I've heard two completely different sides:

One from a mother with two autistic sons who raves about AutismSpeaks.org

Then there are others (http://www.youtube.com/user/christschool) who don't seem to like what AutismSpeaks.org believes in.

I'm just not sure why.

Thanks!

I'm not going to hold back here.. there is some strong content in this posting...so fasten your seatbelt.


Many autistics view autism as a difference and not a disorder. For some this is true, and I think for others it is very much a disorder. It varies a lot.

A lot of autistics hold autismspeaks.org in disdain. I think it is mostly because some feel that they depict autism in a way that is a bit exploitive for the purpose of fundraising.

Furthermore, a lot of autistics don't want to be "cured" they DO want to be understood and they do want to be empowered to live happy productive lives.... I think that some autistics simply view autismspeaks.org as counter to those views..

Also,people with autism are concerned about issues like employment, civil rights, abuse, social issues, etc... People with autism often need help with these issues and a lot more and a lot of them are not getting it, so in the face of that "curing" autism is a bit cynical, does not do a thing for anyone while the implications of current diagnostic trends read more like "exterminate autistics in the womb" than "cure autism now".

How would you feel if someone wanted to eradicate your kind and deprive you of your civil rights ?

Now, if someone launched an "empower autistics" campaign it might get somewhere...


Me :D

I've heard two completely different sides:

One from a mother with two autistic sons who raves about AutismSpeaks.org

Then there are others (http://www.youtube.com/user/christschool) who don't seem to like what AutismSpeaks.org believes in.

I'm just not sure why.

Thanks!

That makes sense. Neurotypicals are generally not interested in the rights of those that are "different", if they are going to remain that way.

Now, if someone launched an "empower autistics" campaign it might get somewhere...


Me :DConsidering the increase in numbers of people with Autism, this would be a good idea and soon.

Yes, there are a few radical autistics who have a very strong dislike for neurotypicals... The view being that neurotypicals lie, are cruel, and are incapable of running the world sanely...

and yes, NT's don't grok anything "different".

Me :D

Yes, the sooner, the better.

Me :D

Considering the increase in numbers of people with Autism, this would be a good idea and soon.

I agree 100% with you Speedo....what you've said sounds about right!! I've read a lot of forums and all someone with ASD wants is understanding and I oppose strongly against "exterminating autistics in the womb" and I even question some of the so called "therapies" they have to go through in order to be at least half "normal" if not "cured" and many autistics have stated that they didn't enjoy any of those so called "therapies" and many of them have also stated that they don't want to be treated or "cured" and as far as I'm concerned that's their right of choice and NOBODY has any right to take that from them at all!!....these people are human beings who happen to be "different" but they have feelings, hopes, dreams and thoughts just like everyone else and I'm not a fan of sites like autismspeaks.org and the like.

As you've also said people view Autism differently but the general findings are that most autistics are happy with the way they are and they should be left alone!!

I think there should be a campaign to empower anyone whose neurodiverse and there does come a time where it should be accepted! I mean let's face it the world would be a hell of a boring place if everyone was neurotypical....while I don't especially hate NT's, in fact I'm not a person to hate anyone...it's too harsh a word but I'll admit I'm not a real fan of NTer's either.

A while ago I was considering doing the Dore program along in order to "cure" myself of my ADHD and I decided against it for various reasons and one of those main reasons was that if I was to be supposedly "cured" of my ADHD I would also lose myself and I realised that I wanted to be treated to tone my symptoms down NOT "cured" and ADHD's pretty much a part of who I am although there's more to me than just ADHD....and besides I really don't believe that conditions like ADHD, Autism etc etc can be "cured" anyway!

The bottom line is EVERYONE has a right to live in this world and it shouldn't be about depriving anyone of their civil right's in anyway!

Selena:)
I'm not going to hold back here.. there is some strong content in this posting...so fasten your seatbelt.


Many autistics view autism as a difference and not a disorder. For some this is true, and I think for others it is very much a disorder. It varies a lot.

