We are autism specialists and can provide you with trusted information for free. Our research and information team are available to answer any questions you have about autism. Ask us a question. Time went by and it was used to represent autism by an organisation in America, Autism Speaks. But the problem for many autistic people, is that Autism Speaks campaigns were particularly negative and problematic to autistic people. Autism awareness campaigns historically have been modelled on campaigns to raise awareness of diseases, illnesses like cancer.
A tragic and terrible one. When neurotypical people think of Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD , they often think of organizations such as Autism Speaks, which is one of the most internationally recognized autism groups. However, as an organization, Autism Speaks remains one of the most hotly debated aspects of the autistic community, given the questionable actions of those who run the foundation and what it fundamentally stands for.
In , Autism Speaks released a three-minute advertisement which depicted Autism Spectrum Disorder as a stalker that knows where you live and is constantly watching you. Read an excerpt from the transcript below. I will make it virtually impossible for your family to easily attend a temple, birthday party or public park without a struggle, without embarrassment, without pain.
Emily Willingham, a former contributor to Forbes Magazine and the mother of an autistic son, said in a article that the depiction of autism as a threat and a condition in desperate need of curing only further stigmatizes neurodivergency and de-emphasizes acceptance and unconditional positive regard for those with ASD.
In for example, Autism Speaks lobbied heavily against an amendment to the Autism Cares Act which set policies in place for the inclusion of autistic people in policy and research decisions, effectively silencing the voices of the community they are slated to represent. Bob and Suzanne Wright, who founded Autism Speaks in after their grandson was diagnosed with ASD, have also come under fire in the years since for their concerning rhetoric regarding autism and how it affects loved ones of those afflicted.
You may have heard of them before. Autism Speaks is the leading organization in advocacy for autistic people, running the Light It Up Blue initiative during April and responsible for popularizing the puzzle piece as a symbol for autism. However, their track record as an organization is not viewed favorably by the autistic community.
So frustrating. Have you had any luck with devices for your son? I thought it ment that the organization speaks for the concerns and supports person with Autism. I didnt take it to mean Autistic people dont speak. My brother is non verbal and the name has bugged me for many years every time I hear it since the day they formed as all I have ever wanted for my brother was for him to be able to speak.
He does now know some sign but not a lot. Please get him a device!! That is a lie. The words are in their heads and with a device he can demonstrate that to you. He needs a speech assessment and your insurance should Pay for the device. It will take 6 years for the child to master language. The problem is the majority get fooled by this organization, the public needs to know what they are actually about, self serving and not doing the community any real service.
Good post. You will not ever see me post a link to or like Autism Speaks! They tried to show they were making an effort to improve but only in response to the negative feed back about the amount of money that was going directly towards families. More shares like yours will decrease their eligibility for grants and political funding.
I really hope that posts like this help people to understand so they just run out of funding! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am autistic and Autism speaks is a hate group that wants autistic people to not exist. They would commit genocide if given the chance. I too agree with your sentiment and have never been impressed with the major Autism funds..
I felt as you did when my two kids on the spectrum were young. I too went into Full blown research mode, everything was for a purpose and we would learn to live with this besides my kids were sweet, gentle and kind.. My kids are now 20 and 21 and life is extremely difficult for the 21 year-old and my 20 year-old has no life.
I never dreamed my kids would end up getting worse not better. Hopefully your child will continue to thrive. I love my kids with my whole being and would die willingly if it could help them but I cannot wish this for anyone. I know too many parents with older kids who devote everything to them but the kids and parents are drowning! And there is little help out there unless you are lucky enough to live in the few areas that actually have decent services.
I do agree that we need more services widely available, and there is research that should be done about new techniques and therapies that can help those with autism. I do not support research towards the goal of killing autistic babies. I do not support research that wants to change who my child is so that he is more acceptable to society. There are negative sides to autism, without a doubt. We need research on how to further assist individuals to navigate the waters of those downsides.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment with your thoughts! We are in total agreement about the lack of services! Are you. Suggesting that if there was a miracle pill that could remove the effect of autism in your child that you would NOT take it because you love your child just the way they are? I love my 14 year old son dearly, but in a second I would give him that pill and happily change a huge part of him….
