 
Gary McKinnon is hoping to avoid U.S. prosecution for hacking by approaching the new coalition government
Britain’s new government is giving fresh consideration to a hacker’s plea to postpone an upcoming court hearing in a long-running bid to avoid a U.S. trial that could send him to prison for decades.
The U.K.’s Home Office, which oversees criminal justice affairs, is reviewing a letter from lawyers for Gary McKinnon, who was charged in the U.S. in 2002 for breaking into military and government computers.
McKinnon is scheduled for a judicial review hearing in the High Court on May 25 and 26 on the basis of his diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, a neurological disorder related to autism characterized by deficiencies in social interaction.
Theresa May, the new home secretary from the Conservative party, is expected to issue a response “as soon as possible,” according to a Home Office spokesman.
“The Home Secretary has received a letter from Gary McKinnon’s legal team asking her to agree to an adjournment of the Judicial Review in light of further representations,” according to a Home Office statement.
McKinnon’s case has risen in profile over the last couple of years, with celebrities, along with politicians, voicing their support for him.
The recent change in government could help his cause. Some members of the U.K.’s new coalition government have been highly critical of the circumstances of McKinnon’s case.
Last year, David Cameron — now Britain’s prime minister — criticized the extradition treaty McKinnon was subject to. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat’s leader who is deputy prime minister, said last year he opposed extraditing McKinnon given his medical condition.
The U.K. government approved McKinnon’s extradition in 2006, but his lawyers undertook a series of court maneuvers that have kept him from being extradited.
McKinnon had asked to be prosecuted in the U.K., but the request was denied on the basis that U.S. authorities wanted jurisdiction over the case and because most of the witnesses are in the U.S.
McKinnon was indicted by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2002 for hacking into 97 military and NASA computers between February 2001 and March 2002. He could face up to 60 years in prison.
McKinnon has remained free in the U.K. but isn’t allowed to use a computer. He has publicly admitted to hacking the computers using a program called “RemotelyAnywhere,” a remote access tool.
McKinnon has said that many of the computer systems still had their default passwords — considered a poor security practice — and that other passwords were easy to obtain.
McKinnon, who went by the name “Solo,” contends he was merely searching for proof of the existence UFOs and didn’t harm the systems. The U.S. military contends that McKinnon deleted critical files from its computers, which hampered its efforts after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Source:Â http://www.itworld.com/legal/108187/new-british-government-considers-mckinnons-appeal
Theresa May halts Gary McKinnon’s legal battle against extradition to America
Gary McKinnon has received a double boost in his five year battle against being extradited to America to face computer hacking charges.
By Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor
Published: 3:19PM BST 20 May 2010
The Home Office said on Thursday that Home Secretary Theresa May had decided to halt the legal process so she could re-examine impact of extradition on Mr McKinnon’s health.
The coalition Government also confirmed in its formal agreement it would conduct a comprehensive review of the controversial extradition treaty under which Mr McKinnon was set to be extradited.
Mr McKinnon, 44, who suffers from a form of autism, is challenging a US bid to extradite him on charges of hacking into highly sensitive military computers eight years ago.
He had been on the verge of being extradited earlier this year after the-then Home Secretary Alan Johnson ruled he should go, despite evidence that he was suicidal.
However, the move was postponed after a judge found that it was “arguable†that extraditing him could violate his human rights.
The Home Office said Mrs May would re-examine the medical evidence for herself to decide whether Mr McKinnon should be extradited.
A spokesman said: “The Home Secretary has considered the proposal from Gary McKinnon’s legal team and has agreed an adjournment should be sought. An application to the court is being made today.â€
An adjournment was granted on the case late on Thursday by a judge in the High Court who has asked for an update by the end of July.
Karen Todner, Mr McKinnon’s solicitor, said Mrs May wanted to have “appropriate time†to consider the issues after receiving a request from Mrs Todner.
She said: “I hope this may be a signal of a more compassionate and caring Home Secretary and one that is willing to defend the rights of our citizens.”
Janis Sharp, Gary McKinnon’s mother, said: “We are grateful that the new Home Secretary has agreed to reconsider Gary’s case and we await Mrs May’s decision with great hope that Gary may still have a future.
“Gary is still terrified and undergoing a state of ongoing heightened stress but today’s news gives us hope, at last, that his ordeal may soon be over.
