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Can We Really Trust AUTISM SPEAKS?

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Why Autism Speaks is No Good for Autistics

Okay, so you want to donate to Autistic Charities. Good for you!

Autism Speaks isn't one of them.

I could just tell you about how every single Autistic individual I have ever spoken to seems to hate the "charity" with a passion. But if you want proof...

Much of their "education" on Autism is deliberately demonizing Autism / Asperger's Syndrome, which as you can imagine is the last thing ANYONE Autistic actually needs. Their most famous video, Autism Every Day, even features a mother who admits in front of her autistic daughter that she had contemplated carrying out a murder-suicide because of her child's Autism.

(Ironically, only a few days after the video's release, one mother did just that to her own daughter. Check out "Karen McCarron" below.)

There are no Autistic members in any controlling position of Autism Speaks, only parents and other related family members. As you can imagine, the divide between "Being Autistic" and "Putting Up with someone else's Autism" is a BIG difference, given how social slights and other communication issues are part and parcel of Autistic behavior, even though it doesn't have to be. As a result, with such lopsided representation, they can hardly presume to speak "for" Autism in any sense.

There exists a very vocal contingent of Autistics online who are appalled with Autism Speaks right down to the choice of logo (They don't appreciate being called "Puzzles", to be honest.) In fact, even MENTIONING Autism Speaks will spark flame wars in Autistic Communities, backed up by plenty of evidence from shunning at Autism fundraisers and conventions to the sheer lack of support they provide current Autistics in favor of long-term "research" that allows them to splurge on PR stunts and lavish corporate expenditures without having to show any proof of the progress they're making with all that money, while true Autistic Charities are choked for funds because it all goes to Autism Speaks.

Fortunately, there ARE alternative charities which would have a far better impact. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and the Dan Marino Foundation are the best alternatives I can recommend to you. Please consider them as your charity to support instead of "Autism Speaks".

I assure you, Autistics prefer to speak for themselves.

What do you Think?

(Relax, you don't need an account to voice an opinion! Just type it into the box and let it fly!)

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Autism Speaks is Evil! Autistics are People too!

The Outspoken Introvert says:

You know, I have personal experience with being told that I have an "illness" that "must be cured" (I have generalized anxiety, adult ADD, and I'm a self-diagnosed, as well as formerly-formally diagnosed Aspie), and frankly, I'm tired of that crap. A lot of autists can work really well and, with their focus, can do things really well. Think of Bill Gates and Satoshi Taijiri (the creator of Pokemon who, coincidentally, shares my lack of social tolerance and decreased need for sleep)! We don't need to be cured! Think of the Orwellian implications of a personality, a human being, getting cured of minor quirks! Doesn't it sound like a dystopian, Orwellian future?

Posted February 13, 2012

Sam Bianchi says:

You know, my cousin (who I am very close with) supports this "charity". Being the self-respecting aspie I am, I told him that he was lucky I didnt kick him square in the nuts for supporting them. Seriously people, us Aspies and Autistics are people too, think about it, if we didnt exist, would you have all of this great technology, wich is all around us? Serioulsy, think about it non-neurotypicals, where would you be without us?

Posted January 25, 2012

Robert Dole says:

Autism: The Eusocial Hominid Hypothesis

Abstract:

ASDs (autism spectrum disorders) are hypothesized as one of many adaptive human cognitive variations that have been maintained in modern populations via multiple genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Introgression from "archaic" hominids (adapted for less demanding social environments) is conjectured as the source of initial intraspecific heterogeneity because strict inclusive fitness does not adequately model the evolution of distinct, copy-number sensitive phenotypes within a freely reproducing population.

Evidence is given of divergent encephalization and brain organization in the Neanderthal (including a ~1520 cc cranial capacity, larger than that of modern humans) to explain the origin of the autism subgroup characterized by abnormal brain growth.

