The Autism Self-Advocacy Network (Not the Solution)

Post Reply New Topic

This group I am not a fan of nor most other organizations. That does not mean I hate them. Just sometimes I think organizations go to far and I don't really believe in depending upon government for solutions. I did contact ASAN with my concerns and feel that since they responded they can't be that bad or arrogant. I just don't believe it is the solution nor is it "the" official self-advocates network because of the following.

1. Pressure based civil rights participations if you don't agree your a detractor.

2. As a civil rights organization it is not democratic functioning as a member based voting enterprise in it's PR.

3. Follow the leader instead of helping others to become leaders themselves with their own unique opinions.

4. One must be anti-choice and take a side on abortion issues none the less.

Ultimately I don't believe in complaining to much about words and creating divisive methods. I don't believe in considering organizations the axis of evil for instance but proactively by means of innovation working with all possible organizations to uplift, enable and provoke self-leadership and not cult like followers that don't think for themselves. Ok that might be harsh but for me enabling people is about assuring there rights, dignities and their thoughts regardless of their choices. So for this reason ASAN is consider proprietary and ultimately I don't believe with it's current model the oppositional tact will create many more results least in the long-term.

Where I live the laws and professionals around me are always positive it seems and do everything they can to enable my choices. I don't view the so called "normal" world as the oppressors or the Nazi's. I don't believe in guilting people either because of abortion which I cannot control. Nor do I wish to redefine autism because of abortion. So until ASAN becomes more diverse and democratic it's claim of being a self-advocacy network is just for those of certain rigid points of view it allows to speak.

Nathan Young

I don't know where you got the idea that you have to be anti-choice to support ASAN. There is a difference between wanting to prevent selective abortion due to genetic testing from becoming a social norm, and actually telling women what they can and cannot do. Also, it is normal for such organizations to have a board of directors who lead the focus of the organization. ASAN has had multiple successes, and I believe they are doing the right thing. Of course they have certain goals and ideals and are going to push for them, that's what a rights focused organization has to do in order to achieve anything. If you want to create a support or social based organization which does not require that people hold certain ideals, go right ahead and do it, but that doesn't detract from the need to have people fighting for our rights and for fair representations of us in society.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwp2lL7rFrM[/youtube]

Even the founder has said others with different opinions should have been included. Additionally to name an organization The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network you should by company policy embrace and facilitate all opinions otherwise others feel left out. Same has been done with Autism Speaks whom does not include all opinions and is misleading in title as well. I am sorry I do not endorse organizations that only include people that believe a certain way yet claim to want to enhance civil rights and facilitate them then call people detractors. I think it's political immaturity and I hope the organization does evolve to respect essential civil liberties and I challenge it to and welcome others to create organizations that honor the opinions of all individuals with autism as facilitators.

It is my belief as Obama has done to subside political extremes was to appoint Ari because of the abortion issue wheras Obama is Pro-abortion. I really like Obama to but once you get into the politics of a womens body and do not include females with and without autism whom disagree then you got a problem. It's an organization that has led with adversity and the fuel of adversity is running low so the autism community needs more leaders and leaders that will respect diversity of idea.

I hope ASAN changes as it can help spur more self-advocacy organizations but it does not represent individuals with autism opinions as a whole.

Sincerely,

Nathan Young

To note though.

Mr. Ari is a very smart young man. However there is gapping holes in the methodology and the pressure based advocacy while getting the organization somewhere will likely falter as time goes on. There are organizational models which do protect essential organizational fiscal stability but do as well include and are inclusive of all diversity for those with autism. It is my belief that facilitators are businesses and ASAN is obviously a business. A good business choice would be to modify it's model to be more inclusive and allow it's members empowerment collectively socially.

I will have an outline of a organization model free to the public which I am experimenting with in Humboldt County California. Anyone is welcome to it.

Do please take the lyrics of this song as metaphoric of my meaning in this context.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLXxqoapPY&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TLTBYWFgc0Pu4[/youtube]

I've watched that interview. He says there's a need for community, and within the community aspect people of all opinions should be accepted, but he also says that ASAN has chosen to take a rights-based approach which by its nature requires that people hold some shared values. To come up with my own examples, would HRC be expected to accept "ex"-gays who think being LGBT is wrong and that such people shouldn't be allowed to marry? Should NOW be expected to accept women who believe that women belong only in the home? No, anyone would think that to be absurd. I think that there is a place for a community aspect, but that shouldn't diminish the fighting for our rights.

All the spin in the world, comparisons to other groups and what not to increase the importance of the advocacy despite being very different from each-other I can guarantee are not needed. People really typically "love" people with autism so you know. The socio-mechanics that your outlining if you will is just a unnecessary game. It's time to see ASAN as not a self-advocacy network of diverse opinion as one might assume in it's phraseology but that of a abortion organization using abortion to enhance it's objectives. I am sorry I have a different ethic and will remain respectful so as to not cause social damage as I know ASAN can achieve some good things. What will achieve great things is not one person, not a people that agree a certain way on adverse issues but the embodiment of the respect and dignity of diversity coming together and advancing progress. It just is not the right formula in model, I'm sorry.

Nathan Young

What in the heck does that even mean? I'm not sure those words even make sense together. My best guess is that you think ASAN is a front for anti-choice, which it definitely isn't. A good model for what ASAN actually does is the OSU/Central Ohio ASAN chapter. (That's a link to their blog, which is hard to tell in my browser for some reason.)

What in the heck does that even mean? I'm not sure those words even make sense together. My best guess is that you think ASAN is a front for anti-choice, which it definitely isn't. A good model for what ASAN actually does is the OSU/Central Ohio ASAN chapter. (That's a link to their blog, which is hard to tell in my browser for some reason.

I understand you may be upset but my meaning is very clear. Abortion is a topic that is separate from other issues and ASAN has chosen abortion. The organization is politically compromised and is a risk to progress because of that. That's just how the world of politics works.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm0T7_SGee4[/youtube]

Please explain how ASAN "has chosen abortion". I have no clue what you mean by that.

There is no need for further explanation. The organization you belong to is involved in abortion politics. I understand my statements may be shocking to you. I and others want nothing to do with ASAN because it compromises public relations on other issues. Your organizations path is of it's choosing. Please proceed as you wish.

You don't need my permission nor endorsement.

Nathan Young

Prove it. Show me official ASAN releases, publications, or protests that say anything about restricting abortion (as opposed to worrying about the effects screening might have). I am currently under the reasonable impression that while they discourage eugenics, they do not advocate changing abortion laws. There actually is need for further explanation because right now you're just making aggressive statements with absolutely no proof and then getting angry when I ask for proof.

I understand your upset. The abortion issue is clear none the less. I and others want nothing to do with your organization. It does not speak for me and others whom choose not to have it and or are unaware that it is speaking for them. This is neither complicated nor ill conceived. Please move on.

Never mind. I proved my own point. My assessment was correct: while ASAN fights against eugenics, specifically in condemning the development of prenatal testing, they do not take a stance on abortion.

http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules ... ?itemid=27

No, it clearly is not, as you can see from my previous post. Please stop spreading rumor and misinformation, and please stop patronizing me.

It's fact. Abortion is an issue ASAN has taken sides on. It has comprimised other issues.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C47y39Afzbg[/youtube]