#autismspeaks10

[lykkirykki]

There was a commercial about Autism my mom pointed out that was pretty cool, until the spokeswoman said the ever popular words "Learn the signs..." and the annoying blue Puzzle piece appeared

[butterflyinthewell]

Fellow #ActuallyAutistic people, show the world people with autism have faces and a name. Let’s tell the world we’re not a puzzle piece. We are human and we have as much right to be seen and heard as anyone else.

A helper for those with executive dysfunction, here is the order to write it in:

#NAPP

I am (your first name here)

#ActuallyAutistic

#AutismSpeaks10

Not A Puzzle Piece! 

If you post your selfie on Tumblr, make sure you share it in tags Autism Speaks uses and also tag it NAPP. Let’s make it viral. Let’s put our faces out there.

You’re all beautiful. <3

[asdigest]

Press Release – Autism Speaks Marks Ten Years of Progress

Press Release – Autism Speaks Marks Ten Years of Progress

Autism Speaks, Improving lives through awareness, science, advocacy and family services

New York, N.Y. February 25, 2015– Today Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, is marking ten years since it was founded by Suzanne and Bob Wright after their grandson was diagnosed with autism. Since then, the organization has made great strides. It has committed more…

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[asdigest]

MTV News Waffles on Supporting #ActuallyAutistic

Last week, MTV News ran a story about how many autistic people were speaking out in protest against Autism Speaks‘ stated intent to find a cure for autism. But shortly after going online, it was quietly removed.

Freelance writer Robin Lempel wrote the article for MTV News, which we were able to get a copy ofafter it was removed from their site. The piece started out talking a little about Autism…

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[awesometistic]

Honestly, a bit of me wants to send endless tweets to Autism Speaks just going "fight me" until they pay attention. Except that then their supporters would point to me and say, "See, autistics aren't interested in reasonable debate, they just tweet hate at Autism Speaks, they're not giving any reason to support or like them!" So it wouldn't actually do any good at all.

[awesometistic]

Following on from this post about MTV pulling an article on the #AutismSpeaks 10 twitter battle, it apparently gets worse.

The full story (minus the bit where Autism Speaks actually does something, because of course they don't want that out in the open) can be found here, and is about how an autistic woman was once again silenced when speaking out against Autism Speaks. Apparently it's not fair to talk about them negatively, despite everything they say about us.

[awesometistic]

I haven't been around tumblr much today so apologies if this is around already but, MTV apparently did an article on the AutismSpeaks10 hashtag battle, but took it down a few hours later, presumably due to bullying from Autism Speaks (who had been asked by MTV for their opinion on the battle and declined to answer). The original article is preserved here.

Something I've realised throughout the hashtag battle is that Autism Speaks never publicly respond to criticism themselves. They haven't said a word about AutismSpeaks10, even though:

After a few days there was a wave of AS supporters at the same time, enough that seemed slightly suspicious and who I suspect they contacted and asked to fill the tag with positive messages.

Several people/companies have asked for interviews regarding the controversy

They started using the #AutismChampions hashtag instead as though nothing had happened.

I haven't been following AS this closely for very long, but I don't recall ever hearing of a time they publicly addressed the criticism surrounding them. (It's usually just "autism parents" arguing back.) Which, I suppose, makes a lot of sense. If they talk about it, the general public are likely to hear, and might end up looking into criticisms and realising how gross they are. So they ignore us because they're scared of us.

Right now, one of my main goals and wishes is just that the autistic community will eventually bother Autism Speaks a lot that they have to finally respond to us. And then, hopefully, the general public will respond, too.

[meaningiswithin]

Deep in the Souls of Autism is set out to be a profound film, I've met with some of the people involved and the messages in the film are incredibly deep -- reblog to show your support for the autism community!