Posted by Gary G. Porter on Thursday, May 12th, 2011
In yet another shocking American Idol elimination episode, James Durbin was prematurely voted off tonight, despite being one of the most consistent performers of the season. This is the second time this year that voting results have produced outrage from Idol fans. A few weeks ago, Pia Toscano, another strong contestant and frontrunner, was also [...]
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Posted in American Idol, Aspergers Syndrome, Autism and the Media, Facebook, High Functioning Autism, Twitter 
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Lately, there’s been much conflicting news about autism rates. A recent study from Britain contends that there is no epidemic, there’s just a great many undiagnosed adults walking around. Yet after conducting a study in South Korea, The American Journal of Psychiatry subsequently found 1 out of 38 kids to have autism, much higher than [...]
READ MORE Posted in Aspergers Syndrome, Autism Awareness, Diagnosis, High Functioning Autism, Medical Conditions, Studies 7 Comments »
Posted by Michelle Gonzalez on Thursday, May 5th, 2011
Leading up to April’s Autism Awareness Month, much media attention was given to an incredible young man by the name of Jacob Barnett, a 13-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome who has a tested IQ of 170 (higher than Einstein’s). Deemed a child prodigy, Barnett was attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and taking advanced astrophysics classes [...]
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Posted by Gary G. Porter on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
In what may have been the best performance of the season from any American Idol contestant, James Durbin performed "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," from Carole King and once again stood head-and-shoulders above the rest of the competition. Durbin clearly outshined the other 5 remaining Idol contestants, prompting Judge Randy Jackson to proclaim, "This [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Monday, April 25th, 2011
Asperger’s Syndrome (or Asperger Syndrome or AS) is a form of high functioning autism, characterized by obsessive interests and a difficulty in making friends. While commonly characterized as a “mild” form of autism, it is devastating in its own right. Starting in the 1960s, scientists theorized that boys inherited only one male X chromosome from [...]
READ MORE Posted in Aspergers Syndrome, Autism Awareness, Autism Symptoms, High Functioning Autism, Medical Conditions 38 Comments »
Posted by Gary G. Porter on Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Week after week, American Idol contestants are challenged by judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler to step it up and take chances. James Durbin did just that this week, with a cover of Muse’s "Uprising." Along with an accompanying marching band of drummers, Durbin executed what was arguably the best performance of the [...]
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Posted by Gary G. Porter on Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Known for his aggressive and upbeat rock performances, James Durbin shifted gears Wednesday night on American Idol, performing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by George Harrison of The Beatles. The song was chosen as part of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Week, where each ‘Idol’ contestant was able to select a tune from the [...]
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Posted by Gary G. Porter on Friday, April 1st, 2011
A seemingly harmless and unscripted exchange between American Idol contestant James Durbin and host Ryan Seacrest has touched off a controversy involving Michael Jackson’s family. According to TMZ, the Jackson family, including Michael’s father Joe, is upset at Durbin’s off-the-cuff remark on Wednesday evening when he stated, “I have a lot of hairspray in my [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
On April 1 and 2, blue lights will be shining in cities all around the world to help promote autism awareness. In Seattle, The Children’s Museum will be open early exclusively to children with autism, who will be charged a reduced admission fee. People will walk, run, and attend banquets in honor of Autism Awareness [...]
READ MORE Posted in Aspergers Syndrome, Autism Advice from Parents, Autism Awareness, Autism Causes, Autism News, Autism Speaks, Commentary, Parents No Comments »
Posted by Gary G. Porter on Saturday, March 26th, 2011
An upsetting video has been discovered on YouTube, mocking James Durbin and his Tourette’s Syndrome. The video, which was uploaded on March 24, 2011 by an individual using the handle "jordans704," shows a 54-second clip from this past Thursday’s American Idol results show in which James Durbin can be seen making unusual facial expressions during [...]
READ MORE Posted in American Idol, Aspergers Syndrome, Autism and the Media, Autism News, Bullying, Commentary, Famous People With Autism, YouTube 43 Comments »
