Autism Speaks is one of the many organizations that is funding research into prenatal testing for autism spectrum disorders, with the hopes of being able to terminate or not even begin pregnancies in which the child is ‘at risk’ for developing autism. I don't think of those words as being hateful, they apply to me at certain times and I often believe they apply to the decisions and structures imposed by many institutions. The only way to avoid this potential consequence of the loss of dignity of humanity for these individuals, is to avoid the use of the language, and certainly not to recommend it as acceptable. The medical model of ableism has been used by renowned nonprofit organizations such as Autism Speaks. As promised, here are 20 reasons why Autism Speaks is an ableist hate group. I’m not trying to “fix” my son, therapy is here to (This is the exact language they use. — sia (@Sia) November 20, 2020. Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by allistic (non-autistic) couple Suzanne and Bob Wright, grandparents of an autistic child. They use the word “burden”. Until 2019, they only had one token Autistic person on an advisory board. Autism Speaks’ “awareness” campaigns used to urge parents to NOT vaccinate their children. As promised, here are 20 reasons why Autism Speaks is an ableist hate group. Autism Speaks (abbreviated to AS or sometimes A$) is a highly controversial organization, run by non-autistic people, that seeks to eliminate autism. Here to talk about autism and anything else that comes up. As the parent of a child with autism and another with bipolar disorder, I thank you for this post! Ableist Language . ( Log Out / It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and his wife Suzanne, a year after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism. Most of you know that Google Cloud is working with Autism Speaks to gather and track autistic DNA. Eugenics is a No. And it’s not just that Music is an autistic character played by a non-autistic actor; she’s a nonspeaking character. "gone nuts"). "(from http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/12/ableist-word-profile-lame/) 2) On somewhat the opposite side, there is this quote:"While I don't generally see a problem with changing language to be more inclusive, "absurd" and "crazy" pretty clearly aren't interchangeable. Working off of the film’s trailers and the fact that Affleck and O’Connor had received positive feedback from Autism Speaks… She said this right in front of her Autistic daughter. Ableism can be understood as use of language that may be disparaging to people with disabilities, ... One high-profile example is Autism Speaks, a group that demonizes autistic people while showing sympathy and pity for parents of autistic children. I have been told by friends and family with Autism that AS is not a positive organization, and that their opinions and the information that they share is extremely troubling and ableist. But the things they said about autistic people, while I and another autistic adult were sitting right there in the room, were absolutely ableist and generally terrible to hear. That is why I was chastising the poster at LBRB who was complaining that autistics are not mentally ill, therefore that is the only reason it is wrong for Morning Joe to say what he said. This type of attitude and language can affect individuals with mental illnesses the same way similar language affects people on the spectrum. a person with an intellectual disability. Looking for more resources, my professional stuff, or info on speaking/booking me? You want to fade the less functional behaviors away to give them a better shot in life. We avoid Autism Speaks as much as we possibly can, but it’s literally unavoidable the entire month of April. Autism is a way of being. It is, © COPYRIGHT 2011–2020. Autism Speaks is PHENOMENAL at it!” I will say this: it is easy to be “phenomenal” at fundraising and branding when your fundraising budget is 9 million dollars, which is what Autism Speaks spent in 2017. Because the former is hurting me.Although other people with mental illnesses as well as other people with autism might feel different, so that distinction probably doesn't work very well for everyone.Just... a lot of autistics are, actually, also part of "those people". The point is not that "mental illness" is different from "developmental disability." Not all individuals, but certainly many, including many on the spectrum.R/Kate. We're not like, "It wasn't an autistic person who would commit mass murder. (Note that I also don't publish every comment, since this is my personal blog.) Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. These organizations use charity in order to “assist” those who have autism and gain profits for researching a cure. Use the sitemap. If you've been told--and I know many of you have been told repeatedly because I was the one who told you--that your language is ableist, then you need to stop using it. Autism speaks supports human genocide, they don't support autism acceptance. In this video, I discuss my personal feelings regarding Autism Speaks and discuss some of the controversies they have faced over the years. Wrote another user, @mysicksadlife, “Had she talked to like, 3 or 4 autistic people, we’d have told her [Autism Speaks] is ableist and wants us fixed or dead.” You can disagree, I’m ok with that. My daughter is just as hurt by uneducated remarks about a criminal's likely mental health issues as my son is about such references regarding autism. You are NOT benefiting yourself or any of the people whom you claim to represent or on whose behalf you claim to advocate because the language that you are using is directly contributing to attitudinal and societal barriers to equality, access, and opportunity for millions of people with mental or psychiatric disabilities. I can only hope this was a coincidence. Health Details: As promised, here are 20 reasons why Autism Speaks is an ableist hate group.Content/trigger warning: filicide, ableism, eugenics Autism Speaks presents autism as a disease and/or series of deficits, not a neurodevelopmental disability. "The trouble is that once you see it, you can't unsee it. — Arundhati Roy. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE STATED. A lot of my friends say I don't have a sense of humor if I can't appreciate them, but a lot of my other friends picketed the place when it opened.Now gimme my M&Ms for reinforcement! ", It comes not merely from Autistics and non-Autistic parents and professionals and researchers but also from Autistics and non-Autistic parents and professionals and researchers who are. They’ve asked the question of their ‘autism … Autism Speaks Inc. (AS) is the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States. In Nazi Germany those with disabilities were targeted for extermination due to being seen as biologically inferior and a threat to the building of a "genetically superior" race. And it's absolutely disgusting when this type of ableism comes from the mouths of those who, of all people, ought to know better. But using ableist language to attack those things is full of such irony and hypocrisy that it's incomprehensible. Many defined/described diseases, illnesses and disorders are legally identified and defined as disabilities, per US code that enforces the American's with disabilities act, including Autism Spectrum disorders.If you don't live in the US, this may not be applicable, by technical legal standard, but it is in the US.The legal definition of Autism per disability per US code/legal description is a medical one per limits in brain function. But using ableist language to attack those things is full of such irony and hypocrisy that it's incomprehensible. It is. http://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Autism_Speaks_Flyer.pdf, And of course, I must always mention goldenheartedrose’s master post on why Autism Speaks is reprefuckinghensible. For that it's right Autism Speaks is ableist. Trigger Warning: Autism Speaks, discussion of Ableism and ableist manifestations in the media We’ve been doing a lot of hiring the past month in preparation for the summer, and it’s been nice getting to know the new workers. I’m not sure about that, though, because I’ve never seen anything from Autism Speaks regarding Autistic adults…wait…. Is there another word that means what Greta has defined "crazy" as (ie. Ableism, as a reminder, is the discrimination against disabled people in favour of those who are “able-bodied.” Ableism, like racism or sexism, occurs on the individual level (e.g. I would actually argue that ASAN are BETTER … That would be "a lot of autistics", plural, thanks to autocorrect and not being able to edit the comment. Archived. Hi! There’s so many able-bodied, neurotypical people writing about us, talking about us, making academic papers on us that are often completely inaccessible – for example, Autism Speaks, unfortunately the largest autism organization in the US, is by and large led by neurotypicals. The definition of disability per the ideology of neurodiversity/social model of disability, is one per the limits of society in providing accommodations, as disability is a natural part of life.So one can be identified by law as having Autism as a disability of limits in brain function, per legal/medical definition/description in the US, or identify themselves as Autistic with a disability that is a natural part of life limited by accommodations provided in society per the neurodiversity/social model of disability, or as in your case one can self identify as not disabled if they choose to.And finally one can choose to take offense at the different ways it is viewed when in opposition to those viewpoints. Many participants are holding cameras, video, recorders, or phones. Sia has been accused of ableism for casting Maddie Ziegler as a teenager with non-verbal autism in her feature film debut. 76. I am just as happy to say "that assessment was nuts" or "you behaved like a crazy person last night" as I am saying "Hi I'm Hannah, sometimes I'm insane, medical records verify that" What am I missing? "For insulting people's intelligence: Unintelligent Ignorant Ignoramus Asinine Insipid"Any idea of the credibility of insulting intelligence, in a fuller autism community that is comprised of approximately 38% of individuals with intellectual disability, is unsettling to me, as I have seen this happen over and over again when those with obvious learning difficulties on the spectrum attempt to provide a point of view, in an online community, and are not accepted when there is a stereotype expressed, that it is a given that people on the spectrum must have perfect grammar and spelling skills in interacting on the internet, as well as understanding nuances of social interaction, and in addition a wide range of expertise of knowledge on various topics.What this can lead to are the ableist comments of asinine, ignorant, ignoramus, unintelligent, or insipid for those that do not meet elite standards. Using Offensive Language. There is no innocence. Suzanne created the Autism Speaks logo as the blue puzzle piece as it was intended to “reflect how … That's the connotation of the term when used that way. I've learned as much or more from the "common folk" than I have learned from those that profess or indicate intellectual superiority.Not everyone on the spectrum meets University Standards, nor should they be expected to meet them, when online communities may be their only potential for connection with the world.Perhaps I can see both sides of the issue as my difficulties with verbal abilities were ridiculed with these words of ableism through the course of my lifetime, whereas I was praised for making good grades on multiple choice tests, that are not always part of success in the real world.I cannot imagine personally using these words that potentially degrade the dignity of humanity of another individual, in a community where there are people that do have learning disabilities, nor would I use them in real life among those that profess or suggest "intellectual superiority" because personal attacks do not lead to constructive results in communication.I think it is a potential mistake to suggest that this it is acceptable to insult intelligence or use these terms that can be perceived as ableist terms, for those that may not be as intellectually gifted as others. You can use it that way, but the reason the word is used to describe drunk people is because "they are acting like a stupid person," i.e. When Sia was called out on this, she doubled down on her extremely ableist and euphemistic rhetoric instead of taking any accountability whatsoever. People on twitter further mention that it is not just the casting of an able bodied person that makes this film problematic, she is working with an organisation called ‘Autism speaks’. I don't believe in vilifying people who aren't aware (yet) of their privilege and who don't have malicious intent when they use ableist language that denigrates people with mental or psychiatric disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities. In 2015, Sesame Street announced they were introducing a new character with autism named Julia. It’s all over twitter. If portrayals of autism onscreen are rare, portrayals of nonspeaking and non- or semi-nonverbal autistic characters are far rarer and those that exist, like Life, Animated (2016) tend to be infantilizing and stigmatizing. They've a history of harassing and taking legal action against Autistic people too. It’s with ample reason that I refer to that ableist institution which masquerades as a “charity” as “Autism Speaks-for-itself.” I offer into evidence a recent spat between one of the daughters of its founder and Neurodivergent Rebel . when we get insulted or ignored in conversation because of how we speak) as well as at the structural level (e.g. Autism Speaks is Everywhere. ", "People who want to give their kids bleach enemas are just nuts. I’m confident in my opinion on this. Powered by. Stupid means "in a stupor," that is, having an intellectual disability. "People who want to give their kids bleach enemas are just nuts. Autism Speaks Is a Hate Group. I do not warrant that access to this website and its contents will be uninterrupted or error free, nor do I make any warranty as to the results that may be obtained from the use of this website and its contents, or as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or contents of any content, information, material, postings, or posting responses found on this website or any links to other sites made available on the website. Hans Asperger, for whom Asperger's syndrome is named, concluded that the hyperfocused nature of his patients meant some were worth keeping around for the rest of society to use as drones o… People with a bad track record are being creepy for a more homogenous humanity. They are simply considered ableist (the way that referring to a woman as emotionally fragile is sexist, but not a slur). http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/05/19/336513/-An-Autistic-Speaks-About-Autism-Speaks While discrimination is part of ableism so is stereotyping mass murders as psychopaths, psychotics or autistic. Additionally, in 2016, a study was released, by Ruderman White Paper, that stated 95% of characters with disabilities are played by able bodied actors . Nuts is used to describe people with mental illness or mental or psychiatric disabilities (i.e. I generally like them, and they seem to generally like me, some in spite of, others because… When asked if she was bothered by Zeta Tau x Autism Speaks, UNCA student Cailey McGinn said, “While I wouldn’t label the