Newbies Asking What's Wrong With Autism Speaks

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Again and again we get these threads on the General forum, and perhaps instead of starting to respond to these from scratch each time, over and over, this piece is as good a summary as any, and may be useful for future threads making the same inquiry.

I tend to suspect that some of the threads by new members - not all - are actually 'plants' by Autism Speaks sympathisers, trying to create a platform to advocate their toxic values. Either way, this link seems to me an appropriate (and energy saving) response:

http://ownshrink.com/neurodiversity/aut ... onal-gain/

I've actually talked to someone there and was going to do a story on them. I talked to more than just someone who answered the phone. They aren't terrible and they aren't trying to do what you think they are trying to do. Not at all.

There is nothing wrong with Autism Speaks. They do not want to force a cure, but they do want to find one and make it available. Many people with autism want one and parents of kids who are non verbal and barely communicate would LOVE a way to help their child be more able to communicate and function and have less symptoms. They aren't talking about doing away with aspies. It's not eugenics, it's not forced anything.

Before you jump on the paranoia bandwagon, do actual research for yourself. More than just reading crap on the internet. I have autism and I'm totally fine with Autism Speaks. I've done my due diligence. Have you?

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

It is not the average employee or PR person that will give you the answer. Even John Robinson who resigned said the employees there are good caring people who want to do right by autistics. The answer boils down to what is in the minds of the board members and the Wright's which is unknowable

Without knowledge of thier minds one can only go by thier actions and what the research money is bieng used for. As far as research money the people investigating them do not seem to have resources to investigate them properly and those organizations that do have the resources have not done so. But we still can judge there overall actions the last 10 years and I find them much more harmful then helpful for autistics for the reasons many have given.

There should be a sticky with the pro and cons and everyones arguments, plus credible sources.

Personally, I want a cure, but I don't think Autism Speaks is a clean company and have a big problem with the direction of their research programs. They spent over $45mil in 2013 on program expenses and that same year, they were on the anti-vaccine train. Today, despite finally changing their stance, their scientific program outline still makes mention of vaccines. They're either pissing away money on bad research or that money is going into pockets. Either way, it means the organization is incompetent in their mission.

The sad thing is that this isn't uncommon theme with charities these days. Charities like the Red Cross and Clinton Foundation are being busted for dubious handling of finances. I recall earlier this year 4 cancer charities, together worth over a billion dollars and ran by the same guy, were closed due to fraud.

Sadly, we're living in an age where you have to be careful about who you give your money to. There are better charities out there who are more transparent and more competent with their research goals.

I would rather rely on observers and analysts of Autism Speaks than what Autism Speaks says about itself, thanks all the same! If that makes me paranoid then I am happy to be so lol... er, wasn't it Autism Speaks who gave their backing to the disgusting video "I Am Autism"..? who pushed the vaccines cause autism crap.. implied autism was analogous to leprosy.. and so on (or did the internet just make it all up, probably those naughty little paranoid conspiracy theorists who are on the spectrum !

http://wrongplanet.net/ten-myths-about-autism-debunked/

It's one of those situations where we will have to agree to disagree. I prefer the viewpoint of the Autistic Women's Network, though I can see where you are coming from and there's no middle ground there.

http://autismwomensnetwork.org/for-gods ... -speaking/

I think we should also link them here:

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-straw ... gument.htm

There are a lot of things we take for granted now which were previously thought impossible. Would it not be better in the long run to find out if it is possible and how to do it?

Thanks.