Autism and immune dysfunction are frequently comorbid. This supports an admixture model in light of the recent discovery that MHC alleles (genes linked to immune function, mate selection, neuronal "pruning," etc.) found in most modern human populations come from "archaic" hominids.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, differential fetal androgen exposure, lung abnormalities, and hypomethylation/CNV due to hybridization are also presented as evidence.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/74944514/

Posted January 18, 2012

.. says:

Ridiculous

Posted January 16, 2012

Joanne says:

It really bugs me in that one commercial with Dee Snyder and Gene Simmons they compare it to Cystic Fibrosis and two other disease (I forget) that are FATAL. Totally not the same thing, wrong thing to compare to.

Posted December 20, 2011

Smitty says:

I worked with autism speaks twice as a volunteer...hated it so bad I will never volunteer again I wont even try to donate again. I seen first hand how its money money then kids:( they claim to dump somuch money in to things but it dosnt benifit me or anyone I know or dont know ,does anybody know of someone that Autism speaks has helped personaly?

Posted December 19, 2011

BRONZE WHALER says:

We all have dreams, loves, hopes, and fears. I thought I noticed this crap going down in high school. Turns out it was much earlier, when I was LITTLE. I saw this DUMBASS commercial that mentioned a child with autism AND a car wreck in one sitting. I automatically KNEW that was a GOD DAMN LIE. What I managed to "piece" together sounded like carbon monoxide that just turned kids into vegetables that sat on the floor doing nothing. Sounds stupid, doesn't it?

Life is HARD as hell by itself, these dumb shits just broke the camel's back.

Posted December 17, 2011

MOM says:

These are 2 very extreme choices, I'm addressing both sides..
First, just because you have autism doesn't mean you get to speak for everyone diagnosed.There is obviously a spectrum.You were blessed to be an aspie,who can vocalize your thoughts and feelings. Second,you don't have an child yourself,so it's easy for you to condemn parent that can admit it's not all fun and games. I for one am NOT about a "cure". I am also not about to say that parents with low functioning children are "poor and pathetic" because they're only human and get discouraged because they literally ARE struggling: Emotionally and defiantly financially. Before you go name calling,you first have to walk in their shoes.You haven't! Okay,so if it's autism speaks you have a problem with,then address it.Not the parents. I'm sorry aspie's aren't more celebrated,but there are many other sides to autism. I say if you want to give money,you should donate locally,to your hospitals.Give your own communities funds for therapy,and research. .. I'm sorry if you feel offended,but the way to change peoples minds is not show the same kind of hatred,you MUST educate,and have a little understanding that not everyone will get it.

Posted December 14, 2011

lolabean says:

Wow, there are a lot of angry parents commenting on this article. I want to point out a fine distinction between parents of children and the mommies that seem so common, especially within Autism Speaks. Lots of parents are just trying to do their best to help their child, finder what is best for them, hoping their child will be able to grow up happy and healthy. Then there are the mommies who use their child's disability as a testament to their own strength and proof of how great a mother they are. This isn't limited to women, I have seen daddies too. You know the type: the woman who announces to everyone she sees in the grocery store that her daughter has autism or the parent who makes a big deal out of every little difference their child has. Don't get me wrong. My son has autism and I get tired and I sometimes wonder where the stim stops and his personality begins. But we try to keep his diagnosis on a need to know basis, untile he is ready to let people know what he is going through. I am not saying it is easy, but some parents make it more about themselves and not about what their child needs.

I think parents need to advocate for their children, but by all means step back when they grow into adults. There is no need for non autistic people to be running the show. Autism Speaks represents a viewpoint that I cannot get behind.

Also, to the sibling who posted on the site, I feel for you. I may not show your extreme viewpoints, but I resented my disabled brother when I was younger. It will work out. You will move out and become your own person. You may want to check into a sibling support group. Www.siblingsupport.org is a good one. I wish I knew about something like that when I was growing up.

