UK Autism News

The Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, has responded to the call of the charity the UK Autism Foundation urging him to protect the vulnerable from the 'savage cuts' to public services.

Ivan Corea CEO of the UK Autism Foundation had written to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg urging the three political leaders to shield parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome from the cuts to public services.

'Already many families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome are suffering as a result of the postcode lottery to public services. Any further cuts to health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care will be devastating. We are fast approaching a General Election in 2010 and autism will be one of the serious issues all political parties will need to address, they must protect the vulnerable,' said Ivan Corea of UKAF.

In reply to the call of the UK Autism Foundation, David Cameron said: 'As you know, this country is in a very serious debt crisis and we need urgently to get our public finances under control. This does not mean that some very tough decisions are necessary and public spending will have to be cut. But at the same time, we have said very clearly as a Party that we must not pare down the debt on the backs of the most vulnerable in our society. And that is why we have committed ourselves to real increases in health spending and to deliver real changes to the way the NHS works in practice so that it can meet the health challenges of the future. I agree with you that autism represents one of the most difficult and pressing of these challenges,' he said.

David Cameron added,' I am very keen to make changes to the way the funds for these disabilities are allocated. Patients and health professionals should have more power over the way that their health priorities are decided and I want to more personal budgets and direct payments so that decisions about funding can be taken at the closest possible level to the individual concerned.'

UKAF has welcomed the debate on the personalisation of public services for families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Peers in the House of Lords backed UKAF's call for an increase in tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance for parents, carers and people with autism and AS in an autism debate in October.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171060.php

John Lee-Tin is running in the ING New York City Marathon to raise funds for the British charity, the UK Autism Foundation.

The New York Marathon is scheduled for 1st of November.The UK Autism Foundation has appealed to people to support John Lee-Tin's fundraising efforts.UKAF continues to lobby and campaign on behalf of families with autism who are below the poverty line.

Please support him by donating via credit/debit cards to John Lee-Tin's Just Giving page. Just Giving will also handle Gift Aid.

You can now support John Lee-Tin at -

http://www.justgiving.com/JOHNLEETIN/

BBC 3 are airing a documentary The Autistic Me on 11th August 2009 at 9 pm.
Most young adults take their freedoms for granted - they can choose their friends, stay out late, learn to drive and decide what they want to do as a career. But for people growing up on the autistic spectrum, life is very different. Stuck in a strange limbo between childhood and adulthood, they are unable to make these choices.

This documentary follows three people with autism at pivotal moments on the rocky road to being accepted as an adult. They are all fighting for independence and responsibility, but being frustrated by the shackles imposed on them by their disability, their families and the preconceived ideas of mainstream society.

23-year-old Oli has high-functioning autism (HFA) and is looking to find work. He is finding it tough as his condition means that he can't communicate or deal with pressure in the same way others can.

Thomas has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is approaching 16, the legal age of adulthood. As he does so, he is demanding more independence and wants to escape his family. But the freedom he is after is not forthcoming from his parents.

Alex, 24, is looking for love, but when you have the type of autism known as Asperger syndrome, communicating and socialising can seem an impossible task.

To see a clip of 'The Autistic Me' see the BBC link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8195815.stm

The UK Autism Foundation is backing the petition launched by Kevin Healey Chairman of the Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society on Gary McKinnon.

Ivan Corea of UKAF and Kevin Healey of SAAS have sent an appeal to President Barack Obama at the White House, urging the US President to show compassion over the case of Gary McKinnon. The appeal has already been mentioned on the websites of USA Today and the Los Angeles Times.

The petition has the personal support of Mrs Janice Sharp, mother of Gary McKinnon.

*Write to your Member of Parliament urging your MP to contact Home Secretary Alan Johnson and asking him to act - he has the power to stop the extradition and even Lord Carlisle has said that Gary could be tried in the UK.

*Contact your local media pledging your support and urging local people to sign our online petition.

*Please encourage your friends and networks to sign our petition.

*Urge local charities, voluntary organisations, community organisations to support our online petition.

