When Aspies Grow Up

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74I5IdzzAPA[/youtube]

Interesting video. Is the title of this discussion thread supposed to be sarcastic or ironic, or perhaps a bit of both? In any event, I don't know much about either of these organizations but this has piqued my interest. Although, I'm automatically skeptical about most organizations. It might be informative to have a separate discussion topic regarding the "Best ASD Advocacy Organizations" for noobs like me.

I think that sinsbodly has posted this on the wrong forum. Probably got the windows confused.

If you wonder what it is about, it is in reference to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQV ... r_embedded

It is disgusting 'advocacy' groups like this which give autism a bad name. I mean how many down's syndrome support groups make televised adds saying that down syndrome is intentionally destroying marriages. But yeah, thats a can of worms that shouldn't be opened on this forum.

Tracker, thanks for pointing me to the youtube video, which I promptly gave the lowest rating. I couldn't agree more with your sentiment about that video giving autism a bad name. Are there any "good" ASD or AS advocacy groups out there, that parents might want to be aware of? Also, being the math-oriented geek that I am, I like your avatar

Yeah, if you think thats bad you should what autism speaks spend it's fund raising money on.

As for other support groups, I am afraid I haven't done much research. Most of the support groups are local, just run by a few parents and maybe some churches. Your best bet would be to go to Google and type 'Denver + autism' or 'Denver + asperger'. That should get you a list of all the Denver area support groups if you just click on the first few links.

As for more national ones, they generally just do fund raisers and give money to research, they dont actually do anything to help the autistic people directly. The only national organization with local support groups that I am aware of is GRASP:
http://www.grasp.org

This organization is made for adults with AS, who mainly want to just meet up with each other. They also sometimes do charity work for autistic children in the area.


P.S. I like my avatar too. I saw it online some place and laughed hysterically, so I decided to use it here.

I'm glad you were able to record this and put it here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXYN5kZrgyo&NR=1[/youtube]

"I'm autistic: I can speak
My voice is different, not weak
And if you listened you would know my mind's the same
I'm grateful that you don't ignore me
But you cannot speak for me
So let me on your board or change your name

Yes, I am odd
And that difference causes pain
That don't make you God
And it don't make you sane
I'm your equal in my humanity
I am smart
I am sensitive
I'm autistic

I'm autistic, I am real
I can think and I can feel
I'm a lover, I'm a husband, I'm a wife
So please don't hire a muggle
Who can't understand my struggle
To make a horror movie from my life

I'm autistic, please endure me
Even if you cannnot cure me,
Please don't tell me that my life is yours to take
I'm autistic, please support me
It's too late now to abort me
But there's still time for the difference I can make"

Hi, Sinsboldly, were you there?

I would assume she meant to post it here, because many of our posters don't go to the other forums, and she wanted us to know that (a) our kids will grow up into adults able to speak for themselves and (b) one of the things they might say is stay away from Autism Speaks.

Over at Whose Planet Is It Anyway?, abfh has noted that Autism Speaks has posted an email that has been sent out to a number of people who complained about the video:


Dear [name],

Thank you very much for sending me your letter and telling me about your perspective and feelings regarding the “I Am Autism” video. I understand and respect your perspective and I am truly sorry that the film offended you. The video was not intended to reflect Autism Speaks broader viewpoint or attitude toward persons with autism spectrum disorder. Rather, it was created by two fathers of children with autism – Billy Mann, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer and Autism Speaks board member, and Alfonso Cuarón, an Academy award-nominated film director. It is based on a personal poem written by Mr. Mann. It is an intensely personal expression by these two fathers. It was their hope that the piece would inspire other voices and artists in the autism community. It has greatly offended some people, however, and we have removed it from our website.

Again, thank you for writing to me and sharing your thoughts. You can rest assured that I will continue to advocate for a respectful and compassionate attitude and support for persons with autism spectrum disorder.

Sincerely,

Geri Dawson


But, as abfh notes, the video is still on the Autism Speaks website.

Really makes me wonder about the mission, vision, and values of Autism Speaks that they would allow themselves to be represented by such a negative "work of art." This does not seem like a very worthwhile organization to get involved with.