Posted December 08, 2011

shelly m says:

Stop making my job harder. Advocating for an intelligent kid in a public school is already difficult today. Myths stereo typed fueled by money still ignorant people is wrong. I adore my son, now a teen, I accept the challenge I am a MOM! Damn it. Stop raising money in the name of my child's challenge unless you send me a f*cling check! There should be some royalty on this talent. You Assholes.

Posted November 14, 2011

z mom says:

My 5 year old son is non-verbal but he is loving and smart. being a mom is hard.My oldest is not on the Spectrum. I had to find out what works for both of them. I love both my kids and would never, never change them. I would change all the a-holes who fill they can judge my son. There is nothing wrong with how he is.

Posted November 12, 2011

Tara J. Marshall says:

I will be protesting Autism $peaks yet again. Their money leaves the community, and does not go to help the children. They consistently spend less than 4% of their money on services for Autistic children. That's in addition to the fact that they waste so much money on research whose primary purpose is to find genetic causes of Autism so fetuses with these genes can be aborted in advance. Only problem is, look at the twin studies, and the family studies on genetic. Twin studies show that 90% of identical twins will both be on the spectrum... but 30% of those IDENTICAL twins will be High Functioning Autistic/Asperger's, while their co-twin is severely affected. How about trying to figure out how that works, since obviously it must be EPIGENETIC, rather than simply genetic? And family studies show that the genetic "abnormalities" found in Autistics - mostly series of genetic deletions or additions - are also found in relatives who are NOT diagnosed with an ASD, but are gifted architects, engineers, computer programmers, and etc. So fine, kill us off... and you'll kill off a majority of potential Einsteins, Bill Gates, and so on. You'll make humanity that much poorer as a species.

And MOST Autistics are for interventions that will help our children speak. What, you thought we couldn't have them? Think again. About a quarter of the adults in a support group I run have children, some of them came to us after their children were diagnosed and the doctor was giving mom or dad "the eye" for Autism too. Obviously, we would be FOR research that was actually devoted to finding ways to help our children with communication, sensory processing disorder, GI problems, metabolic disorders, and so on. But that's not what Autism $peaks is spending their money on. To use an historical analogy, they want to take the nuclear option to the whole island of Japan so there's no need for a Marshall Plan. If the USA had done that, the charges of genocide and retribution would have left world maps looking significantly different than they do today. Open your eyes about Autism $peaks.

Posted October 29, 2011

Lemming13 says:

I have an autistic son, and I hate Autism Speaks too. Yes, sometimes it can be hard dealing with his problems but hell, what child doesn't have problems than can be tough? He and others like him don't need selfish, ignorant and self-pitying prats presenting them as burdens or monsters. I'm glad in the UK we have the National Autistic Society - the name may not be marketing friendly, but it makes sense and means something.

Posted October 21, 2011

We the People says:

Look at what is so great here...parents are reconnecting to children, slowing down, paying attention to their bodies, using a positive reinforcement program vs. consequences, letting the child take the lead, getting adults to play through play therapy, reducing false dependencies of vaccines, becoming more concerned for the environment, and on and on! The children are the salvation and hope we have waited for..corny as is seems, so true in my heart. They will lead us to a better time and place because of one simple fact, they are autistic and free enough from judgement just because they simply could give a rats behind if their purpose and path screws up your plans. This time around, they have no need to live in fear of not belonging to the group. We have been stuck here for too, in fear for survival in a box. Life does not live in a box, we are overcrowded and need to let go of things that no longer work, why do you think they spin things for us....they are showing you what life does...moves around and around..always evolving and regenerating to survive! The disability becomes the cure, duality is balanced. My son is my greatest teacher. He is five years old.

Posted October 15, 2011

We the People says:

One more thing, for those who aren't quite awake yet...there is nothing wrong with autistic other than the label factor. The mustard seeds have arrived!

