"Asperger's Are Us" Documentary about the professional comedy troup

“Asperger’s Are Us” rarely stretches to be funny or poignant or touching, and that makes this documentary all the more of each. There’s plenty of emotion in this story of four young men who sometimes have trouble expressing their feelings.

New York Times review by KEN JAWOROWSKINOV. 10, 2016   
The film focuses on the sketch troupe of the title, comedians who are on the autism spectrum and have been performing in and around Boston for years after meeting at a summer camp for those with Asperger’s syndrome. Alex Lehmann, the film’s director, gently delves into their back stories and sits in on rehearsals.

“The best way to be funny is to always explain your jokes, right after you tell them,” says Ethan Finlan, one of the members. “You need to be like: Get it?” It’s tough to know if he’s kidding, and that kind of smart, perplexing humor pervades the routines. Jack Hanke, another member, will soon be leaving to study at Oxford, and in the film there’s some anxiety as the four prepare for what could be their final show together.

Their dismay at breaking up (they’ve since reunited) is sometimes aggravated by their conditions. Asperger’s can heighten frustrations, and New Michael Ingemi — a name he’s given himself, and he isn’t shy about correcting those who still use his birth name — occasionally has difficulty coping. His interactions with Noah Britton, the eldest member, are complex. Short interviews with the men’s parents, particularly New Mike’s mother and father, are honest and bittersweet.

Mr. Lehmann doesn’t encourage false drama or accentuate the triumph of their final show (he even catches sight of audience members who walked out, mid-performance). His understated approach is ideal for this film, and for these very funny men.

YouTube published by Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Film

From Duplass Brothers Productions and Director Alex Lehmann comes ASPERGER'S ARE US. In this coming of age documentary, four friends on the autism spectrum whom have bonded through humor and performed as the comedy troupe "Asperger's Are Us" will prepare for one final, ambitious show before going their separate ways.

Starring: Ethan Finlan, New Michael Ingemi, Noah Britton, Jack Hanke
Directed By: Alex Lehmann (Blue Jay)
Produced By: Chris Dowling, Sean Bradley
Exec. Produced By: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
Associate Producer: Sydney Fleischmann
Co-Producers: Michael J. Urann, Omar J. Cruz Rubio
Original Score By: Crystal Grooms Mangano

Danielle Jacobs a person with Asperger, who made viral video with service dog shot dead by police

Danielle Jacobs, a 24-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, was shot dead by police, who were responding to a suicide call at her residence in Mesa, Arizona on Thursday, reported ABC 15 Arizona. Last year Jacobs earned praise for sharing a YouTube video of herself being comforted by her dog, Samson, during a meltdown. Millions viewed the clip.

as reported by The Mighty | February 5, 2016Jacobs’ mother Stacia told the New York Daily News officers were well aware of Jacobs’ special needs before entering the residence. “Before the police arrived she wasn’t posing a threat to the community at all,” Stacia said. “And the police came into her own place. They shot and killed a 24-year-old autistic, mentally ill individual whom they had been familiar with and aware of her special needs.”

Detective Esteban Flores, of the Mesa Police Department, confirmed to AZ Family that officers responded to a suicide call at the same residence two years earlier. When officers made contact with Jacobs on Thursday, she told them she had a knife and was going to hurt herself, Flores told the news outlet. “When she made contact with them she approached [two officers] with the knife, extended it out, and they felt threatened,” Flores said, adding that they fired their duty weapons. The incident is currently under investigation.

“I talked to her last night and the night before and she seemed fine,” Stacia told the NY Daily News. Stacia added that people close to Jacobs questioned whether the shooting was necessary, adding that Jacobs was known to be a “caring young woman.”

When Jacobs’ meltdown video first went viral, she told The Huffington Post, “When I have a meltdown, I often have self-injurious behavior and I often self-harm.” That video has since been made private.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to Danielle’s family and friends,” Dr. Julian Maha, founder and CEO of the autism nonprofit, Kulture City, told The Mighty. “This tragedy highlights the increased need for first responder training to teach first responders to effectively interact with autistic and special needs individuals. The training will give them much needed tools to effectively communicate with autistic individuals, help keep both parties safe and hopefully prevent tragedies like these.”

Bryan Chandler, who runs the Facebook community group, Asperger’s Syndrome Awareness – Bryan’s Advocacy, echoed those sentiments when asked to comment on the story.

