How Girls and Boys Differ when it comes to Autism

Please find this article on CNN.com from April 4, 2012 on how boys and girls differ when it comes to autism by Dr. Peter Szatmari

Learning with Asperger’s: A Parents Perspective

Please see this article published in Education Week Magazine on the differences in learning with Asperger Syndrome.

Province of Manitoba Proclamation of Autism Awareness Day April 2, 2012

Three stakeholder organizations that work with individuals and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger Manitoba Inc., Autism Society of Manitoba and Manitoba Families for the Effective Treatment of Autism) requested the proclamation of World Autism Awareness Day, as celebrated by the United Nations.

Minister Nancy Allen for the Province of Manitoba declared: “We recognize the commitment of families to raising awareness and acceptance of people who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  On behalf of the Premier I am pleased to declare April 2, 2012 as “Autism Awareness Day”.”

To see the office proclamation please see here for English and here for French.

These 3 organizations will continue to work with individuals, families, community members and the government toward awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Disbility Scoop Article – Why Autism Moms Earn Less

Please find this interesting article on “Why Autism Moms Earn Less” on the Disability Scoop by Michelle Diamant

Ryan Smoluk, Artist Honoured for Advocacy Work

Please see this news story, from CBC news on March 2, 2012, regarding Ryan Smoluk.  Smoluk is an artist from Winnipeg, who has Asperger Syndrome and is being honoured by the UN for his advocacy work and art.

Some videos on Asperger Syndrome

Please find this youtube video of an 11 year olds perspective on Asperger Syndrome as well as this video: I am greater than Asperger Sydnrome

Reports on Special Education

With the release of the Office of Attorney General Report in January 2012, the Children’s Coalition, of which AMI is a member of, has written a response to the Minister of Education stating the concerns of stakeholder agencies, as well as a proposed course of action, that would involve parents and caregivers of children with exceptional needs.  Please find a copy of this letter here.  AMI is continuing to advocate with the government regarding the needs of all individuals with Asperger Syndrome as they work through the education system, to ensure that all students receive an inclusive education.


Further, Community Living Manitoba has also completed a report based on a 2011 survey based on parents and caregivers of Manitoba Students with disabilities, where the results are in line with the OAG report. Please see this report here. 

Navigating Love and Autism – A New York Times Article

Please find this article that was published the New York Times about navigating a relationship between two individuals with Asperger Syndrome.

Response to the changes in the DSM-V

Last year, the committee working on revisions to the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th edition) released draft changes to the criteria used in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The DSM is used by professionals all over the world to diagnose ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome.

The revised criteria eliminates Asperger Syndrome as a label, and instead rolls up many of the Asperger characteristics into a larger ASD definition. The same has been done for PDD-NOS. Many children and adults who qualified for the old Asperger Syndrome diagnosis will still meet the definition of ASD under the revised criteria. However, several studies have run statistical analyses using the revised criteria, and they have shown that significant numbers of people will no longer qualify for an ASD diagnosis when assessed using the new criteria. The recent media coverage of this issue was triggered by one of these studies.

AMI has been closely monitoring this issue since the initial revisions were released last year, and we are concerned about the impact these changes may have on adults and children in our community. There are still many unanswered questions, including how these changes will affect the provision and funding of supports and services. AMI will continue to advocate for these supports and services, regardless of any changes to the DSM. We will also pursue greater clarity on the impact of these changes, if and when they are made final.

We encourage members and interested/affected parties to review the revised criteria here You can email the DSM committee at dsm5@psych.org to let them know your immediate concerns, although it is unclear whether they are registering these unsolicited comments at this time. In spring of this year, the DSM committee will reopen their site to officially receive comments from the public, and AMI will post a link to the comments area of the DSM site at that time. In the meantime, we encourage affected individuals and families to discuss any specific questions you have with your health care provider, psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also leave a comment here to share your concerns or comments with AMI.

Please find some additional information that has been published by various media sources:

A Specialists’ Debate on Autism Has Many Worried Observers

New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests

Experts Consider Changing Definition of Autism

Autism: A Puzzling Disorder

Please find this article in the Vancouver Sun regarding the increase in diagnosis of children an looks at the thousands of aging adults who were never diagnosed.

Click here.