Posted October 15, 2011

Think of the Children Parents! Those poor, pathetic Parents!

Gotha says:

i have the asperger syndrom we aspies are not evil either are we deamons or criminals im a freshmen and i am a inteligant person like aspies can be. i am happen to know about military history and think of commercials and think about making movies and books of my own. if people thinks that autistic kids and people are evil well who is the real evil one the one's who say this autistic kid is a deamon every body makes a sin even i do but yall don't know the asperger syndromes did and made more money than yall people saying there deamons.

Bill Gate creator of microsoft computers

albert einstein known for being one of the smartest people on earth

george washington 1st president of the united states

so people if you think they are evil cause of there behavier and the way the are of struggling through social life and going through hell in life. but we are intelligent we are humans and we are creative at things. like me i am planning on going to be a fighter jet pilot in the USAF and after 30 years im starting a beusines. thats all i have to say.

Posted January 27, 2012

Carrie Lau says:

I have a brother with that and were twins but I hate my brother. I dont think its fair I have to do all the work and my brother just eats all day and all of my friends say I should be nicer to him, but I just cannot take it anymore. For 12 years I did great things but my parents dont even care about my accomplishments, they just spend the whole day with my brother who is only 5 minutes older then me.And Im the one that has to carry 20 pounds everyday to school so why dont they care (its really 20 pounds-I weighed it)

CAN SOMEONE HELP-Should I be nicer to my brother ? Or just talk to my
parents about this and see if they will help

Posted January 23, 2012

sighing says:

I have an autistic brother, and all I can say is: I hate him. I hate him with a passion.

He knows right from wrong, he knows whats socially acceptable, and he knows how to act normal but he just....doesn't... have you ever gone outside with a socially retarded piss-smelling 12 year old before? I have, and do almost every day of my life. thank go I go to a different highschool than him.

I don't care what you say, I don't care what you think. I don;t hate him for his autism, I hate him for him. I hate all mentally retarded (actual term.) people who use their disability as a reason to act out of the ordinary, when they no whats right and wrong in a social environment.

I feel bad for parents everywhere to deal with this crap. I'm adopting when I'm older so I won't have to have a chance at having an autistic child. plus I'm gay so not like i'll be reproducing any ways.

Posted December 04, 2011

Not so poor and pathetic Mom says:

Poor, pathetic parents?? Really? I devote 24/7 to my children, both a NT and one on the spectrum, and wantin whatever may be best for them makes me a "poor pathetic parent"? You obviously are articulate and verbal to say you can speak for yourself... but my 4 yo non-verbal does not speak for himself, see, that's where this "poor, pathetic parent" comes in to play. I speak for him, like it or not. In your opinion, us "poor, pathetic parents" should allow autistics to speak for themselves, but how do you suggest a 4 yo nonverbal should go about that? You are poor and pathetic, for not finding a more constructive way of getting your point across. Should an adult who is mentally on a childs level be able to speak for themselves? Basing all decisions on a childs preference, rather than what is best for them? Or are they not blessed to have a "poor pathetic parent" help them with their decisions? You are quite offensive, and just as you did others, I am sure you will turn this around to something I have done wrong, but I will not care, as I will not be back to a site that has this outlook. You should thank God for your "poor pathetic parents" who raised you, looked out for you, loved you, did what they felt best for you, sacrificed for you. This is something parents do for all their children, not just their ones on the spectrum. Poor choice of words, poor poor choice of words.

