Hi Colin
I absolutely agree with you that this is dangerous stuff. The linking of AS
with crime has echoes of the way other minorities have been labelled, and
this group is particularly vulnerable to psuedo-science. I doubt if there
is any real evidence of this group being over-represented among
'criminals'. More likely that they are over-represented among victims of
crime, or that they are particularly vulnerable within the criminal justice
system if they happen to get sucked into it. Also, I think the person
interviewed from the National Autistic Society was most unhelpful in
suggesting that people with AS are more likely to commit crime because they
are 'easily led'. This was obviously meant to imply that social naivety and
maybe over-anxiety to form social relationships could make them vulnerable
to being 'led'. However, why should it be assumed that people with AS have
no valid moral standpoint of their own from which to judge behaviour? It is
unfortunate that this rubbish should be put about, as it makes legitimate
attempts to inform people about the requirements of people with AS open to
manipulation.
Rhoda Castle
At 22:35 09/12/00 -0000, you wrote:
>I am sending you a copy of an article from The Times
>
>TUESDAY DECEMBER 05 2000.
>
>I am aware that this article has offended many individuals who have
>Aspergers Syndrome, including myself. I am aware that Larry Arnold, Others
>and myself have complained to The Times and the National Autistic Society.
>
>The article is linking Aspergers Syndrome with Crime, this seems to be
>becoming very popular within the medical field with others Specific Learning
>Disabilities which includes Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
>Disorder(ADHD), Dyspraxia and other conditions on the Autistic Spectrum
>Disorders, including Aspergers Syndrome, Central Auditory Processing
>Disorder etc.
>
>I would like to hear other peoples views and would welcome people on this
>chatline to make complaints with the individuals mentioned from
>Neuro-Diversity Action who are at: [log in to unmask]
>
>Hope to hear your thoughts and look to your support.
>
>Mr Colin Revell
>
>
>A positive outlook
>
>A new organisation is helping adults with Asperger's syndrome to cope with
>everyday life. Deborah Dooley reports
>
>The process of help and support for a disability relies on a timely and
>accurate diagnosis, requiring expert assessment. However, in the case of
>Asperger's syndrome, this is often not forthcoming.
>Named after a German psychiatrist who first described the condition in the
>1940s, Asperger's causes problems in areas of social communication and
>interaction. It is regarded as part of the autistic spectrum disorder, but
>unlike people who are classically autistic, those with Asperger's syndrome
>often do not have learning difficulties and have far fewer problems with
>language. Asperger's is mostly a male characteristic and it is thought that
>36 in every 10,000 people in this country are affected. However, experts say
>that most of cases are undiagnosed - and many sufferers may be responsible
>for a statistically significant proportion of crimes committed.
>
>As expertise increases, more and more children with Asperger's are picked
>up - but many still slip through the net, emerging into adulthood confused
>and misunderstood. And while there is special support for children who are
>diagnosed as having Asperger's, provision for adults is practically
>non-existent.
>
>In October last year, spurred on by what he saw as a very real need, Dr
>Shripati Upadhyaya, (known as Dr Shri), a consultant psychologist at
>Bradford Community Health Trust, set up SACAR, an organisation that helps
>adults with Asperger's to learn the social skills they need to reintegrate
>into society. Sacar is a Sanskrit word that means "giving a positive shape".
>He and a team of helpers involved in SACAR run sessions each week in a local
>church hall.
>
>"These are intelligent people," he says. "Indeed, some obtain Masters or PhD
>degrees. But they don't understand the basic rules of society. They want to
>be sociable and make friends - but it's difficult for them because other
>people are put off by their odd manner. We're teaching them how to modify
>their behaviour so that they can become accepted - and have an easier life."
>
>Dr Shri has diagnosed Asperger's syndrome in adults who have thus far been
>labelled rude, difficult or eccentric. Some have already had dealings with
>police and social services. Inevitably there is a sense of relief from
>parents, spouses and relatives, but also feelings of anger at the struggle
>which could perhaps have been avoided had the diagnosis been made years
>earlier.
>
>Jo Douglas, a chartered psychologist and spokeswoman for the National
>Autistic Society, says Asperger's has been recognised only in the past two
>decades. "There are still many professionals who are uninformed about
>Asperger's - and because of the comparative subtlety of the symptoms and the
>fact that people with Asperger's are at the higher functioning end of the
>disability scale, expectations may be higher - which increases the pressure
>on them. However, due to the naivety of their social interaction, people
>with Asperger's tend to be easily influenced - often in a negative way, and
>because of this they can be very vulnerable. Learning the basic social
>skills would certainly be a way of improving quality of life for people with
>Asperger's - and I welcome any kind of work which achieves that."
