With the tragic events unfolding regarding the recent school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, we here at Autism Women’s Network send our heartfelt condolences to all the families. It is unimaginable what they are going through at this time. The loss of so many innocent lives is unspeakable and heartbreaking.

With a few media sources reporting that the shooter is on the autism spectrum, we want to make an appeal that reporters and news outlets tread carefully in this regard. First, nothing has been confirmed about any possible diagnosis the shooter may have had.

Secondly, there is zero evidence linking planned crimes to autism. It cannot be stressed enough that autistic people, as well as all people with disabilities, are more likely to become victims of violence and crime rather than the perpetrators of such: Crime Victims with Developmental Disabilities.

Many of you have contacted Autism Women’s Network with concerns that autistic women were not invited to testify before the Nov. 29, 2012 House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to speak in behalf of their unique needs.

First, please understand that initially no autistic people were even invited until yesterday, and this late-hour invitation came about only after the onset of social media protests along with ASAN’s petition about the exclusion of autistic input. At this point, we are grateful that the Autistic community will indeed be present at the Hearing with Michael John Carley of Grasp and Ari Ne’eman of Autistic Self Advocacy Network to speak about the needs of all autistic people.

Hello Everyone! With a new year fast approaching, we're wrapping up a busy 2012 at the Autism Women’s Network. AWN Board of Directors has spent this past year going through extensive Board Training. We are fortunate to have Pat Schafer, a 25 year veteran Board Trainer to assist us. Board training is now an AWN Board requisite

Something we're super excited to announce is our AWN Committee on Autism and Ethnicity. We've already begun meeting and discussing the committee's short and long term goals. Autism and Ethnicity Committee's main focus will be to highlight the impact of race and culture on how autism is experienced. We recently welcomed new committee members Nadine Silber, Kerima Cevik and Kristina Chew. Look for an article to be posted soon with more information about this important emphasis for AWN. 

A recent study by The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that lower intellectual or behavioral challenges in girls is a likely contributor to their lower diagnostic rates than boys displaying autistic-like traits at the same equivalency. It is not clear from the research if the results are indicative of the way girls cope and adapt, or a true gender bias in diagnosis.

The study set out to investigate disparities in gender with respect to diagnosis, and elements that influence the autism spectrum diagnostic criteria in girls as opposed to boys.

We are putting together three interest surveys: one each for (1) autistic parents who are parenting autistic daughters, neurotypical parents and caregivers parenting daughters with autism (2) autistic women (3) and the professionals that work with us in order to figure out what the community needs, and where their interests are focused.  

(*) This is the first survey in the series. 

We value your input and appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and suggestions with us. Please follow the link to take the brief 10 question survey. Thank you! http://bit.ly/IKoO4r

Most awareness campaigns have little to do with supports to benefit autistic adults, and it's become increasingly difficult for many self advocates to breathe through April's superficial autism frills. Is there anything to look forward to in the month of April? 

Within the autism community, April has always been known for it's one buzz word, "awareness." Not anymore. Now you will see a new kind of confirmation which helps many in our community not feel the dread of the empty campaigns that hold little value toward helping autistics and their families. What is it? One word. ACCEPTANCE. On April 2nd, and continuing throughout the month of April, autistic advocates and their allies will be spending their time making a new kind of difference by communicating about acceptance, not tolerance and pro-neurodiversity.