Autism Activism Ideas

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part one:

I got a nice long PM from Alba, part relevant to this thread, part personal. So I’m answering half here and half there. It’s kind of confusing, but I’ll give it a shot.

It’s hard to explain how I got from “Activism Ideas” to the idea of meet-ups, but it’s not quite as random as it seems. The whole idea of meet-ups is not just the icing on the cake – it’s the cake itself. It’s the most important part.

The first problem is my own trouble with “executive function” I know what I’m thinking, but it takes too long to explain. If I can’t explain it in one session, the people I want to reach couldn’t sit through it anyway.

My point isn’t always clear because I tend to mix personal experience with general philosophy and opinion. In this case, I want in-person gatherings BOTH for my own sake AND for people who would benefit just as much, but who would never be able to organize it.

Think of someone like our own Emma, aka “KingdomOfRats.” [http://theresidentialautist.blogspot.com] She will never see something like Autreat unless someone in a position of authority understands the need and “allows” it. Like it’s any of their damn business. Even more isolated than KoR are some of her former housemates who have been forbidden to even learn to use a computer. The plantation owners don’t want us to talk to each other and give each other ideas, and they won’t allow it without a fight.

I would love to share stuff from people like Michelle Dawson, "No Autistics Allowed: Explorations in discrimination against autistics" http://www.sentex.net/~nexus23/naa_02.html

But who’s going to read through all that? I did, because the subject of Asperger’s/Autism has been my primary obsession for the past year. No NT would consider it, and KoR’s friends would be forbidden to go there, even if they could read at that level.

Also, all the Michelle Dawsons in the world couldn’t compare with the personal interactions you can get in a group like Autreat. It’s not just about information and philosophy. It’s also about self-esteem and acceptance. Some people need permission to think of themselves as humans who deserve respect. The kind of support you can only get from another human. And without the straw-boss hovering around, tisk-tisking at everything.

We don’t need a lot of stupid shrinks with their superstitions, power games and lies. We need each other. Any amount of time we can spend with each other would be beneficial. Rather than all the drugs and therapy and soul-crushing supervision, the lower-functioning among us need freedom and respect.

Jim Sinclair gave a lecture on “Acknowledging autistic adulthood” during Autreat. I can’t summarize it. I’ve asked him whether he has a written version that he can send via e-mail. If he sends that, or better yet, a link to something he already has online, I’ll share it with you guys.

Last edited by Tahitiii on 11 Jul 2009, 11:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

part two:

What I’m aiming for is something comparable to the underground railroad. Not from the physical slavery of the olden days, but from slavery of the mind. Slavery makes you stupid. Literal slavery did such a thorough job that it made people stupid for several generations. It made them stupid enough to fall for “share cropping” scams, which were worse than literal slavery.

The current economy makes virtual “share croppers” of everyone. Most people today are slaves, and don’t even know it. For example, the standard thirty-year mortgage – what kind of an idiot would agree to a deal where you pay more interest than principal for 23 years? Unfortunately, you’re stuck with it, because it’s the only game in town. People have gotten so used to the idea that they think it’s reasonable. To the point where I have never, in my entire life, heard anyone acknowledge that it’s BS. That the thirty-year mortgage should be illegal. It’s blatant usury. Loan-sharking.

Even worse than the oppression of ordinary people is the oppression of people who are different. Fifty years ago, most of the people who today fit the description of an Aspie would have found a way to fit in and would not have had a problem. So what if you’re a little quirky – you do what you can, let others do what they can, and within the village it should all work together. Not today. Today, you need to be perfect in every area, or you’re not a real person. You’re a burden and someone needs to do all of your thinking for you.

A popular opinion around WP is that half the people in Silicon Valley are probably undiagnosed Aspies. I would add to that my own opinion, that for every undiagnosed Aspie in Silicon Valley, there are probably two living under the bridge. While KoR’s friends are denied access to the internet for one set of BS reasons, homeless people are denied access for another. You can have fifteen minutes at the library, if you’re lucky, and depending on the mood of the librarian. Quality time at WrongPlanet is not an option.

