Medical…

April 8, 2010

Virginia Budget Controversy

In the Charlottesville Daily Progress, Paula C. Durbin-Westby of ASAN stated her opposition to proposed budget cuts that would hurt people with disabilities.

March 4, 2010

JFAAN Statement on House Passage of Restraint and Seclusion Legislation

The Justice for All Action Network (JFAAN), a coalition of disability-led organizations, applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passage of HR 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act.

March 4, 2010

The Perils of Normalization

An essay by Gwen McKay. Autistic individuals may, for example, rock back and forth when they are anxious or flap their hands when they are happy and excited. Behavioral programs often focus on suppressing these autistic traits because they are socially stigmatized, without considering whether they serve any useful neurological functions such as processing the associated emotions and their expression in language.

March 1, 2010

ACTION ALERT: Restraint & Seclusion Legislation National Call-In Day February 26th

Recently, the House Committee on Education and Labor voted H.R. 4247 out of committee with a vote of 35 to 10. Your hard work has certainly made a difference, but we need your continued efforts to advance this important legislation. Specifically, we need your assistance to get the bill moved to the floor for a full House vote and to obtain Co-sponsors for the Senate version, S. 2860.

February 23, 2010

New Scientist Interview

ASAN’s Scott Michael Robertson was quoted in a New Scientist article on the revision of the diagnostic criteria to provide for a single autism spectrum classification. He…

February 10, 2010

Baltimore Sun Article

ASAN’s Paula C. Durbin-Westby discussed the importance of self-advocacy to ensure those on the autism spectrum are treated properly. A public focus on the question of what…

February 3, 2010

URGENT ACTION ALERT: HR 4247 Going to Committee This Week

H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is going to be marked up by the House Education and Labor Committee this coming Thursday. In order to avoid amendments to the legislation that could potentially weaken the bill’s ability to protect students, it is important we send a clear message to Congress to pass H.R. 4247 and to keep it strong.

February 3, 2010

ACTION ALERT: Restraint & Seclusion Legislation National Call-In Day January 21st

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), in conjunction with the Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS), is asking you to join us in a National Call-In Day on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 to tell your members of Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S.2860).

January 15, 2010

ACTION ALERT: Autistic Child Charged with Felony Assault after Resisting Restraint

Action Needed to Protect Child: An 11-year old Autistic boy in Arkansas named Zakhqurey Price is currently being charged with felony assault after fighting back when two staff members restrained him in response to behavioral challenges. The school has ignored repeated efforts from Zakh’s grandmother over the course of the last five months to obtain needed IEP supports to improve his educational options and manage his behavioral difficulties.

January 5, 2010

2010