|
What needs to be done
|
| Author |
Message |
Tank123
Posts: 166
Group: Registered
Joined: Nov 2010
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
I have always considered what to do when faced with discrimination, even if its inadvertent, due to being an Autistic/Aspergian. I have a few things that have come to mind: firstly, the main problem for the Autism Rights Movement is not working together, in terms of each group's members working with each other, but because the leaders of each group are adamant that theirs is the best path to take. Anyone else ever gone into a discussion with a person that's got the same level of intellect, cunning, and ability to maneuver a conversation the way they wish as you do? Believe me, it's not the prettiest sight. Get a couple Autistics going at each other, and you've got even more trouble, because, as a culture, we can all be volatile at times, especially if people aren't giving us credit where its due or giving a thought to what we say.
In regards to NTs and their 'false offers of assistance'.... I have generally tried to do things on my own as far as possible. When it comes to aid and who I can depend on for it, here's an interesting little thing: I had 4-5 friends in high school, some were more 'fringe friends' at that point so we didn't hang out a lot. One was an NT, two were ADHD, and the other, as far as I can tell, may be mildly autistic. Not sure, since he hasn't had an official diagnosis of any kind. But here's the sitch: I was having troubles with my family throughout high school up until I was about 20, 21. Each of my friends had promised support in terms of aplace to stay, help avoiding my dad, etc. Of those, ADHD-1 and the Possible-Autie were the ones who came through. ADHD-2 and NT were, shall we say, not as willing to aid others. The ADHD-2, though, had a fairly good reason. (Overcontrolling mother, 3-4 sisters, and a dad who drove semi's). The NT, on the other hand, was the type of guy my dad would be 'proud to call a son', as it were. So I have my own personal distaste for help from NTs, but I'll accept their help provisionally. They don't cmoe throguh the 1st time, I don't go back.
Another issue I see as being a bit diversive is that the Autism Rights Movement isn't really organized cohesively. There are groups like ASAN, AFF, and a couple others, but most are for a particular sub-set of AUtistics. ASAN, I believe, is the closest to being able to bring all of them together, since they (or rather we, since I'm setting up a chapter of ASAN here) are aiding every autistic in self-advocacy. AFF is a great forum for Aspergian and Autistics alike, but we start to separate into 'identities' like Aspergians, HFA, LFA, etc., and we lose any sort of cohesiveness.
If the Autism Rights MOvement is to focus on each topic, altogether, than it must go under the ideal that we are fighting for the rights for all Autistics to self-advocate. identifying ourselves as Aspergians, etc., will only further segregate us, at least as far as how an outsider would view it, whether Autistic or not.
Also, I don't know if anyone on here believes in premonitions, but this is something that disturbs me: in high school, I often had dreams, some good, some bad. Recently, an experience reminded me of one set of dreams. Just yesterday in fact. The event I speak of preceded what I can only identify as an omen of some kind. I and my ADHD-1 friend were standing in a room, and it felt like we were facing an 'oncoming horde', though I could not identify it.
Another is the fact that I've had many dreams in which I lose my energy suddenly, and am surrounded by people who begin to beat me, though I eventually break free.
These dreams have sometimes come true months, even a year or so afterward. But these dreams took place 4-5 years ago, and I remember each vividly. I also know that the occurrences within have begun to occur with evergrowing frequency. I feel as though something is on the horizon, but I don't know what it is. Whether good or bad, we must stand and face it together. Whether it is soon, or in the future, something will happen that Autistics will need to unite as one. And that's said due to the current evidence we have. And no, I'm not going to cite sources for you. Use a search engine, type in variations of 'autism cure' 'autism' even 'Judge Rotenberg Center', and go the news section for each search.
One interesting thing: so far, no news about the JRC and the federal investigation into it, but it is still accepting new students. One can only assume that they have once again utilized their well-financed legal department and maybe even slipped some cash under the table, as it were.
I thought that your reply was both honest and realistic. In the case of your father treating you differently than your brother; this is exactly the kind of mistreatment that I am talking about. This is why what you said was also correct; we need to unite under the banner of Autism in general; not just 'aspergians' or 'auties' or whatever. I actually also think that alot of these organizations such as JRC or Autismspeaks really just exist for the the sake of money and power, and that they are also driven by hatred. They also think that they are really doing good because they are trying to rid the world of an 'epidemic'.
First they ignore you
Then they laugh at you
Then they fight you
Then you win
-Mahatma Gandhi
|
|
| 01-24-2011 05:06 AM |
|
 |
Tank123
Posts: 166
Group: Registered
Joined: Nov 2010
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
More protests, I suppose.
Yes more protests, definetly. But we also need to be more unified. And this means being honest about our Autism. When we are attacked or criticized, we have to be strong and not give in. AS individuals also need to realize the importance of reproduction to continue the spread of AS. By trying to get rid of pre-natal tests for Autism, fighting against discrimination, protesting, having families that are AS, and being unified, we can ensure victory. We have to understand that we will create our own destiny, if we keep continuing to let people walk over us and treat us as a disease or a disorder, then AS and its brilliance will not survive. And that's all there is to it.
First they ignore you
Then they laugh at you
Then they fight you
Then you win
-Mahatma Gandhi
|
|
| 02-03-2011 12:00 AM |
|
 |
JDBentz
Posts: 274
Group: Registered
Joined: May 2010
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
Tank123, I've felt the same way as you for a long time. Autism is Autism; it doesn't matter which 'diagnosis' you have, what matters is that its part of the Autistic Spectrum. I am working on setting up an ASAN chapter, as I previously stated, but I am also making plans to contact various people in my local and state governments when I can, to see what can be done to improve things locally. Luckily, where I live there's not much of the whole 'Autism Speaks' stuff. Unfortunately, the one place that does have an Autism Speaks presence is Utah's capital city, Salt Lake.