Dispensing useful information about Asperger’s is difficult because (a) the subject is so complicated and (b) what we know is inaccessible to the people who need it most. The Catch-22 analogies I’ve heard go like this: It’s like telling someone in a wheelchair that services are available, but you need to climb up to the third floor to fill out an application. It’s like telling an illiterate adult that a program is available, but you need to fill out a complicated six-page form to qualify. If you could do all that, you wouldn’t need the service.

Basically, I wish to corrupt our youth and to destroy the very fabric of society. The society that the public school system and other forces have been building for the past century. I’m not going to wait for permission to do that.

We do have people working on it. People like Ari Ne’eman and Katie Miller. (They were at Autreat, too.) Political activism is very important, but I don’t have the patience for that.

I want to share information and make connections with people today, without the approval of some nanny government or charity group. That automatically means that it will be on a zero budget.

part three:

Tony Attwood, at least, has half-a-clue. I could argue with some of the details, but of the shrinks who have the attention and respect of the mainstream, he’s the best we’ve got. If every shrink in the world knew what Attwood knows about Autism/Asperger’s, we would be in good shape.

Unfortunately, the average shrink or teacher knows nothing, and is doing more harm than good because they claim to know something when they do not. It’s going to take a very long time for Attwood’s knowledge to trickle down to the level of the average shrink. It’s going to take even longer to trickle down to the shrinks and social workers working at the “charity care” level. (You get what you pay for.) It’s not going to happen in my lifetime.

I’ve tried to think of a way to simplify and summarize everything an Aspie needs to know. There’s just no way to do that. By the time you get done writing, it will be so long and complicated that it will be inaccessible to the people who need it the most.

The only way to make it work on a zero budget is to have a huge network of people who are willing to help each other at no charge. You just go there, anonymously, ask your question, and someone will answer. The answer might be incomplete, but at least you’ll get some buzz words so that you can do a little research. Oops, I’ve re-invented the wheel again – the answer is to make places like WrongPlanet accessible to everyone.

Making this wealth of information accessible would start with letting people know that it exists, and that they need it. With making one-to-one connections with people in real life. Like maybe with a simple conversation and a handy-dandy self-assessment that you just happen to have in your pocket. O.A.S.I.S. Diagnostic Rating Scales for Asperger Syndrome: http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

I’m looking into local programs for the homeless as a place to start. There’s a “Hospitality Link” that offers a job board, resume help, information on community resources, stuff like that. I start my first shift as a volunteer on Monday. I’m not going to tell them my hidden agenda. I’ll look around for a few weeks and figure out what’s what.

I also want to start a little support group at the local college, where my son is starting this fall. I’m not sure how that’s going to go. I need to get off my butt and talk to a few locals.

Where was I going again? Oh, yea – how I got from “Activism Ideas” to the idea of meet-ups.

More self-identified Aspies would lead to more Activists. The more self-advocates we have, the more of an impact we will have on our local communities and on national politics.

Making personal connections is the most important part. Identifying Aspies and sharing information is essential, but the main thing is the fact that you are a valuable person. Your existence is not a “tragedy.” You need and deserve a decent life, respect, a place in society, the stuff everyone needs. You can’t get that message from drugs or shrinks. That kind of validation can only come from personal, one-to-one connections and support groups.

In the real world, I’ll settle for small, local support groups.
But in my fantasies, I can imagine an Autreat-like event the size of Woodstock.

“San Francisco,” by John Phillips: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB2tYYYlwMc[/youtube]All across the nation such a strange vibration… People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation… People in motion…
For those who come to San Francisco… Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco… Summertime will be a love-in there…

PS: I have a "virtual cave." It's set up. I just need to figure out how to use it. I'll send the link to Demon-Chorus, alba, Awiddershinlife and anyone you guys recommend.

I just need to ask RogerDoger to help.

Excellent idea, we would have to think of a way to procure these conference centers though.



We'll need to list our opponents then, possible organizations who might be against Autistic Rights.