A lot of autistics hold autismspeaks.org in disdain. I think it is mostly because some feel that they depict autism in a way that is a bit exploitive for the purpose of fundraising.

Furthermore, a lot of autistics don't want to be "cured" they DO want to be understood and they do want to be empowered to live happy productive lives.... I think that some autistics simply view autismspeaks.org as counter to those views..

Also,people with autism are concerned about issues like employment, civil rights, abuse, social issues, etc... People with autism often need help with these issues and a lot more and a lot of them are not getting it, so in the face of that "curing" autism is a bit cynical, does not do a thing for anyone while the implications of current diagnostic trends read more like "exterminate autistics in the womb" than "cure autism now".

How would you feel if someone wanted to eradicate your kind and deprive you of your civil rights ?

Now, if someone launched an "empower autistics" campaign it might get somewhere...


Me :D

Selena,
Thank you for that perspective. It is quite clear that you've studied this much more than I have. I would really appreciate it if you could help me understand a little bit more...

I've read a lot of forums and all someone with ASD wants is understanding ...

It seems as if the only "different" people who receive understanding from the NT's are those with permanent physical disabilities as well as those who grew up in poverty and pulled themselves out of it.

Why do you think the NT's are having such a hard time with autistic people who don't want to be half/cured, who want to be understood just the way they are?

Thanks!

I think part of the problem is that people look at ASD as a disease, and as such it needs to be cured. It's no different then cancer, or a cold. They can't understand how someone wouldn't want to be cured, and then be (more) normal. It's along the same vein as members of the deaf community being upset about coccular imlants that allow people to hear. They view it as destroying the deaf culture.

I'm of two minds about the whole thing. I can see how after spending a lifetime of adjusting to fit into society, doing it on your own, and doing it well you can see it as an insult to say, "You're sick, you need to be cured to be better." On the other hand, I think it's just as wrong to tell those that may want to be cured that they are wrong for wanting to fit in better, and that they are destroying a culture, or are tratiors to the cause.

The other problem is that with such a range it's impossible to fit everyone into the same mold. There are people who are in the severe end of autism that they will never be able to make it through life without help, all the way through to the other end where it's hardly a blip on the radar, and you may never know that the person falls into the ASD at all. With those differences how can anyone make a blanket statement that a cure is good or bad?

I have a step-grandfather with suspected Aspergers and he's happy with his life! and I've known people with ASD and most have said that they like being "different"...yes most have had a hard time in their younger years particularly in school life but most have grown to like and accept who they are and have gone on to live happy and productive lives so not everyone views Autism or Aspergers as a disorder or a disease.

I'm not an NT so I wouldn't know exactly why they have difficulties in understanding the Autistic way but the impression I get is that a lot of NT's want the Autistic to be "normal" and they don't seem to want a world with too much "difference"... for example look at how the some white people treated black people in the old days? (no political or racist views were intended here)

You are also quiet correct when you say that NT's are very sympathetic and understanding of those with physical disabilities and the poor...maybe those situations are easier to understand?!

I have ADHD and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder) and a possible Mood Disorder and I know what it's like to be misunderstood and for a long time I would've accepted a "cure" but now that I've educated myself and seen what good having this difference can bring I personally wouldn't ever want a "cure" and I'd happily tell anyone who offered a "cure" to me where to shove it!

There are lots of books, websites and forums written and operated by those with ASD....do a search on Google, Yahoo and MSN and you'll find some really good ones.

Selena:)

Selena,
Thank you for that perspective. It is quite clear that you've studied this much more than I have. I would really appreciate it if you could help me understand a little bit more...

I've read a lot of forums and all someone with ASD wants is understanding ...

It seems as if the only "different" people who receive understanding from the NT's are those with permanent physical disabilities as well as those who grew up in poverty and pulled themselves out of it.

Why do you think the NT's are having such a hard time with autistic people who don't want to be half/cured, who want to be understood just the way they are?

Thanks!