This video is just disgraceful to the autistic community.

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As some of you may have already seen this, I feel the need to speak out about it. Others may feel differently about it, and I completely understand that, and your opinions. I am not afraid to speak my mind, about anything for that matter. But this did it for me. I understand that some mothers with children who have autism, and children who are on the spectrum may feel this way, and I DO understand the hardships you have to endure, but this is completely UNACCEPTABLE. What kind of mother says such harsh and hurtful things like this about their own CHILDREN!? knowing damn well that because of their rank on the spectrum, they probably can't interpret/filter others feelings/emotions, so that just automatically gives you the right to speak like this?
What kind of mother thinks about driving over a bridge with their disabled child, and has NO guilt about it, or even can say such a horrendous thing so bluntly as she did!? What kind of mother can say such brutal and hateful things, such as dealing with financial issues, all because they have a child with special needs, who NEEDS that extra help, Or thinks of the worst things that can possibly happen for their child's future, like not getting married, or having children and a family of their own? It's just so funny because they are only optimistic for a few seconds, but then out of the woodwork they hope for an immaculate recovery for their children. Deep down in the black pits they call their hearts, they wish that they've never planted the seeds of life. You know, the seeds that just so happen to have been an AUTISTIC CHILD. At least that's what Autism Speaks is trying to make it look like.
Oh God, I wish my mother would say this kind of sh** to me to my face, because you know what? I CAN feel emotions, and I CAN feel other's pain and suffering. But this, this is just sad, sad BS! I do not pity any of these ungrateful women, because they don't deserve to be felt sorry for.

I completely understand that these women have it rough, big time no doubt, and that they were only trying to shed light on a dark subject, but it just wasn't done in the proper way.

As is the case with most Autism Speaks propaganda.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDMMwG7RrFQ&feature=share[/youtube]

I can't speak for anyone else, but at least when the mother talked about driving off the bridge, the child was across the room looking out the window.

In my opinion, regardless if she could understand any language spoken, she was not paying attention to what was being said, instead paying attention to whatever it was about the window that she was interested in.

The assumption made in the video is one that the children, are not communicating with those around them, and are not paying attention to people, so if one understands and agrees with that assumption, it's understood there is no potential of harm to the children.

I also don't know why most of this thread is about the feelings of the parents with little mention of the feelings of the children, or even the specific child listening to her mother talk about driving them both off a bridge.

@ The perfect storm:
But that's just how life is. You take what God has given you, and you run with it. I understand that these monsters may feel hopeless for their children, but that doesn't change being a PARENT.

I don't think you really appreciate the toll autism can take on the parents.

You said "Generally speaking? Mental illness does not cause violent behavior."

Now you say you never said they never commit violence so perhaps I took it literal.

Usage: The use of the disabled, the blind, etc. can be offensive and should be avoided. Instead one should talk about disabled people, blind people, etc.

I was thinking more in a governmental sense like SSDI and the permanently disabled as opposed to people with general disabilities that really aren't identified as disabled, like a person with a prosthetic leg, functioning well in life. From a military perspective as well with terms like 30% disabled military vet., etc. I worked on a military installation, so that is learned bias. Technical terms that really aren't used in a personal manner.

Per actual people. When I see a person in a wheel chair I see a person, and don't think I would ever use the word disability to refer to them at all on a personal basis, I can see the potential to offend someone, and the potential negative impact of reducing people to their diabilities.

I remember another individual arguing the same point here, intensely, as one of his major arguments; that he wanted to be referred to by his real name in life rather than Autistic, because he felt his identity was not the disorder of Autism, in fact he didn't want others to even refer to him as a person with autism, instead his real name.

And, considering this I think he would have taken offense if someone referred to him as disabled rather than his real name, although in his case autism was a legal disability for him, and he referred to it as such.

There are many perspectives here on that issue as I know you are aware of, many do identify themselves with the disorder, with the adjective autistic or as a general term autistics, while others prefer to reference themselves as a person with autism.

Same with Aspergers, some prefer to be called a person with Aspergers, others autistic, others aspie, etc.

At least when it comes to autism, that's kind of a complicated issue. Lots of threads on that specific issue.

However, for clarification, what about "Disabled Military Veteran", considering it's considered a highly respected term in our culture, because the individual was disabled as a result of defending the country, do you think that specific phrase is okay? That seems to be a different context, that might warrant an exclusion.

I too receive government support for my disabilities, although not SSI yet. Still in appeal.

Anyway: Disabled military veteran is like disabled person. A veteran is a word for a kind of person (someone who was in the military and may have fought in one or more wars), so you're simply saying a particular kind of person. Similarly, disabled politician, disabled fireman, disabled lawyer, etc., although I don't see those very often. I also think that sometimes words like "disabled" are used in contexts where they are irrelevant, but that's another issue.

I do tend to think everyone should use it like I do, but really I can't (and don't want to) control everyone. Mostly I just want to be heard when I give my side.