Hey, it's April! Time for my yearly check-in!

[conuly]

Is everybody aware of autism?

Are you equally aware that Autism Speaks is evil?

Good, you are? Great! Well, I'm done here. Carry on.

Comments

[andrewducker]

Are there any good guides to _why_ Autism Speaks is evil?

[conuly]

God, where can I start?

https://autisticbigbro.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/beware/

That one has a nifty flyer you can print out.

https://thecaffeinatedautistic.wordpress.com/new-autism-speaks-masterpost-updated-62014/

I think the key points (the ones that are easy to explain and nobody argues with) are as follows:

1. Autism Speaks uses only a tiny percentage of their intake (4%) on helping autistics and their families.

2. During the recession, when charities were generally tightening their belts, the board members gave themselves a raise.

3. Autism Speaks, among the many awful things it does, supports the Judge Rotenberg Center, which is notorious.

That's really the tip of the iceberg, but if you start giving people an itemized list, they'll wander off.

[janewilliams20]

Autism Speaks apparently want to "cure" me of my autism. Meaning, they want to get rid of the minor problems that I can cope with, the major advantages that I've built a career on, and most of my personality. Needless to say, they do not speak for me.

[conuly]

Oh, but you don't count because you're obviously incredibly high functioning. You're nothing like those poor kids, and can't speak for them.

(I think I'm going to throw up, but at least I managed to type that one with a straight face.)