Aspies For Freedom

I just sent the following feedback to the 7:30 report's guestbook (I know it was a couple of months ago, but better late than never!):

I just read the transcript of your "Government Support for Autism" piece (http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s1942203.htm) - I know it was quite a while ago, but I felt compelled to respond.

While I agree that autistic training and education programs are underfunded, as a person on the autistic spectrum, I found the portrayal of autistic people to be extremely negative.

I am a supporter of the neurodiversity movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurodiversity), which promotes the fact that autism is not always a disability, and can even be advantageous in some areas, such as pattern recognition skills. Unfortunately, the only images of autistic people shown in the media are of unhappy, silent children. It is also notable that few media pieces feature interviews with actual autistic people, but rather focus on "suffering parents". In an otherwise high quality television program, this piece was sadly no different.

Also, phrases such as "Those suffering the trauma of autism" perpetrate a very negative view of autistic people - Many people in the autistic community live entirely happy and productive lives, and if a cure was available, most of us would not accept it.

In summary, there is more to the autistic spectrum than miserable parents, and one day I would love it if a show like yours could address some of the real issues of the autistic community. (Perhaps you could even cover the next autistic pride day, on June the 18th).

For more information, here is the essay said to have started the autistic rights movement - "Don't Mourn For Us" by Jim Sinclair: http://ani.autistics.org/dont_mourn.html

There is also the "Aspies For Freedom" neurodiversity site (http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com). This 7:30 report piece has also been debated on the site here: http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/showthread.php?tid=9357

Apologies for the length of this rant, and thanks for your time.

Woohoo! They actually published it - I wasn't sure that they would (Datestamp: 7/08/2007 9:49 PM). Granted that by the time they got it up it was immediately swamped by another page of further comments, but still...

Oops - Forgot the link. It's http://www2b.abc.net.au/guestbookcentral...bookID=156

That report must have been one of the most ignorant bits of writing i've ever read.

I agree about the stupidity of interviewing parents only- neurotypical, female parents to be exact. Autism speaks did this in their video.

They also have a knack of picking the neurotypical, female mothers who are incredibly distressed at the idea of having a child that will not be like other children. I have yet to see a proper, bona fide, interview with a mother who did not cry when she heard the diagnosis and does not want a cure. I know there are some somewhere in the world, so why aren't people listening to them?

30 HOURS OF 'GRUELLING THERAPY' A WEEK!!
How could any reasonable parent put their young child through that? That is sick- and it also said that autistic kids need a minimum 20 hours a week! What do they think autistic kids are? Superhuman? Making 'normal' children endure 20 hours of practicaly pointless behavioural therapy wouldn't even cross their minds, so why do it to autistic children. They are kids, they need to have free time, a childhood, and most of all acceptance by their parents AND country.