Verified by Psychology Today

Asperger's Alive

The changing landscape of autism and neurodiversity

Autism
5 Tips for Using Stories in Disability Advocacy

Lucy Berrington on January 27, 2014

What do disability stories say to their various audiences? Who’s saying it? Why? How can we tell difficult stories without pitying or demeaning the people in them? How can advocates understand the power of the narratives we use? Here, the director of a disability film festival uses autism films to highlight successful approaches.

What do disability stories say to their various audiences? Who’s saying it? Why? How can we tell difficult stories without pitying or demeaning the people in them? How can advocates understand the power of the narratives we use? Here, the director of a disability film festival uses autism films to highlight successful approaches.

Autism
A Reporter's Guide to the Autism Speaks Debacle

Lucy Berrington on November 14, 2013

The long-running conflict over different approaches to autism peaked — not coincidentally — as Autism Speaks opened its summit in Washington D.C.

The long-running conflict over different approaches to autism peaked — not coincidentally — as Autism Speaks opened its summit in Washington D.C.

Autism
Absence of Adult Autism Services Drives Disparities & Costs

Lucy Berrington on November 7, 2013

Autistic adults are typically denied vital services relating to employment, community living, education, medical care and quality of life, driving health and income disparities and the lifetime costs associated with autism.

Autistic adults are typically denied vital services relating to employment, community living, education, medical care and quality of life, driving health and income disparities and the lifetime costs associated with autism.

ADHD
Should We Welcome the "Gift" of ADHD — or Return it?

Lucy Berrington on October 31, 2013

ADHD Awareness Month, now ending, is part of a vigorous public relations effort on behalf of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But there is a delicacy to celebrating the strengths of a neuropsychological condition without minimizing the challenges. Repackaging ADHD as a gift can still fail those who receive it.

ADHD Awareness Month, now ending, is part of a vigorous public relations effort on behalf of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But there is a delicacy to celebrating the strengths of a neuropsychological condition without minimizing the challenges. Repackaging ADHD as a gift can still fail those who receive it.

Autism
Where Are We in Autism World and Who Are Our Guides?

Lucy Berrington on October 5, 2013

Every so often a new autism resource appears, and like an updated map or set of directions it gives us the opportunity to check out where we’ve got to in autism world. The video-based, government-funded website "Interacting with Autism" reveals progress in how we think about autism and whose thinking we value.

Every so often a new autism resource appears, and like an updated map or set of directions it gives us the opportunity to check out where we’ve got to in autism world. The video-based, government-funded website "Interacting with Autism" reveals progress in how we think about autism and whose thinking we value.

Autism
Awkward in Person, Graceful on the Page

Lucy Berrington on July 6, 2013

We present differently online and in person. For most of us, that transformation happens because the internet allows us to be something we’re not. For autistic people, it's because the internet allows them to be something they are.

We present differently online and in person. For most of us, that transformation happens because the internet allows us to be something we’re not. For autistic people, it's because the internet allows them to be something they are.

Asperger's Syndrome
Is Asperger’s Overdiagnosed Because Parents Want Free Stuff?

Lucy Berrington on May 25, 2013

In any harsh political climate there’s much snarking about free stuff and those who are supposedly getting it. Takers versus makers. The 47%. There’s a free stuff theme in autism politics, too, and it goes like this: Why is Asperger’s overdiagnosed? Because parents want free stuff and an Asperger’s diagnosis is how they get it.

In any harsh political climate there’s much snarking about free stuff and those who are supposedly getting it. Takers versus makers. The 47%. There’s a free stuff theme in autism politics, too, and it goes like this: Why is Asperger’s overdiagnosed? Because parents want free stuff and an Asperger’s diagnosis is how they get it.

Asperger's Syndrome
When Secession is an Option, After All

Lucy Berrington on February 12, 2013

My 13-year-old son with Asperger's acquired a new obsessive interest: micronations. Perhaps establishing his own small country was an attempt to impose order on a too-big world. But how much of a threat to him (and us) was isolationism?

My 13-year-old son with Asperger's acquired a new obsessive interest: micronations. Perhaps establishing his own small country was an attempt to impose order on a too-big world. But how much of a threat to him (and us) was isolationism?

Autism
The Pain of Being Linked by Asperger Dx to a Mass Shooter

Lucy Berrington on December 16, 2012

The autism community has responded with shock, pain and eloquence to the horror at Newtown, CT. The commentaries share an essential theme: please judge the shooter, not the autism or mental illness (if he even had autism or a mental illness). But they approach it in different ways and with varying emphasis.

The autism community has responded with shock, pain and eloquence to the horror at Newtown, CT. The commentaries share an essential theme: please judge the shooter, not the autism or mental illness (if he even had autism or a mental illness). But they approach it in different ways and with varying emphasis.

Gravestone: Asperger Syndrome 1944 - 2013
Asperger's Syndrome
After Asperger's, What Diagnosis Comes Next?

Lucy Berrington on December 4, 2012

Will the new diagnosis of social communication disorder accurately capture the neurological complexity of people with Asperger and PDD-NOS traits? History warns us to be cautious.

Will the new diagnosis of social communication disorder accurately capture the neurological complexity of people with Asperger and PDD-NOS traits? History warns us to be cautious.

Asperger's Syndrome
Why Claim Asperger's is Overdiagnosed?

Lucy Berrington on November 21, 2012

The American Psychiatric Association insists that “un-diagnosing” people with Asperger's is not its goal. But there is little question that a purpose of its DSM changes is screening out those who may not be “definitively” autistic. Members of the committees charged with the autism revisions have reverted to this theme again and again, often in unguarded moments.

The American Psychiatric Association insists that “un-diagnosing” people with Asperger's is not its goal. But there is little question that a purpose of its DSM changes is screening out those who may not be “definitively” autistic. Members of the committees charged with the autism revisions have reverted to this theme again and again, often in unguarded moments.

Asperger's Syndrome
The Case Against Asperger's

Lucy Berrington on October 21, 2012

The case against Asperger’s as a diagnosis crosses party lines. Many who advocate for the acceptance of autism have reached the same conclusion as some of those among the pro-cure factions: "Asperger's must go!" Yet their arguments are exactly opposite. Let's rate them.

The case against Asperger’s as a diagnosis crosses party lines. Many who advocate for the acceptance of autism have reached the same conclusion as some of those among the pro-cure factions: "Asperger's must go!" Yet their arguments are exactly opposite. Let's rate them.

Asperger's Syndrome
The Diagnosis Formerly Known as Asperger's

Lucy Berrington on September 29, 2012

In the months after my young son was identified as having Asperger syndrome, I wondered whether he would outgrow his diagnosis. I never imagined that his diagnosis would outgrow him. But that’s happening with changes to the diagnostic criteria and terminology relating to autism.

In the months after my young son was identified as having Asperger syndrome, I wondered whether he would outgrow his diagnosis. I never imagined that his diagnosis would outgrow him. But that’s happening with changes to the diagnostic criteria and terminology relating to autism.