Here are the top five reasons why we support them and are so grateful for their existence. I was scared and knew nothing about Autism, nothing positive; anyway, of the little I did know.I was given… A cornerstone piece of the residential experience is having staff who, by virtue of the fact that they are with the students and residents all day every day, learn the … Not research for improving therapies and equipment that helps individuals with autism, but research for a … Why I Can't Support Autism Speaks From the eyes of someone they claim to speak for. "We are looking at adding individuals with autism to various advisory committees," he said. This is the main basis of the #redinstead hashtag. We have a voice. Eventually, that research lead me to realize I’m autistic myself. Only 4-5% of their funds actually helps people with autism. #3       The Autism Speaks Tool Kits! Frankly it could have been overwhelming deciding which autism organization to donate to, as there are so many worthy ones out there. The decision however was made easier for us many years ago, not long after Justin’s diagnosis, as my husband and I searched frantically for services and information for our eldest son with severe autism. ( Log Out /  Autism Speaks supports every horrible stereotype about autistic people. Starting tomorrow it will be Autism Awareness Month. Perhaps I should say this one is my favorite. This is a post by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, mother to two sons on the autism spectrum and an Autism Family Partner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Yes, it’s that time of year again where we’re all pulled in a million different directions. You think because some of our children cannot speak, we cannot hear them? Share this: Twitter; Facebook; Like this: Like Loading... Related. Event dates vary by location. That they are suffering from some terrible disease like cancer that needs to be cured immediately. These donations are rare and are a vital component of research into the causes of autism. Autism Speaks funds the Autism Tissue Program, a network of researchers that manages and distributes brain tissues donated for autism research. Read Tom A. For those that aren't aware, Autism Speaks's mission is to "promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. #1         Our favorite reason- the services and supports provided to us by the Autism Speaks’ supported Autism Treatment Network. 's Story Erin C. | 31 years old We all need support – not just the child on the spectrum. To my delight, some had decided to do some research. #2       Dr. Margaret Souders, a registered nurse who is spearheading a revolutionary sleep program through the ATN, who literally made house calls and enabled us to break a four month cycle of insomnia with our youngest son. #4       The Autism Speaks blog and their Facebook page. Autism Speaks supports the Clinical Trials Network, which focuses on new pharmacological treatments. Autism Speaks has been hailed as one of the greatest "advocates" for autistic people. But before that happened… That is autism’s weakness. “People with autism don’t support Autism Speaks.” This is far from the truth. You could not ask for more compassionate, knowledgable and kind individuals, and each one was so devoted to helping individuals with autism and their families. 153 Autistic Axolotl A few weeks ago I wrote an article about how amazing my brother with aspergers is. 5 Reasons Why I Support Autism Speaks. Oct 16, 2016. Alex Bingham. Autism Speaks tells the world that autistic people are ultimately the reason that many parents divorce each other, and that autistic people are incapable of living full lives. Previous Post Dreamers Divided: Obama’s Executive Actions Leave Some Young Immigrants Out Next Post From the Philippines to Autism Speaks, with … Autism Speaks is enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. #1 Our favorite reason- the services and supports provided to us by the Autism Speaks’ supported Autism Treatment Network. Autism Speaks Walk events will be tailored to fit local needs in each community, but our goal remains the same: to come together to raise funds for people with autism and their families. That may help tone down the "fear and pity" image of autism that Ne'eman and other self-advocates protest. From eating issues to sleeping disorders, behavioral challenges and the 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families (the latter of which I wish I’d had nine years ago), these informational gems have helped us at times when even the professionals in our lives were stumped. Finding Autism Speaks was a godsend for us then, and the organization helped us a second time when our second son was diagnosed with autism as well. One of the biggest discoveries made was that people on the autism spectrum typically need a highly structured, customized atmosphere to make real progress, which is why residential settings become a must for children like Jonathan. In the small DC office that I worked at this summer, several employees had autism and we have weekly volunteers with ASD come in. For the first ten years of existence, their entire purpose was to find a cure for autism and eradicate it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve learned something new from these pages, or realized I needed to make changes in our lives from something I’ve read. ( Log Out /  Here are the top five reasons why we support them and are so grateful for their existence. We speak the only language that matters: love for our children. By Sandy KinnamonI thought it might be helpful to give some personal context as to why I don’t support Autism Speaks and am participating in efforts to boycott them.My daughter was diagnosed as Autistic May 2012. But sometimes when I slow down a bit, my choices are simplified, maybe even actually easy when I take the time to breathe. But what people don't know is that Autism Speaks is actually a terrible organization, denounced by autistic people themselves. Find out some reasons for Why is Autism Speaks badly? ( Log Out /  Autism Speaks is one of the most well known autism organizations, but has been under fire for their hurtful advertisement, the lack of inclusion of autistic voices, the support of Judge Rotenberg Center, and more. We are a community of warriors. Autism Speaks has the ultimate goal of ending autism, by any means necessary. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Autism Speaks is one of the largest autism organization, yet they are not focusing on autism affected people and their families. Learn more here. Organizations that support them will not be getting our money until they choose to support causes that actually support autistic people. While most of them are not WP:RS in themselves, they may be useful to identify topics to discuss, and/or point to RS's that can be included in the article. The ATN is comprised of a network of hospitals, physicians, researchers and families at 14 sites across the US and Canada. From my … Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Any way that works for you is the right way to participate — whether that's on wheels, on foot or online! Kim wrote this blog in support of #GivingTuesday! Autism Reasons Speaks Support Post navigation. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Through … Autism Speaks is also responsible for the atrocity known as “I Am Autism.” It was a video that was released as part of an awareness campaign. They’re the most popular autism organization, but they’re so harmful.) We are dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism… Autism Speaks does very well speaking for itself, but it does not speak for me, my fiance, or anyone else I care about who is autistic. ( Log Out /  Autism Speaks is one of the largest and most influential autism awareness organizations in the world. Autism Speaks still has a base of support among families of young children, but it has very little support from parents of older kids, or autistic adults. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The group is also initiating a better outreach to adults with autism. #5       The people who work for Autism Speaks. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Less support for Autism Speaks, though for now, we can only guess its impact. I had the pleasure of meeting a number of employees when I spoke at the kick-off for the Philadelphia walk. They are several reasons why I no longer support Autism Speaks. Ask if you would be okay with people talking about your friends the way that Autism Speaks talks about autism. December 3, 2014 alishoaib464 Leave a comment. ( Log Out /  The first reason I can no longer support this organization is what was going on at one of their centers. When we found out that A-Man is autistic, I went into research mode, like I do with everything. This is a collection of links discussing various controversies involving Autism Speaks. A Diary of a Mom has sympathetically addressed the families who defend Wright’s description of autism. Her contact info is:  (215) 898-1935. It’s obvious that Autism Speaks is an organization that is always working towards meaningful change in the autism community. On certain days, only chocolate helps. ( Log Out /  Why do so many Autistic people protest against Autism Speaks? Our capacity to love is greater than your capacity to overwhelm. People always applaud Autism Speaks for its advocacy. There are many other autism groups, like ASAN, the Autism … I even removed myself from their facebook page. “Autism Speaks has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.” It’s also right there in Part II of their Form 990 (U.S. tax … Have I mentioned that they’re free? With two kids on the spectrum, there isn’t a ton of discretionary income rolling around in our household, but my husband Jeff and I give what we can. The number to reach them is: (888) – 8AUTISM. Western Illinois University. In the video, the narrator, identified as “autism,” goes about spouting hate and … My social media: https://www.facebook.com/JustJessyca https://www.facebook.com/ThatModernMombie https://plus.google.com/+ThatModernMombie81 … The majority of their funding goes towards autism “research”. Philadelphia’s ATN led us to our sons’ developmental pediatrician, Dr. Amanda Bennett, who I am quite certain has saved our sanity on several occasions with her expertise and compassion. Autism Speaks does not speak for me as a person living with Autism. If Sponsors are interested in supporting Autistic people, we urge them to support one of … Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. From the #actuallyautsitic community, Autism Speaks is actually the farthest from supporting Autistics. Autism Speaks Canada Need Personalized Support? Autism Speaks remains successful, despite the lack of support from people with autism because it caters to parents of children with autism. Here's an over view of why many people with autism don't support Autism Speaks, and their controversies over the years. Autism Speaks puts great focus on “curing” autism, which reinforces another stereotype: that autistic people are unhappy. Change ), Looking To Nudge Senator Elizabeth Warren Into 2016 Presidential Race – NYTimes.com, Malicious Prosecution Claim Against Hollywood Sex Abuse Accuser Can Proceed, Says Judge, Massive Car Bomb Explodes Near Home Of Iranian Ambassador In Sanaa, Yemen, Protests Erupt After Decision In Eric Garner’s Chokehold Death. And as we compare, 22% of their … Today, Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Autism is naïve. ( Log Out /  We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Kim is also the author of a blog about her two children with autism at autismmommytherapist.wordpress.com. I decided to take a chance to educate people on why they should not support Autism Speaks, why you shouldn't light it up blue and why … ( Log Out /  Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Autism Speaks is Searching to “End Autism”. Consider boycotting and writing to companies that support Autism Speaks. ... Read the "I Am Autism" transcript, or watch the video. It also supports the Toddler Treatment Network, which develops … Further additions are appreciated. Bell admitted that Autism Speaks does not have any individuals with autism currently serving on its board. I can’t recommend the ATNs highly enough. (Inside: 4 reasons to not support autism speaks are a must read for all autism mamas! You are alone. In their videos, autism is spoken of as a monstrous disease that rips apart families. Want to help support the cause? Between work, my boys, writing and those errands that seem to creep onto my list every single day, no matter how I try to cross them off, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I loved talking to the families, but finally getting to personally interact with the folks from Autism Speaks was one of the highlights of the evening for me. View the original article here. Read letters of people who have worked with Autism Speaks, and learn why they quit. Our Autism Response Team (ART) is specially trained to connect people with autism, their families, and caretakers to information, tools, and resources. Reasons for “Why is Autism Speaks badly?” Because it doesn’t help autistic children and adults as they promised. Find the date of your local event by searching below! What's wrong with Autism Speaks? Change ), Looking To Nudge Senator Elizabeth Warren Into 2016 Presidential Race – NYTimes.com, Malicious Prosecution Claim Against Hollywood Sex Abuse Accuser Can Proceed, Says Judge, Massive Car Bomb Explodes Near Home Of Iranian Ambassador In Sanaa, Yemen, Protests Erupt After Decision In Eric Garner’s Chokehold Death. Since I wrote that piece, I’ve had many conversations with friends about the spectrum. I am not saying helping families with autistic children is not necessary and important, but if Autism Speaks only focuses on programming for parents, it abandons the children who are certainly in equal if not in more need of Autism Speaks’ help. One of those things for my family is the decision to donate to Autism Speaks. It has been associated with "Light it up Blue" day (on April 2nd) and basically anything that has to do with autism awareness. The following joint letter explains why Autism Speaks is not an organization that ethical businesses should sponsor, fundraise for, or otherwise offer support.