Posted October 27, 2011

Thee Pie Man says:

Sorry for the double post. Just thought I'd tell people to ignore the admin stuff I posted it on facebook as "Autism isn't brain damage" people can ignore it

Posted October 20, 2011

Thee Pie Man says:

People like Autism speaks, and cure for autism are frauds...They claim to understand and sympathize. But they take what people see, and what parents complain about and turn it into a nice big lie, basically stating that apparently I am brain damaged for autistic children don't have the same brain patterns as Neurotypical children. Has anyone really even considered my autism? Did anyone ever ask "IS this how you feel, is this how an autistic feels?" NO They take the extremest cases, the parents that can't handle it and turn it into an argument that there need's to be a cure..that there needs to be a way to stop this "epidemic" for it's "spreading" I for one enjoy being autistic. Other then the social bad mouthing i get for what? not wanting to listen to stupid jerks that decide that I am not socially acceptable? To hear that I need to make eye contact? That I have to act like I am having a good morning if someone is saying hi or good morning. That I have to return the greeting? i am sick and tired of this kind of crap. My mom never let me look up this kind of stuff..not until i was sixteen..and then I started turning up these sights with these "poor, and dealing, struggling" parents with autistic children. I for one can look in the mirror and see that I am more then some brain damaged epidemic that apparently want to cure my disease that is spreading?
I for one go against all these things. There are some Autistic sites that are actually run by other Aspurger adults such as myself. I show my full support behind my Brother's and sisters of this "horrible suffering disease". Everything I have quoted was off of those sites in one way or another.

I am sick of it all. and I hope as my friends and any fellow Aspurger's out there. That we stick together. We pull through this insaneness we call society. They take so much time drilling us on proper social behavior, they don't second guess what they are doing is detrimental, degrading in the slightest for they are "trying to help" Trying to help us be social? Isn't the USA home of the free? I don't feel very free..especially back when I had to attend and if I didn't. I had to sit out of class half the time. Missing important information for assignments and I talk to my teachers? "to bad" basically is their reply, one or two maybe giving me the benefit of the doubt..but Social groups show me that I should be friendly with everyone, to be nice and not show my grimace, to not show my expressions anything society apparently feels unworthy? Why do Autistics get singled out? there's so many people that sit alone at tables. I guess their brains are to valuable to condition as I see it.

I appreciate everyone who stays or invites others. or asks to become admin so they can do so ^_^ Thank you for your time if you read all this and for understanding the crazy crap that's going on without much notice..

Posted October 20, 2011

X says:

Adding onto Gabe's comment: It was eugenics that started Word War II, but they don't tell you that in history class.

Posted October 12, 2011

Sharron says:

I have to say that Autism Speaks has done some good for autism. As a mother of a son with wautism, and as a nruse I do feel that Autism Speaks and the National autism organizations are not doing enough to help people with autism, or their parents. We shiould never, I mean never hear of parents killing their kids because are autistic, or about autistic children getting lost.
My goal with Optimal healthcare Solutions is to help parents with everyday issues related to autism.

Posted August 19, 2011

sebastian says:

Evil?!!! Is that how you think of autistic children!!!!
I also wont come to this site if you talk about autistic kids that way

Posted April 08, 2011

FrankChapman says:

Pay no attention to the cat on my head. I have autism. I except it. It seems to be a greater problem for everyone else.

Posted March 30, 2011

kris says:

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether it be the parents or the auties themselves. I have natural triplets, all three are on the Spectrum - I wouldn't know them any other way. They are funny, eccentric, smart and loving, I am lucky to have them. Do I get frustrated at times? Sure. Do I wish they were without disabilities? At times, yes...but I don't think they notice or care as much as everyone else does. I think the word "cure" is up to ones interpretation. To me, the word "cure" symbolizes - answers. I want to know what collection of issues causes autism, no matter how many (vaccines, pesticides, pollutions, genetics, etc, etc,) . I also think that some just want something to fight or disagree with, this site is one of them. With every epidemic - someone milks the victims with over priced therapies/treatments, insurances deny the needed medical attention, groups advocate for answers and self proclaimed martyrs find fault in all of it.

Posted February 09, 2011

Anonymous says:

Hey ass pies/ass burgers, you mad?

