Autism Politics - Awareness, Causations and Social Conflict

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I am fascinated with the social politics of autism awareness. So what I'd like to propose which some have emailed me about is the intellectual understanding of these and other social matters. It is a exercise of understanding and causality potentials. To begin this discourse I'd like for others to type their concerns with how others view autism or even observed conflicts relating to autism advocacy. The hope is to develop mutual understandings based upon protectionism and self-preservation instincts and mainstream political potentials such as selective abortion (abortion), social services needs and adaptive integration such as accommodations. Even though this may seem simple as the conversation progresses you will find how multifaceted it is within context to autism politics.

I think that there are many problems across the spectrum that affect each individual uniquely. Higher functioning people stuggle to survive in a mainstream world that is hard to adapt to and those that need extensive support for personal living tasks must have that support to survive. However, people with a variety of needs can fall through the cracks and become destitute without proper support and awareness of the difficulties that people on the spectrum face.

All organizations should continue to strive to do whatever they can to meet existing needs and provide support for potential needs. We have organizations that have been effective in accomplishing these goals, and we can only do our best to support the organizations that we personally feel are doing the best job in finding the solutions that are needed to make life better for people on the spectrum.

And different organizations provide a variety of specialized needs across the spectrum; they all have merit, if not, they would not be supported, and would fail.

In a day and age with social programs are becoming more the enemy of politicians rather than the relief that they are for people that need to survive, a suggestion of additional programs funded by the government become harder to provide.

This is why private organizations are so important in providing the resources needed to support the needs of those with Autism. We can't afford to lose any of them; those services can mean the difference of a better life for many people with Autism.

That's a rosy image. I've been constantly told of the insufficient design of programs when it comes to inclusion. I've been told of a growing population of individuals with autism and well other DD's entering into adulthood. Yet the professionals don't seem to have the solutions. I get the idea that folks should be happy with what they have already. In reality however there is so much more that can be done and if you realize for a moment the driving force behind supportive employment is not as innovative, creative or energetic as it can be. It's kind of like asking in the Civil Rights movement in the 60's that a Martin Luther King Jr. be a white man that was a contracted government worker representing those rights.

Although very much different autism and DD inclusion for individuals that are left out is very much different the inspiration and causation can very much comparatively be derived in human behavior but with differing mechanisms. Politicians, government and contracted agencies (organizations) still though least to me and some professionals just don't have a grasp nor ability to both realize and manifest what is needed. There are lots of fancy words, proclamations and so on but the innovation is lacking incredibly. Both socially in awareness and as well as the facilitated opportunity and general methods of inclusion.

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With this topic however I was hoping to take other issues and map out the political frameworks in context to social awarenesses. I will write again in a few days with a structured example.

I agree that facilitated opportunity and general methods of inclusion are concrete improvements that make a real difference in peoples lives. More will be required of the private community to support these efforts, because the flow of money from the government can't be relied upon with the constraints likely to be imposed there in the future.

With the number of young people with Autism reaching adulthood that facilitated opportunity and inclusion will only gain greater importance in the coming years.

I think that is probably going to be the biggest challenge in the coming years that will require a great deal of innovative thinking, to meet the needed accommodations for Autisitic people in society.

I recently saw some research initiatives in providing better community support for Autistic people, and making a diagnosis easier for those that currently don't have the financial means to get one, along with the advocacy efforts that are required to keep these people informed of avenues of support that may be available that they are not aware of.

Concern about the "evils" of cure and research and the many other political issues that seem to only divide detract from the real, everyday, life issues, that need immediate attention and further research, in coordination with people with Autism, to find the best ways to accomplish supporting what is actually needed on a day to day basis for people with Autism and also to find the best methods of delivering and funding that support.

Meanwhile creative individuals can work to provide solutions to these problems on their own or with support from others with similar goals. Positive methods to gains awareness and cooperation is key to providing the best results among all.

Funding won't go "away" but the incentive for the business people who run them in the form of profits will continue to go away. One thing that is lacking and has always lacked for employment is the incorporation of behavioral experts for those that require it. Money is not commonly used for innovation as there has been a lack of innovation.

I'm not worried about government funding going away because it will not entirely. I strongly think that no matter how much they are paid innovation will still lack. I got some good people who just let me be the boss at what I do and are open minded and that are of influence. They run programs, are the boss of them and so on.

Distractions of the distractors, agreed.

Nathan

Speaking of Behavioral Experts, what do you think about ABA; I never realized that was also a divisive issue until just recently. Someone expressed the opinion that when a child receives ABA it damages them emotionally and psychologically into adulthood to the point of disintegration of identity. Autistic adults already commonly have similar problems, so I'm not sure how one could prove that ABA makes it any worse or better.

They also stated that Autism Speaks is harming Autistic people by not sponsoring research to investigate the psychological harm that may be caused by ABA into adulthood.

Other people are strongly against it, but I understand it doesn't work for all children.

Autism Speaks provide awareness of the treatment and supports research to improve it, but I personally, don't see how a researcher is going to do a valid longitudinal study on what specifically causes psychological problems into adulthood and be able to directly link it back to ABA received in childhood, if there is no evidence of psychological issues for years after the ABA is received.

I don't think I would have wanted ABA for myself when I was a child, but research shows it is effective for many children, although it is evident that it doesn't help all children with Autism.

