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Attwood responds to petition

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EvilZak
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18 May 2009, 3:17 am

EvoVari wrote:
EvilZak wrote:
Given that the petition is about his involvement with FAAAS (and not about his personal opinion on these issues), this isn't really a response to the petition at all - the fundamental issue of his name being used to promote the viewpoint of FAAAS has not been addressed.

Until he has himself removed from their Professional Advisory Panel, the petition needs to continue - and as you can see from this link (http://www.faaas.org/doc.php?17,9,,309325p,faa256063,,,Index,map.html), he has not yet done so.


Believe it is better to have someone such as Tony Attwood advising organisations like FAAAS and Aspia. You are always going to have organisations like this who need to blame someone or something for their problems in relationship. With an advisor like Tony tapering the ignorant and prejudice views expressed, this is a positve.


While it's true that we'll always have organisations like this around, if the name of an otherwise reputable expert in introduced to the mix, it gives them a sense of legitimacy that they would not otherwise have - and if you look through their website for a while, you can quite easily see how Tony's name is being used to justify their theories. This is why the petition is being aimed at Tony, rather than FAAAS itself.

Considering the publicly stated views still being expressed by FAAAS, one of the following two things is happening:

1) He is offering positive advice, which is being ignored.
2) He is offering no significant challenge to their viewpoints.

Therefore, his advice to FAAAS serves no positive purpose, and serves the negative purpose of allowing very dangerous theories to have the perceived backing of an expert.



EvilZak
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18 May 2009, 3:32 am

Kangoogle wrote:
Maybe if AFF et al were not busy making idiots of themselves, we would have our own effective self-advocacy. Instead of relying on Attwood and others to do it for us? Non?


Just a point of clarification - AFF isn't actually involved in the petition, it's an ASAN initiative.

Kangoogle wrote:
Surely rather than attacking those claiming to represent us, its far better to promote those who represent our interests? It makes Attwood et al look very isolated if we do that.

But really what we need is our own effective advocates, those who happen to be on the spectrum. It would be ideal if a few of us got involved in Psychological research as outed Aspies. Then we have access to all the conferences, can make our own speeches and can present our own views. In other words, we can take the same platform and show up the other side.


I think advocacy has to address both the positive and the negative - I completely agree that promoting those who represent our interests is a very positive step, and I'd love to find more ways to do so. But this doesn't take away from the fact that we also have to challenge the negative stereotypes out there - and these sorts of campaigns are a way to do so.

If autism experts say or support disturbing things, then it's important to show that the autistic community does not support them - it's just as important as supporting the people that say or support positive initiatives.



EvoVari
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18 May 2009, 5:50 am

EvilZak wrote:
EvoVari wrote:
EvilZak wrote:
Given that the petition is about his involvement with FAAAS (and not about his personal opinion on these issues), this isn't really a response to the petition at all - the fundamental issue of his name being used to promote the viewpoint of FAAAS has not been addressed.

Until he has himself removed from their Professional Advisory Panel, the petition needs to continue - and as you can see from this link (http://www.faaas.org/doc.php?17,9,,309325p,faa256063,,,Index,map.html), he has not yet done so.


Believe it is better to have someone such as Tony Attwood advising organisations like FAAAS and Aspia. You are always going to have organisations like this who need to blame someone or something for their problems in relationship. With an advisor like Tony tapering the ignorant and prejudice views expressed, this is a positve.


While it's true that we'll always have organisations like this around, if the name of an otherwise reputable expert in introduced to the mix, it gives them a sense of legitimacy that they would not otherwise have - and if you look through their website for a while, you can quite easily see how Tony's name is being used to justify their theories. This is why the petition is being aimed at Tony, rather than FAAAS itself.

Considering the publicly stated views still being expressed by FAAAS, one of the following two things is happening:

1) He is offering positive advice, which is being ignored.
2) He is offering no significant challenge to their viewpoints.

Therefore, his advice to FAAAS serves no positive purpose, and serves the negative purpose of allowing very dangerous theories to have the perceived backing of an expert.


FAAAS and Aspia are a bunch of females unwilling to take responsibilty for their own actions and inactions in a relationship. What Tony expresses in his views about custody are 'SPOT ON' and should always be adhered to by the courts.(Best outcome for the children). You only have to visit the websites of the organisations to see they are venomous serpents bent on revege for their own short comings. If Tony makes some money out of these 'b*****s" then good for him. My wife suffered depression and self esteem issues with me before counselling from a AS speciaalist Psychologist, no blame at each other after knowledge, but plenty of reconcilliation.

Honestly, Tony Attwood is the best thing since 'Sliced Bread' for people with Aspergers, please pull your heads in and reflect on all the positives he has created for us in the community. Screw FAAAS and Aspia, people who look to blame others for their defecits. Respect your opinions and views, just don't share them.



-Vorzac-
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18 May 2009, 6:41 am

Wow, people are so touchy these days :roll:



Kangoogle
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18 May 2009, 8:00 am

EvilZak wrote:
Kangoogle wrote:
Maybe if AFF et al were not busy making idiots of themselves, we would have our own effective self-advocacy. Instead of relying on Attwood and others to do it for us? Non?


Just a point of clarification - AFF isn't actually involved in the petition, it's an ASAN initiative.

Its the same lot of naive people, who end up making things worse as part of their latest ego trip. Not really bothered what banner they used this time.
Quote:
Kangoogle wrote:
Surely rather than attacking those claiming to represent us, its far better to promote those who represent our interests? It makes Attwood et al look very isolated if we do that.

But really what we need is our own effective advocates, those who happen to be on the spectrum. It would be ideal if a few of us got involved in Psychological research as outed Aspies. Then we have access to all the conferences, can make our own speeches and can present our own views. In other words, we can take the same platform and show up the other side.


I think advocacy has to address both the positive and the negative - I completely agree that promoting those who represent our interests is a very positive step, and I'd love to find more ways to do so. But this doesn't take away from the fact that we also have to challenge the negative stereotypes out there - and these sorts of campaigns are a way to do so.

If autism experts say or support disturbing things, then it's important to show that the autistic community does not support them - it's just as important as supporting the people that say or support positive initiatives.

The thing is by responding to what self-proclaimed experts like Attwood say, we give them attention and a form of legitimacy. Its far better to find a researcher / paper / whatever which shows whatever he is saying to be BS, as opposed making misinformed protests and petitions, which predictably come out with the usual patronising response as well as making us look idiots in the process.