Posted December 26, 2010

JigsawForte says:

@Angela:

You seem very frustrated in general, and I imagine your son is much the same way if he is causing you this much grief. Surely you understand that not all parents with Autistic children are exactly like yourself, the same way your son is not like every other Autistic child. I apologize if the statement that Autistic children are often harmed by the same people who claim to be helping them bothers you -- strangely, you seem to echo my sentiment more than you think, especially in pointing out the school system's treatment of your child.

... That said, please seek some form of additional assistance / a second opinion on your home environment and your current treatment for your son immediately. Autism does not make people "attack" other people and do horrible things to them. If your son is lashing out at his environment / family, there must be an irritant within the house that is causing him significant trauma. It could be a bad odor, it could be the lighting (especially if it's fluorescent lighting vs. incandescent), it could be the music or a particular high-pitched noise made by a device your daughter regularly uses...

These may seem like minor details, but for an Autistic person who is especially sensitive to certain stimuli, they can be torture.

Ask your son what it is about his environment / sister that bothers him, or if this is not possible, observe his behavior to see what things he actively tries to avoid or seek out -- even if these are not directly correlated to his behavior / attacks, you may be able to figure out which sensory inputs he responds to and alter his environments accordingly. Your son will be happier for it, and I imagine that will make you happier as well.

Posted July 28, 2009

Angela says:

wow. I really think you are being a bit tough on parents here. I myself am the parent of a wonderful bright son who happens to have Aspergers. I have no desire to change him and although I may make mistakes sometimes (as EVERY parent on EARTH makes because we are HUMAN too and ALL humans make mistakes) I DO think of my son first. Just because I want for him to have proper help in school because he was not functioning or learning and becoming EXTREMELY frustrated with teachers trying to force him to learn in a way he simply did not understand does NOT make me a demon, and just because my heart breaks FOR my son everytime he runs to his room and screams to me that he is lonely and just wishes he could know how to make friends does NOT make me a "poor pathetic parent!" It makes me a mother who LOVES her child with every fiber of her being and just wished that he didn't have to hurt! That is what you are seeing when you see parents so desperate. it isn't that they didn't get the child they wanted...it is that they LOVE their child and any GOOD parent who loves their child and sees them having any form of difficulty and ESPECIALLY any form of pain will be desperate to take that pain away from her child! How DARE you turn a parent's love and concern and quite frankly frustration...not just at a child who is having a meltdown and peeing on himself in the middle of walmart because some alarm went off, but also the frustration that a parent has to go through dealing with the finincial responsibilities, wondering how on earth they are going to be able to hold it all together FOR their child who needs them. How DARE you turn a parent's concern and LOVE for their children into something selfish and wicked! You should be ASHAMED of yourself! Yes, I am aware that because of so many people's ignorance that my SON is the one who bares the burden of people trying to speak for him...but how dare you act as though parent's aren't going through this as well!!!! 2 years ago my son who was only 7 at the time was placed in a MENTAL hospital via his own SCHOOL because his teacher kept trying to make him do work in a way he didn't understand, he had a HUGE meltdown, ended up at the ER where they sent him to the state mental hospital for one week. During that time we were only allowed to see him once and we honestly didn't know WHEN we would ever see our child again or what horrible things were being done to him. We had to hire an attorney just to get him out! Do you SERIOUSLY think for one second that we had NO emotional envolvment in that situation?!?!?! Do you not think we were FURIOUS over how he was treated and felt completely out of control and helpless?!?! Do you SERIOUSLY think that the event I just spoke of didn't effect US as PARENTS in ANY WAY AT ALL?!?! Well then...you are...INSANE!!! How dare you act like autism doesn't have an overwhelming effect on the parents...or how about my daughter who has had to deal with all sorts of horrible things that her brother has done to her BECAUSE of his autism?!? Do you think her life hasn't been directly effected?!
I can assure you of one thing...you CERTAINLY aren't going to gather as many supports for your organization as you would like simply because of how utterly narrow minded you obviously are and how horribly cruel your ridiculous statements are! Do you not ralize that when you put down innocent people and attack people with your words the way you have on here that you might be doing some damage to your own cause?!

