Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite Mack Wolford believed faith compelled him to face the risk »

Autistic Surf Pro 'Becomes One With the Wave'

Documentary shows raves, and difficulties, for Clay Marzo, 20,

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – That a 20-year-old Hawaiian might be among the world’s best surfers isn’t a surprise—but Clay Marzo has Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. Just Add Water, a documentary out next month, juxtaposes Marzo’s inability to handle everyday social situations... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

2 comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

Miami Face-Eater Identified

Independent (UK) (Source Grid »)

Lifestyle • Health

autism • surfing • Asperger's Syndrome • documentary film • Clay Marzo • Just Add Water • Jamie Tierney

More Newser Stories

Smoking While Pregnant May Raise Autism Risk

Study sees link with some forms of the disorder

(NEWSER) - If any expectant mom needed yet more evidence that smoking is a bad idea, here it is: Doing so during pregnancy raises the risk of having a child with Asperger's or another kind of autism, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed data from about 630,000 kids born in the 1990s in 11 states. The link seems strongest with the less severe forms of autism on the spectrum disorder, reports LiveScience . More»

Asperger Syndrome? Nope, Just a Nerdy Teenager

Because of current definition, Benjamin Nugent got a bogus diagnosis

(NEWSER) - Psychologists may soon narrow the definition of autism , which could reduce the number of people diagnosed with the disorder and related ones such as Asperger Syndrome. The move is controversial, but if you're looking for a compelling reason in favor, see Benjamin Nugent's essay in the New York Times today. He was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 17 because he met the criteria. Turns out, he was just an awkward teenage loner whose supposedly lifelong struggles with social interactions disappeared after college when he grew up a little. More»

No More Epidemic? Autism Definition May Change

Proposed revisions would exclude many now considered autistic: NYT

(NEWSER) - The New York Times has what sounds like a bombshell story on autism: The American Psychiatric Association is poised to narrow the definition of the disorder so far fewer people would be considered autistic. The kicker quote from the Yale author of an analysis on the subject: "The proposed changes would put an end to the autism epidemic. We would nip it in the bud—think of it that way.” (Another expert quoted thinks he's overstating the case.) If the changes go through, however, they could make it harder for people who fall short of the new qualifications to get treatment. More»

South Korea Town has Highest Autism Rate Ever

Researchers say nearly 3% of kids in Seoul suburb have disease

(NEWSER) - Researchers have discovered the highest rate of autism ever found in a general population within a suburb of Seoul, South Korea. About 2.6% of the children in Ilsan have some form of the disease, reports the Los Angeles Times . That contrasts with the 1% figure found in the US and Europe, but researchers say that their six-year study was simply more thorough than most and that they would likely find similar rates elsewhere. More»

Oxytocin Improves Autistics' Social Skills

'Love hormone' offers hope of treatment

(NEWSER) - The hormone oxytocin may improve the social skills of people with high-functioning autism. In a new study, patients who received doses of it in a nasal spray were better able to recognize faces and interact with others in a game. In short, the so-called "love chemical" seems to help those with autism and Asperger's syndrome better able to pick up on social cues, reports Time . More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Autistic Surf Pro 'Becomes One With the Wave'

Documentary shows raves, and difficulties, for Clay Marzo, 20,

autism • surfing • Asperger's Syndrome • documentary film • Clay Marzo • Just Add Water • Jamie Tierney

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Smoking While Pregnant May Raise Autism Risk

Study sees link with some forms of the disorder

Asperger Syndrome? Nope, Just a Nerdy Teenager

Because of current definition, Benjamin Nugent got a bogus diagnosis

No More Epidemic? Autism Definition May Change

Proposed revisions would exclude many now considered autistic: NYT

South Korea Town has Highest Autism Rate Ever

Researchers say nearly 3% of kids in Seoul suburb have disease

Oxytocin Improves Autistics' Social Skills

'Love hormone' offers hope of treatment

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?