“Police education is essential to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again,” Chandler told The Mighty. “It is important for them to understand what a meltdown is and the extreme reactions that occur when one is on-going. They should be trained on how to support someone with Autism when having a meltdown, and I believe I speak for most people when I say the following: ‘I do not expect their education to be perfect, but they should at least be trained on how Autism affects us, however basic’. Verbal communication is difficult for us and a bit of understanding would have gone a long way here. The Autism community is deeply saddened by the death of this young woman, her inspiring video from June 2015 will support and encourage many other parents in years to come. This was a preventable tragedy and just when we thought autism/Asperger’s awareness was increasing something like this happens. Not everyone has the time to read through book after book learning about Autism and Asperger’s but I ask of you, please use the tool which is social media to learn more about the condition and how it affects millions of others worldwide. This situation is evidence that more awareness is needed. Danielle will forever be in our hearts and she will be missed.”

No law enforcement officials were injured in the incident, and the officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard for officer-involved shooting situations, reported ABC 15 Arizona.

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/woman-with-aspergers-who-made-viral-video-with-201255189.html

For The Mighty, visit: http://themighty.com/

Illinois Asperger teen didn't press charges against bullies who beat him up - he did something much better

Gavin Joseph could have insisted his attackers felt the full force of the law - instead he chose something far more effective.

Gareth Joseph suffered serious injuries as a result of the beating.

article as published by The Daily Mirror, by JON AUSTIN , JON AUSTIN | July 5, 2015

This is how Asperger's sufferer Gavin Joseph was "taught a lesson" for being "a bit different" because of the condition.

The senior school graduate was set upon by a stranger who decided to meet out some rough justice after he overheard some other teens describing Gavin as "creepy" because he sometimes hangs out on his own.

Gavin, from New Baden, Illinois, was tricked into coming over to a crowd of people before being choked and punched in front of them and left bruised, concussed and with a fractured nose after the savage unprovoked attack.

So how did he react when his attacker and those egging him on were identified to police?

Most victims would have wanted to see his attackers feel the full force of the law.

But despite suffering these injuries, Gavin decided to be the bigger man and taught them his own lesson.

Gavin asked that the offending thugs watched, with their families present, a 20-minute video message he taped so they could see the damage done and hear things from his perspective, then write an essay on Asperger's Syndrome.

Gavin's mum was so proud of her son's reaction to the ordeal she decided to post his story on Facebook - and so far it was been shared by nearly 100,000 users.

Mrs Joseph wrote: "Some kids were talking about how it's weird that he is always by himself, attending events alone and watching people, and that it was 'creepy' how he wanted to be friends with people he didn't know.

"Another kid that overheard that conversation decided to take matters into his own hands and become judge and jury, and this is the result of that."

Gavin Joseph and Jonathan Moffatt who have supported him after the attack

"He didn't ask questions, didn't get to know Gavin, never met him, and didn't give him a chance to leave.

"He was called to meet someone, surrounded by people he didn't know, choked, punched, and left laying on the pavement so he would 'learn his lesson'."

Mr Joseph said the family discovered Gavin had Asperger's and ADHD at three-years-old and his growing up was both wonderful and frustrating.

She said: "You can't "see" Asperger's since it's not a visible disability, it's a social/emotional one that makes relationships difficult to attain.

"It doesn't prohibit his movement, or ability to walk, but it makes everyday interactions with people very difficult.

"He can appear rude, impatient, "weird", detached, or uninterested, but this is not intentional.

"He can also be kind, generous, and forgiving, but even this can appear awkward at times because some of it is learned and not always natural. "Keeping longtime friends is tough because of his tendency to isolate yourself. Gavin has spent years learning what society thinks is appropriate and not appropriate, and so he doesn't offend anyone or stick out in social situations."

She urged any parents reading her post to tell their teens about disabilities that can't been seen and to be "tolerant of people who are different and get to know them."

She added: "Gavin has a mild concussion, a bruised esophagus, the tip of his nose fractured, and haematoma in his eye, but nothing permanent.

"He did not press charges, but requested their community service be disability related, that they write a paper on Asperger's, and that they watch a 20 min video statement he taped while their families were present so they could see the damage they did and hear the event from his perspective.

"I am so proud of him, and I hope a lesson will come of this to all that hear about it."

Facebook users have expressed their amazement at his reaction.

Joyce Rider wrote: "This is just heartbreaking! But what a forgiving response. Possibly Life changing for some! Prayers for you and your family!"

Ramona Brown added: "This is just wrong. My prayers are with Gavin. Shame on these kids. Its just heart breaking, but it also makes me angry that people would be so heartless."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/asperger-teen-didnt-press-charges-6008452