>
>Typically, people with Asperger's excel at facts and figures, but find it
>impossible to think in an abstract way. Taking statements literally is
>usual - a person with Asperger's syndrome might well feel confused by a
>comment such as "If I eat any more I'll burst," or "time to stretch your
>legs". They tend to like a routine, becoming upset if there is any change,
>and often they become obsessive about a hobby or collection.
>
>Inappropriate behaviour such as standing too close to someone and talking
>"at" them without pausing to listen is also a problem. And although people
>with Asperger's speak fluently, it is often in an unusual monotone and the
>tendency is to be over-frank. But as Dr Shri points out, this is all part of
>their inability to relate to others and a lack of comprehension of what is
>expected.
>
>"Some people with Asperger's shoplift," he says, "but when they are caught,
>they have money on them to pay for the goods. The point is that they have no
>idea of the concept of stealing. However, if it is made clear to them that
>this is wrong - and reinforced with supervision, that concept can be
> learnt."
>
>Sessions organised by SACAR always begin with a cup of tea and a chat and
>then the "games" start. These are cognitive exercises, designed to equip
>people with Asperger's syndrome to cope with everyday situations - to learn
>empathy and social rules. Recognising changing facial expressions is a
>problem for them, and this is tackled by getting participants to form two
>rows facing each other. One row then turns away and makes some small change,
>removes glasses perhaps or brushes hair differently - and then turns back.
>By looking for the change, people with Asperger's are being trained to spot
>alterations in someone's expression, helping them to assess reactions.
>
>Role-playing is an important part of the sessions and Dr Shri describes how
>unfortunate real-life situations have been used.
>
>"We had one occasion where a client turned up on the doorstep of one of the
>staff late at night, with no warning. He saw no problem with it and had
>misconstrued a friendly gesture. So we did a role-play about understanding
>when people say things along the lines of 'you must come and visit', and
>checking when people really want you to come round."
>
>Richard Tottle, 22, from Shipley in West Yorkshire, has been attending SACAR
>sessions since they started. At first, he says, he found being with a group
>of strangers difficult, but now he looks forward to the session.
>
>"I love all the activities we do," says Richard, "and I know that going to
>the group has made it easier for me to socialise. I really like being with
>people but it's hard because they find me abrupt and strange. I've made lots
>of friends in the group, but now I think I could make some outside too,
>which is good because I've never really had any friends before."
>
>Richard's condition was diagnosed as Asperger's only last year, although his
>mother, Jacqui, says she has long suspected he had some form of autism.
>
>"We were always told that Richard had learning disabilities," she says, "but
>I knew it was more than that. Although he seemed a happy boy, he was unable
>to form friendships. But we have always loved and supported him. Despite the
>fact that doctors told us Richard would never achieve much, he has done a
>catering course and held down a good job in that field."
>
>In the past Jacqui, who works as PA to an assistant director, admits to
>worrying about what the future held in store for her son, but thanks to
>SACAR, she is now optimistic.
>
>"Since he has been going to the group, Richard has come on in leaps and
>bounds," she says. "And just learning how to behave around other people has
>meant that he can live independently in his own flat. He has gained a lot
>confidence and he's absolutely charming - a delight to be around. I could
>take him anywhere and be proud of him."
>
>SACAR is run by professionals, parents and carers of people with Asperger's
>and is applying for charity status. The organisation also runs candle-making
>and art classes in a day unit and has recently received funding from MENCAP
>towards a project aimed at helping people with Asperger's to publish their
>writing. Grants have also been received from Bradford Council, for an
>exhibition of art work, Bradford City Primary Care Trust, for training of
>GPs and carers, Bradford Health Authority for physical fitness sessions (to
>combat the clumsiness which is typical of Asperger's), and Yorkshire Art,
>towards social-inclusion strategies. Dr Shri feels very positive about the
>benefits for people with Asperger's.
>
>"We can see a big difference in the people who have been attending
> sessions," he says. "They are less awkward and more relaxed socially and
>they have a good basic grasp of the kind of behaviour that's acceptable.
>
>"With the right support, a lot of people with Asperger's can live
>independently. The more unpleasant aspects of their condition - stealing and
>stalking - stem from the isolation they feel because they cannot make
>friends. But they have a great deal to offer society - efficiency,
>punctuality, outstanding memory - and are to be found in some of the most
>distinguished professions. We just need to teach them some social skills to
>prevent them from indulging in antisocial behaviour and crime, and to help
>them to achieve and maximise their potential."
>
>Jacqui sums up SACAR's contribution in a way that parents will relate to.
>
>"Although life has been hard for Richard, I know that with a little bit of
>help and support he will make his way in the world. He has enriched my life
>in so many ways and deserves all the happiness he can get."
>
>The National Autistic Society helpline: 0870-600 8585 or e-mail;
>[log in to unmask] For more information on SACAR, you can call Dr Shri
>on 01274 223212, or e-mail him at [log in to unmask]
>
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R. Castle
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