I was debating with Autism speaks. Is autism really that bad

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http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/f ... php?t=5641

I feel bad for those misinformed narrow-minded people. I went to the site just for the hell of it to see if I could debate with those people. When I went there, I felt like I didn't know what I was talking about. But I knew I pointed out some insightful stuff.
I wanted to see 'autism' from their perspective, and forums was filled with flamewars, and heated arguments. Most of the members are really biased people, many people are making stuff up and exaggerate things. They tend to flame and attack autistic members.

What do you think?
Would you join the community and debate with them? The more the better.

No, I wouldn't join in. I was on another board for parents of ASD kids before I came to this one. At the time, I only had a slight curiosity as to whether or not I had AS, but as soon as I joined I know I felt at home here. The parenting board just depressed me, and made me angry. I don't think there's much of any way to change those people's minds. It's like they're fighting in another language or something. For example, there was this one thread about the lady on the Autism Speaks video talking about killing her daughter. Many of the members stuck up for the lady on the video. When I said that I didn't agree with them at all, suddenly I don't understand postpartum depression. Do you see where that makes sense in that argument? I sure don't.

Yeah, I think I have heard of that event before, but never have I thought that those people would actually support someone killing her own child. That's terrible!

Wow, they really are brainwashed. How does Autism speaks do that?

They do that, with the "Autism Everyday" videos.

If they really want to believe in it, it will be hard to stop them from doing so. They are probably VERY convinced, and maybe no debate could possibly make them change their minds.

But still, it is enjoyable to feel like you're right.

Those people are rude anyway.

Am a member [though innactive] at autism speaks to [a lot of WPers are,and there are users here who started on AS] ,am do not think most of the members are really biased, most are parents and have a different look at autism than autistics themselves.

The problem am see on AS [autism speaks],is clashing with experiences of Autism-aspies have a real truth about some of their users only ever seeing autism as the classic type,but aspies are also known to do it themselves when they say things like autism is okay,is a difference,able to do everything,not a disability,and no one should cure it because it's got so much great traits etc- ignoring the opposite experience of Autism,it happens on here to so AS users can't be called the only ones doing it.

There does need to be more Autism spectrum awareness on there,to help all understand ASD,and not just see the one side,then again,am would say the same for any ASD forum.
If their only experience of autism is from a young child,they're not going to know what it's like in an adult,that is where places like WP could come in.

Joined in. It made me sad to see those people speak so much crap

Please don't tar them all with the same brush. There's some fine people there. However, generally autistics are not made welcome, their knowledge and experience and opinions are not welcome. There are several members that specialise in giving autistics a hard time and behaviour that would get you banned on WP immediately goes unchecked. Whenever I see a new autistic on there I always PM them to warn them what's coming and invite them to join WP.

They do it with money. Lots and lots and lots of money.

Is some personnel overlapping between Autismspeaks and Wakefield's Thoughtfulhouse? I don't know and I ask if someone knows.

I'm a member over there, as well, and I followed that thread. I thought that most of the parents were trying to discuss your subject respectfully, Chimchar. People there only started taking real issue with you when you said, "According to my research, a majority turn out to blend in with their classmates. Very few are low-functioning. But really regardless of spectrum, your kids will be fine."

You cannot honestly know that most everyone's kid "will be fine."

Here is a representative response to that:

"I respect what you are saying but, to compare disease to disorder is not being fair. You are right that most autistics will lead full lives, but there are many many more who will need a lifelong commitment from me, my kids and their progen, prodg, their kids and spouses. You are right to say it is not a tragedy, but it is certainly not a picnic, especially for some..."


I grant you that the conversation got heated from there. But really, to hear what you said from a brand new member just doesn't sit well with parents who are facing big time challenges with their little kids. I'm not clear on what your intent was in going over there. We have "flame wars" over there because we are a varied bunch, as Zara rightly points out, and we are not all the same closed minded ogres that you might perceive us to be.

I'm a mom of a little autistic kid and I can't say that I'd change anything about him. We've never been into the cure idea and we love our son exactly as he is. Still, I know that many parents have challenges that we do not have. Can you see how a newbie telling a huge group of parents that their children will be just fine would be perceived as rather presumptuous?

The only way i would believe the suihdyeh uv runca cred that Autism Speaks comes out with is if they hit me with a Psychic Dominator. And I can't see them getting clearance to build one of those.

By taking advantage of those who lack humility, integrity, and wisdom.

I think the people from autism speaks that posted in that thread were reasonable. At least most of them that posted before some statements were made that i believe were fairly unfounded and seemed condescending.

That said i do not agree with most of what autism speaks does, reminds me of peta. They seem great and most of the supporters are great people but the people in charge are taking advantage of them and everyone else.

I read the thread.

Chimchar, show some understanding towards those parents who have children SEVERELY affected by autism.

Basically i agree with you. Autism (and the closely related AS) is not a disease, and should not be cured.

But i understand if it upsets those parents when you say their children "will be OK". Obviously those children need a lot of support. Themselves and their parents have some problems to deal with. The people at A-speaks (at least some of them) simply wants to do what they think is the best for their child. I wouldn't blame them for that.

Concerning vaccines and autism: We all know mercury isn't healthy. We need to make sure that when we use mercury, we do it with care. More science does not hurt, all it does it that it helps us know for sure that we're using mercury in appropriate doses only. (And if it would show the opposite, a link between mercury and autism, which would surprise me a bit, then we need to know that as well. I don't wish anyone AS or autism, the disadvantages of the syndromes can be too depressing. )

Lastly, i'm not even diagnosed myself, i don't claim to be "the voice of someone with AS".

(I think that this has all been said before, and that i have nothing new to add to the discussion, but anyway.)

It's late. I'll go to bed now and won't be able to reply to this thread.