“We need it to be over and totally believe that the new coalition will keep their promises and allow Gary to be tried in his own country.”
Isabella Sankey, a spokesman from campaign group Liberty which has been campaigning for Mr McKinnon, said she welcomed the decision for a “pause for thought†in Mr McKinnon’s extradition battle.
She said: “We hope this might lead to a new approach to extradition that combines international cooperation with justice and compassion.
“This is yet another early test for the coalition parties to honour in government what they promised in opposition.â€
Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “Both David Cameron and Nick Clegg have previously spoken out in concern for Gary, and now is their opportunity to take action.
“We heard with relief that Theresa May has agreed to put legal proceedings on hold in order to reconsider Gary’s case once more, and wait in hope that she will be in the position to make the decision Gary and his family so desperately need to hear.”
Last year Mr Johnson had refused to halt McKinnon’s removal, saying he was “of the firm view†that extradition would not be incompatible with his human rights, and “extradition to the United States must proceed forthwithâ€.
Mr McKinnon was accused in 2002 of using his home computer to hack into 97 American military and Nasa computers, causing damage that the US government claims will cost more than $700,000 dollars (£425,000) to repair.
He admits breaching the systems but denies causing damage and claims he was looking for evidence of UFOs. If he is found guilty he faces spending years
Separately the Government said in its coalition agreement that it would review the workings of the 2003 Extradition treaty. It said: “We will review the operation of the Extradition Act – and the US/UK extradition treaty – to make sure it is even-handed.â€
Before the election, the Tories had said they wanted to renegotiate the treaty amid claims it was “one-sided” while the Liberal Democrats – including deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg – said extraditing Mr McKinnon would be a “travesty of justice”.
A source close to Mr Clegg said today: “Nick has always taken a keen interest in the case but this was a decision by the Home Secretary.”
Critics have long claimed the treaty made it easier for US authorities to extradite Britons to America. Others have complained that it has been used by American authorities to target white collar criminals.
The controversial case has now been considered by six home secretaries.
Â
Previous Updates
Gary McKinnon Updates: US Prosecution Of McKinnon ‘Spiteful’, Says Ex-Top-Cop
McKinnon’s Mum Fights For Civil Liberties In Parliamentary Run(Includes Outcome Update)
Gary McKinnon Updates: Janis Sharp To Battle Straw
Gary McKinnon Updates: New Court Date In Extradition Marathon
Gary McKinnon Updates: Charlie Mckinnon On His Son’s Fight Against US Extradition
Gary McKinnon Updates: Death Threats
Gary McKinnon Updates: Pentagon Hacker Wins Delay Of Extradition To U.S.
Gary McKinnon Updates: New Hope on Extradition
Gary McKinnon Updates: Gary McKinnon’s Mother In Tears After Snub From Alan Johnson
Gary McKinnon Updates: Computer Hacker Gary McKinnon Loses Fight To Stand Trial In UK
GaryMcKinnon Updates: Verdict on Extradition to be Announced This Week
Gary McKinnon Updates: Protestors Challenge McKinnon Extradition/American Civil Liberties Union Attacks David Miliband over UK/US Extradition Treaty
Updates(Includes New Petition): Gary McKinnon Loses Appeal Against Extradition To The U.S.
Updates: Gary McKinnon’s Impending Extradition Must Be Stopped/No Pity From US
 
HINCKLEY — At the same time public schools have a shortage of special education teachers, the number of autistic students attending those schools continues to grow.
That’s why an increasing number of teachers are starting to use the “VizZle” computer program to grab and keep their students’ attention.
Last year, it was hard for Courtney Monastra to get Alec and Jordan to sit still.
Both autistic, the students are on very different developmental levels, making it difficult for Monastra to come up with lessons both can participate in.
That’s where VizZle comes into play.
The interactive computer program is the brainchild of a group of teachers at the Monarch School for Children with Autism in Shaker Heights.
It’s basically a database of thousands of lessons that meet the state’s education requirements for students with autism.
That’s not only great for the teachers, but it’s working wonders with the students too.
“We have seen a huge growth in language and vocabulary, which has been awesome and so exciting for us. Part of the reason really is because of VizZle,” Monastra said.
“They’re able to sit and take turns, but they’re also motivated to interact and pass the pen to each other. It’s a huge feat.”
Part of the reason for the motivation is that the kids feel like they’re playing a game, rather than learning. Plus, the interaction of the program gives students more control over what they’re doing, making it more likely for them to pay attention.
