Questioning Autism Speaks

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Questioning Autism Speaks

lost-in-norn-iron:

duyukdv:

aspergersissues:

This is exactly my reasoning.

I can’t help but be reminded again of someone I know online who found out within the past couple of years that she has another, less politicized disability. (I wish I could link to one of her posts about the differences between that disability community and the fractured autism-related ones, but it’s locked.) But, adults with that disability and the parents of kids who also have it can get along and share the same organization(s). Parents are interested in finding out what has actually worked for adults who have experience dealing with the same challenges. Nobody’s insisting that the adults are Not Like My Child so should STFU—and the organizations aren’t encouraging this approach.

Yeah, that’s pretty much how things should work, without all the freaky ideology getting in the way. As it is, part of one comment is unfortunately spot-on:

You’re the equivalent of a charity saying that they are the voice of Queer community but they spend their money on research to cure homosexuality and have ads turning queer folks into tragic idioms, shallow golems to produce pity from uneducated audiences. As well as have all straight and cisgendered Directors saying that they speak for the Queer community.

You know, I have connected online with a few very awesome parents of autistic children who are equally opposed to Autism Speaks. The problem is that these parents aren’t organized as a group, and honestly most of them have far too much to do just trying to survive and help their children thrive in a hostile world to organize.

These parents aren’t celebrities or media-types as so many Autism Speaks parents (and grandparents) are.

Yes, exactly. I have also run across quite a few parents and other relatives who fit that description. They’re just not as organized, and I think there’s also an element of “let’s get along and look at how we can really help people” not attracting nearly as much attention as more confrontational approaches.