Carina Schmidt's son has autistic disorder and requires round-the-clock attention. His condition is so severe that he required a 10-month stay at the Kennedy Krieger Institute to break some of his self-harming habits. She is adamant about doing everything possible to help her son, who now lives in a group home in Rockville, Maryland. She also supports the development of prenatal tests for autism. "If my son could be cured today I would say 'yes'," she says. "My family has suffered like there is no tomorrow - that's why we choose to have no more kids."
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err umm Having an abortion is not a cure!!! It is an elimination
Great job Amy and Gareth, BIG yay for you :grin: :grin: :grin:
I've read the article and all of the comments and still I sit here smiling. Wonderful job Amy and Gareth.
It feels so good to know that just maybe tonight, a few more neurotypicals are beginning to see things a little more clearly. Also, thank you, both for all of your hard work. I'm very happy tonight.
Ok - I'm at work so I'll have to make this quick.
The printed copy of the New Scientist arrived with the newspaper this morning. I had a brief flick through. I saw the pictures.
These pictures were very unflattering. I've seen much better pictures of both of you on this site. They seem to have tried to capture you as empty, expressionless and not-looking-at-the-camera as they can manage. I could have done better myself. Words can't describe how truly awful these photos are, especially after seeing some of the ones you've posted yourselves.
I may scan them tonight.
An extremely well written article and nice photos to go with it. I will be looking at the letters section in the New Scientist next week, if I've got time between my various exams
A very interesting article, I thought it gave a very detailed descirpten.
I can't wait till that edition of New Scientist appears in the newsagents here. The story is in the June 18 edition? Was there a plan to publish the story to coincide with APD or was this just a gorgeous coincidence?
New Scientist is my favourite magazine (as you can probably tell), and my judgement of that magazine's coverage of autism is that while it isn't as emotive as other kinds of magazines, I've seen no evidence of concern about publishing stuff that can be offensive to autists. New Scientist have published at least a couple of letters from aspies in the past, so if any aspie wants to write a letter to NS it might be published. I haven't seen the photos of Amy and Gareth yet, but I can say that NS generally publish really interesting, dramatic and innovative style photos and illustrations that don't necessarily flatter the subject.
Congratulations Amy and Gareth. Well done! You know you're really someone when you get interviewed by NS!
Damn, I can't find this magazine in Norway!!
Next year's APD will probably be bigger anyway, Sunny.
I'm going to London in early october for 4 days. It had been really fun to meet some of you guys there!
It had been fun if you could post some of the response -- bad or good that people write after this article.
Welcome to AFF, Tom! When I first found out about AFF I thought "This is exciting".
With regard to looking for letters following an article in New Scientist, I think there could be a time lag, as the magazine is a week late in Australia, and snail mail takes time.
Co-founders Amy Roberts, 35, and Gareth Nelson, 17, both have Asperger's syndrome.
Now we know how old you are!!
Am i that manly?
You know what they say - repeat something enough and people will believe it 
Welcome to AFF dwattttt :smile:
err brighty that is THE AFF
thank you very much!
THE aspies for freedom?
That is terrible grammar Joe
I can't speak for everyone so I welcomed them to a place rather than a specific group of people.
:razz: