Autistic brains "organised differently" say scient

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What exactly do you want scientists to talk to the community about?

Science is about finding the truth, it doesn't really care how you feel about it. These particular scientists were researching the brain structure of autistics, so I'm not sure how talking to the autistic community is going to help them with that.

Are you afraid that they will discover a "cure"?

Well the truth is autism is a developmental disorder, which causes significant impairment in certain areas of our lives. If they can come up with a treatment that would make our lives easier, then I am all for it. I'm not talking about turning us into NT's, or eugenics or anything like that, but just look at ADHD. One of the most effective treatments for ADHD is stimulant medication, which can significantly improve the lives of people with ADHD. However, they still have ADHD, they aren't magically transformed into NT's. So I am all for medication that could improve our ability to socialise, etc.

That could be closer than you think - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12759587

"Autism Speaks" is an organization that provides funding for research. The research and science is a separate issue from the funding and organization. They are not the only organization that funded this research. They get the money to fund the research from donations that are given by people that support treatment for Autism.

The negative concern for some is a fear that the funding the organization provides will lead to the elimination of Autism, some don't like the salaries received by the organization's administration, and some of the marketing techniques used in the past by the organization are seen as an exagerrated depiction of autism as a negative condition.

I noticed they helped fund this research.

I fear none of these concerns you bring to light, but they are concerns for some. My only intent here is to express the importance of the funding "Autism Speaks" is providing for research that may eventually make life better for some with Autism.

In my opinion this is the type of research that may eventually lead to enhanced methods of education that benefit people with Autism and make it easier to have success in life. I think this kind of research is in support of Neurodiversity rather than against it.

The "Autism Speaks" Organization also provided a grant for the study at Duke University that hopes to provide new drug treatment for Autism, that you provided a link to, along with fifteen others, as shown in this link:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/as-asa040810.php

But like the other study they are only one of many organizations that provided funding for the Duke study. This is the case for many research projects. The funding required to keep the research going is immense and many organizations come together to gain a better understanding of Autism.

In the past two weeks I have read two articles and watched one youtube video about parents who have been shocked, appalled and driven to deep guilt because they found out - in one case in their childs teens - that their child did NOT have the cognitive function of a 3 year old as their doctor's and therapists had said. One couples daughter was given type assisted technology and typed out a full paragraph to them for the first time in her life - and it was intelligent and perhaps even a bit advanced for her age - yet she still is and remains nonverbal. They had written her off as a near vegetable. I find that horrifying.

How many people does this happen to?

How many doctors and scientists adhere to the stereotypes and ignore what is really going on with the people they are supposed to be helping?

There are those who want a cure and more power to them. I've never feared a cure and support the research - as I stated eariler and repeatedly in many threads.

All I said was that those who are autistic have a voice. It shouldn't be ignored. If you want a cure - I'll stand right there beside you and support that choice. I'm asking the medical community to include the autistic in their dialogues. If you are going to study the wiring of an autistic brain, talking to the person who possesses the brain might be useful. I'm not saying scientists need to sit around for group therapy and learn eye contact... All I'm saying is that if you are going to map a brain, talk to its owner for some validation of your research... make sure its doing what your data suggests it is doing.

I'm still not sure why you think I am anti science or anti cure...

Oops, I thought that was a response to my post. It does make more sense as a response to your post. I was trying to figure out also, why someone would think I was anti-science, or anti-research.

I never did any research on the funding that Autism Speaks provides, until I stumbled upon that bit of information today.

In the link that shows the 15 other grants they are providing. It is an interesting read, in that it shows some of the studies do involve interaction between the scientists and those that have Autism.

I know some studies are well rounded. I was just commenting that there wasn't much evidence of that in the OP. And I have no idea how Autism Speaks came into the picture... the funding I think? I have no comment on them here... they weren't the original point.

Learning daily that the words I speak/write are not the words others hear/read... and it may be much worse than I already surmised.

For some reason I had the impression that most of the research they funded was genetic; I think Autism Speaks is relelevant to the topic for some to see there is merit to the organization.

I don't like to mention any organization in a negative light, and found it enlightening to see the research they actually fund.

Speaking of interpretation of words, I thought the other poster took the words Autism Speaks as a scientific organization that wanted to ask questions of the Community. My mistake there, in assuming the poster was responding to me, instead of you, because the post came after my post, and reading something into it that was not there.

I think your writing is as clear as any I come across here. Sometimes, as in my case, it is a matter of not recognizing who is talking to whom.

Autism Speaks is demonized for their questionable use of funds and some of the pet research projects they fund (and their questionable fundraising videos). But they also fund some decent research that doesn't get as much press as the others. Personally, I think everyone just needs to make their own judgement call there. The balance tips at a different point for everyone.

I hear you on the posting... the quote function is my friend. I'm glad someone understood what I was trying to say.

I agree with you on the organization, and also believe that it is up to each individual to determine where the tipping balance is.

The information I came across today gave me an enhanced perspective to decide for myself where the tipping balance is, and I hope the information might help someone else to consider whether or not the sponsored research is of merit and significance in their personal assessment of the organization as a whole.