Monastra says it all goes back to the idea that kids learn better when they’re having fun.
“When they’re successful, it gives them a self-esteem boost and that’s a really big deal to them,” she said.
Right now, VizZle is being used in 30 states but most of the users are in Ohio.
Use of the program ends up costing the schools about $50 per month, per teacher. Parents of autistic children may also subscribe to the program for home use. Â
Source:Â http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=135829
VizZle
Â
HINCKLEY — At the same time public schools have a shortage of special education teachers, the number of autistic students attending those schools continues to grow.
That’s why an increasing number of teachers are starting to use the “VizZle” computer program to grab and keep their students’ attention.
Last year, it was hard for Courtney Monastra to get Alec and Jordan to sit still.
Both autistic, the students are on very different developmental levels, making it difficult for Monastra to come up with lessons both can participate in.
That’s where VizZle comes into play.
The interactive computer program is the brainchild of a group of teachers at the Monarch School for Children with Autism in Shaker Heights.
It’s basically a database of thousands of lessons that meet the state’s education requirements for students with autism.
That’s not only great for the teachers, but it’s working wonders with the students too.
“We have seen a huge growth in language and vocabulary, which has been awesome and so exciting for us. Part of the reason really is because of VizZle,” Monastra said.
“They’re able to sit and take turns, but they’re also motivated to interact and pass the pen to each other. It’s a huge feat.”
Part of the reason for the motivation is that the kids feel like they’re playing a game, rather than learning. Plus, the interaction of the program gives students more control over what they’re doing, making it more likely for them to pay attention.
Monastra says it all goes back to the idea that kids learn better when they’re having fun.
“When they’re successful, it gives them a self-esteem boost and that’s a really big deal to them,” she said.
Right now, VizZle is being used in 30 states but most of the users are in Ohio.
Use of the program ends up costing the schools about $50 per month, per teacher. Parents of autistic children may also subscribe to the program for home use. Â
Source:Â http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=135829
VizZle
Jan
22
 
By Ben Bauman
Published May 16, 2010
Topeka — It’s graduation time, and for parents and students – that means change. Part of the Shawnee Heights graduating class of 2010 is 18-year old Ben Berlin.
Berlin was diagnosed autistic at age 5. Asperger’s syndrome is a mild form, and those with usually have average or above average intelligence and language skills, but often struggle with social skills or repetitive behavior.
“When he was little he had a lot more autistic tendency,” said Ben’s mother, Mari White. “He spun, he rocked.”
Ben’s mother became his advocate, learning all she could about Asperger’s syndrome, educating herself and sometimes Ben’s doctors.
“I stumbled upon a way to look at what he’s good at and at his strengths and stop focusing on what he can’t do. And that opened up so many doors,” she said.
And the doors have opened. Ben has served as a congressional page and traveled to Europe last summer with People to People.
“I got a lot of media attention because I was the first person with a disability to go on those programs,” Ben said.
Ben says he doesn’t consider himself disabled, and credits his much of his growth to the Shawnee Heights Naval Junior ROTC.
“It’s changed me more than physically,” he said. “It’s change me in a lot of other ways. I now get along with my peers a lot better than I did.”
Read in Full:Â http://www.ktka.com/news/2010/may/16/bens-people-ben-berlin/
Jan
22
Â
By Ben Bauman
Published May 16, 2010
Topeka — It’s graduation time, and for parents and students – that means change. Part of the Shawnee Heights graduating class of 2010 is 18-year old Ben Berlin.
Berlin was diagnosed autistic at age 5. Asperger’s syndrome is a mild form, and those with usually have average or above average intelligence and language skills, but often struggle with social skills or repetitive behavior.
“When he was little he had a lot more autistic tendency,” said Ben’s mother, Mari White. “He spun, he rocked.”
Ben’s mother became his advocate, learning all she could about Asperger’s syndrome, educating herself and sometimes Ben’s doctors.
“I stumbled upon a way to look at what he’s good at and at his strengths and stop focusing on what he can’t do. And that opened up so many doors,” she said.
And the doors have opened. Ben has served as a congressional page and traveled to Europe last summer with People to People.
“I got a lot of media attention because I was the first person with a disability to go on those programs,” Ben said.
Ben says he doesn’t consider himself disabled, and credits his much of his growth to the Shawnee Heights Naval Junior ROTC.