And allow him to speak. Helping families is important-obviously-but we need to find a cure. Not to kill autistic babies, but to cure the brains of the next generation of autistic kids. I am suggesting that if there was a pill that would take away his autism I would not use it. I think we need to cure cancer, we need to accept and embrace autism. My daughter is completely non-verbal and if there was something I could do to help her unlock her mind to help her have meaningful communication I would.
It kills me to see her hurt herself because she cant interact with her parents, friends and peers. That despite being incredibly smart she is in Special School District schools and not going with her classmates. Thankfully shes on the very mild end of the spectrum. Not all autistic individuals are mildly quirky We have several friends whose children have become increasingly violent and isolated with age. If a pill would make their daughter safe to be around her family I know they would give it to her.
I love my daughter, I love her vivacious personality and exuberance. But if I could make life easier for her I would. Anyone who believes that autism is something to be cured or aborted is wrong. Support is the way because the only people who are the real people to help are the people who care not autism speaks but real people such as professionals or family. My partner was diagnosed with autism only recently while I was pregnant with our son, who is now 15 months.
People are willing to feel what they feel. I see nothing wrong with that when the intentions are pure and clear. Forgive me for my reaction, but if there was a pill to take away autism, I would give it to my nephew in a heartbeat. But now people are taking advantage of his naive nature and borrowing money off him never to repay it , calling him a retard, and basically treating him differently which is so, so unfair.
I would take away his autism away in a instant — not for anyone else, but for him. He is the most special person in the world to me and it hurts me that people know that they can take advantage of him because of his condition. So, would I change that with a pill? Please do not take this as any form of criticism or disagreement — we all have our own opinions. I love the fact that this site is raising awareness and provoking discussion.
We agree on many points. The reasoning behind their efforts for a prenatal check are horrifying to me. As far as the difficulties your nephew is facing, I agree that that is a huge problem.
Although I can see where your coming from on a lot of things there should be more funding going to the families etc. I also disagree with some. There is nothing wrong with searching for a cure or a way to pre-natally Identify autism. I will always Light it up Blue on Autism Awareness day because, regardless of what I feel about Autism Speaks, it brings awareness to the cause. You do know what natural selection is right.
There are also those who are severely affected who are at the opposite end of the spectrum. Do you even know what that would mean if autism speaks had even created a pre-natal test. It would mean every new mother and father except maybe for a few such as parents with autism would start aborting offspring because they though their autism is bad.
As well as what happens to the people the few who remain to have autism and their children we are already considered less than and belittled by so many how much worse do you think that would be? It pretty much implies that Autistic children are terrifying little demons out to deliberately destroy their families and that they need to be gotten rid of.
It reminded me of a horror movie from the s. They never really quite getting around to telling you just how these monstrous kids are going to ruin your life and rob you of your money, but you better send your money to them instead, so they can protect you from a fate worse than death!
Anyway, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. She took me to another doctor! I now have an honours BFA and four college certificates. Thank you so much for your comment. You and people like you and my son are the reason that I write these posts.
Thank you. I agree with many things from your post but this reply was just horrendous! Because that is also autism! Not only Mozarts and people with 4 college certificates! Thank you for this post.
My son has not been formally diagnosed, but I would not change anything about him. And the commercials you mentioned sound awful. My son is not someone to fear. But being different is what makes this world a better place. Thank you so much for writing this. Is autism a disability? Also yes. To demonize these people, and to place the desires of others over the needs of the people with autism, is repulsive. How absolutely offensive! That really makes my blood boil.
I am an Autistic person myself and as I see the way the world is going is downright pitiful. Autism Speaks is not an organization for Autistic People it is an Anti-Autism hate group in its own regard.
Autism is not a disease, or disability, it is an advantage of the next evolution phase of humanity. Is it possible to send me this is text format as I would like to share with the autism advocacy group in my company.
We are considering affiliating with Autism Speaks and I want to make my case against it.
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