Asan PDX Protests "I Am Autism" Video

[PtAltmVansanTarr]

@Taraterm2 "...most autistics face lifetimes in group homes or in the street.." I don't know, that doesn't sound to good....

[urbanangel13]

parents need to listen to the voice of true autism & stop being mislead by Autism Speaks & their ilk...do you want acceptance for your child or fearmongering?? as a parent of a child with autism i know which one i want...do you??????????

[SirLoin21]

Good to see it's close to my home. Hope I can go to one soon.

[ClassyGirl07]

It is true. Autism is there, sometimes invisible, other times in clear view. It occurs now in every 1 in 90 children. Your kid may end up having high-functioning autism, just like me -unless I tell you that I have autism you can barely tell that anything is "off" about me. You can't make your kid an HFA, but you can get Early Intervention for your kid so that you don't receive the brunt of the worst possible scenarios. Good luck to all new autism-parents out there.

[babywrench]

wow.. Im not sure about this. i mean, autism speaks doesnt do the research I was hoping for, but the puzzle is about research, not the person. why is everyone picking on them? they do not want to hurt the autistic community

[CrustyOldRusty]

If you're not offended, you're not autistic. Good job Elesia, with a fair and eloquent summary/defense against the exploitive Goliath.

[shamiraash30]

Autism Speaks does not speak for the Autistic community. They talk about us without us. They exclude Autistic people from their leadership and decision-making. Autism Speaks' "I Am Autism" video calls us burdens on our families and society. This makes people afraid of us. Autism Speaks is an organization that drains monies from communities and puts little money back in to support the families and individuals the purport to help (check out their 2008 990 Tax Form). Autistics deserve civility too!

[eclath]

It is unfortunate that all this celebration overlooks the fact that more than 1000 participants in the Autism Speaks Portland Walk Now for Autism now feel that ASAN has attacked them, their children, families and friends personally. ASAN has created anger and resentment, instead of helping to build a community. I sincerely hope that bridge can be rebuilt, and that the impact isn't to make the autism community appear so fractured that true understanding is delayed even further.

[timnkris]

eclath-ASAN did not cause this separation, autism speaks did. Their campaign strategy to drum up donations was sick! I do feel badly for those who participated in the walk, their intentions were good, but they backed the wrong 'voice'. We should spread tolerance and acceptance...that is how you build a community-not degrading scare tactics. Autism speaks has a very long road ahead of them if they want the autism community to welcome them back.

[timnkris]

Actually, contrary to what you wrote, I believe this has actually strengthened our community- look at all of us talking and coming together for a common goal!

~mother of a wonderful 7 y/o aspie and wife to an aspie

[shamiraash30]

This video is being celebrated because it is a move in the direction of civil rights and Disability Rights for Autistic people. ASAN's protest was against Autism Speaks only, and NOT against any Portlanders who participated in the walk. ASAN has utmost respect for the children, families, and friends who participated in the Autism Speaks' Walk. Autism Speaks is misinforming and exploiting the very families they claim to help--even in Portland. ASAN's protest was diplomatic, not tactless.

[shamiraash30]

The comment above is in reference to this KOIN 6 protest newscast video (which is being celebrated) and is not in reference to the "I Am Autism" video by Autism Speaks.

[FieryWolfPrincess7]

Way to go!!! Great job ASAN!!! It cause me joy to see this.

[bmonster99]

Go ASAN!

[Schmeller]

Congratulations!!

[paintermill]

ggodo - I am in australia and received a link from ASAN this morning re this news piece. EXCELLENT> Autism speaks does not speak for me, either!

[whitetigerdream]

Great job! I'm so happy this was done.

[nicocoer]

Goof job ASAN PDX!!! Wish I could have been there with you!

[PDurbinWestby]

Yay ASAN-PDX!

[JoniDeNerd]

Great job!

I think the pauses in the newscaster were edited in to serve as captions to the video clips. Am I right? I like it. Usually people talk too fast for me to understand them easily.

[paulwady]

Good good. Slowly, Autism Speaks learn.

Each year they seem to more and more endorse advocacy in different forms. I wonder why????

[nagaempress]

Because they probably are finding out that everyone doesnt believe them and they have to see if they get cha next yr.

[MisterZonkerHarris]

ummm... maybe she was playing footsy with the guy?

[ooohprettycolors]

Go ASAN!!!! NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US!!!

I'm confused by the long pauses that the newscaster took, though. Was she having trouble reading the prompter?

[treitmaniac]

I think that this video splices still photos from the protest between clauses of the news report, resulting in the pauses.

[nicocoer]

I think so too.