Many people are afraid of going to the dentist and horror movies have been created based on dentistry. My behaviorist is working with me on coexisting in high stimulus environments such as Chamber Mixers so I can function. I get disorientated, can slur speech, cant think clearly and go into a mental fog and I must function in these environments for the Humboldt Includes project even though the project is licensing government vendors that effectively outsource the socialization requirements. Business and the community is aware of me and I should lead how I can with the Humboldt Includes campaign. Here choice is part of the law and I've found that many times what people say online is just the opposite of what is reality. However consumer rights I'd still classify as an idealism and always keep watch and have found violations because ABA and other support programs are simply businesses.

what is ABA.

Applied Behavioral Analysis. A technique of behavior modification orginated in 60's by B.F. Skinner. A system of rewards and/or punishments for children with autism to learn appropriate skills. Research shows the intervention effective in changing observed behavior, but some question any real change in understanding appropriate behavior, from the mental perspective of autistic people.

I got my behavioral modification from other people who let me know my behavior wasn't acceptable throughout my life. Personally I'm glad I didn't get ABA when I was young, but I can't say for sure what kind of difference it would have made in my life.

It's also a little hard to wander blindly through life not understanding the things that others are understanding on a natural basis; and learning what is appropriate from the punishment of all of society rather than a trained behavioralist.

Last edited by aghogday on 12 May 2011, 2:43 pm, edited 3 times in total.

They don't do any reward or punishment on me. When I was young I would have wanted ABA because of sensory integration issues.

I don't think they use punishment, very much in ABA these days. I really only have a general understanding of it from what I know of Behavior Modification in general. I know this technique is tailored for Autistic children. Do you understand how they use it to treat Sensory integration issues? Do you think as a child it could help someone with tactile sensitivity?

I wonder if I gradually got use to different textures as a child through an ABA technique if I could have become less sensitive to different textures. That is an interesting thought, but I can't even bear the thought of touching carpet at this point.

Some textures are highly offensive. My girlfriend touched a piece of fabric on me the other day and I threw it in another direction. It is like a great annoyance and mental offence to get away from it. I am trying to understand behavioral concepts such as (antiseedent - spelling), causation vs. what is and some other things. The behaviorist I have also has a masters in psychology so she and I can have conversations at my level of understanding whereas I am more used to cognitive related concepts.

In idea sensory introduction for brief periods can enhance tolerability. In my plan I devised a method for sensory integration issues. Whereas I would find sound on the internet and listen to it at night of a busy room of people talking. I'd sensitize myself for the transition to better think in it. Yet the mixers are very loud and I am more prone to thinking with very little distractions. Also some lights do it to me as well as I was in a store with sparkle lights at a casher stand and my whole brain tingled and was put in a mental fog for a good portion of the day.

i dont have a problem with ada unless there using electric shock or something like that.what does this have to do with autism awareness a cause and social afect.what s autism awareness cause and social affect

The intent of the post is like the following but I am currently distracted by my job.

Theoretical Scenario 1 (Made Up)

Dignity (pride) proclaims autism simply is a difference and not a disability. Dignity (pride) claims for the best interest of the image of autism is for instance individuals with autism are not more prone to isolation and relating depression. It is implied directly or indirectly that the compassion to resolve this is pity and bigotry.

What kind of effects does this social pressure have on social service mandates politically. To what effect does a negative attribute like the above scenario have on employment integrations when autism is claimed on an employment application. A.S A.N example you will notice several factors come into play and some of which I have not mentioned yet. I recommend others type in examples of conflicts or concerns and I will take the time to write out an explanation of causal potentials.

we have already discused this thoroughly and both of us have decided that both extremes are selfish and hypocritical.people say autism is not a disability but we dont see them returning there goverment checks do you.we have also decided that autism speaks is hung up on bizzare cure and vaccine theories and that autism speaks sells snake oil to desprate parents.i would like to hear exactly what you CI org is doing to solve these problems

My organization has nothing to do with vaccine or for that matter cures directly. It is I believe necessary people find ways to get along enough on certain issues. Even with my organization it is not yet at the stage where there is a consumer committe that votes on issues and in the longer term it will be setup to run itself whilst preserving and enhancing individuals with developmental disabilities leadership skills and rights within the organization.

In the consumer guide to the Lanterman Act which Iv'e read many times individuals have the right to treatment and the right to dignity. It would be common sense to denote that the right to dignity does not supersede another persons right to treatment. Less of course in circumstances such as in the pursuit if the right to treatment an individual was specifically told for instance hey by the way you are a disease and come get your treatment. In other words the right to dignity in government funded circumstances shall be preserved along with the right to treatment and I will admit entry-level social services can bring on employees as support workers that just do not know how to relate to and properly respect individuals rights to dignity.

With regards to Autism Speaks personally and my organization aside because the functional premises differ I believe that the organization being so large and known with the right strategies can create wonderful change. I do not believe I have the comparative chance to create the right kind of inclusion changes needed compared to an organization like Autism Speaks and even combined with ASA with their social influences especially when combined.

My function is strategy and while doing so I will seek communications with Autism Speaks but I am contacting the ASA first by mass mailing the local chapters a hand written envelope letter. Don't expect from my organization some kind of national presents but rather my goal is to instigate a streamlined public relations methodology and standard for transitional skills development.