In regards to one of your previous comments, about how these organizations are driven by greed and hatred, I can tell you two organizations right off the top of my head that fit those. Cure Autism Now and Autism SPeaks.
Autism Speaks is the more immediate and much more dangerous 'foe', for lack of a better term. They get millions, perhaps billions, in donations each year, and funnel it into various other accounts. People who support Autism Speaks because they want 'the best' for their child more often than not see about 1 percent of that, if any. Also, I posted a topic, I believe in the Treatment in Society section, called 'How I Learned the Truth About Autism Speaks'. There's an interesting article I give the link to, one written by Autism Speaks Co-Founder Suzanne Wright. In the words of many here, it's 'chilling'.
Pre-natal testing is also a considerable threat to the survivability of Autistics. Unfortunately, Autistics can be extremely vulnerable to pressure, and if thre's one thing doctors are great at, its pressuring patients into doing things they'd rather not. (Had one too many experiences with this, so I know what I'm talking about).
ASAN and Ari Ne'eman are doing their best, and so should every Autistic who does not want to wake up in world without Autism. But we need to be sure that any sort of violence is a last resort. By that, I'll give you a scenario:
Say your protesting at an Autism Speaks walk, one of them comes up and starts going at you. You kindly ask him to leave, saying you're exercising your rights for free speech. Eventually, more Autism Speaks people come over and 'possibly' start an altercation. I would advise that anyone who ends up having this happen to them, take as many blows as you can until its clear there's no help coming from police. At that point, I think you'd be justified in defending yourself.
Besides, one can sometimes overcome an opponent without firing a single punch. That is the strategy we should use.
Anyways, just more of my thoughts on the matter.
|
|
| 02-04-2011 04:58 AM |
|
 |
Genesis
Posts: 17,065
Group: Registered
Joined: Jan 2011
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
I'm still trying to figure out how to open a ASAN Chapter in Illinois... yet I don't know how it would work.
Red Line
もっとエピック
Actual Date of Joining AFF: Feb 2009
Eamus Catuli [Must we be normal?]
|
|
| 02-04-2011 05:09 AM |
|
 |
Tank123
Posts: 166
Group: Registered
Joined: Nov 2010
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
Tank123, I've felt the same way as you for a long time. Autism is Autism; it doesn't matter which 'diagnosis' you have, what matters is that its part of the Autistic Spectrum. I am working on setting up an ASAN chapter, as I previously stated, but I am also making plans to contact various people in my local and state governments when I can, to see what can be done to improve things locally. Luckily, where I live there's not much of the whole 'Autism Speaks' stuff. Unfortunately, the one place that does have an Autism Speaks presence is Utah's capital city, Salt Lake.
In regards to one of your previous comments, about how these organizations are driven by greed and hatred, I can tell you two organizations right off the top of my head that fit those. Cure Autism Now and Autism SPeaks.
Autism Speaks is the more immediate and much more dangerous 'foe', for lack of a better term. They get millions, perhaps billions, in donations each year, and funnel it into various other accounts. People who support Autism Speaks because they want 'the best' for their child more often than not see about 1 percent of that, if any. Also, I posted a topic, I believe in the Treatment in Society section, called 'How I Learned the Truth About Autism Speaks'. There's an interesting article I give the link to, one written by Autism Speaks Co-Founder Suzanne Wright. In the words of many here, it's 'chilling'.
Pre-natal testing is also a considerable threat to the survivability of Autistics. Unfortunately, Autistics can be extremely vulnerable to pressure, and if thre's one thing doctors are great at, its pressuring patients into doing things they'd rather not. (Had one too many experiences with this, so I know what I'm talking about).
ASAN and Ari Ne'eman are doing their best, and so should every Autistic who does not want to wake up in world without Autism. But we need to be sure that any sort of violence is a last resort. By that, I'll give you a scenario:
Say your protesting at an Autism Speaks walk, one of them comes up and starts going at you. You kindly ask him to leave, saying you're exercising your rights for free speech. Eventually, more Autism Speaks people come over and 'possibly' start an altercation. I would advise that anyone who ends up having this happen to them, take as many blows as you can until its clear there's no help coming from police. At that point, I think you'd be justified in defending yourself.
Besides, one can sometimes overcome an opponent without firing a single punch. That is the strategy we should use.
Anyways, just more of my thoughts on the matter.
I agree; Autism Speaks is definetly the larger of the two. We all need to unify, to fight against Autism Speaks and DefeatAutismNow and/or any other anti-autistic establishment. The time has come for us to fight back. What these anti-Autistic establishments are doing is evil; pure and simple.
First they ignore you
Then they laugh at you
Then they fight you
Then you win
-Mahatma Gandhi
|
|
| 02-06-2011 08:03 PM |
|
 |
Semicolon
Posts: 3,900
Group: Registered
Joined: Oct 2010
Status:
Offline
|
RE: What needs to be done
I'm still trying to figure out how to open a ASAN Chapter in Illinois... yet I don't know how it would work.
You should contact ASAN and ask them for suggestions.
Semicolon:
-An efficient way to join two independent clauses together.
-A formal type of list delineator.
-A coding symbol used in several languages.
-A very useful punctuation mark.
|
|
| 02-06-2011 08:50 PM |
|
 |
|
|