Read Dr Martha Herbert’s recent work or listen to her conference videos. Autism is much more a disorder of metabolism and biology that flows to the brain than a psychological disorder: just as asthma is an immune disorder that arrives in the lungs from dysfunctional biology elsewhere.

My comment is that you could call asthma: autism of the lungs; while feeling autism as: rheumatoid arthritis of the brain. Changing perspectives can be exciting and useful.

If this info helps any: A friend of mine has a younger brother (out of respect, I’m leaving the mystery of his name intact) that has been a student at Pathways Academy. He has never once met John, as he began his time at Socio-Pathways some time after Mr. Odgren left. Now, from what my friends’ little bro tells me, Pathways – and much of its “teachers” and staff members – don’t see the point in enforcing consequences, or generally helping their pupils progress. So, in essence, the inmates run the asylum. My friend’s brother (I’m going to call him “Chris”) has witnessed numerous students acting up, racing through the halls and back, disrespecting adults (which could’ve been halted if, God forbid, the adults got off their @$$e$), public profanity, encouragers of the aforementioned acts, and so on. And it’s mainly because the rules state NO CONSEQUENCES. Though that still doesn’t warrant teachers, headmistresses, and the like to stay put and exert as little effort into preventing anarchy as possible.

Also, if a student were to make a scene during class time, he/she will be asked to take a break (i.e. stand out in the hall for 20 seconds). If the student doesn’t comply, the rest of the 4-5 kid classroom will be asked to move from the room despite not doing anything wrong, as though it were the responsibility of the folks who aren’t misbehaving to carry even more burdens for the sake of harmony just because one other person is in the wrong. More often than not, students will have their class end early, either because a student has insisted upon it, or a staff member(s) just want to get to his/her own damn vices. “Chris” says that this means that if you’re a student there and you have a shred of decency, you’ll have a target on your back.

Now, regarding “Chris”: He’s attended pathways for a couple of years, escaping the place at his late teens. “Chris” despite never being part of what you or I would call a “traditional” high school, is just the whole package. Pretty much the whole “for all the claims that he’s an idiot be cause he’s in special ed., he’s actually very damn clever and intelligent” story we’ve all heard before. He’s also a riot and literally made me piss myself with laughter in my house. If everyone had the heart and the frame of mind “Chris” has, then John would be nowhere near a prison, to say the least. Yet, the people who supposed to be paid and hired to give him the right tools are simply taking him and his willingness to prosper for granted, as well as most of the students at Psycho-Pathways. One time “Chris” brought home some sheets of his schoolwork only to show what the academia, or lack thereof, was in a nutshell. He was in his HS Sophomore year when he took it home with him, and and it was stuff that any middle schooler with a C average could’ve blazed through. “Chris” has called the staff on this and the teachers respond that the blatantly watered-down “work” the kids receive are a “review”. That’s a helluva review, in my opinion.

Getting back to John. I KNOW that he ought to be pulled right out of jail. It sends a horrible message: That certain mental problems are to be dismissed. Ms. Odgren, let me remind you that none of this is at all your fault, nor is it any one of your relatives. While I think he should face some repercussions for what happened, it shouldn’t be even close to the extent that it is. It kills to know that we’ve yet to reach a high enough point of social evolution that some people in the legal system can’t see past certain shades of gray. I can’t begin to apologize and share with you my sorrow, mainly because I won’t end. Though is it even remotely possible that John can get out of there earlier than what’s planned? Is it guaranteed life behind bars? It shouldn’t be! There should be protests and picket signs. I for one would be more than happy to take part. Thanks to anyone who took the time to look this all over. I apologize for getting a little irrelevant with the flaws of pathways. I just felt compelled to share it with others and that might be what was a factor with how much John contended with. And I thought some first-hand experience would be helpful. Hey, I’ll try to maybe ask “Chris” to give his opinion on the ordeal and maybe explain more about pathways.

Thanks again.

Thanks very much for writing here.

Just out curiosity, has John’s fate been sealed? Meaning, is he definitely jailed or has recieved his verdict yet? Or is he only in Plymouth to be monitored for the time being? Currently, I only know so much of what he’s contending with, so if someone filled me in with the latest of what’s going on with John Odgren right now, I’d appreciate it. Thanks

Mary and I are in Baltimore today and go home Saturday.

Jerry Newport

It’ll be interesting to see how MTV addresses the issue, especially considering it’s (typically, neuro-typical) audience.