The National Autistic Society (NAS) is involved in the case of Gary McKinnon, a man with Asperger syndrome who is appealing against extradition to the US where he will face charges of hacking into US government computer systems. Today (26 Feb) Mr McKinnon lost his appeal to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to be prosecuted in the UK rather than the US. His case now rests with a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State's decision to extradite him, which is likely to take place in the next couple of months.
National Autistic Society chief executive Mark Lever said:
"We are very disappointed by today's CPS decision not to prosecute Gary McKinnon in the UK. Over 4,000 people emailed the Attorney General about this through a campaign on the NAS website and he continues to have a lot of support from the autism community. We still strongly believe that the extradition, and a possible maximum security prison sentence, would be inappropriate and very damaging for anyone affected by Asperger syndrome."
The NAS provided written evidence during Mr McKinnon's application for judicial review in January 2009, expressing our concern that his diagnosis be taken into consideration and we are planning to submit further information in the next stage of this process.
The evidence submitted by the NAS explained the nature of Asperger syndrome and the fact that diagnosis in adults is often late, as in Mr McKinnon's case. This included information explaining that people with Asperger syndrome may be particularly vulnerable because of their difficulties with social awareness and communication, and may be susceptible to additional mental health problems as a result of their disability.
As Mr McKinnon was only diagnosed in August 2008, his Asperger syndrome was not taken into account in earlier legal proceedings dating back to his arrest in March 2002. The NAS strongly believes this new information needs to be taken into consideration before any decision is made about his extradition.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism - a serious, lifelong and disabling condition which effects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. Without the right support it can have a profound effect on individuals and families. As autism is a spectrum condition, no two people are affected in the same way.
ENDS
For more information please contact Tracey Sands on 020 7903 3548 or 07990 803 887 or email tracey.sands@nas.org.uk
Information about the National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. It was founded in 1962 by a group of parents who were passionate about ensuring a better future for their children. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible. We also campaign and lobby for lasting positive change for people affected by autism across the UK.
Information about Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence and may have a good command of spoken language and appear independent. However, this does not necessarily indicate good levels of social awareness and people with Asperger syndrome are often vulnerable and can find the world around them a confusing place.
It is not uncommon for people with Asperger syndrome to develop single-minded, and sometimes obsessional, interests and to be unaware of the effect their actions have on others. This can often lead to difficulties in understanding the implications of certain actions, or realising that in doing a certain action they may have committed a crime.
Autism is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people, which equates to approximately 300,000 adults in England and over 500,000 people across the UK.
In February 2008 the NAS launched a campaign called I Exist which called for better support for adults with autism who are frequently isolated and ignored. Research published as part of this campaign found that 63% of adults with autism are not getting enough support.
Difficulties obtaining diagnosis
The issue of Gary McKinnon's late diagnosis is central in the decision to extradite him. He was diagnosed in August 2008, after his appeal was dismissed by the House of Lords.
Asperger syndrome has only been relatively recently recognised - it was not until 1994 that the international classification systems that defines how a diagnosis is made, recognised the existence of the condition.
Because of this, many adults with Asperger syndrome, like Gary McKinnon, may not have had their condition diagnosed or are only now seeking a diagnosis. Despite improvements in the diagnosis of children, diagnostic services for adults remain particularly poor.
National Autistic Society chief executive Mark Lever said:
"We are very disappointed by today's CPS decision not to prosecute Gary McKinnon in the UK. Over 4,000 people emailed the Attorney General about this through a campaign on the NAS website and he continues to have a lot of support from the autism community. We still strongly believe that the extradition, and a possible maximum security prison sentence, would be inappropriate and very damaging for anyone affected by Asperger syndrome."
The NAS provided written evidence during Mr McKinnon's application for judicial review in January 2009, expressing our concern that his diagnosis be taken into consideration and we are planning to submit further information in the next stage of this process.
The evidence submitted by the NAS explained the nature of Asperger syndrome and the fact that diagnosis in adults is often late, as in Mr McKinnon's case. This included information explaining that people with Asperger syndrome may be particularly vulnerable because of their difficulties with social awareness and communication, and may be susceptible to additional mental health problems as a result of their disability.
As Mr McKinnon was only diagnosed in August 2008, his Asperger syndrome was not taken into account in earlier legal proceedings dating back to his arrest in March 2002. The NAS strongly believes this new information needs to be taken into consideration before any decision is made about his extradition.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism - a serious, lifelong and disabling condition which effects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. Without the right support it can have a profound effect on individuals and families. As autism is a spectrum condition, no two people are affected in the same way.
ENDS
For more information please contact Tracey Sands on 020 7903 3548 or 07990 803 887 or email tracey.sands@nas.org.uk
Information about the National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. It was founded in 1962 by a group of parents who were passionate about ensuring a better future for their children. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible. We also campaign and lobby for lasting positive change for people affected by autism across the UK.
Information about Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence and may have a good command of spoken language and appear independent. However, this does not necessarily indicate good levels of social awareness and people with Asperger syndrome are often vulnerable and can find the world around them a confusing place.
It is not uncommon for people with Asperger syndrome to develop single-minded, and sometimes obsessional, interests and to be unaware of the effect their actions have on others. This can often lead to difficulties in understanding the implications of certain actions, or realising that in doing a certain action they may have committed a crime.
Autism is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people, which equates to approximately 300,000 adults in England and over 500,000 people across the UK.
In February 2008 the NAS launched a campaign called I Exist which called for better support for adults with autism who are frequently isolated and ignored. Research published as part of this campaign found that 63% of adults with autism are not getting enough support.
Difficulties obtaining diagnosis
The issue of Gary McKinnon's late diagnosis is central in the decision to extradite him. He was diagnosed in August 2008, after his appeal was dismissed by the House of Lords.
Asperger syndrome has only been relatively recently recognised - it was not until 1994 that the international classification systems that defines how a diagnosis is made, recognised the existence of the condition.
Because of this, many adults with Asperger syndrome, like Gary McKinnon, may not have had their condition diagnosed or are only now seeking a diagnosis. Despite improvements in the diagnosis of children, diagnostic services for adults remain particularly poor.
Research for the NAS I Exist campaign in 2008 found that:
*
a third (33%) of adults with autism aged 40-64 only received their diagnosis after 40
*
59% of adults with autism received their diagnosis in adulthood
*
60% of adults with autism said it was hard to get a diagnosis.