Already the SAAS appeal launched after the High Court Decision has the full backing of the UK Autism Foundation, Autism Trust, Autism London, Asperger Women Association USA

Please sign the petition in support of Gary McKinnon:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sign-up-4-gary-mckinnon.html

(London, UK)Leading musicians Sir Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde and Dave Gilmour have launched a song 'Chicago' in support of the Gary McKinnon Campaign.

A new online petition backed by the UK Autism Foundation, Autism Trust, Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society and other charities went online. The petition is the brainchild of Kevin Healey who has Asperger's Syndrome.

The Chicago song in support of Gary McKinnon on You Tube:

(London, UK) Autism campaigners Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation and Kevin Healey Chairman of the Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (who has Asperger's Syndrome) have issued a joint appeal on Gary McKinnon to President Barack Obama at the White House.

They have also launched a new online petition in support of Gary McKinnon who hacked into 97 America military computers at the Pentagon and Nasa between 2001 and 2002.

Lord Carlile, the Home Office's adviser on terror laws, said extraditing Mr McKinnon would be "cruel and unconscionable" when he could be prosecuted in the UK. Opposition Leader David Cameron said he remained "far from convinced" that extradition was the right course of action and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has stated that there was no reason why Mr McKinnon should not be tried in the UK.The autism campaigner in the House of Commons Lee Scott has also signed a letter written by MPs to President Obama. Gary McKinnon was recently backed by Cabinet member, Peter Hain, the Welsh Secretary.

Gary McKinnon is also supported by former Home Secretary David Blunkett, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Sir Bob Geldoff, Dave Gilmour, Chrissy Hynde, Nick Hornby, Trudie Styler and human rights campaigner Terry Waite among a whole host of celebrities and charities. Ivan Corea and Kevin Healey have appealed directly to President Barack Obama on Gary McKinnon.

Ivan Corea said: ' UKAF has joined forces with autism campaigner Kevin Healey of SAAS in appealing to President Obama to show compassion and allow him to be tried in the UK. Gary McKinnon is no terrorist. He has Asperger's Syndrome. He admits he has done wrong - we maintain that autism is a very complex world and sometimes you have unexplained behaviour. Gary was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome by the eminent Professor Simon Baron Cohen. He says he was looking for evidence on UFOs. We urge President Obama to be compassionate where Gary McKinnon is concerned,' he said.

The UK Autism Foundation has joined forces with SAAS, the Autism Trust and others in setting up a new online petition in support of Gary McKinnon.

UKAF and SAAS are urging people to sign this new petition in support of Gary McKinnon. His lawyers have 28 days to appeal against the High Court decision.

The Gary McKinnon Online Petition:
http://signup4garymckinnon.yolasite.com/

IT Pro Portal News -

Fresh from their success in getting the Gurkhas the same rights as other Commonwealth soldiers, national newspaper the Daily Mail is siding with Gary McKinnon to prevent the government from extraditing him to the US.

On Friday, the newspaper dedicated its front page to the new campaign that it decided to back. It has published several articles about the case and has even published an online petition which has been viewed by thousands and attracted comments from hundreds.

On the same day, McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, together with Sting's other half, Trudie Styler, presented another petition signed by more than 4300 to the Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife. And according to the Daily mail, Ms Brown "wept" together with the two women and pledged support to the Daily Mail's campaign to stop the extradition process.

Opposition leaders including Conservative leader David Cameron and his Liberal alterego, Nick Clegg have both given their backing to the campaign.

Gary McKinnon is accused of hacking US Military and NASA computer servers in 2001 and 2002 causing around $700,000 worth of damages. But rather than looking to start a Third world war, McKinnon was more concerned about finding evidence of extraterrestrial life on the hard disks of those computers. Nevertheless, the extradition process only started in 2005 and failed to be derailed by appeals to the house of lords and the European Court of Human Rights.

