Rethinking Autism: Autistics Speak

RethinkingAutism.com presents a video designed to change the current autism conversation in the media.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• autism
• neurodiversity
• leeann tweeden
• bill whittle
• max martini
• laura orrico
• armie hammer
• elizabeth chambers

[bunnylover4444]

Why were voiceovers necessary?

[RethinkingAutism]

@bunnylover4444 because I couldn't afford to fly them all here and videotape them. You seem very angry and I don't feel like fueling your anger. I'm trying to help autistic people have a say in the national autism conversation. I would like for your grandson to be able to communicate as well, that is why I'm including autistic adults, who have grown up autistic and could have some words of advice. Please go to the "Our Voice" page and see what they have to say.

[RethinkingAutism]

@bunnylover4444 I use the term "autistic people" because that is what they are. You can't separate the autism from the person. You don't say a person with "femaleness" you say a female to distinguish her from a male. Just as you would say "autistic" to distinguish them from a neurotypical person. You do say a person with a cold because it is possible to remove the cold and still have the person.

[bunnylover4444]

Yes, I had watched it, visited your website ad viewed a few of Leeann's videos. I think your creative juices were misdirected and ridiculous. What do you mean you used voices of people with autism?

[RethinkingAutism]

@bunnylover4444 Voiceovers. It is when you hear someone speaking but don't see them on camera. If you don't like the videos then feel free to ignore them. 

[bunnylover4444]

Helping our loved ones with autism in any way we can, with everything we have and will be celebrating even the smallest accomplishment that merges our lives and our world with theirs.

[RethinkingAutism]

@bunnylover4444 sorry you feel that way. The video features voiceovers from autistic people and was co-written by autistic people. Perhaps you will like the new video better for it features an autistic adult. It is called Rethinking Autism: Autism Support Group.

[Ghouldilocks]

@deliasc Speaking as an autistic person, let me just say one thing: Stop making YOUR CHILD'S DISABILITY about YOU. It isn't about you. It isn't about how "sad" you are because your child isn't "normal" enough for you. Autism Speaks is also a hated and reviled organization in the autism community. They work only to find "cures" to wipe this planet clean of people like me (people like YOUR SON) because autistic people are not "normal" enough. They speak for NOBODY but ableist assholes.

[kuroneko99]

When his diet is changed he loses control and focus...these are the things we need to research and separate from the neural-diversity part. What aspects are treatable and are a hurdle to quality of life (but not part of someone's intrinsic nature)? We really don't fully see this picture yet.

[kuroneko99]

I believe these are different things. Through diet, supplements and therapies we've reduced the meltdowns and my son has increased clarity - so that now his behavior is allowing him to be considered for the gifted/talented program. No one wants him to not be who he is...but we only wish for the brain fog and reactivity to be reduced. We make a lot of environmental accommodations for him as well.

[kuroneko99]

We know so little of the components of Autism...and there is such vehement position-taking on something we all know so little about. In my own research and experience I'm realizing this is a multi-pronged issue. There is the neurodiversity of the different neuro-pathways that should be respected, not 'pruned' out of society's DNA, but there is also the genetic component that makes it difficult to purge heavy metals and heavy vaccinating can trigger developmental regressions on top of this

.

[TOMHYLE88]

@Lisaannjoel I've said a very similar thing to people lately; "how would you like it if that was your life? How would you like it if you couldn't go to the hospital when you are sick or injured without getting committed or arrested? If when people abuse you none of the people who are suposed to help will do anything no matter how clear the evidence? If those you love always choose society's lies over you? If people singled you out? If there were one set of rules for others & another for you?" .

[avidgames91091]

@Ghouldilocks agreed, autism speaks are a bunch of tyrants that need to burn in hell for calling autism a tragedy and putting us as a health crisis because we're sick compared to the likes of aids diabetes or cancer. autism is something that doesn't need to be "fixed" or "normalized" it's something that needs to be accepted for it differences in that person. autism speaks can go to hell for all eternity for calling autism a tragedy worse than a terminal disease.

[Lisaannjoel]

How would anyone feel if no matter where they turned, you had nobody to lean on. If you trusted someone you were dealt eventually with the cold blade going in your back. You couldn't get even a job because of personality tests. Nobody thinks about actually understanding you but in return they fully expect you to understand them and hypocritically treat you badly if you do not meanwhile that same person is hurting you constantly.

How would you respond if this was done to you constantly?

[Lisaannjoel]

@Ghouldilocks

PREACH IT!

I've grown tired of parents throwing their child on tv, showing videos of them struggling with meltdowns and then claiming their child is horrible. Those parents are horrible and the child does have feelings. Maybe if the parents would treat their child better, there would be a stronger will for the child.

I should know about that one. My parents did not believe in me.

[BaltoLoneWoolf]

Right on! I don't need a dim-witted porn star like Jenny McCarthy to rant about anti-vaccines and tell me I'm not normal. Guess what, Sherlock? There is no such thing. If they want to cure something, cure my rear end. Or better yet, cure their twisted, vile minds. Happy belated Autistics Speaking Day! Cure ignorance, not autism. :)

[Genin99]

great video I wish there are more organizations that help autistic people function better and be accepted in society, rather then what Autism Speaks does whine about how autistic kids are doomed and will be a burden on everyone.

I have Aspergers and school was terrible for me, not only was I bullied by kids I felt like the teachers were bullying me too by putting me in the severely disabled class and making me take life skills classes when I'm very high functioning

[kalols2]

good video, I have autism spectrum