Are you going to Autscape 2011?

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I am going to autscape for the first time. Any tips for a first time goer?

I can't think of any particular tips.
Autscape is a nice event. You will enjoy it.

Sounds like a great event. While there are quite a few people here that post from the UK, a trip to another country for an effort of anykind is beyond the financial and social capabilities of most people that post here. It would probably be a big challenge to go to a local support group meeting for many. That is probably the reason you don't get much response.

However for the few that can go, it is worth the informational effort on your part.

Regarding your comment of posting about a conference on an "NT" forum, more people would be interested in a different kind of conference, that met their needs.

But, considering that over 80% of people with Aspergers have problems with employment, the financial means is just not there in many cases, as well as the social ability to travel to another country. Many people have problems traveling in their local area.

In the US, there is Autreat:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt153612.html
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt155197.html
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt155977.html
http://www.autreat.com/

My threads about Autreat generally get as little interest as my threads about Autscape

Please don't be too discouraged. You are doing providing an important service here, and if only one person attends and gains something from the experience, you never know, it could be a life changing event for that person, so your efforts can never be minimized.

This is an effort at getting people with Autism connected with a culture they can call their own, there are only a few that are ready for this kind of thing; it's not an option that many people would consider as a realistic one, in their own personal lives.

It is a hurdle for many, just to travel in their own city. I went to a support group meeting in my area, and was shocked at the number of people that didn't drive, and felt extremely fortunate not to be too limited in my driving abilities, but I would have never considered venturing into a big city, by myself. I managed to get 3 college degrees and work most of my life, but it was a small college, and a fairly predictable workplace. Too many moving parts has always overwhelmed my attention to detail. But, I didn't understand why until I got the diagnosis in middle age.

You are right.
Thank you

It is indeed a pity that I cannot go...

Would you like to tell me about it earlier next year?

I am in England right now, but just for a few days..

And I have to do something else in August. Alas!

Depending on the weather I will be wearing either a white fedora with a poppy in the ribbon or TT isle of man cap. If raining a checked winter hat. Not hard to miss.

To get announcements from Autscape, you can join the Autscape-announce mailing list, over here: https://www.autscape.org/lists/

I will probably post announcements about Autscape 2012 here on WP, but I can't ensure you will see my posts.
(my first post about Autscape 2011 had been made on the 14th of January. Apparently, you have not seen it).

OK. I will recognise you then.

To me, Autscape feels like a very public event.
Yet, you are not the only one who thinks Autscape is "cliquey" and/or "exclusive".
What makes you think that way?
Is there anything on Autscape's website that make you think that way?
Anything on Autscape's mailing lists that make you think that way?
Anything at Autscape itself (which you had attended) which made you think that way?

(It's a very interesting phenomenon indeed - a public event which feels so "exclusive" to many people)

In the United States, there is Autreat -
Autreat 2011's Call for Proposals: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt155197.html
Autreat's website: http://www.autreat.com/
Autreat's information mailing list: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/autreatinfo/
Autreat information page: http://www.autreat.com/autreat.html
Some of the workshops which were given at Autreat in the past: http://www.autreat.com/past-workshops.htm

Is it reasonable that liking online autistic forums and liking physical autistic gatherings are mutually exclusive tastes?

(it seems unreasonable to me, but maybe I am wrong about this).

The only exclusive nature of the event I can see, is in the call for proposals, that state that views that Autism is a problem that should be overcome are not welcome. It's not likely that those people would attend such an event, and from the divisive nature of this issue, there would probably be uncomfortable dispute if both sides were presented at an event for Autistic people. The best place for those disputes are probably the internet; if the event welcomed both views there might not be any attendance.

It think it could give one an idea that the event is a happy social event for those that are more successful living with Autism. Kind of like the homecoming festivities at highschool. The fortunate Autistic people vs. the not so fortunate Autistic people.

It's kind of sad to me that views that promote treatment for a condition that many find disabling can't be tolerated, but I see that is the reality of how people feel, and not the fault of the people that organize the event.

I doubt this issue, significantly reduces attendance at the events.

Autscape is very inclusive. I quote for Autscape's website:
"All varieties of autistic people from all parts of the spectrum, whether diagnosed or not. Don't worry about being ‘more different’ from other participants; diversity enriches the experience for everyone. "
( the quote is from here: http://www.autscape.org/about/ )

I understand it is inclusive in that it encourages everyone to attend. The exclusion is for proposals with the view that research for treatment for Autism is important in overcoming the problems some have with Autism. The request for proposals makes this clear.

Unfortunately this does exclude the view of a significant number of autistic people that hope that reputable research will bring treatment to help them overcome the impacts of autism they experience as negative; some of these people are not afraid to state the opinion, here on this website. If they read the request for proposals it is obvious that their view on this is not an acceptable one for the organizers of the event.

It's unfortunate that proposals for presentations that provide cutting edge information on research for clinical treatments to overcome the negative aspects that some people with Autism experience are not acceptable. But, I understand the controversy, and emotional nature that divide people on this view.

This is a very political, emotionally charged issue. But, if both views can't be tolerated the event becomes an exclusive one for viewpoints.

Would you attend if the research for treatments for symptoms of autism viewpoint was welcome in proposals? I have a feeling that this would not be an issue that would keep someone like you from attending if this viewpoint was accepted in the group organizing the event.

If advocacy groups were to tolerate both viewpoints and admit to the scope of advantage in research for treatments for Autism as well as the ability that many have to function in life, there might be less discord within the autistic community and between people with autism and the community that does not have a diagnosis of Autism.

It is the advocacy groups that have the potential to make this positive change. The impact of autistic against NT, in satirical comments of some advocacy groups, is a potentially harmful message that might add fuel to the fire for Autistic people that gain a sense of hatred against a world that they believe is comprised of people completely different than they are, not realizing that many people in the population have traits of Autism, having similar problems that they do, that they may consider "neurotypical".

If one reads the thread about Autism Supremacy, they can gain an understanding, that a better understanding among Autistic people is needed, to realize the world isn't full of people against them. A first step would be the understanding that a large scope of people doing research on Autism are not out to hurt people with Autism.

Unfortunately this is the viewpoint of some advocacy organizations; it also adds fuel to the fire for impressionable young autistic people that believe a war is necessary against the world.

The viewpoint of Autism Speaks, is not nearly as dangerous as the viewpoint that negative actions needs to be initiated against society as a whole and that people that don't have autism are an enemy to be defeated.

None of this extreme rhetoric is a direct consequence of the actions of advocacy organizations but they have the potential to bring about a better understanding that "neurotypical" is just a broad generalization, and the real world is comprised of many neurologically atypical people without diagnoses. And also, that a large scope of people doing research on Autism, are out to help, not to hurt people with Autism.

I don't see you as an advocate that would argue that NT's are a problem for Autistic people. I think it would be helpful if this was a discussion for concern among advocacy groups, to see what they could do to put out a more inclusive message for different view points as well as neurological differences. And, a better understanding that not only is there neurodiversity, but a whole human spectrum of neurodiversity that goes well beyond diagnoses.

The latest research suggests that up to 30% of the population has at least one trait of Autism. There is a great deal of kindred spirit out there, but people tend to notice the louder, more oppressive voices.