Guess what today is...

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Why Qatar of all countries?

Good question.

I learned that at a barroom trivia contest that happened to have an autism theme that night.

Its the last country i wouldve thought of -but they did drop the hint that it was "a Gulf state". I reasoned that Qatar is kinda progressive for a "Gulf state" in some ways -and that turned out to be right.

But still-why Qatar-of all places?

Beats me.

Maybe the Sheik ( or Emir, or whatever his title is) of Qatar has an autistic kid.

As far as I can gather, everyone dons blue shirts and gets the warm fuzzies for demonstrating their annual solidarity.

Meanwhile I write a blog entry.

*gives everyone a big Autism Awareness Day salute*

I made someone I know aware of my autism tonight.

We get too much of the wrong awareness. We need more of the positive awareness.

It's one of the richest locations in asia, with a massive transplant population of engineers, and other autism related fields of work.

Also with a strong progressive muslim ethic I think there is a need to get on with a important cause that effects the world.


Anyhow I find it slightly annoying how dismissive people are about having a day. Autism awareness is a major major issue. From a societal perspective having a time of the year when one can push for mainstream awareness is crucial.

More so your truly an ignorant or selfish person, if you cannot see the need for far more people to be aware of the truly important issues of autism.

Is April 2nd every year an autism awareness day or only this year? I didn't know about it, but I think I received an email about Autism Awareness Month.

Yes, Qatar actually has a large population of educated foreigners for oil/plastic production etc because it's an oil rich country. So people there probably are quite aware of things that happen in the world.

There does need to be more awareness (among NT's, not us): awareness that the negative stereotypes they've heard don't represent us, that we are real people with minds and feelings, that we aren't fakers or sociopaths, and they aren't doing the world a favor by bullying us. I get the impression the "awareness" that's actually being promoted is awareness that Autism Speaks needs lots of money so the world can be rid of us. That's the problem.

That's a part of why I disclosed my autism, and a handful of other diagnoses, to a friend's father last night. He was a bit surprised to hear the list of other things (ADHD, OCD, Tourettes & some dyslexic traits etc) but quite surprised when I said Autism, responding with "Autism?.. you?" Yep, and I pointed out a few very unique to ASD traits that I have and the things I've studied to know what I'm talking about. Thing is, he's a doctor (Naturopathic Doctor) & still has doesn't have any awareness of higher functioning ASD traits. I knew he mustn't, because he still doesn't know his son is one of us - and nor does his son, my friend, fully yet. In time I'll teach them both at the rate of acceptance they can handle vs. just laying it all out there and stunning them. I've only brought it up once with my friend and it didn't go so hot.. but I know that when the timing is right I'll end up teaching him a lot of things about himself. Just have to be very patient.



What's this about? There's an autism advocacy group that's trying to eliminate ASD? Or are you saying that the expectation is that once some group is funded that they'll stfu about their cause?

There's a whole thread about Autism Speaks right now that can probably explain the whole controversy better than I can. In a nutshell, they focus on prenatal testing and portray us as having lives that are not worth living.

Ah, I see. F those guys then. Trying to get rid of the Howard Roarks of this world via eugenics is not awesome.

Autism Acceptance Month instead.

Is it supposed to be like Christmas?

I didn't get any presents.