There are some people out there who think I and other Autistic individuals who jumped the gun about this T-shirt incident should be ashamed.  I really don’t think so, and this is why.

It seems some individuals such as this guy believe that we are ‘bigotoed’ and ‘throw common sense out the window’ on a regular basis and that we have ‘an axe to grind’ that fuels us.

Sophis wrote a really good point on her blog about this:

As a movement, we are not only young in years but our membership tends to be younger as well. Young-to-middle-aged adults who are not especially experienced in advocacy and legal matters. As such, untrained, flying by the seat of our pants so to speak, it is inevitable that we make more mistakes than other older organizations and movements. Not to mention, as autistics, because socializing and cooperating are usually not our forte, it can make it all the more difficult to attempt to create a sense of solidarity amongst a group of such diverse (and sometimes stubborn) people.

What we have achieved so far, however, is immense, even if it is not keenly felt by the public and the media. Before the internet, there was no “autistic community” to speak of. Just since the 90’s has an entire community been formed. In addition, while the gay rights and deaf rights groups certainly have had much to contend with and fight against, unlike us they didn’t have organizations (such as Autism Speaks) who fought both FOR and AGAINST them. Therefore, while they were oppressed, they knew they were oppressed and didn’t have to fight from WITHIN their ranks to be able to acquire the rights they deserved.

As verbal autistics, we are used by organizations like Autism Speaks to bolster the impression of the 1/150 “epidemic” in order to bring in more money. They dangle our numbers in front of the cameras, for the commercials, for the walks, for the senators and congressmen, and then quickly shove us back in the closet before we protest. At the very same time, somehow we’re both included and excluded –go figure that one out; a little GW logic should do the trick. Therefore, when it comes down to it, we’re being used without our permission: a violation in its basest sense. And this from an organization who, given their purpose, should know better.

Do I think I made a mistake - yes.  Do I think I should be ashamed and guilt ridden - no.  I based my assumption common sense and connecting the dots.  Autism Speaks has done something like this before - the Zazzle rep I had an email conversation and the rep on the phone both said they received a notice from Autism Speaks, Inc.  - For me that’s a large enough basis in fact to make an assumption.

I also think that this has allowed me to learn from this experience and grow.  I also hope Autism Speaks and there followers have learned as well that Autistics are not going to sit and be quiet anymore.  We are speaking now - and will speak even more in the future.