Autistic people protest Autism Speaks (ASAN - Central Ohio)

On Tuesday, April 20, ASAN-Central Ohio/Ohio State protested Autism Speaks and their ableist brand of autism awareness, their lack of autistic leadership, and their eugenic aims.

The protest was held on the South Oval lawn of the Ohio State campus, and fifteen protesters distributed several hundred flyers that 1) dispelled popular autism myths and 2) described why Autism Speaks does not speak for autistic individuals. Protesters posted a dozen signs across the South Oval, including a puzzle piece graveyard, pictured at the link below.

Read more at http://asancentralohio.blogspot.com/.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• autism
• autistic
• ASAN
• protest
• Autism
• Speaks
• disability
• rights

[iheartInuyasha07]

As a born autistic, Im on their side. Autism is NOT a disease! Nor is it a problem to be solved. To us, it is a way of life!

[JOM123456]

As a person with Aspergers syndrome, I ask that you do not donate one cent to autism speaks. Instead support the Autism Society

[lu4y4pants]

@MyTotalRemedy As an Aspie, I very much disagree with you. The protest is about equality with "neurotypicals," not superiority over them. Apergers and autism isn't a death sentence, no matter how people portray it to be.

[MyTotalRemedy]

You're not allowed to think for yourself. I have Asbergers syndrome and I hate it so much. I understand it messed up my life. I didn't ask for it, or choose to be defined by a life debilitating disease. I have no problem with Autism Speaks, and think the people thinking there's no problem and are bigoted against and look down on "neurotypicals", people who have it much better and can choose their personality and to live their life, regular people, are just deluding themselves. There, I said it.

[MyTotalRemedy]

You're not allowed to think for yourself. I have Asbergers syndrome and I hate it so much. I understand it messed up my life. I didn't ask for it, or choose to be defined by a life debilitating disease. I have no problem with Autism Speaks, and think the people thinking there's no problem and are bigoted against and look down on "neurotypicals", people who have it much better and can choose their personality and to live their life, regular people, are just deluding themselves. There, I said it.

[dancedancedani]

I am confused. Wouldn't it be more productive to integrate autistic people into a movement that already leads the nation in resources, advertising, awareness, support, etc. for people with autism instead of saying they're bad because they aren't autistic? Also, I think I missed the part about wanting to eliminate and eradicate people with autism.

[Xadreos]

@TheEthereallotus Thanks. I'm not a very arrogant person btw, I just get really bummed out when people talk down about aspies, because I'm proud of who I am, and of what I am.

The autistic part of my mind I believe allows me to focus on my interests better than others would. It's disheartening however, how with prenatal testing they are trying to eliminate people on the autistic spectrum before they have a chance to speak for themselves.

Anyway, I wish your son the best. =)

[TheEthereallotus]

@Xadreos My son is an aspie..... I wish he had your motivation!!!!! :)

[cu601]

@vaslittlecrow I agree

[cdymi]

i am so confused.

[Xadreos]

My IQ is around 140 and I was one of the youngest to graduate from my nursing program. I was student health sciences leader voted in by over 530 people, I spoke publicly at a conference in front of over 70 new professors, and lastly, I paid for my college program with over 10k in scholarship and bursaries.

So I have a question: How many of you neurotypicals have done that? I'd love to see you tell me I'm socially damaged as an aspy when I can do things some of you can only dream of.

[rekka0077]

remember boys and girls Just because someone is different than 'normal people' does not necessarily mean that the person is any less of a human than any other person. Autism Speaks DOES NOT speak for me