individuals in AXID ableist, it’s still troubling that they are in connection with Autism Speaks. And it's fine to acknowledge that. If not for Autism Speaks, more money would be donated to REAL autism charities like ASAN and AWN. Is the autism puzzle piece ableist? When in April, this was brought to Sia’s attention she said “ I will look into it further ”, however she went ahead with their contributions and stated that “ I had no idea it was such a polarising group! Believing in neurodiversity whilst insisting that all Autism is a disability is bad faith.Ableism is when you insult people for using a wheelchair or deny a man a job because they have ADHD. And I feel like the assumption is that people who use ableist language like "crazy" don't actually have mental health issues themselves, when the reality is that a lot of us are self-hating, unaware, or just don't care. This “charity” was called Cure Autism Now. The spectrum is a range of symptoms that an autistic person can obtain; one autistic person will not be similar to another. Close to half of 102 of rampage killers studied in research done in the year 2000 were diagnosed with a mental disorder, but that is not a suggestion that the mental disorders were a direct causation associated with the mass murder. Autism Speaks leadership is not Autistic and they run adds that don’t accurately portrays autism. There's no normal child hidden behind the autism. I strongly disprefer fully republished posts, but am not opposed in principle. society is set up in such a way as to disadvantage us and privilege those who speak … I AM FUCKING TRIGGERED RIGHT NOW. "Dude you have to come, their nachos are insaaane, perfect prelude to the crazy good Blue Man Group." First and foremost, she has partnered with Autism Speaks(AS). Autism is good, and people who want to help people with autism are ableist. questioned as to why they dare associate with Autism Speaks. I’m not telling her how to feel. Close. Somebody with a mental age of three and who acts it isn't stupid, but a sixteen-year-old of average intelligence who does things someone half his age would know not to do is. But what message is this sending to Autistic people? If you talk like that, you're being ableistic against people with mental illnesses and you're also alienating autistics with mental illnesses. April is the month when a world that already characterizes autistic people as dangerous, incapable children musters all of its remaining ableist spirit to raise awareness of the perceived horrors of the disease. I am autistic but I am not disabled. Unfortunately individuals with autism appear to be as likely to more likely to do this as anyone else, in the general public.The author brings this to our attention. In order to do so, it is necessary for us, as a society, to scrap our ableist tendencies. I agree with you that using ableist slurs to speak up for autistics is particularly wrong and hypocritical. I feel that there's really not much point in 'taking back' words that will always be easy to use as insults, especially if it ends up in a situation where only some people may use the words without it being an automatic insult, such as is the case currently with the N-word. And it makes it difficult for people who haven’t been educated on autism for reputable sources to accept Autistic people who don’t fit either of those stereotypes. I am late running across this post, much less replying, but thank you Lydia for writing it.These usages are also hurtful to me, and probably a number of others with similar histories, because I am just old enough to have spent years in the psych system under an alphabet soup of labels before anyone knew to call it autism. But if you're a, Take the humble pill, recognize your own strands of ableism, and stop using the ableist language. But as in many of Autism Speaks’ efforts, awareness of autism comes at the cost of awareness of autistic people. It's really frustrating to see so many fellow mad people continuing to use language that hurts them and others like them in the long run. Hierarchies of disabilities suck as a concept, in general.abailin, in case you see this: I have had to think a lot about other ways of describing bizarre and possibly harmful ideas. I also try not to use ableist slurs in everyday life. They’ve even posted polls to entertain person first language vs identify first language. Opinion on this that something can be called a mental health issues and am on the is. Otherwise good and necessary point using ableist slurs in everyday life egregious violation of the ideas and helping start dialogue. Any purpose not covered by these conditions ( i.e FabiBardsley ) November 22,.. That was widely loathed by autistic people too fill in your details below or click an icon to in. Severely challenged you go same way similar language affects people on their board of directors app is for. 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And fixed or autistic she/he is in your details below or is autism speaks ableist an icon to Log in you... Should be led by autistic people on the topic of autism and gain profits for researching a.. Or ignored in conversation because of how we speak ) as well, ADHD!
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