Posted July 28, 2009

spirituality says:

I don't know the organisation 'autism speaks' well enough to know whether they are evil. The parents should get support in dealing with autistic children (and adults) - and wining may to some extent be part of THEIR healing process. After all - even if you love your kid, you would not have wanted it to turn out autistic.

It does sound like funding should be directed more to actual help than to research on featuses.

BTW: the non-verbal autistics ARE actually the majority. The smart asperger type is a minority amongst autistic people. Not saying they don't need help, just that - they don't represent autism.

Posted August 10, 2008

 
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Think Autism Speaks has Changed?

Think again - New Video, "I Am Autism", is More of the Same!

Earlier this year, Autism Speaks asked for several family-submitted clips of autistic individuals and their families for a video designed to "shine a spotlight" on Autism.

... And then here's what they did with the clips.

Would YOU want yourself or your children associated with this kind of propaganda? Would you have submitted clips to these people if you knew they were going to do THIS with them?
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As an individual with Autism (and an inspiration on several levels), Temple Grandin's story is a must read!

Five Things Autism Speaks Must Do Before I'll Support Them

(Like that'll ever happen.)

  1. Stop referring to Autism as a "horrible burden". Okay, we get it, you're mostly made up of pissed-off parents. Stop giving 'em what they want to hear and start telling them "Okay, so your kids are Autistic. Are you going to help them become all they can be regardless of whatever difficulties they have, or are you going to sit here and whine about it?"
  2. Drop the 'Cure or Nothing' Attitude. Among Autistics, there is a special name for this -- a curebie -- that is basically a slur against folk who think that you can magically "remove" the Autism and find a healthy, normal person underneath. It doesn't work that way. The autism spectrum is a behavorial and sensory amalgamation of traits and quirks, and to remove those and replace them with "Non-Autistic" traits and quirks just isn't going to happen. And even if it could, it would basically be brainwashing on the most horrific scale you could think of.
  3. Recognize that Autistics who are articulate, verbal, and intelligent need help too. Autism Speaks defines a very narrow band of autism; namely, the one where a child seems to have been replaced by a "little demon" who can't speak, can't function, and is doomed to life sweeping floors for a living. Yes, there is a name for the smart, savvy kind of Autistic; it's called Asperger's Syndrome. That doesn't mean they have it any easier, and it certainly doesn't mean they're the 'cured' kind of Autistic.
  4. Start supporting Autistics that need the funding. In today's health care crisis, Autism is not funded by any major insurance companies. All treatments at this point are untested, unfounded, and costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide one-on-one learning, personal assistants, equipment that can stand up to abuse, not to mention whatever various medications these parents are testing out. If the money Autism Speaks spent on research and dissecting dead brain tissue -- to try and find a neonatal test they could apply in order to "filter out" Autistic fetuses -- were spent cushioning the costs of all these treatments and expenses, families would be a whole lot better off for it.
  5. Quit threatening lawsuits against everyone who so much uses the name "Autism Speaks" to criticize you! Okay, really now: threatening legal action against Autistic people who you KNOW aren't as socially (let alone legally) savvy enough to stand up to you otherwise? What's up with that? The only other group I know of that reacts even close to the same way when their name is brought up is the Church of Scientology. Now who wants to be associated with a money-grubbing, closely-guarded organization who refuses to listen to Psychiatrists and allows Autistics to rot on the vine without any treatment? ... Wait, which group was I talking about again?

The Dan Marino Foundation

A Charity that gets it Right!

The Dan Marino Foundation focuses on adult services, recognizing that chidren with Autism grow up to become adults with Autism, and as such donations go to treatment options, helping Autistic individuals seek employment, self-sufficiency, and enriching their lives!

