Autism, Online Offending, and Victimization

• By: Mary R. Cohen, PhD Reginald Candio, PsyD Autism Specialist/Forensic Evaluation
• July 5th, 2023
• bullying, criminal justice system, cybercrime, online disinhibition, online radicalization, online safety, sexual victimization, social isolation, Summer 2023 Issue, victimization
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Individuals on the autism spectrum are particularly vulnerable to committing online offenses, in many instances unwittingly. They are also victimized by online predators, financial scams, and extremist groups. Consequently, they are increasingly interacting with the criminal justice system as...

The Dangers of Engaging in Child Pornography (and How Education Can Prevent Heartbreak)

• By: Arlene Lechner, MEd Melissa Hochberg, MEd Ease Empowerment, Advocacy & Sexuality Education, LLC
• July 5th, 2023
• child pornography, consent, exploitation, law enforcement, legal consequences, online communities, online predators, online safety, social isolation, Summer 2023 Issue, vulnerability
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You are enjoying your morning cup of coffee and planning your day. Your young adult son with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is online in his room. There’s a forceful knock on the door. You open the door and find Federal Agents on your doorstep. They barge in to arrest your son and the rest is a...

I Was Finally Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism, Now What?

• By: Annie Kent, MA Mental Health Systemic Advocate/Educator, and Recently Diagnosed “Aspie”
• April 9th, 2023
• actually autistic, adult diagnosis, diagnosis, gender differences, girls and women, incorrect diagnoses, self-diagnosis, social isolation, soft skills, Spring 2023 Issue, stigma
• 4651    0

I suspected I was on the Autism Spectrum for over 20 years before I finally received a diagnosis. Like many people with high-functioning autism, my autism went unnoticed because I was intelligent enough to succeed in school and my autistic traits were not seen as neurodivergent, but as learning...

No Labels on My Clothes, No Labels on Me: Why Functioning Labels Need to Be Cut Off and Tossed

• By: Becca Lory Hector, CAS, BCCS Autism and Neurodiversity Researcher/Consultant/Speaker/Author/Advocate
• March 26th, 2021
• actually autistic, functioning labels, high functioning, labels, language, low functioning, self-esteem, sensory issues, social isolation
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Autistic folk spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the torture of labels on our clothes. In a discussion about sensory issues, right after we discuss how much we loathe the grocery store, the hatred of tags on our clothes comes up. It’s amazing how something so small, can invisibly...