I have been wondering why people don’t take the Autism Speaks movement clearly – and while all this was happening with Autism Speaks I found one part of the answer
The Answer is certain people think that being immature and impolite to the world that were trying to educate is an acceptable way of advocating. What these people don’t understand is that by responding in that manner they are doing more harm then good. Doing so makes us all look stupid and idiotic – not just yourself and is not an acceptable way to advocate for anything!
One of these individuals is a person who goes by Grumpy Old Rossco on Aspies For Freedom. This individual feels its right to be impolite and possibly downright rude when writing letters about Autistic Rights.
Is there an email address I can address my concerns about this to?
I will be very polite and subtle….like hell!
As most people know being impolite is probably not the best way to change what people think about you – and as he was writing about AspieWeb.net I felt it was appropriate for me to say that mature and polite letters are important – to which I received the following response:
WTF are you on about and mate where do you get off?
[..]
You have a problem with this help? Fine. You don’t need to try to insult me.
Look at you coming here asking for help, then smacking away helping hands. Reminds me of my children when they were babies having a tantrum. As a parent you accept this immaturity as part of growing up. Still you do, as a mature adult, have to address the cause of the issue.You with me so far TheZach? You are 22 and questioning my maturity and genuineness to help.
Well I was hoping to provide help but I actually think maybe Autism Speaks kicking your arse may give you a little humility.
Its people like these that people in the Autistic Rights movement must separate themselves from in order for society to take them seriously. This individual basically turned an entire thread at Aspies For Freedom into him taking shots at me because I said
If your addressing this I ask you be polite, cause its my site that your addressing. If you want to abnoxious I dont want anything to do with you.
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Hmmm… interesting. I can see your point. If we be rude when trying to stop the anti-autism sentiment, then people won’t think any better of us. That has been proven time and time again by people like Martin Luther King and that guy in the movie “Amazing Grace” who educated English people about the horrors of slavery so that the slave trade would be stopped.
You’re very right, sadderbutwiser. Lashing out simply adds salt to the wound.
You know what this is, Zach? A demonstration of the difference between being assertive and being an angry little “man”. One can be assertive AND be polite and civil. That’s what I try to do and that’s what you are wanting from the movement as a whole – and quite right as well.
But there are those who won’t listen – on both sides of the fence. With some, being rough and tough is the only language they understand. Rossco is one of those people. One has to choose allies carefully, and let the enemies reveal themselves.
Very good points. Something to keep in mind, not just in advocacy, but in social interaction in general.
Do you know anything about autism and self injurious behaviors? Have you witnessed this type of autism and level of care needed to protect an autistic person like this? Do you understand how complex it is, and that if the person is non verbal, we are dealing with a profoundly different level than that of a high functioning autistic or aspie….I just want to make sure this is clear, because I’m a little confused being the mother of a severely autistic son (he’s on you tube under autism and self injury)….I don’t see a damn thing written about how intense and severe this is…..as if my son doesn’t exist. As if the incredible needs and complex medical and behavioral management he requires to live and be happy, is not real. I would have a lot more respect for anyone representing ‘all autistics” if they really were reprenting all autistics. Are you? Have you taken the time to educate yourself on the realities of severe or classic autism and self injurious behavior? maybe you have. I don’t know. I’m just asking.