Computer Bulletin Board Links Autistic People

You can do almost anything on the Internet these days, and Alex Plank, the founder of a computer bulletin board for people with Autism and Asperger Syndrome has seen membership jump from just a few, to nearly 5000, as people with Autism find out that there's a place especially for them on the Internet. WrongPlanet.net ( http://www.wrongplanet.net ), an online autism community, is one of the most successful communications tools for autistic people (autism is a disorder that causes people to miss everyday social cues, for example, how something said as a joke in one context can be taken in as a threat in another) on the Internet.

"Some autistic people are completely isolated, some are so afraid of communicating that they don't go out at all," according to Plank, but "the Internet seems to do something to break down that isolation. There are 15 million people in the US alone, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, with communication disorders like Autism. Imagine what that says worldwide," he continued.

“Wrongplanet.net has nearly 5000 members from at least 50 countries, and we have a little something for everyone, including advice for parents who often need help with school placements for their children to support for family members living with autistic loved ones. We also have a chat room where people who would otherwise bottle up frustrations can talk to other people with similar problems. Everyone is very supportive of everyone else. And we’re free!"

“We're unusual, Plank continued, because at Wrongplanet.net, people who might not be able to leave the house, are suddenly talking with someone across the US or in another country. We're also on the lookout for events; especially events aimed at helping isolated people break out into the community. We've even had some romances start among Autistic people, including two of our members recently becoming engaged after meeting through the site. It's great to see" Plank said.

For more information, contact Alex Plank at 703-966-8504 and visit http://WrongPlanet.net