ASAN Talking Points on DSM-5
The final public commenting period is now open for the upcoming fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which provides the…
The final public commenting period is now open for the upcoming fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which provides the…
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network applauds Secretary Sebelius and the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services for the creation of the new…
Over the course of the last several years, growing public attention to issues of bullying – driven in part by the tragic suicides of a…
On March 30th, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, working with the broader disability community, convened a nationwide Day of Mourning in memory disabled people murdered by…
George Hodgins, an autistic adult living in Sunnyvale, CA, was murdered by his own mother. In the aftermath of his death, much of the public discussion surrounding his killing focused on expressing sympathy for his killer. ASAN Member Zoe Gross of Oakland, CA objected to this and helped organize a candlelit vigil
With our first round of internships underway, ASAN now seeks additional Autistic applicants to intern with Freddie Mac for the summer of 2012. We are very excited to see that our first interns are on their way with great support by their managers and human resources at Freddie Mac.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network strongly supports the proposed regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which will strengthen employment protections and require affirmative action for individuals with disabilities seeking employment with federal contractors.
One of the key principles of the medical profession has always been, “First, do no harm.” As such, it is essential that the DSM-5’s criteria ensure that those who have or would have qualified for a diagnosis under the DSM-IV maintain access to an ASD diagnosis.
In response to our Symposium on Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Autism Research, funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, several key federal funders have offered to work with ASAN to identify Autistic adults and other people with disabilities interested in serving on forthcoming federal grant review panels.
Regulations are needed to ensure that Home and Community Based Services are not delivered on the grounds of an institution, in a housing complex designed expressly around an individual’s diagnosis or disability, or in a setting that has the characteristics of an institution.
Self-advocate Lydia Brown reports on a proposal to improve safety for Autistic people by training law enforcement officers in Massachusetts about autism. She has provided a fact sheet and contact information for state legislators.