GMA: Autistic Pride - June 10, 2008

[Antreus]

Wow, ignorant talking heads - condescending much, yes. It's startling the culture war going on here - parents who want their children to be like them and people with autism being over-ruled by parents. There isn't enough support for college age, young adults to be productive citizens, not marginalized as defected - will remain so unless those who can push themselves receive adequate services to do so.

[Xadreos]

You know our society is f***ed when it's controversial for the autistics to stand up for themselves, but it's widely accepted and not controversial to eugenically eliminate autistics before birth, or to "cure" them.

We live in such a bigoted world...

[civilizedwiturmom]

So the people who want a cure are the ones(according to you)that want to eugenically eliminate them. Suggesting that all people who want a cure from this brain abnormality are bigots.If those autistics don't want to be cured then fine. But to say that others out there can't have a cure because it gets in the way of those peoples vain, prideful and utterly stupid selfish belief system. There's a reason autism is going up. Funny that you can't see it. This was written by an autistic by the way.

[Xadreos]

@civilizedwiturmom No, I say they're trying to eugenically eliminate us because most of the funding from autism speaks goes towards pre-birth detection for autism so that they can abort a kid who is likely to have the autistic gene.

And ya, I do think someone who tries to eliminate people who have something deemed a defect when so many before with this syndrome have made significant scientific contributions. I'm proud of my autism; I'm sorry if you feel you need to be fixed to fit in.

[civilizedwiturmom]

@Xadreos It's rather insulting to those out there who actually want a cure. That doesn't mean I hate myself because I want a cure and don't feel sorry for me if I choose not to feel prideful of something that wasn't an accomplishment. U know that a genetic preconditioning doesn't always equate to a predetermination. As I said before - There's a reason it's going up and NO it's not purely genetic. Autism was practically unheard of before the 40's. The world does not work the way u think it does.

[Xadreos]

@civilizedwiturmom I know genetics don't equate to predetermination, but they largely shape who we are. Autism shapes the mind in many positive ways such as making it more inquisitive and focused, qualities which are often overlooked. It's not a disease in need of a cure, and having a dominant group conform the genetic diversity would be eliminating many potential out-of-box thinkers.

Lastly, it IS largely genetic, as things in the environment can influence gene expression too.

[Spydyee2]

@11pouncey11 Kristina has been an Autism Advocate for a long time. Those of us who are on the spectrum and moms of kids on the spectrum at the same time have the utmost respect for her and her advocacy for the community as a whole.

[Spydyee2]

@angus506 no it isn't mercury poisoning. I have Asperger's Syndrome and so does my current husband. My ex husbands did not have any ASD. My kids from my previous marriages are all Aspies. My two kids from my current marriage are non-verbal Kanner Cuties (severe and profoundly autistic). GENETICS plain and simple. Occasionally you will find de novo mutations that begin a chain of Autistic people but I can trace the "Broad Autism Phenotype" complete with the eccentric behaviors that go with it.

[MysticSong]

@angus506 Mercury poisoning isn't the same thing.

[TheAutismLeadership]

I am a person with autism (HFA). I have observed these pride advocacies for some years now. I am so very tired of the words pity and pride. People seem to be going to the extreme and others ignored who have an opinion in the middle. Either it's a horrid disease or someone is discriminating by not understanding or referring to autism as a disease. Some seem to do just fine but what about those left out and who need services. Autism leadership needs strong compassion and respect for self-esteem.

[Spydyee2]

@TheAutismLeadership Believe it or not generally (not in all states) the kids who are severe and profound like my two youngest kids get help. The kids who don't are the ones who are somewhere in the middle like my Aspie son. I cannot get any help for him because he is too high functioning. He is actually the one that needs the most help because he is expected to be more "normal" than the kid that is waving his hand back and forth in front of his eyes in rooms with fluorescent lights.

[TheAutismLeadership]

@Spydyee2 I receive services and I know people with A.S do not. I have supportive living and supportive employment.

[YouStoleMyTube]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being different.

You can see autism as an illness or as a difference. But unless you yourself are among the autistic spectrum you have no right to pass judgment.

But however you judge someone, it will never take anything away from their humanity. No matter what insults you throw at them, they will never stop being human. Deal with it.

[Debba99]

No funding should have to be diverted from services to research for cure of any

disease, syndrome, affliction. The many children born with autism on the low

end of the scale require 24/7 services for the rest of their lives having an impact on parents and healthcare resources. Working for cures will allow more

autistic patients to be higher functioning

[Spydyee2]

@Debba99 that is BS and if you believe it then you need an education. The CURE for Downs Syndrom that medical science found was a test that has led to 90% of all prenatally diagnosed downs children being eugenically aborted. They are not looking for a cure they are looking for a test to see if they can eugenically eradicate us. I am an Autistic Person and the proud mom of 6 Autistic Kids and 3 Autistic Grandkids. I do not want to be or have my offspring eradicated thank you very much!

[dalektaliban]

isnt it funny that those who are looking for a cure for autism, those who do not like the anti cure group are neuro typicals?, !viva la revoluition!

[Yetti0]

Yes the two journalists are typical... They are clueless and the video shows they are...

[aspie101]

The general public is ignorant.

[Yetti0]

TY GMA~

[aspie101]

Really?

I have seen your blog posts and it seems that you are the one abusing autistic children. What do you suppose is more abusive; prejudice against autistic individuals because they are autistic or accepting them for who they are.

Remember what he said; "Anti-cure does not mean anti-progress."

Grow up some time.

[Annamariesdft]

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[dancefan62]

Great job getting on GMA!

Shame that Roberts doesn't get it.

[slsmith77]

The condescension and pity these two women showed demonstrates what Ari is talking about: It implicitly demands that all autistic people feel badly about who they are. Certainly, it does nobody on the autism spectrum any good.

[christschool]

@slsmith77 Clearly you know very little about the full spectrum of autism.

[zeichner42]

Good story - although I'm disappointed that Diane Roberts referred to autism as an "illness" at the end. "Condition," yes - "disability," often - and, according to DSM-IV, "disorder" - but "illness" is not an accurate description.

[blackstarzero]

Sadly curing society of the myths and lies surrounding autism will take time but it is possible if we work hard and never give up.

[7Row7enn7]

Good video.