Raising Autism Awareness / Think Differently / Etc!

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I've just posted on another thread that it's not about Aspies becoming NTs or vice versa, it's about meeting half way and trying to make allowances for the other group, as well as understanding each other whilst still being true to ourselves.

Which has me thinking how would you want to do this? I've no idea where to start (most people I've mentioned my AS brother's condition to has asked if there is any medication to cure it - in all innocence, they just have no idea of the causes & signs/symptoms of AS, as they've never been exposed to it before).

It seems to me we need to raise awareness of what ASDs are, as well as that people actually have them, before maybe tackle coping/strategies, fundraising and so on.

If this is so - how can we go about this? I'm genuinely interested. Or do you think we should be looking at things in a different order?

What do you think of the NAS's facebook application (Those of you who have been sucked in!)? A small drop in the ocean I'm sure but it's on my profile at least. But I'm wary of inviting people to add it because I don't think they will unless I'm there to actually explain more about it. The "box" that actually goes on your profile doesn't actually say anything about AS or autism, just that they need more funding. It seems to be aimed at people who already know what the issues are.

http://apps.facebook.com/the_nas/

What other approaches do you think might work to improve awareness of ASDs among non-ASD people? What would you like to see? Clearly the awareness campaign needs to expand beyond facebook! The NAS has been fantastic but I would never have heard of them if i hadn't been searching for information on AS specifically. The rubber/plastic bangles mentioned in another thread seem to have worked to varying levels for other causes - is that another good, or pointless, way to get ASDs into the consciousness of the nation? (whichever nation...)

I'm all for raising awareness. However, Aspies have a tendency to upset the delicate balance of NT society by our naivete and unintentionally saying the king is nude. This is not something that awareness will solve. This is something that affects society negatively and cannot be accepted or met half way. It is ultimately the main reason we are rejected by NTs.

Is this something that ALWAYS affects society negatively, though? What about when something needs to change, or at least when the idea should be thrown out there. Think about people like Socrates, or like Galileo. Sure, they were seen as problems in their time, but hundreds or even thousands of years later, we're happy that they stood up and said what they did despite it going against what society thought, and rarely if ever do you hear that society was right for punishing them.

I'm not saying that this can easily be accepted by many. However, and this goes beyond an Aspie and NT thing here, I think it would be helpful for people to deal with questions and challenges rather than simply dismiss them and ostracize those who pose them. If it is a definitive trait of those with AS, it would be better to see it as a skill rather than a flaw, and to hone it and direct it towards making the world better as opposed to shutting it down as a form of insolence.

I agree, of course, but unfortunately most NTs don't. They see this as 'disruptive'.

Ah, okay, good... I was worried for a second there that you thought so as well. ^^;

Isn't it funny, how people will celebrate the gadflies of the past, but still have no problem with making their lives difficult in the present?

The ones who can introduce the big changes are the NTs, because they know how to speak to the NTs in a way that will be well-received. Those people are called "leaders' and said to have "charisma". They know when and how to do it. The unconventional minds make the breakthroughs, the diplomatic NTs act as mediators and spokesmen to the NT mass.

This is why I don't think any amount of awareness raising will make NTs like me better, or even tolerate me more.

Sorry to be so pessimistic; I'm always open (and happy) to be proven wrong about this.