Agreed, we need more people to help out though.



Agreed on both points, we'll need to work out the details at a point.



It's an excellent idea, and one that is ultimately required in any case.



We'll have to keep our eyes open for someone who would be able to organize a gathering.



That's a strange way of putting it, but social change is needed I agree, we would have to think of a way to instill social change though.



Very good idea, a free network of people who are willing to help each other free of cost. This is a excellent idea, we might want to think about how to go about creating such a free network though.

Very excellent ideas everyone.

Yes. And this is only one area we could focus on. However, I think it is a good place to start. We will need to break the chore down into small increments with manageable, well-defined sub-routines....assignments easily completed in the limited time-frame of say 1-3 hours of online research. No one should feel overwhelmed by what they've volunteered to research, and IMO we all need to work together on sub-projects.

The first assignment would be to make a comprehensive list of the various groups that exist within the status quo-- to implement autistic policy, programs, treatments and accommodations. Even that list should perhaps be further broken down into medical versus other. Leave the medical for later. Focus first on the government and public organizations, with IACC at the top of the list. I'm just taking a wild guess here, but I would think there's only a handful of such organizations at both the federal [non-state] and public level......perhaps no more than 12 or 15. [Am I correctly assuming --so far, we are all in the U.S.?] Perhaps Demon-Chorus would like to compile the list...


Well...both Tahitiii and I are capable of thinking like attorneys at times, and we can really nail a point when our exec function is in good form. We both also have exec funct issues and at those times we can meander, ramble, get verbose, and go off topic. [I am especially prone to going off-topic, and need others to remind me when I do so.] I also tend to get extremely emotional, whereas Tahitiii generally stays pretty cool. When I nail it, I can be quite effective. But when I'm in an over-emotional rant, it's just venting....and not very constructive for others.

So I would nominate Tahitiii for skill in debate and delivery of the message, and I offer to be her backup. If she doesn't want the job, I can do it. As for editing, we should all have a hand in that. I'm thinking Awiddershinlife, you should perhaps be the editor-in-chief, in charge of the final product.



I'm not sure we really need one person to be the clearing house yet. We can all locate and field damage testimony, for a while anyway.


IMO, at this point, we should be identifying and evaluating our options. And give each option adequate consideration before making a decision. Everyone needs to be comfortable with whatever is agreed upon.

Autistic Activists:

Jim Sinclair:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Sinclair_(activist)

Sites:

ANI: http://www.autreat.com/

------
Amanda Baggs:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Baggs

Blog: http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/silentmiaow

Video's of interest by Amanda:
Amanda Bagg's "Unperson" video: http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/?p=223

Amanda Bagg's "About being considered "ret*d" Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn70gPuk ... re=related

Amanda Bagg's "A way about explaining Autism" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic-zA4Yf ... re=related


------
Michelle Dawson:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Dawson

Website: http://www.sentex.net/~nexus23/naa_02.html

Blog: http://autismcrisis.blogspot.com/

-------

Temple Grandin:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

Websites:

http://www.grandin.com/

http://www.templegrandin.com/templehome.html

-------

Donna Williams:

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Williams_(author)

Websites:

Personal: http://www.donnawilliams.net/

Blog: http://blog.donnawilliams.net/
----------
NT supporters: According to the wiki page, these individuals are supporters of the Autistic Rights movement.

Morton Ann Gernsbacher

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton_Ann_Gernsbacher

Website: http://psych.wisc.edu/lang/gernsbacher.html

-------

Tony Attwood

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Attwood

Website: http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

---------

Simon Baron Cohen

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baron-Cohen

Website: http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc ... .asp?id=33

I'm very intent upon soliciting input from LFAs, but don't know how to go about doing it. Tahitiii, would you care to pm KOR and find out if she would be interested in taking a look at this thread and offering feedback? Since so many of us on the spectrum have exec funct issues, we all potentially gain from those capable of organizing gatherings.


I'm not following what you mean by---No NT would consider it?

