Asperger's Conversations

Google Sketch-Up as Autism/Asperger (ASD) tool

I've written quite a bit about using technology to help young people with ASD's discover career opportunities and Google's Sketch-Up should be added to the list.  A few years ago we were lucky when one of our faculty (an architect) discovered that one of our College students (with high functioning Autism) had amazing three dimensional modeling skills.  This lead to a series of opportunities and that student is now gainfully employed with a local firm doing Computer Assisted Design. 

New Movies about Asperger's: Adam and others

Several new movies that focus on Asperger's are coming out now which is always a mix of excitement and dread.  The NY Times has been kind (so far) to Adam which was a hit at Sundance.  My concern always is that people with Asperger's may be portrayed in stereotyped ways or that they will otherwise portray these folks in unrealistic ways (while Josh Hartnett  gets the girl in one film from a couple of years back, it doesn't always work that way, does it?).  On the positive side, though, education about any condition is key to understanding and accomodation.  And what better vehicle for massive dissemination than a well distributed movie!