The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research and Education (AASPIRE) brings together the academic community and the Autistic community to develop and perform research projects relevant to the needs of adults on the autistic spectrum. AASPIRE's partnership adheres to the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR or PAR), whereby researchers and community members serve as equal partners throughout the research process. The special skills, expertise, and perspective that each community offers to the project as a whole is the strength of Community Based Participatory Research.

Elesia: Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE). Whew, what a mouthful! How was AASPIRE created and how did you decide upon a name for your organization?

Dora: In 2006, my friend Christina Nicolaidis and I, plus some other local parents and self-advocates, formed a "journal club" that met in my living room. Our plan was to review autism research and geek out like the science nerds we are.

But we found ourselves instead talking about larger issues with the research. A lot of it wasn't relevant to what the Autistic community cared about, nor was it likely to ultimately improve our lives. Some of it used degrading, dehumanizing, and offensive language. Some of it had questionable validity because the methods didn't take autistic thinking into account. Some of it reinforced false sterotypes.

To some, Autism Awareness Month might mean purchasing puzzle shaped cookies at local restaurants in order to support a cure for autism. For others, it might mean participating in walks, writing letters to legislators, screening an autism-focused movie, or connecting with community members to raise positive awareness. But there are many different kinds of awareness. When I polled several Autistic self-advocates by asking, "Do you feel anything is missing in the big picture of Autism Awareness? If so, what changes would you like to see?" this is what they had to say:

Alyson Bradley in Christchurch, New Zealand:

We need national recognition.  This is a hard question for me because I have autistic, mental and intellectual differences.

Annie W. lives in Oregon. She is on the autistic spectrum, as well as blind. Annie is actively involved in her local community, and serves on a community advisory board for a project designed to address violence against people with disabilities. She says she is learning how to play golf through a mobility-impaired golf organization and that she enjoys speaking at related events. Annie loves listening to different types of music, feeling fur and other soft materials, learning about new, different, or unusual things, and science.

Elesia: Synesthesia, wow! Wikipedia describes synesthesia as "a neurologically-based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway." Please give us a description of how you experience synesthesia.

Elesia: Football, wow! Please share how you first became interested in the sport?

Karla:  When I was a child, I did not really have my own friends so much as I hung out with my older brother and his friends.  My brother was fiercely protective of me and so it worked out pretty well for me as I had these "friends" even though I was smaller and female than they and did not have to go out and make any friends of my own.  I was not fast or very coordinated in any athletic event compared to these older boys but when we played street full contact football (the kind where you do not wear pads or helmet), I was fearless.  Being small was a benefit as I could hit low and being hypo-sensitive turned out to be a benefit as well as I could hit hard too.  I did not realize that I was hypo-sensitive at that time but not feeling the pain like the other kids played a big part in my ability to tackle, hit and go back for more.  I loved those days and remember fondly those moments of triumph.  

Autism & the Internet Survey: currently recruiting new participants for an online research survey regarding autism and the Internet.  They are in need of

One year ago, in January 2010, Taylor Morris posted a video wherein she offered positive advice and encouragement to others on the autism spectrum and their parents.  Little did Taylor know that one year later her videos would have a total of more than 172,000 views.

We at AWN were excited to have Taylor officially begin her new role with Autism Women's Network in 2010 as our Collegiate Spokesperson.  Stay tuned for details on the launch of Taylor's AWN video blog which will chronicle her college experiences to be featured here on our website.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (NLC), a private, for-profit entity that operates a nationwide network of more than 180 preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools. These entities operate in the District of Columbia and in 15 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington) under a variety of names, including Chesterbrook Academy, Merryhill School and Evergreen Academy, among others.