FEBRUARY 18, 2006 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hans Asperger

FEBRUARY 18, 2006 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hans Asperger

Hans Asperger,discoverer of Asperger's Syndrome.Dr.Asperger deserves greater recognition for identifying a major condition that affects people of every land.2006 also marks the 25th anniversary of Dr.Lorna Wing's paper "Asperger's syndrome:a clinical account,"which helped bring AS world attention.International Asperger's Year,2006,which marks these two anniversaries,is an appropriate time to:
- Honor the contributions of Hans Asperger,Lorna Wing and other pioneering researchers and clinicians;
- Encourage people who might have AS to seek diagnosis;
- Correct misconceptions about AS;
- Recognize the special needs of adults with AS;
- Publicize Asperger role models and achievements;
- Improve and expand Asperger public services;
- Harness AS passions and talents for positive use;
- Develop AS mentoring programs;
- Salute the parents, families, friends, volunteers, advocates and professionals who work so hard to improve the lives of people with Asperger's Syndrome; and
- Enable Asperger communities around the world to become better acquainted with one another.
Prof.Tony Attwood,Prof.Simon Baron-Cohen,Prof.Uta Frith,Prof.Michael Fitzgerald,Hon.Angela Browning MP,Stephen Shore,Roger Meyer,Michael John Carley,Barbara Jacobs,Prof.Brenda Myles and Jerry Newport have endorsed International Asperger's Year.The Committee for International Asperger's Year,composed of 35 organizations from 22 countries,coordinates IAY.