... which, y'know, is what people living with Autism actually need, instead of endless fundraisers for "awareness" and long-term research.

Still, if you're looking for a good Autism-based charity that's a solid alternative to Autism Speaks, the Dan Marino Foundation is a solid choice!

Think Vaccines Cause Autism?

Think Again! MMR Doctor fudges results to fake link between vaccines and autism!

Check Out the Aspergers LJ Community!

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Proof Autism Speaks is No Good

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Karen McCarron - Did she Kill her Autistic Daughter thanks to Autism Speaks?

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Autism Speaks - Autism Politics, Activism, and Media Representation

Wrong Planet - Aspergers and Autism Community0 points

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AspieWeb Being Bullied By Autism Speaks | AspieWeb.net

I just received a legal notice from the big bad b more...0 points

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Kids Can Change The World!

Sometimes, kids think they're too small or too you more...0 points

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Eviction Defense

Don't Walk Yet Eviction Defense Service offers a u more...0 points

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Micrognathia

The fact that you are in this website means that y more...0 points

Proof Autism Speaks is . . . Mostly Harmless?

Disagree? Put your money where your mouth is and show us why.

Post links that point out why you think I'm wrong.

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Autism Speaks announces multinational initiative

Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy more...1 point

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Ex-Casino Online Roulette programmer reveals his winning roulette system

Ex-Casino programme writer breaks his silence
on how more...1 point

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The No Nonsense Muscle Building Review for You

No Nonsense Muscle Building is the #1 selling musc more...1 point

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Diet, Health, and Nutrition Resources | Canandaigua Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog

Here are links to diet, health, and nutrition reso more...1 point

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Chiropractic, Health & Wellness Link Partners | Canandaigua Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog

Find lots of resources with our Chiropractic, Heal more...1 point

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Health, Nutrition And Exercise | Canandaigua Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog

Health related articles, such as exercise, diet, f more...1 point

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Books on Autism from Amazon!

(Note -- I'm not always sure which books on Autism are the best to provide. if you think any of the books listed below are offensive to Autistics, speak up so I can replace them with a more worthy book!)
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  • Reply
    yourfriendlyneighborhoodautismman Jan 8, 2012 @ 12:41 pm | delete
    Mark Rothmyr, the president of Autism Speaks makes $390,000.00 per year. Peter Bell makes $260,000.00, Geri Dawson Makes $456,000.00, Tom Hetzel makes $183,000.00, Patrick Kemp makes $227,000.00. The list goes on!!! Have you ever looked these people up online?? Look up their names! These are a bunch of bandits and thieves in the night preying on the hopes and dreams of others to finance their lavish lifestyle. Go to page 63 & 64 of this link: http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/990s/2010_tax_form_990.pdf
  • Reply
    DominicWoodfield Nov 11, 2011 @ 11:06 am | delete
    nice lens :) i wrote this article the other day about the difficulties of diagnosing autism: have a look if you're interested!
    http://www.squidoo.com/doctors-and-diagnosing-autism
  • Reply
    SIALicenceUK Nov 4, 2011 @ 7:24 am | delete
    Great lens very informative. Thumbs Up
  • Reply
    mysticmama Sep 12, 2011 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    AQutism Speaks must be stopped! They are horrible & treat people with Autism like they are monsters rather than people ~ Please people do not give Autism Speaks any money or support, there are much better Autism organizations out there.
  • Reply
    nuestraherencia Jun 16, 2011 @ 2:45 am | delete
    Thanks for writing this. Everytime an autistic speaks out, it helps ALL autistic children...much more than the "poor me" syndrome, let's get free this and free that which many parents who support Autism Speaks want...In their search to make people feel compassion for THEM, they are truly harming their children by making other people believe that having autism is the worse thing that can happen to any human being...sigh...Sorry, my pet peeve. I am so thankful that my son is awesome & autistic and the people whom I credit are the people from wrongplanet, not Autism Speaks.
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