If it does I will feel my service was worthwhile.” Will they wake up and welcome autistic people into their leadership? I hope so. “We have a number of good organizations fighting for rights, but none had anywhere close to the resources of Autism Speaks, especially in science. While I am touched by the support people have shown me, it saddens me that folks are celebrating my decision to abandon my efforts to steer their science in a constructive and beneficial direction.” “There has been a tremendous response to my decision to resign from the Autism Speaks.

Robison followed up on his Facebook page with the following post, To consider a child or adult with a disability as a burden as some do leads to stereotypes that are damaging and insulting to so many of us.” does not believe nor accept the description of a person with autism as described in a recent Autism Speaks blog. The Autism Society responded to Robison’s resignation as follows, He goes on to say that the organization’s number one priority should be people with autism, not their parents or grandparents. The absence of people with autism in governing or oversight roles has crippled Autism Speaks in its efforts to connect with the community.” “Autism Speaks is the only major medical or mental health nonprofit whose legitimacy is constantly challenged by a large percentage of the people affected by the condition they target.

His issue with Autism Speaks lies in the way they portray autism to society, along with their failure to include people with autism in positions of power within the organization. He concedes that individuals with autism do have challenges, and that they and their families need support. We are not problems for our parents, or society, or genes to be eliminated.

We do not like hearing that we are part of an epidemic. We do not like hearing that we are defective or diseased. “I have tried to help Autism Speaks staffers understand how destructive its messages have been to the psyches of autistic people. He also referenced a recent blog post by Suzanne Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, calls autism a “crisis” and a “national emergency.” Robison’s response is as follows, I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams.” His resignation letter specifically mentioned a video titled “ I Am Autism,” which featured pictures of children with autism along with a menacing voice-over saying, The author of such books as Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s and Raising Cubby states that he cannot support the organization due to their tendency to portray autism in ways that are offensive to individuals with the diagnosis. Author John Elder Robison has resigned his post as a member of the Science and Treatment boards for Autism Speaks.

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