Boycott Autism Speaks

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why do you have to fight them?

If they come up with effective treatments or a cure, and you don't want them, then don't take them - simple as that.

why expend time & energy working against them doing the work they're doing to provide treatments/cures for those who want them? It doesn't make any sense.

Just ignore them and carry on in your Autistic bliss to your heart's content.

Because they're not providing treatments or cures. they're providing hate.

Hi, this may be a dumb question, but what have they tried to include him in? He was on the board (I'm sure we all know that), so I must be confused about what you are talking about. Sorry I don't know much about it.

I Wozeree; If you insert a comma after the word tried, the sentence is more understandable.

Ok, I get it. Thanks Vicky.

How are they providing hate by fundraising to finance research into treatments and cures? From what I gather, that's pretty much what they do. I don't see any hate going around with the exception of some people here bashing Autism Speaks for proactively seeking successful treatments/cure for those they'll benefit who want them.

I get their mission completely, because I've found a treatment regiment that's worked for me to dramatically reduce/eliminate my symptoms and have shared it here on these forums. If others don't want to try it and see if it works for them, so what? It doesn't affect me any. Same goes for anyone who doesn't want to try any treatment or cure that a researcher working under a grant from Autism Speaks comes up with. If you want it, go for it, if you don't, ignore it. I don't see what the point is in campaigning against them doing things for those who want what they're working on.

The phenomenon of a common perceived enemy to keep internet groups alive..is a real sociological phenomenon that is researched and shown to be very effective to keep online communities intact..

While this website serves the purpose of allowing people to share special interests..which can be a bonding purpose in itself..

It does seem like this Autism Speaks enemy thingy..is not much different than a favorite football team opposing a hated opponent..somewhere on the schedule at the end of the season..

Or Republicans vs democrats..

God vs the Devil..

Or whatever Polarizing forces..can keep people feeling like they are part of a tribe..

The tribal instinct..one of the most powerful things about human nature..that does not seem much less strong than so called neurotypicals by.. at least some people on this site..

Well the thing about this phenomenon..is when it is in full force..reason can fly out the window..

And all that is left is for the most part..purely social emotional contagion..to support the perceived tribe of effect..

In my opinion..there really is no other way to describe what I see here..

But the thing is i'm a maverick Autistic person..

Whatever this tribal stuff is on this..site..i more or less can limit that to a football team or whatever..

But oh my god..not a charitable organization..

But that's just my opinion..
That is all....

And by the way..congratulations on mediating your Autistic Symptoms through Diet..

Interestingly my form of Autism..is not much effected by diet other than eliminating sugar..and any type of mind altering substances from what i consume..per alcohol..or prescription drugs for anxiety or depression...

But one of my biggest problems has been with motor coordination..which has always been a big part of why i do not feel comfortable around other people in non verbal communication...

Interestingly the way i overcame that..is through an alternating pattern of forward and reverse walking..

In doing this..my motor coordination abilities have become nothing less than incredible..

And now the general anxiety and social anxiety over non-verbal communication..has simply melted away..

The mind and body is an incredible neuroplastic tool..

And with the switches that comes with Epigenetics..with full bore believe in the ability to change..

Oh my god..almost anything is possible..including remediating the symptoms of Autism otherwise known as cure under the modern definition of cure..

For at least me ..anyway..

As before i did this 6 months ago i scored a 44 to 45 on the AQ test...and a 195 on the Aspie Quiz..

And now i score an 11 on the AQ test..

My wife is not diagnosed with Autism but she scores a 32 on the AQ test..with social anxiety and OCD...

So while i still have the tactile sensitivity issues..and go on and on about my special interests..

i am absolutely fearless now in social situations..and can go anywhere and feel completely comfortable around other people..with complete confidence too..in reciprocal social communication..and general interaction....

Because in order to get the money to do the research, they are using an ends justify the means approach which you agree with. I think I and others might be the victims of the "means" as unintended collateral damage. I am not against people researching cures. If I was against using cures in the other thread I would not have suggested ways for you to present your findings. It is just that the history shows us that so many people have died because of religious reasons or by people using religious or satanic imagery to get people to do things. That is why Autism Speaks should not be be using this type of language and tone. Other charities use manipulative, emotion pulling marketing with great success but without going in this direction. Autism Speaks does not have to market this way. That they have repeatedly have done so makes me not trust and fear what and how the treatments and cures they find will be used for. Let's assume the cures are good and they want them used correctly. I discussed a few pages back how and why their language and tone still might effect people badly.

