Why Is Autism Speaks So Bad?

I’ve received a lot of inquiries as of late about why I and other people dislike Autism Speaks, and I think its important that people understand why I think Autism Speaks does not in fact support Autistic People, read more for some examples

Please not that the following is my personal opinion, and does not express the views of anyone else.

• Autism Speaks as far as I know does not have one Autistic Person making policy decisions on what the organization will lobby, spend research money on, and portray autism as in the media.
• Autism Speaks continues to portray Autism in a very negative way, using phrases such as “disaster”, “hopeless” and “epidemic”.  While I’m aware that there are some challenges that come with Autism – its not all negative.
• Autism Speaks implies by its name, and how it interacts with the media that it is the ultimate authority on what Autistic People need – its not.
• Autism Speaks continues to bully, threaten, harass and intimidate Autistic People who stand up against their organization.
• Autism Speaks’ negative portrayal of Autistic People has caused many people significant hardships in social interaction – more so then what Autism in itself would cause.
• An Autism Speaks employee who has an Autistic Daughter said in a widely distributed and often aired on television documentary that she wanted to drive her Autistic Daughter off a bridge.
• There is no accountability of where the money donated to Autism Speaks goes.
• Autism speaks uses legal threats to bully those with Autism that are advocating against Autism Speaks.

Its these reasons, and many others that make me want to make a stand against Autism Speaks – because its time for them to listen and learn how they harm the Autistic Community by speaking.

Tagged as: advocate, Aspergers, Aspie, Autism, Autism Everyday, Autism Speaks, autistic, Disability