Login to Change.org
Create an Account
Barbara Jacobs
Leicester, United Kingdom
Writer and journalist for 30 years, just finishing a PhD on the recognition of autistic intelligence in educational settings
Wrote a book about Asperger's Syndrome.
I'm a Research Associate at the University of Leicester.
I am epileptic, and a big-mouthed frog. Not too big a deal, as long as you take regular medication for one of these two conditions. The other is just about manageable, for those in my life who have patience and the inclination to kiss frogs in the hope that they turn into acceptable human beings or magical others.
Recent Activity
-
Barbara commented on the article |This post above is political hype and spin.
Carol Grigg established contact with ASAN through the very kind and logical discussion I had with her over a week of my own time. As you can see on your previous post, Meg, in my reply, ASAN had NEVER bothered to contact her. I did. I explained. And she's now listening. And that isn't down to ASAN in any way. I can even produce the 14 emails to prove it.
Claiming another person's work as your own is called plagiarism. Don't do it. Everything I do is copyrighted. Don't start to pretend you DID anything at all.
You are now benefiting from my diplomacy. I am willing to give you that for free. But if you or your political machine ever lies again about what you 'did', I shall take this further.
Spin isn't going to work, on any level. Now, could you please look back at my previous post on this, and give me the credit I deserve for building that bridge, a fact I recorded at the time.
-
Barbara commented on the article |I now see that ASAN is taking the credit for talking to Carol Grigg of ASPIA.
Now that REALLY is a lie too far. ASAN did NOT engage in a long week of negotiation and careful explanation with ASPIA.
I did that.
Please learn how to play nice. And don't slide away on other people's efforts. It's crass and unacceptable.
-
Barbara commented on the article |
OK, Yvonne, am more than happy to do that. Let's talk about Jellybeans and Marshmallows, and kindness, eh? This silliness and vitriol is doing my head in!
-
Barbara commented on the article |Christopher Gillberg has been saying this for years!
Here's a link to a BBC website interview with him from 2005.
-
Barbara commented on the article |I saw the film in its entirety, and want to congratulate everyone who informed and collaborated on that film.
I noted that one segment was lifted, without acknowledgement, from my own book, without my permission.
I actually have no problems with that. It was used well, and informatively.
It is a good and honest, but not great, film. It tried hard.
It did its best. And much better than previous efforts at placing Asperger's Syndrome in the spectrum of differences of neurodiversity. -
Barbara commented on the article |
Have just been invited to a pre-release screening of this film, for my opinion.
From the trailer it looks very good.
I'm going to see it on Tuesday next, and will report back! -
Barbara signed the petition | -
Barbara commented on the article |
Tony Attwood, Ph.D.
A Word from Tony Attwood From the FAAAS website
"I would like to state quite clearly that having a diagnosis of autism or
Asperger's syndrome does not render a person automatically incapable ofbeing a good partner and parent. Indeed, many of the people I know with autism and Asperger's syndrome as clients and friends are exceptionally good parents and partners. Should a separation occur between partners and a
Court examine the issue of custody of children and access then in my opinion, any decisions should be made on the basis of the abilities of each parent and not simply assume that a parent with autism or Asperger's syndrome is incapable of being a good parent.
The term "Cassandra Affective Deprivation Disorder" has been coined by Maxine Aston. It is not an official diagnostic category. I do know that stress within a relationship between an adult with Asperger's syndrome and their partner can lead to the neurotypical partner having signs of a clinical depression. Effective relationship counselling by a counsellor
knowledgeable in the area of autism and Asperger's syndrome can significantly improve the relationship and help alleviate the signs of depression.
According to my knowledge, there is no research to suggest that people with autism and Asperger's syndrome are likely to be violent in a relationship to any greater degree than a typical person in the general population. I do know that a significant proportion of the clients that I see in my clinical practice express to me their concern in their ability to manage their temper but we now have programs such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to help those with autism and Asperger's syndrome manage feelings such as anger. Problems with anger management also occur in the ordinary population but the nature of the treatment of difficulties with anger management must include an appreciation of the different experiences and cognitive profile of someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I have presented workshops for FAAAS for couples where one of the partners has a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome and in all my presentations, I have approached the issues in a very positive way examining strategies to make a successful relationship."
by Tony Attwood via email, May 8, 2009 -
Barbara commented on the article |
I have spent a day with Tony, talking about this issue. I have spent many hours talking to Aspia.
I am now really exhausted and dispirited that some people hit others before they have the facts or have considered negotiations of any kind.
That's bullying in my book.
If I can work this through, and discuss it, and gets things done, what ASAN's problem?
Shall I tell you? It's the same bully tactics that created FAAAS. It's like 'I'm really hurt, and you're wrong'.
The pendulum has swung back (as they always do).
We're in the same extremist mode as we were in 1999 with 'hurt women'. I didn't support FAAAS then. I won't support ASAN now.
I can't support extremism of any kind. Or bullies. -
Barbara signed the petition |
Impact
12 Actions
20 Recruits
Top Causes
|
8 Actions
17 Recruits
|
|
|
|
|
Organizations
-
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network2 Actions 4 Recruits
