Read on Twitter
April is just a week away, which means autistic people everywhere are bracing ourselves for what is known in non-autistic circles as “Autism Awareness Month.”
Here are some things you should know before all of that starts, and misinformation/propaganda start being spread:
Here are some things you should know before all of that starts, and misinformation/propaganda start being spread:
1. Autism Speaks (AS or A$) is a corporate, eugenicist group that has done immense harm to autistic people.
They are widely viewed as a hate group by autistic people.
Do not give them your money, no matter how convincing you think their rebranding is. It’s all fake.
They are widely viewed as a hate group by autistic people.
Do not give them your money, no matter how convincing you think their rebranding is. It’s all fake.
2. Autism is not a disease or a tragedy.
It’s a lifelong, genetic developmental disability. And it is also one of many ways of being in this world.
A$ and similar groups will try to profit by manufacturing fear and grief. Don’t fall for their lies.
It’s a lifelong, genetic developmental disability. And it is also one of many ways of being in this world.
A$ and similar groups will try to profit by manufacturing fear and grief. Don’t fall for their lies.
3. Do not “light it up blue” or use puzzle pieces when discussing autism, especially if you’re not autistic.
This 2017 study found that puzzle pieces (as a symbol for autism) evoke negative associations and should be avoided: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319213734_Do_puzzle_pieces_and_autism_puzzle_piece_logos_evoke_negative_associations
This 2017 study found that puzzle pieces (as a symbol for autism) evoke negative associations and should be avoided: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319213734_Do_puzzle_pieces_and_autism_puzzle_piece_logos_evoke_negative_associations
4. Please use the rainbow infinity symbol for autism, and go #RedInstead to counteract the message of A$’ “light it up blue” campaign.
Instead of “awareness,” what autistic people really need is acceptance.
That’s what the #RedInstead campaign is all about.
Instead of “awareness,” what autistic people really need is acceptance.
That’s what the #RedInstead campaign is all about.
5. The neurodiversity & autism acceptance movement includes ALL autistic people.
Nonspeaking autistics, intellectually disabled autistics, autistics with high support needs, etc.
Everyone needs to have their full humanity and autonomy respected. Everyone needs acceptance.
Nonspeaking autistics, intellectually disabled autistics, autistics with high support needs, etc.
Everyone needs to have their full humanity and autonomy respected. Everyone needs acceptance.
6. Seek out information about autism from autistic people ourselves.
Follow us on social media. Read our blogs. Donate to our organizations.
You can start with the ASAN’s website ( https://autisticadvocacy.org/ ) and their additional online resource, http://www.autismacceptance.com
Follow us on social media. Read our blogs. Donate to our organizations.
You can start with the ASAN’s website ( https://autisticadvocacy.org/ ) and their additional online resource, http://www.autismacceptance.com
7. The overwhelming majority of autistic people prefer to be referred to as “autistic,” not as a “person with autism.”
You should always respect a person’s individual preference.
But when you don’t know their preference, default to identify-first language (“autistic”).
You should always respect a person’s individual preference.
But when you don’t know their preference, default to identify-first language (“autistic”).
8. Do not speak over autistic people when we tell you how we identify or what symbols & language we want you to use when describing us.
You do not get to tell us how to feel or what to think about who we are.
You don’t “know better” than someone with lived experience.
You do not get to tell us how to feel or what to think about who we are.
You don’t “know better” than someone with lived experience.
9. Recognize that if you’re not autistic, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about autism.
Seek out books and resources recommended by the community.
Most importantly: listen to autistic people, not those who claim to speak for us.
Seek out books and resources recommended by the community.
Most importantly: listen to autistic people, not those who claim to speak for us.
