Rapper Sorry For ‘Offensive’ Autism Lyric

After making critical mentions about autism in a recently-released song, a hip-hop recording artist is apologizing.

J. Cole took heat in recent weeks from many autism advocates over a verse he contributed to Drake’s “Jodeci Freestyle.” In the song, Cole says that he’s “artistic” while his rivals are “autistic, retarded.”

Now the rapper is expressing regret.

“When I first saw a comment from someone outraged about the lyric, I realized right away that what I said was wrong,” Cole wrote in a blog post. “I should have known better.”

Cole said the criticism directed his way prompted him to read stories online about parents’ experiences raising children with autism and he is now looking to education himself more about the developmental disorder.

“To the parents who are fighting through the frustrations that must come with raising a child with severe autism, finding strength and patience that they never knew they had; to the college student with Asperger’s syndrome; to all those overcoming autism. You deserve medals, not disrespect. I hope you accept my sincere apology,” Cole wrote.

Full Article and Source:
Rapper Sorry For ‘Offensive’ Autism Lyric

Blog Talk Radio Tonight: Autism and Elder Abuse Issues

 
Our guest on tonight’s show is Debby Valdez, on behalf of the organization, Guardianship Reform Advocates for the Disabled and Elderly (GRADE).

Raising the community’s consciousness about elderly people with disabilities is one of several urgent issues we will discuss on this episode of ICAA Radio.

Call in number:  718-766-4749

10:00 P.M. Central time Friday, May 17, 2013

LISTEN to the show live or listen to the archive later

See Also:
International Coalition for Autism and All Abilities

G.R.A.D.E. (Guardianship Reform Advocates for the Disabled and Elderly)

Petition: Free Marquis Tanksley

To: FRANKLIN COUNTY PROBATE COURT, OH; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Marquis Tanksley (pictured with bruises on his forehead and in severe distress at CDC) is autistic and has been and continues to be REPEATEDLY ASSAULTED, RESTRAINED, NEGLECTED and ABUSE at Columbus Developmental Center (CDC) which is an state run ICF/MR facility operated by the Ohio Department…

Support and protect the human and civil rights of one of our most vulnerable populations, the disabled!

Speak out against the abuse of autistic adults in facilities and institutions!

Demand the release of Marquis Tanksley so he can live an happy and productive life that we all are entitled to!

Prosecute the employees who have assaulted and abused Marquis Tanksley and the employees who did not report the assault and abuse of Marquis Tanksley!

SIGN THE PETITION

After Criticism, DSM Committee Changes Course

Experts behind the new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders didn’t back down on major changes to the definition of autism, but appear to have made an about-face when it comes to intellectual disability.

Initial plans to revise the diagnosis of “mental retardation” in the forthcoming fifth edition of the psychiatric manual called for the condition to be renamed “intellectual developmental disorder.” Critics blasted the proposal because it was inconsistent with the more commonly accepted term “intellectual disability” which has already been adopted in many federal and state laws.

Now it appears that the American Psychiatric Association heard the complaints. In newly-released documents, officials from the psychiatrists’ group stopped short of revealing the final text for the manual, but now say the version slated for publication in May will replace “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability.” The move is an effort to align with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the U.S. Department of Education and other groups, the psychiatric association said.

The new term with be appended with a notation about “intellectual developmental disorder” in order to be congruent with language expected in an upcoming revision of the International Classification of Diseases, or ICD, a guide to diseases and disorders published by the World Health Organization.

Full Article and Source:
After Criticism, DSM Committee Changes Course

Austistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence

Source: YouTube: Autistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence

Autistic Adult in Crisis Goes Unnoticed

WARNING: Disturbing footage: Mom Discovers Autistic Son in Drug-Induced Crisis, during HOSPITAL stay, while nurses and doctors fail to notice! Patient was given drug Haldol, which is listed on his chart as a drug NOT to give. They gave it anyway. Video illuminates patient abuse and neglect of severely-autistic patients/persons inside hospital and institutional settings. Hospitals are seldom equipped to deal with severe autism and complex medical or behavioral issues.

Source:
Autistic Adult in Crisis Goes Unnoticed