"I resign my roles at Autism Speaks" John Robison

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Autism Speaks actually endorsed the JRC? I would never of thought that they would of gone that far.

I think resigning was a good choice, and I admire the grace and respect he showed while doing so.

yea it could go either way.the JRC is the greater of 2 evils if the state hospital is on the up and up.

state hospitals arent always what they portray themselves to be.the point is in the end its so sad that the mental health system is in the shape its in.


for who quoted me as saying shock treatment is summer camp.i was talking about people who spend there lives in state hospitals with no way of getting out.i was not making the comparison to 1 year or two in state institutions

Torture is never summer camp. Ever.

I'm glad he has. I've yet to read any of John Robison's work, but I believe he's always attempted to empower people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and explain how they can be successful through sharing his own life experiences. It made no sense for him to partner-up with an with an organization which ultimately aims to rid the world of Autism regardless of what Autistics themselves might think. For fear, terror and stigma are the language of Autism Speaks.

More internet myths started up about autism speaks in online forums...

Autism speaks is on Public Record in not supporting the shock therapy used at the JRC..per this link...

http://www.science20.com/countering_tac ... nter-89143

The JRC is currently a legally run organization..so there is no reason why they could not rent a booth at an Autism Walk or at any other charitable organization function..the organization is currently being monitored and policed within the parameters of Massachusetts LAW..

There is currently no evidence of any more potential illegal activity at the facility...so there is no reason why they could not participate by renting a booth at any WALK event..

But never the less..renting a booth at a WALK fair certainly does not imply endorsement by Autism Speaks..they already have that disclaimer clearly posted on their site..that they do not specifically endorse any of the therapies..per services information provided on their site.. It is for information only..not medical advice...

And as much as you may not like it.. Vermont Savant..is the only one here that actually has experience in an institutional environment as an actual patient on the spectrum...he has insight here..that likely no one else has into the potential horrors of state institutions...

And nah...he does not have perfect grammar and spelling..but he is probably the only one in this moderate area of symptoms that is brave enough to post here...and I give him all the credit in the world for that...He deserves respect..not intellectual bullying....the only type of bullying that many so called higher functioning autistic people are 'good' at..most unfortunately.....

I am not a lawyer but would not Autism Speaks have the right to refuse the rent money?

I appreciate the grammar comment (sarcasm). I was trying to come to his defense. I even alluded to his possibly experiencing a rough life.

As a matter of fact he agreed with my interpretation of his words. I fully understand that poor grammar does not equal inferiority in any way. I also do not think my straight A earning autistic son is stupid for not knowing how to tie his shoes.

Of all the comments made towards this man you touch on me mentioning his grammar-I was trying to say that maybe he was being misinterpreted.

Then again I could be taking offense for no reason and if so I apologize, but if not you should read the thread again; the entire thread.

Since they are on record as not supporting the controversial therapy..there would be no reason not to allow the organization to participate as long as they were not endorsing the therapy in question...

Therapy similar to this is used throughout the US..by consent of individuals on the spectrum who can only control their aversive behaviors..with the aversive shock therapy..

It's certainly not for everyone..but some people do take this alternative over more dangerous potentials..like poking their eyes out.. to use an example that one might understand as severe..but this is the reality for some people on the spectrum that suffer so much that they self injure to escape the real psychological pain of sensory overload..which can be something a simple as a cricket singing..and many other issues too...

I understand this torture of autism as i regressed in middle age after complete human exhaustion...

When their is severe sensory integration problems the torture of the sensory integration issues can definitely be enough..to douse oneself with gasoline and light one's self on fire...It's no picnic in the park..by far....

But I am completely healed now..fully in remission of many auto-immune issues..and have actually cured the reciprocal social communication difficulties of autism on my own..as I score an 11 now on the AQ test as opposed to a 44 to 45..just 4 months ago...

Yeah ..hear that..I cured my reciprocal social communication disorder..and it is medically documented....

So yeah..with enough time and effort and appropriate therapies..Autism can be cured..even at age 53....

But I found the cure all by myself...

It's no secret..I'll tell anyone how I did it..that wants to PM me...

But I cannot promise it will work for anyone but me...

But yeah...IT did work..my therapist has all the medically documented evidence....

My comment was not directed at you friend..I perceived you as defending him..not an attempt to abuse him...

There definitely have been people on this site who have intellectually bullied him..this is a general statement..not directed at any one person...

Wonderful message....thanks.....

You are very welcome..friend...

And by the way..I do support John Elder Robison's decision..while I understand the emotions behind Ms. Wright's statement..she should not be reasonably provided a voice like this in Washington DC..with this powerful organization...as it is not a professionally voiced opinion....

But apparently..her opinion..is deemed more important at the highest levels of Autism Speaks than the facts..

That is unfortunate..as it can be an achilles heal of any organization..to run by emotions rather than business based decisions...

But It is the nature of the beast...the big guys in charge..are not versed on the details..but they still have the power..

Particularly when it is the wife of the head guy...

Something about Alpha males and their wives..I've seen it before in other higher powered Business situations..that can be detrimental to an organization..but the Wright's have extreme credibility all throughout the highest levels of politics..so effectively unfortunately in the real world..this scenario does not meet the level for actual..reproach..that could make any real detriment or necessity of change in effect..to the organization...

IT's just seen at the highest levels..as a ball park figure..not a fact...

IN the real world most people are not paying attention to this after all..there is "Dancing with the Stars" and all of that for the general public to keep track of..instead...

IN other words in the real world it is a complete non-issue...

It's just seen as another 'great' charitable organization...

That is a critical assessment..

I have never endorsed Autism Speaks as a charitable organization to contribute to...

I prefer local organizations..over national organizations..regardless of their performance...

But Autism Speaks gets most of the airplay here...which in effect just gives them more brand name recognition..and bigger donation dollars in the long run overall....

I don't believe Autism Speaks is under any legal obligation to rent space to anybody.

They may have taken a stance against the "aversive" electric shocks given in the video, but Dr. Israel's own words reveal that this is not the only form of torture they use at JRC:


They do this to people with autism, adhd and bipolar.

The bottom line is that Autism Speaks is on public record as not endorsing the aversive shock therapy..and the bottom line is that some people in this discussion are suggesting they do..which is not any more a proper representation of the facts than Ms. Wright's all inclusive statement about the 3 million folks with Autism..

So in other words..it seems some of the folks here are led by their emotions..more than evidenced facts...

Really not that much different than Ms. 'Right'..in my opinion...

And why there is not much credibility seen in these type of discussions among anyone listening in that is not a member of the 'choir'..



I like facts friend....not myths...I bust them..that is all...

I enjoy being autistic. I'm one of the Autism Pride people, because I like to show the world that I won't take anything lying down. I wear my band shirts and unusual clothes with pride as a way of expressing that pride. I'm proud enough of my autism to allow my main special interest to be my personality. I don't do it on purpose or play any part, either. As soon as I stopped hiding behind masks of various characters and personas for years ago this past September, my true personality came shining for all to see - Kinks Fan. Why do I allow that to happen? It's my natural way of being, due to my autism and I'm not going to squash my shining personalty to please autism curbies and the rest of the general population. I want to be remembered for my shining personality, not as a dark cloud of pity and self hate because I have a condition that has a scary sounding name.

If other people on this site wish to be cured, I have no problem with that. I just wanted to show that I'm not a miserable person, due the fact that I'm on a spectrum with a name that sounds scary to most people. If I've offended anyone or if my post came across as harsh or nasty, I apologize. I also don't do debates.