Autistic Revolution

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I was thinking today about the treatment we get from people in this world.
We need to make ourselves noticed by the general public as not being "freaks" and "stupid".

I don't know about any of you, but i'm sure as HECK sick of the way i've been treated in society.

I have relised my purpose in life. To study Autism and increase my knowledge, and speak out about it.

I wanted to share this with the people of WP first, as this is one of the best ideas i've ever had.

Absolutely, hale_bopp, you are right.

I've been trying. They don't listen or care. That's no reason not to keep trying though, for I feel the same way, that my mission in life now is to be an advocate for 'my' people.

well, as i've said here on other posts, and on other sites, you have to choose the way you're going to do this. education is the key. and you have to play the game by the rules of those who run the whole shebang. start small, get bigger. and be nice, after you've yelled to get their attention.

i am a manipulative monster, to be honest, when i want something. i play by NT rules, and so far, i seem to be winning, in that i'm getting the point across. you have to start where people are, not hit them with something they have no frame of reference for. bring them with you, don't yell at them to come to where you are. and i'm not suggesting that you ARE yelling at them or anything, just explaining strategies which work. know who you're talking to, find out about their frame of reference, and then work out what will work with them. manipulation isn't always negative.

I've got alot to learn about leadership skills and public ralations, and I admit it would be easier if I didn't stutter and shutdown if someone is looking at me. These things I have to work on, I want to make as much influence as I can.

I would greatly appreciate if anyone had any ideas they could at about where to start, what to say and how to get noticed.

I think yelling is a good way to speak though, not in a bad way, but in an influential way.

Whilst public speaking and yelling are certainly one way of getting your message across, do not underestimate the power of the Internet. Lots of my friends have gained a deeper appreciation for AS since reading my blog (my son is 10yo diagnosed Aspie).

Have an AS blog or website. Have a link to this site on your blog. Put your blog URL at the bottom of your email signature. Print it on your business cards.

The huge advantage of the internet is that people are usually relaxed, home, having a cuppa/cigarette/drink and are receptive to new ideas. There is little to no marketing and the resources are endless with possible links.

A short catch phrase could help - something like "AS != Weird" which computer people would appreciate. Print it on a T-shirt and have the URL to your site. Create a website banner and publish it on sites of friends with a link to your site.

Instead of worrying about how to correct your "areas of difficulty" (being social interaction), focus on how you can get your message across using your assets - your knowledge of AS and your passion to break down the myths.

In my view information is important, education, teaching people how we work so they can understand us and help us.

But talk of revolution (sounds too much like revenge) against NTs however really scares me. That's no better than the attitudes we're trying to change in NTs.

Spot on Noetic - I am all for raising awareness, pushing for proper support and acknowledgement of autistic people and our differences from the norm/difficulties/positive traits, particularly with regard to educational and employment support and help for people to cope. However, I do not hate non-aspies, just find their ignorance and lack of understanding of us frustrating.
I assume hale-bopp is also looking at this in terms of educating 'normal' people as opposed to pushing a separatist or 'anti-NT' agenda. Perhaps revolution is a bit of a loaded term - but we do have a case to press I feel (as do many other 'out-groups'), the issue needs to be how do we achieve this? Education (more suggestions for methods please!) and lobbying has to be the way to go I think. Just my 2c again....

Dunc

I must say though that this one of the few AS fora (and the only "International" one) where I feel "at home", where I feel that, while we're all different, I am among people who are "like me", and I do not encounter any of the Aspie elitist attitudes or hostilities that can be seen elsewhere.

One thing that does help me tolerate certain attitudes by NTs is that I know they do not understand us, heck they don't even understand THEMSELVES fully, so I don't get *too* cross with them when I encounter misunderstandings in real life.

I've studied a lot about autism {and similar manifestations like ADD} and I do a bit of advocacy work...

But nothing too serious... nothing really narrative...

Why does it matter what term is used in the title? You get the general idea. If it annoys you that much, change it!

I'm hopeless with words, and that just adds insult to injury.

anyway, I don't "hate" non aspies, either. But alot of them have made my life hell for a large number of years, so pardon me for trying to get it into their heads that the general way autistic people have been treated in society is terrible.

Nobody said you did.

However, unfortunately there are some people who do seem to think that way, and who use similar terminology (such as calling for revolutions or blaming "society" for everything that ever went wrong - big warning sign as this can easily lead to a very hateful attitude and refusal to take any responsibility).

To clarify my own response hale_bopp - I wasn't implying you were an NT hater either, and I didn't intend my comment regarding revolution as insulting, or as a slight on you or your intentions, I thought the rest of my post made that clear - sorry if you took it that way. As Noetic pointed out, there are individuals who DO have that attitude, which is what I meant by it being a loaded term.

I think people posting on this thread are trying to help, and also discussing the idea, as this is relevant to many of us.

Dunc

i'm not "blaming society", but I think I would have a fair idea of people attitudes, I meet enough different people.

If you want to sit back and be thought of as the derogitry stereotypes by all means do so. But this is the exact attitude about why nothing is ever getting through to people.

Will you chill it? READ MY POST!

I have stated that I was NOT saying YOU were stating these things.

I said you used SIMILAR TERMINOLOGY to people who DO state such things, and if you use the same words as those who DO propose more drastic action, you are going to have to expect that some people feel threatened or hurt.

I am not sure why there should not be a more reasonable approach than "hammering" things into people's brains or demanding revolutions etc. The reason why so many people on here emphasised education over drastic steps is probably linked to the terminoplogy you used in your initial post.

I know it's hard to get your point across, but people reading your initial post can't exactly read your mind and know that you meant "educating people about AS" rather than a call for drastic action. Calling for "revolutions" rarely means "Let's educate people">

Last edited by Noetic on 23 Jan 2005, 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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