Regarding our self-respect--it breaks my heart that you are absolutely right. There are many on the spectrum who "need permission to think of themselves as humans who deserve respect". You say it's "about self-esteem and acceptance". Aye, it is. And we need to brainstorm how to get that self-esteem and acceptance-- for those of us who may want to develop more confidence. As Awiddershinlife says--We are fighting for our very lives.


A huge obstacle we will have to face at some point is--- the status quo is very adamant about disallowing HFA adults to speak on behalf of LFAs, particularly LFA children. I'm thinking we will, at some point, have to deal with this head-on. Input from LFAs on this topic will be essential. We should hear directly from them-- what they need most and how we can help out in that regard.

Let’s see if I am up to the challenge of this level of nesting quote - haha!!

We can check THIS off our list - thanks demon-chorus!!



I humbly, yet proudly will take on this honor , but the extent and diversity of savant skills on this forum alone must be incredible!! I am excited about harnessing the skills of any willing volunteer.


We could – when ready to address this aspect of our plan – start threads in this forum and others, with full disclosure regarding how the stories will be used (offering anonymity as requested). This has potential to be very powerful.



Do we need to beware of trolls? I am interested in what Tahitiii has set up.

.

I did my first shift at the “Hospitality Center” today (a service for homeless people). I didn’t intend to say anything at all about Asperger's, and just hang out and get the feel of the place for a few weeks. But our first conversation was about a regular visitor who had a crisis a few days ago. After hearing about his troubles, I suggested that he had Aspergers, and it turned out that he did. Also, the main administrator of the program has a pre-schooler with Asperger’s.

====================

Maybe I can put it this way.

For every civil rights group, especially handicapped groups, they start with the excuse that you are not competent to speak for yourself, that professionals know better what is good for you. You are not allowed to speak for yourself, and neither are your friends.

That’s always the first thing a bully says – “Mind your own business.” For some reason, you need an excuse to step in, like when the victim in question is your child, your brother, someone connected somehow.

If someone from that handicapped group does happen to have the emotional strength and the communication skills to speak up, they’ll try to say that you’re not really a part of that group. Again, “Mind your own business.”

But they run out of excuses when people like Jim Sinclair, Amanda Baggs and Ari Ne’eman speak up. No way can you deny that they are severely Autistic. Unfortunately, people like that are mostly isolated by care-givers and do-gooders who keep their self-esteem too low to do anything.

Then there’s the higher functioning Aspies who don’t know or are not allowed to be diagnosed unless they have a severe problem. Or are not allowed to admit it. You’re supposed to be ashamed of having any connection to Autistic people.

Can you say, “divide and conquer?”

I’d rather say, “That’s my brother.”

Very well said, Tahitiii

Last edited by Awiddershinlife on 14 Jul 2009, 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

POLITICAL RALLIES
At least one. Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. 3-2-08. "Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally. Some reviews state that it was a "huge success".


NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US
Slogan apparently originated in the early 1990s with the DPSA, Disabled People of South Africa.



Disability rights activists, political activists, and books:

James I. Charlton .."Nothing About Us Without Us: Disability Oppression and Empowerment" .... gets excellent user reviews. Charlton interviews 45 international disability rights activists, fighting the oppression of 500 million people with disabilities. That's 1 in 12 people worldwide.


Robin Orlowski ..."Be A Disability Rights Activist"
Orlowski--"I now understand these individuals also were trying to make sense of and find empowerment in a world which does not support our being here".

That pretty much sums everything up everything we are working toward.

I would like to put that as my slogan at Autistic Kingdom.

Maybe we could all wear it (who wants to that is)??

testing. amature art.

--- Nope. How do you make this thing work?

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38 ... ursery.jpg

edit -- testing again.



Finally. Thanks, Awiddershinlife

Last edited by Tahitiii on 14 Jul 2009, 5:30 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Wow that is soooo cute, Tahitiiii!! !

Just frame http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38 ... ursery.jpg with [img]at%20the%20beginning%20and[/img] at the end.

you forgot the back slash in the final img

[img]picture[/img]