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  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
#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'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
#AutismAcceptance
#AutismAcceptanceDay
#Neurodiversity

12/

(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 ), 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 ), 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 ), 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