Praise Only for the Cured: The Autism Acceptance Project

A comment on recent media events -- how the media and society think about autism, and Jenny McCarthy in the news.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• autism
• autistic
• posautive
• acceptance
• media

[taaproject]

I'm glad you're a happier person. But happiness and unhappiness comes from within. Don't blame the child. Don't just praise the child for being typical.

[taaproject]

Autism is a disability not a disease. While some autistic people find that their systems are more sensitive and benefit from certain diets, others are not effected by diets at all. It is no different than any of us, autistic or not. But please don't sell it as a cure all for all autistic people. That's just plain irresponsible. Further, autistic people can tell us best about the sensory issues that effect them uniquely as individuals -- not everyone's sensory issues are exactly the same.

[taaproject]

Why don't we talk about some of the kids who have died from chelation? I think desperate parents seek desperate meausres. I don't think having a "better life" equates with not having a disabled child. I know many families with disabled children thriving and who are happy.

[SusanStoHelit]

When we discovered my son had autism I read Jenny McCarthy's book and saw her tv clips and was absolutely disgusted by her attitude towards other parents who weren't on her bandwagon as well as her complete ignorance in general. I try to tend towards non-violence these days but I'd love to punch her in the face.

[MalfoyFemDom]

Hey. Just an Aspie gal saying kudos to you.

Don't cure me. I am happy the way I am.

[ksol1460tv]

There will be a brief pause while my head explodes from the stupidity.

Autistic Ace

[aspie101]

@caandahl To cure an autistic child is to take away that child's personality. That is like a blind person losing the unique way that he or she sees the world.

[aspie101]

@caandahl Notice that only 1 in every 4 parents believe that mercury causes autism. That means that there are thrice as many parents who do not believe that mercury causes autism. However, look at Opera, look at Dr. Phil, look at The Dr.s, and look at all the other popular media programs. They always promote the vaccine controversies. The only reason why celebrities promote people like Jenny McCarthy, JB Handley, and Autism Speaks is to make themselves look like heroes.

[caandahl]

I totally agree with you.

As a parent,I think we(parents) need to give our kids as many options as we can to help them,maybe "treat" the symptoms..ie therapy and alternative ways to communicate and sensory things to help them calm themselves as needed,but they do not need a "cure".

The adults I have talked to (most of the ones I know have "severe autism") they say they do not mind,having autism,it's who they are,they are proud of it,and should be :)

[aspie101]

The mainstream medical establishment is no better. In fact, they are worse. 90-95% of Down's fetuses are aborted due to dehumanization. You see the same with groups like Autism Speaks and Generation Rescue. Notice that it is always what the parents want for their children. If any autistic is to be cured, it should be up to the individual to decide. Just like how the blind man asked for Jesus to let him see again. That is why God gave us free will.

[caandahl]

I so agree with you!

People like her make the general public ignorant.

So when parents of children w/autism are out in public we have to hear offensive comments,like "so and so said they can be "cured"..."

We do not try to "cure Down syndrome,or CP or many other disorders,why should we "cure" our children,they are fine the way they are!

[aspie101]

The only reason why people listen to Jenny McCarthy is because she is a talentless celebrity like Megan Fox, Paris Hilton, and Brittney Spears. If she wasn't they would not pay attention to her. People like her have turned autism awareness and acceptence into celebrity gossip which is only counter-productive. Words cannot discribe the animosity that I harbor towards her.

[muscadime07]

Thank you for this video. I needed to hear this. My son is 14 and autistic. We have done all the diets and the meds and countless therapies. Some things improved him and some did not. And no, he is not going to have the life I had hoped for him. But what is wrong with him being like he is? He is autistic but many other things such as funny and kind.. No one is just one thing. Autism is one part of him. Yes, I would like to punch Jennie in the face too.

[smithcd77]

I am not trying to be mean, but I promise you that I will never understand a mother blatently ignoring a child being in physical pain. A HUGE number of autistic kids have major gut problems and bowel disease. Some autistic traits would be great to lose such as banging heads, excessive stimming, no language, etc. I don't for the life of me understand people not wanting to at least try and improve the way their children feel. My child will thank me one day. He is "in recovery."