It was also revealed that the self-taught hacker had Asperger's Syndrome. Ironically, this latest move comes as the government has announced that it would be recruiting former hackers to help it protect UK computer systems from the threats of foreign hackers.

http://www.network.itproportal.com/portal/news/article/2009/7/5/daily-mail-backs-gary-mckinnon-national-campaign/#ixzz0KOuOi3IM&D

Over fifty parliamentarians of all parties have signed early day motion 1551 on Autism and the Cerer's Allowance. The motion was tabled by Lee Scott MP in the House of Commons in Westminster. Autism campaigners have been calling on the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to substantially increase the Carer's Allowance.

Autism Carers deserve better. Some are on 75 pence an hour, in terms of the allowances. There are many who are not even on any allownces. Autism is a 24 hour job and parents and carers are in need of urgent help and support. The UK Autism Foundation has been spearheading a campaign for substantial increases to the Carer's Allowance for all those who are caring for children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

EDM 1551 now before the House of Commons states:

That this House pays tribute to and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by thousands of parents and carers in supporting the needs of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider a substantial increase to the carer's allowance; shares the concern of the UK Autism Foundation that the present economic crisis is plunging some parents, carers and families with autism into poverty; and backs the call of autism campaigners for the Government to increase tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for parents, carers and children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome to survive the credit crunch and the deepening recession.

The member of parliament for Feltham and Heston Alan Keen MP together with his wife, Health Minister Ann Keen MP,(Brentford & Isleworth) wrote to the UK Autism Foundation wishing the 'Scope for Hope' autism charity dinner in Feltham every success. Hundreds attended the glittering event, held at the Royal Naval Association Club in Feltham, Middlesex on Saturday 13th June.

Alan and Ann Keen in a special message said:

"We are very sorry that we cannot be with you tonight for this very auspicious occasion. The hard work and dedication of the UK Autism Foundation deserves huge support and we are extremely impressed with the Foundation's achievements to date.

We hope you all have a great evening and raise lots of money to continue to help fund the Foundation's excellent work."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed a very special bottle of House of Commons Claret which was auctioned on the night. He sent his best wishes.

Other auction items included a signed shirt by Sri Lankan cricket stars Tilkeratne Dilshan, World's Number One bowler Murali, batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayewardene who are currently representing Sri Lanka in the 20/20 Cricket Championships in the United Kingdom. Autographed photographs of England players Alistair Cook and Dimitri Mascarenhas, a signed photo of F1 Driver Jensen Button (currently leading the F1 Championships), a Manchester United print of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Christiano Ronaldo, were also auctioned to raise funds for the UK Autism Foundation.

The raffle prizes included a copy of the new thriller 'Gauntlet' gifted by the Canadian author Richard Aaron, a signed copy of 'Twin Brothers World's Apart,' written by campaigner Kevin Healey who has Asperger's Syndrome, were snapped up by guests at the dinner.

Lee Scott MP and Nirj Deva MEP were among those who sent messages of greetings to the 'Scope for Hope' dinner.

The music was by the group 'Sunset.' Organiser Chulanie de Alwis and singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis (who wrote the song for autism 'Open Every Door' played by 15 local radio stations on Autism Sunday in February this year) were made 'Ambassadors for Autism' with a special presentation on the night.

Ivan Corea of UKAF thanked CDA Events Management Services for organising the 'Scope for Hope' dinner dance - the event was well supported by the business and medical communities.

The UK Autism Foundation has been campaigning on behalf of families with autism who are below the poverty line. Ivan Corea urged all those present at the 'Scope for Hope' dinner to support the work of UKAF.

CDA Events Management Services presents

'Scope for Hope'

in aid of the UK Autism Foundation

on Saturday 13th June 2009

at the Royal Naval Association Club, Park Road, Feltham, TW13 6PP

Live music by the group 'SUNSET' with a guest appearance by Nimal Mendis, the singer/songwriter who composed the song for autism, 'Open Every Door.'

From 7 pm onwards - bar facilities and free car parking.

Tickets - adults £20,00 with a buffet dinner

Children upto 12 years - £10

Great Raffle Prizes and a small auction....

For tickets please call:

Chulie: 0208 408 4137