Aspies For Freedom

Great thing, Amy and Gareth :grin:

Yes, I like it, for it really shows both sides.

Sibylle

Then Again... Wrote:

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.

Same here...

I've noticed that virtually every time aspies are featured in the media (including previous NewScientist articles) they always go for the "stereotypical" pose, if you will.

Its like how newspapers and the news on TV show "sinister" photos of an individual after they've been convicted of some crime, or the "sweet, happy family, smiley!"-style for the victims.

...so much for non-bias in the media Wink

Its all emotive, I suspect the photos are to invoke some sense of sympathy for us... to get the readers to sway to our POV.

...but that's debateable.

You guys should have told me when they were in the chatroom, I wanted to ask NS a few questions anyway Smile

For the benefit of those who can't or don't get NewScientist, I've converted the article to PDF and performed OCR on it, complete with photos at 600dpi.

Amy Wrote:

I never thought of that, that people would respond in the magazine.
There might be some interesting points made.

Hello Amy and Gareth,

My name is Seth and I have AS. I run the autism-uk mailing list and I am also involved with the Autscape Conference and Retreat next month.

I subscribe to New Scientist and I was amazed this morning when I saw the article. In the past NS has had a few articles on autism, not all of them positive. I think that this article was the longest, most positive article on Autism ever run in NS.

In the past there have been quite a few responses to articles/letters in about autism in the letters section of NS.

It is unfortunate that I am not able to make it to the London APD event (I live in Southampton), I am moving to Plymouth on 27th June and I am trying my best to pack up my stuff at the moment! I am going to start a degree in Computer Systems and Networks in September at Plymouth.

Congratulations on a good article and I wish you all the best for the future.

Seth

Amy Wrote:

I never thought of that, that people would respond in the magazine.
There might be some interesting points made.

I first learned about the existence of the Autistic community and this website as a result of that article, which, unfortunately I only read today, so I missed APD.

Update:

I just received today's NewScientist, there weren't any comments in the Letters section about the AFF article.

...or are they deferred by 2 issues?

Over here in the states we get New Scientist about a week late -- so I just read the article today. . . and almost immediately got on-line to join this group.

Well. . . . I wandered around in the Forums for a while before I joined, but. . . anyway, THANK YOU, Gareth and Amy (and New Scientist) for putting this out there. Terrific article -- excellent photos of the two of you, too.

- - - Tom[/i]

Sj�jungfru Wrote:

Amy Wrote:

Co-founders Amy Roberts, 35, and Gareth Nelson, 17, both have Asperger's syndrome.

Now we know how old you are!!

That was most likely a typo... Gareth is far from 17 Wink

Brightman Wrote:

Yeah, he's 17 and a half.

Hmm...younger than I thought.

I thought I would ask this first and actually get permission, just because it makes me feel better when I have permission. Mind if I add that article to the article section in my Aspie journal?

Have to say: Congrats on the article, I read New Scientist & when I saw it, I had to find the AFF. A little late, I only read the article today, & I'm miffied I missed Autistic Pride Day, but congratulations all the same.

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Sibylle

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Katness

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