“It’s changed me more than physically,” he said. “It’s change me in a lot of other ways. I now get along with my peers a lot better than I did.”
Read in Full:Â http://www.ktka.com/news/2010/may/16/bens-people-ben-berlin/
 
2010-05-13 07:12:08 – Since children pass through many developmental stages as they mature, it is important to understand the differences between normal childhood attempts to defy authority and symptoms of full-blown oppositional defiant disorder.
According to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Ed., oppositional defiant disorder can cause clinical impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning, and is characterized by a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behavior toward authority figures which persists for a period of at least six months.
Oppositional defiant children share many of the following characteristics:
 * A child possess a strong need for control, and will do just about anything to gain power.
* A child typically deny responsibility for their misbehavior and have little insight into how they impact others.
* The ODD child is socially exploitive and very quick to notice how others respond. He then uses these responses to his advantage in family or social environments, or both.
* These children tolerate a great deal of negativity – in fact they seem to thrive on large amounts of conflict, anger and negativity from others, and are frequently the winners in escalating battles of negativity.
Children look to their parents for a sense of security, belonging and identity. As our society becomes more complex, the need for our children to develop a clear set of values is critical. Current research also has indicated that boys with ADHD and increased oppositional behavior are at greater risk for later antisocial behavior. With this in mind, the need for structure becomes particularly relevant in today’s world. It is apparent that children affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders are at greater risk for oppositional behavior. Since this behavior will create additional difficulties for them as they pass through the various developmental stages, it becomes even more important to use the authority vested in us as parents to establish consistent limits and consequences, and to distinguish boundaries within the family. This will form a family unit characterized by established guidelines, affording children a secure backdrop in which they can grow and thrive.
About Dr. Claudio Cerullo
Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo possesses more than seventeen-years experience in education. With six years teaching in Social Science Education. Dr. Claudio Cerullo earned his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Social Science Education where he was elected President of the Student Government and Education Association. Dr. Cerullo earned his Master’s Degree in Professional Elementary and Secondary Education with his concentration in Educational Psycholog, earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration and has attended educational leadership training in Diversity/Multi-Cultural Education through Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Source:Â http://www.pr-inside.com/dr-claudio-cerullo-suggests-intervention-methods-r1888296.htm
Â
2010-05-13 07:12:08 – Since children pass through many developmental stages as they mature, it is important to understand the differences between normal childhood attempts to defy authority and symptoms of full-blown oppositional defiant disorder.
According to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Ed., oppositional defiant disorder can cause clinical impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning, and is characterized by a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behavior toward authority figures which persists for a period of at least six months.
Oppositional defiant children share many of the following characteristics:
 * A child possess a strong need for control, and will do just about anything to gain power.
* A child typically deny responsibility for their misbehavior and have little insight into how they impact others.
* The ODD child is socially exploitive and very quick to notice how others respond. He then uses these responses to his advantage in family or social environments, or both.
* These children tolerate a great deal of negativity – in fact they seem to thrive on large amounts of conflict, anger and negativity from others, and are frequently the winners in escalating battles of negativity.
Children look to their parents for a sense of security, belonging and identity. As our society becomes more complex, the need for our children to develop a clear set of values is critical. Current research also has indicated that boys with ADHD and increased oppositional behavior are at greater risk for later antisocial behavior. With this in mind, the need for structure becomes particularly relevant in today’s world. It is apparent that children affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders are at greater risk for oppositional behavior. Since this behavior will create additional difficulties for them as they pass through the various developmental stages, it becomes even more important to use the authority vested in us as parents to establish consistent limits and consequences, and to distinguish boundaries within the family. This will form a family unit characterized by established guidelines, affording children a secure backdrop in which they can grow and thrive.
About Dr. Claudio Cerullo
Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo possesses more than seventeen-years experience in education. With six years teaching in Social Science Education. Dr. Claudio Cerullo earned his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Social Science Education where he was elected President of the Student Government and Education Association. Dr. Cerullo earned his Master’s Degree in Professional Elementary and Secondary Education with his concentration in Educational Psycholog, earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration and has attended educational leadership training in Diversity/Multi-Cultural Education through Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Source:Â http://www.pr-inside.com/dr-claudio-cerullo-suggests-intervention-methods-r1888296.htm
 
By David Morgan, Reuters
WASHINGTON — Children with autism have mercury levels similar to those of other kids, suggesting the mysterious disorder is caused by a range of factors rather than “a single smoking gun,” researchers said on Monday.