..except you have yet to provide a single example of Autism Speaks using religion, religious reasons, or satanic imagery in order to market their cause.

It's clear as day they personify Autism as the "bad guy," and that's perfectly acceptable in the context in which they've done so in the video that was shared because it's effective marketing without being offensive.*

*with the exception of those offended by cheesy production values. lol

It seems you're upset with Autism Speaks for portraying Autism as a bad thing, as a burdensome thing. well newsflash, bud.. it is for many of us & I personally agree with that sentiment. Autism sucks when it destroys your life and prevents you from leading a happy fulfilled life of productivity, forward progress, great relationships & love and so on and so forth.

Again, if you think/feel that regardless of it's hinderances that Autism is a wonderful gift, feel free to ignore any treatments or cures that anyone else finds success with and live in your state of Autistic bliss to your heart's content for the rest of your life. That's your choice. Stop trying to project your choice upon others as The choice when others may want effective treatments or cures to rid themselves of symptoms they're not particularly fond of screwing over their lives.

the page has 1745 likes. who wants to increase that number?

The shorter a marketing video, and the more polarized, the more dangerous it is in this world of sound bytes. A short video is just the thing to be shared and passed around and to go viral on YouTube or Facebook or wherever. They know that. That's just what they are trying to do -- to make the average person have a very negative reaction to autism, so that the idea that it must be cured or, better yet, simply eliminated prenatally makes sense.

It makes no difference if the organization made a longer, balanced, informational film about autism -- almost no one in the general public would sit through it. If it's on Facebook and has a headline with it like "What this Mom Says About Her Life with Autistic Daughter Will Blow Your Mind" on it, everyone will believe it and pass it on to their friends.

You are right about satanic imagery but I still think you are wrong about metaphors. Also I should say that not all religion or religious metaphors need be negative they can be quite positive.

While you can disagree with what I think they are portraying about Autism I truly do not understand after all these posts you do not understand that my objections go way beyond a bad and burdensome portrayal.

I know you are a busy guy so you may have not read what I wrote in other threads about autism. I have never said it's a gift or bliss or anything like that. I have portrayed it a lot like life itself with ups and downs. And where have I said my choice is the only choice? Did I not say earlier in this thread or in another thread that people should have a right to a cure?

Last edited by ASPartOfMe on 28 Dec 2013, 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I've been posting a lot lately because I'm off work for the holidays, so I'm not quite as busy as usual - but still, I haven't gone around looking up and reading your other posts/threads etc, you're correct.

So, if you believe that those who want treatments or a cure are entitled to want those things, why speak out against an organization that's determined to offer those things to them?

Boycotting them or trying to make them sound like some sort of evil satanic cult entity that shouldn't exist nor do what they do doesn't sound like the things someone would say if they're ok with others on the spectrum wanting whatever it is Autism Speaks has to offer them now or in the future.

Autism Speaks has made longer informational films about autism, and they still suck and they are still no more balanced. Because they are just a bunch of rogue parents who hate autism, and hate their autistic children for being autistic.Two minutes or two hours, it's still just them spewing their hatred for their autistic children.

I think you're mistaking hatred of having to deal with the negative aspects of Autism with hating Autistic people. There's a difference. I certainly don't hate Autistic people, but I do hate having to deal with the negatives of the condition and all of the frustrating things in life because of it that should otherwise be simple, pleasant, and autonomous.

I'm mistaking nothing. Once again, a leader of Autism Speaks telling her autistic daughter that she would have killed her If it wasn't for the fact that she had another normal child, is morally wrong. It is child abuse at it's worst. The "negative" conditions of autism and frustrating things in life, do not justify that type of child abuse. I feel sorry for you, that you can't understand that.

Now go back to your apologizing for Autism Speaks. Because I'm done trying to talk to you. BTW I hope Autism Speaks is paying you well.