Autism TV and Autism Speaks

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I think the real problem with this whole situation is the fact that Alex didn't announce that he was going to embark on this new "venture" with the dreaded Aut$peak$, which has left us feeling betrayed because we lack the understanding for your reasoning. The deed has been done and you should make a big announcement about it on here so that EVERYONE knows the connection you have made. My guess is that, that announcement will be met with shouts of anger, etc., but it is braver than just letting people happen upon it on their own, come clean with your members and make an announcement on the FRONT PAGE of your website. Accepting money from Autism Speaks is accepting money from Autism Speaks. I can only hope that your intentions were good and that the outcome is good. Maybe it will help shape minds toward Neurodiversity, etc., we can only hope!

I found it odd that Alex had panther up with autism speaks and really found it odd that he had this women on the show after this video on the wrong planet YouTube channel. i hope i don't get ban for my opinion. because it happen in the past

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7NTfZzS9b8&feature=related[/youtube]

Wrong Planet is in need of open discussion involving it's “governance”. Though Alex has no legal responsibility to members he should share with us what is going on behind the scenes. Wrong Planet has become much larger than just a web forum started by a dude with aspergers named Alex Plank – it has evolved into a large Community of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

It is successful because we support each other by speaking for ourselves. As the founder and manager of Wrong Planet Alex not only has a responsibility to inform members of change in the spirit of "full disclosure" but also the responsibility to listen to the WP Community. Our voices deserve to be heard as they are the voices of Wrong Planet. Dissent is inevitable and healthy!

This new development is just that new. Peoples concern is justified as Autism Speaks does have a track record of betraying people on the spectrum. At the same time the greater debate cannot be furthered without bold moves from both sides. Many Autism Speaks members are openly speaking out against the support of Wrong Planet too. Perhaps this move will, as moonnymph mentioned, “help shape minds toward Neurodiversity”. Every little bit helps.

The open spirit of wrong planet continues and as such we need to keep supporting wrong planet. But, as this place is dear to our hearts we also must remain vigilant.

I am very leery of Autism Speaks, but if it is truly trying to help autistic people rather than seeing us as a revenue stream, then I am open to listen to what it has to say. I am willing to forgive and forget if this organization turns from past ways. However, if Alex is simply doing this for the money and there is no change on the part of Autism Speaks, the Wrong Planet will dwindle to nothing. Another organization that represents autistic people will take shape.

In the history of man, one tactic of the elite is to use the gift of money to silence or co-opt critics who have become too powerful to silence other ways. One of the examples is what is currently happening in the "Tea Party" movement. I remain optimistic, though, that there is the chance that Autism Speaks may be seeing the error of its ways and may be trying to change. If that is the case, then there may be eventual peace between these so called autism advocacy organizations and the neurodiversity movement.

What is happening is happening because of strategic decisions made quite sometime ago. Autism Speaks UK became Autistica (because the Autism Speaks Brand in the UK is so hated it was impossible to continue effectively with the name), and both the US and UK arms took on single autistic representatives, Robison in the US and Danny Beath in the UK.

They have also, as you've seen started buy the affections of the supposed opponents.

And it's working very well.

At the same time, I can assure you, it's business as usual for the Eugenicists. While Alex is off on his Autism Speaks-funded road trip, the Grown-ups in the Lab can continue their wicked work unencumbered.

The ease of which they have achieved their objectivess appals me - as does the lack of understanding of the transatlantic shenanigans of Autism Speaks that have been going on for nearly two years now - two years of focused work to destroy their opponents.

If this is the case, then we will need to form a different organization and get away from Wrong Planet. I've quit other organizations when they no longer represented my interests. One of these organizations is the National Rifle Association. They have increasingly pandered to the anti-freedom elements in the government. Wong Planet is not a multimillion dollar organization. It is a man who set up a few computers set up to provide a community for autistic people.

I think it's fair to hear the other sides of the arguments, so I'm not making a fuss over Alex interviewing autism speaks. Autism speaks might not be everyone's cup of tea (it's definitely not mine) but there are others that do agree with it or else it wouldn't be as big of an organisation as it is today.
This has not put me off wrongplanet and I'm glad there are some people who are willing to let other organisations have their say.

Hold on, Alex is partnering with those Nazis? Perhaps he has yet to read this?

HAIL AUTISM SPEAKS!

[img][800:900]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XSrMM9q42JQ/TFyiNAr2mAI/AAAAAAAABsc/RNmzIdxGNRE/sizer.jpg[/img]

Well I dislike Autism Speaks and their jigsaw. I am tempted to write something very rude about the jigsaw. About how I never wish to see it ever again, and how it is only fit for using as fuel for the wrong planet BBQ.

However, I think that a coup against Alex is a very bad idea, if you do not like the fact that he is sitting down and talking to autism speaks then I suggest that you contact him. If autism speaks refused to enter into a dialogue with the ASD community then I would support people getting uppity. I know that some people favour so call direct action and angry mobs of people, but I think that we need to avoid sinking into an abyss where both sides are locked into a battle. I think that as long as the other side do not use dirty tricks or ignore our voice we should make a point of refraining from using the “no platform” rule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NUS_No_Platform_Policy

_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

Autism Speaks is by far the largest presence in the autism world, in terms of fundraising and public relations power. Can't you imagine how that might benefit all of us, if we could agree on how to harness that energy?

My joining the Autism Speaks science board was a gamble. I know many of you criticized me, but I believe I am succeeding in what I set out to do. I am able to advocate for research that helps people on the spectrum, and I can speak against research I oppose. Any of you, of course, can do the same thing, but I can do so as an insider, where my vote counts. Yours doesn't. At least not yet.

But you too could reach out.

I think we spectrumites have an opportunity to work with Autism Speaks and in doing so, to take steps to remake the organization in am image we like better. Remember they are only five years old; it's not like they have decades of inertia to overcome. Sure, some of the parent supporters are coming from a very different place than me, but why shouldn't my voice be just as loud within the organization?

I have talked at length with people like Geri Dawson and Peter Bell and I am convinced that they have a genuine and true desire to support research to make the lives of autistic people better. I don't want to get bogged down in semantics of what was written or said in years past; I base my opinion on in-person conversations and I am prepared to try and build a constructive relationship on that basis.

Why not give it a chance; see where it goes?

In my opinion, this whole tempest over a few thousand dollars of underwriting support is just ridiculous. If Autism Speaks is so bad, do you want to pony up the money to fund Autism Talk TV instead? Alex would not need sponsors if you guys were donors . . .

I quite agree, the complainants should stump up the dollars...

(I'm not a complainant, John - I am a critic and satirist)

However, many of us are very, very poor - 85-88% unemployment for Autistics in the UK.

I have to say some members of 'Neurodiversity' seem to be reasonably solvent - the Seidels, Estee Klar and their merry band of personality mommies. Perhaps they'd dig deep for victory?

I think until Autism Speaks has heavy-weight Neurodiversity advocates at the highest levels (people like Morton Ann Gernsbacher, & Michelle Dawso ) I will maintain my satirical offensive.

I don't believe their overtures to Neurodiversity are anything other than a diversionary tactic to allow them to continue with their wicked work.