The researchers at the University of California, Davis, initially found that children aged 2 to 5 with autism had mercury levels lower than other children because the autistic kids ate less fish, the biggest source of mercury that shows up in the blood.
But when the data were adjusted for lower fish consumption, blood-mercury concentrations among the autistic children were roughly similar to those developing typically. The children with autism had mercury levels in line with national norms.
Read in Full:Â http://www.canada.com/health/family-child/Mercury+levels+similar+autistic+normal+kids/2120658/story.html?id=2120658
Â
By David Morgan, Reuters
WASHINGTON — Children with autism have mercury levels similar to those of other kids, suggesting the mysterious disorder is caused by a range of factors rather than “a single smoking gun,” researchers said on Monday.
The researchers at the University of California, Davis, initially found that children aged 2 to 5 with autism had mercury levels lower than other children because the autistic kids ate less fish, the biggest source of mercury that shows up in the blood.
But when the data were adjusted for lower fish consumption, blood-mercury concentrations among the autistic children were roughly similar to those developing typically. The children with autism had mercury levels in line with national norms.
Read in Full:Â http://www.canada.com/health/family-child/Mercury+levels+similar+autistic+normal+kids/2120658/story.html?id=2120658
 
Atypical sleep architecture and the autism phenotype.
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that people with autism frequently experience sleep disorders and exhibit atypical sleep architecture. In order to establish whether sleep disorders truly belong to the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotype, we conducted a subjective and objective study of sleep in a group of high-functioning adults with ASD but without sleep complaints, psychiatric disorders or neurological comorbidity. We compared the subjective data of 27 ASD participants with those of 78 healthy controls matched for chronological age and gender. Subjective measures of sleep in the clinical group were compatible with insomnia and/or a tolerable phase advance of the sleep-wake cycle. Subjective data were confirmed by objective laboratory sleep recordings in a subset of 16 patients and 16 controls. Persons with autism presented with a longer sleep latency (P < 0.04), more frequent nocturnal awakenings (P < 0.03), lower sleep efficiency (P < 0.03), increased duration of stage 1 sleep (P < 0.02), decreased non-REM sleep (stages 2 + 3 + 4, P < 0.04) and slow-wave sleep (stages 3 + 4, P < 0.05), fewer stage 2 EEG sleep spindles (P < 0.004), and a lower number of rapid eye movements during REM sleep (P < 0.006) than did control participants. On clinical scales, the scores of persons with ASD on the Beck Depression Inventory were similar to those of persons without, but their trait anxiety scores on the Spielberger Anxiety Scale were higher (P < 0.02). The state anxiety scores of the Spielberger scale and cortisol levels were the same in the two groups. Objective total sleep time correlated negatively with the Social (-0.52, P < 0.05) and Communication (-0.54, P < 0.02) scales of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. The sleep of clinical subgroups (10 with high-functioning autism, six with Asperger syndrome) did not differ, except for the presence of fewer EEG sleep spindles in the Asperger syndrome subgroup (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings indicate that atypicalities of sleep constitute a salient feature of the adult ASD phenotype and this should be further investigated in younger patients. Moreover, the results are consistent with an atypical organization of neural networks subserving the macro- and microstructure of sleep in ASD. We are furthering this research with quantified analysis of sleep EEG.
Source:Â http://www.citeulike.org/group/12475/article/172627
 
An investigation into sleep characteristics of children with autism and Asperger’s Disorder.
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the specificity of sleep problems in children with autism and further explore the currently unclear association between sleep problems and daytime behaviour. The Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) group consisted of 31 children with autism and 7 children with Asperger’s Disorder ranging in age from 44 to 152 months. The control group consisted of 36 children ranging in age from 63 to 171 months. The children were matched on age and gender, and group-matched on IQ level. A sleep diary was completed by parents over a 2-week period, in addition to several behaviour questionnaires. Results showed that children in the PDD group exhibited qualitatively and quantitatively different sleep patterns to nonautistic control children. The findings were discussed in light of current literature concerning circadian rhythm dysfunction, social difficulties, and abnormal melatonin levels in children with autism.
Source: http://www.citeulike.org/group/12475/article/7191164