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Today is World #AutismAcceptanceDay! (Or, to some, #AutismAwarenessDay). This means you’re probably being firehosed by autism information. But how do you know if an #autism organization is a trustworthy one? Fortunately, we have guidelines & examples:
http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/p/position.html ">https://www.thinkingautismguide.com/p/positio... 1/
http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/p/position.html ">https://www.thinkingautismguide.com/p/positio... 1/
At TPGA, we believe autistic people of all ages & abilities deserve to be treated with respect, have their civil rights & humanity recognized, & have access to the resources & accommodations they need. We will not support #autism orgs that do not abide by these basic precepts. 2/
We know it can be difficult to identify #autism orgs that legitimately work towards the best interest of #autistic ppl & their families, as questionable autism organizations tend to employ the vocabulary of acceptance & support—even when actively undermining those principles. 3/
So how can you know which #autism organizations to support and trust? Those we endorse adhere to the following guidelines.
#Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance
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#AutismAcceptanceDay 4/
#Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance
#AutismAcceptanceDay 4/
(1) Supports, not cures: #autism is a naturally occurring human neurological variation and not a disease process to be cured. #Autistic neurology, sensory traits, processing, communication, and other autism-specific traits should be accommodated, not stigmatized. 5/
(1 cont’d) Qualify of life for #autistic people of all ages and abilities should be a primary focus. Medical or health issues that may accompany autism should be addressed as co-occurring conditions, not as integral to #autism. 6/
(2) Autistic-informed supports and therapies: Services for autistic individuals must improve their quality of life. 7/
(2 cont’d) If there is conflict b/t non-autistic professionals & the autistic community as to an approach/therapy, the organization takes #autistic concerns seriously, & looks to participatory & otherwise autistic-informed research, & self-advocate leadership, for direction. 8/
(3) Inclusiveness: Autistic people must have significant, meaningful, and primary roles in all aspects of the organization, especially at board and executive levels, with regards to planning and decision-making. 9/
(3 cont’d) #Autistic employees and contractors will be compensated at the same level as other participants doing similar work. 10/
(4) Acceptance, not stigmatization: All aspects of the autism organization& #39;s financial cycle, from advertising and fundraising through grants and programs, must be driven by values of inclusion and acceptance of autistic people of all ages and abilities. 11/
(4 cont’d) It is not acceptable for any autism organization to use scare tactics or negative imagery to promote "autism awareness.”
#AutismAwarenessDay
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#AutismAcceptanceDay
#Neurodiversity
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#AutismAwarenessDay
#AutismAcceptance
#AutismAcceptanceDay
#Neurodiversity
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(5) Advocacy for the human and civil rights of all autistic people: The autism organization must clearly and publicly express positions on issues that affect the well being of autistic individuals. 13/
(5 cont’d) Such issues include the use of physical and chemical restraints; the lack of full inclusion in education, work, and housing; and funding for programs that address the immediate needs of autistic people in their communities. 14/
So which autism organizations do we recommend? There are many, but a few are: @A4AOntario ( http://a4aontario.com"> http://a4aontario.com ), a collective of autistic adults, advocating for reform to Ontario’s approach to autism funding and services. 15/
We recommend @autselfadvocacy, an autistic-led org of policy experts working on national & regional levels to improve QoL, understanding, & acceptance for autistic ppl of all ages & abilities via handbooks, toolkits, policy briefs, action alerts, campaigns, and social media. 16/
We recommend Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network @awnnetwork_ ( http://awnnetwork.org"> http://awnnetwork.org ), which provides community, support and resources for Autistic women, girls, nonbinary people, and all others of marginalized genders. 17/
We also recommend Association For Autistic Community ( http://autisticcommunity.org"> http://autisticcommunity.org ), which fosters community and connections among autistic people, through conferences/retreats such as Autspace, education, and advocacy. 18/
Autism orgs that do not adhere to our guidelines & which we emphatically do NOT recommend include: Autism Speaks, Age of Autism, Autism Science Foundation, National Council for “Severe” Autism, TACA, NAA, Generation Rescue, MAPS, the UK’s “Thinking”/Treating Autism,” & VOR. 19/19
