Editor's Letter Dear readers, I helped start this magazine because when my children were diagnosed, I was scared and overwhelmed but as time went on I learned that I didn't have to be. There are a ton of resources and help out there and I wanted to help parents sort through all the ...
"However, I really didn’t take the time to research it further because I figured people can choose who they want to support; that is the beauty of America – choice! Besides, the mission statement seems so positive and they even claim to bring “hope,” “raise awareness,” and are dedicated to finding “treatments,” but what is meant by and what will come of the biomedical research? How exactly is a neurology going to be “prevented” or “cured?” Neurology isn’t an illness. Will any of this science result in harming people/babies/embryos/etc.? I have many questions to which I couldn’t find answers."
Many people want information about autism. Are they getting the right information from Autism Speaks. Parents, autistic people, and advocates discuss Autism Speaks. This blog contains other nonprofits who could use donations. Since writing this blog Autism Speaks has appointed two autistic people to its board.
"“I was at an event in Canada,” Keri Bowers says. “Autism Speaks had a big fundraiser that day. I was at a dinner with the Director of another nonprofit which served autistic people. The woman was complaining about donations diminishing for her nonprofit after the Autism Speaks Walk came to their city. An elderly lady sitting across the table, said ‘Do you mean the money doesn’t stay in the community? I thought when I was walking I was helping local autism families.'”
Probably the two most common misconceptions about Autism Speaks are people who walk are walking for autism supports in their own community and autistic people benefit from the majority of money raised."
Battle In under a decade, it's become America's most recognizable autism advocacy organization. But some opponents say its research tactics and spending habits are more hurtful than helpful. From the iconic puzzle-piece decals on minivans to the Empire State Building lit up in blue, Autism Speaks has entered mainstream America.
It's time for Autism Speaks to actually listen -- not to the Allistics for which the worship but to living Autistic people.
I know they are hateful. I know they don't like Autistics. I know they use most of their resources to convince people that the world would be a better place without us, and actually using the money to fund research that can make our extinction possible.
And until they do so, you can help us by calling a boycott and protesting against them -- online or in the meatspace.
Autistic people still need support from society. Here is how to take action with groups that do speak for them. Find organizations that support autistic people. These organizations will be run or co-run by autistic people, and have autistics at all levels of the organization.
Before the #OctoberHellWalk in Canada happens I wanted to post this since there was still at least two weeks left before October.@CrAPwematter might like this moment.
