Comments on: An Autistic Speaks about Autism Speaks

By: Rodentfancy - Representing Autism: Culture, Narrative, Fascination

Rodentfancy - Representing Autism: Culture, Narrative, Fascination — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:43:54 +0000

[...] interview in the film that drew significant controversy was that of a mother describing that she did not kill her autistic daughter only for the sake of her other, non-autistic, daughter.This was said in [...]

By: Things That Pain Me : The Curvature

Things That Pain Me : The Curvature — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:00:20 +0000

[...] best person to explain what is wrong with the organization and their model of response to autism. So here is some information from someone who can explain better than I: Imagine, if you will, that an organization existed by the name of “Womanhood Speaks,” which, on [...]

By: Hiro

Hiro — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:37:06 +0000

Thank you for this entry.

My university is signed up to do a walk/run for this organization, and I am enrolled in it as well, but this has given new light to the facts. (Though I’ll still be participating, since I’m already signed up.)

It’s always great to look from both sides of the spectrum, especially as a special education major.

By: L Stone

L Stone — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:06:19 +0000

Thank you for writing this article, and for the links to other advocates who speak from the inside of an autism diagnosis. I work with children with autism diagnoses, and there is a new organization starting up in our area that hopes to become an information clearinghouse and support organization for children/families affected by autism. I have been asked to participate, and one of my first actions is going to be to raise this very issue, and to ask that we seek adults in our community living with autism to serve on our board/committees. Tito Mukhopadhyay and many others are saying the same thing–that people with autism can speak for themselves, and that the real problems lie in societal ignorance, bias, lack of education and exposure to real, meaningful information on the subject of people with autism. I struggle every day in my work with how to provide respectful, intelligent and beneficial sessions for the children with whom I work. Presumption of intelligence is my starting point. How much we healthcare professionals need the voices of people like you who can guide us so that we can actually aid a child, rather than frustrate or patronize! Please keep on speaking out–there are many who are listening. I will do what I can in my limited sphere. Thank you again for writing.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:07:49 +0000

FANTASTIC argument about an organization that advocates for people with autism . . . without including a single autistic person in the decision making process! Thank you for reminding us of the unique gifts of autism (one researcher I’ve studied believes that ONLY people with autism can rise past a certain level in certain theoretical fields), and thank you for reminding us that many people with autism wouldn’t have it any other way.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:37:55 +0000

This is really good with a lot of good points. I also think the Womanhood Speaks is a great example.

By: Jude

Jude — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:09:34 +0000

Thank you, Cody, for putting this so eloquently. I have a hard time putting my frustrations into words. I’m bookmarking this for future reference. I also added FaceBlind to my communities on livejournal. I never knew other people had the same issues I do.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:32:35 +0000

Love the article. I posted a link to it in my blog. Hopefully more will see it that way.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:46:46 +0000

I LOVE how you emphasize your point using “Womanhood Speaks!” Do keep up the great work!

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:20:40 +0000

This is a very timely article for me. As a music therapist who works with children who have autism, I was all but signed up today to participate in the Autism Speaks walk. Before I clicked continue, though, I decided to do some research about the organizer. I was not pleased with what I found and backed out. Thank you for expressing your opinion. I appreciate the reassurance that my decision was the right one.