Hillary = bigoted against autistics.

[Odin2005]

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt52924.html

Well lookie here, Senator Clinton apparently is close to an organization named Autism Speaks that most of us in the Autism Spectrum Disorder community (I have Asperger's Syndrome) consider to be promoting a demeaning view of us Autistics. Just another reason I will not vote for Hillary, I am a unique human being, I am not "broken," I do want want to be "cured." :grr:

[David__77]

1. While I definitely do not support Clinton...

...I think that this is likely an endorsement of a children's initiative without conducting due diligence. That's an error, but not a fatal one necessarily.

[Ilsa]

2. I'm happy for you that you don't want or need curing, but some of us

need our autistic children to be more functional in speech and life skills. My son is throwing up, but can't tell me what he is feeling or if it could be something he ate. We'll just have to wait it out. Anyway, I won't always be around to take care of him. If someone can develop something that helps his brain work better to help him, he'll be better off. I agree that a demeaning view isn't necessary, though. Best wishes to you.

PS, I'm an Edwards fan myself.

[liberalnurse]

41. She, Hillary spoke eloquently today at the New Hampshire Rally at

Penacook HS. Hillary took a direct question on about Autism, she wants to focus on causality as there is an epidemic of autistic children, more males than females. She was passionate and convincingly devoted.

You can listen to it on C-Span. Here is the link.

http://www.c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,

[indimuse]

64. I saw that..

she is absolutely amazing ..full command on all issues.:hi:

[Ilsa]

3. delete

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. I am a parent of a child with Autism.

I respect the views of those who disagree, but I support the work that the group is doing.

Our Mission
At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals.

Autism Speaks aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

[HughMoran]

5. "and cure for autism"

Hmmm, not so sure the word "cure" sits well with high-functioning people who often consider themselves in many ways superior to "normal" people.

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. It is apparent that it does not sit well.

Nevertheless, I'm glad that groups like Autism Speaks is working for one.

[HughMoran]

13. I'm glad they are working to find the cause and hopefully bring back the most distant

of the autistic kids. The use of the word "cure" is still going to be controversial and may be quite offensive to some though, so just be forewarned. "Curing" someone with a brain wiring "issue" necessarily means changing the persons brain. Changing a persons brain means you are changing their personality - necessarily turning them into a "different" person. Just think about the implications of this before you tout a "cure". It's pretty scary if you ask me.

[lumberjack_jeff]

20. Some activists for the deaf dislike efforts to "cure deafness"

http://www.reason.com/news/show/28367.html

Sound and Fury focuses on the conflicts in one Long Island, New York, family: A deaf couple, Peter and Nita Artinian, refuse to let their 5-year-old daughter, Heather, get an implant -- much to the dismay of Peter's hearing parents. "If somebody gave me a pill that would make me hearing, would I take it? No way," Peter Artinian asserts in sign language. "I'd want to go to a hospital and throw it up and go back to being deaf. I want to be deaf....If the technology progresses, maybe it's true deaf people will become extinct, and my heart will be broken. Deaf culture is something to value and cherish. It's my culture." Other deaf people in the film echo his views, praising "deaf culture" and deriding attempts to cure deafness.

I don't agree that cochlear implants are "cultural genocide". I don't agree that the search for improved treatments for Autism is "cognitive eugenics".

[HughMoran]

23. It's all a matter of scale

I certainly think that those who cannot function at all without a great deal of care would be blessed to be given the ability to learn. It has to happen when they are young so that basic skills can be learned while the brain is still receptive. Intercepting these kids when they are young would also have a minimal effect on their personality. I don't see a parallel with deafness here as profoundly autistic kids are often low IQ and unable to make decisions for themselves. No autistic parent wants their child to be autistic, but they also don't want their child stigmatized if they are simply a little "different" than "normal" people.

[karlrschneider]

49. People like that are every bit as foul and evil as fundies who won't let their kids see a doctor

when they're sick.
:puke:

[Feron]

32. While there are an unfortunate few that feel that way,

they don't speak for all of us. I don't want a cure because there is nothing wrong with me. I'm not ashamed to be different.


And it's not always the case that only higher-functioning autistics are against a cure:
http://www.gettingthetruthout.org/index.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

57. Would a deaf person who had been given back hearing return to deafness?

Odd as it may sound, much of what makes my son unique, interesting and fun to be around (for me) is an artifact of his autism. I know that he often gets extremely frustrated at his inability to do the things that his peers do, but by and large his ability to cope and thus his quality of life is pretty good.

I volunteer with enough kids to know that this isn't always the case. One 11 year old boy in my acquaintance has had his self-injurious behavior reduced through medication. He still doesn't speak, but he rarely flees from his helpers any more.

Nevertheless, he needs better treatments. If the treatments qualify as "a cure" I'm okay with that. If those treatments would improve my son's quality of life I would certainly consider it.

Is ADD a disorder that should not be treated because it fundamentally alters people? Bipolar disorder? Alzheimers?

Self-determination. If an individual has the cognitive/communications skills to make a choice, they should be free to do so and judge for themselves what "quality of life" means to them.

I belong to the ARC. We are strongly in favor of community support and opposed to institutionalization. A prerequisite of successful community support is maximizing each persons ability to be independent. Clearly the woman in the slide show to which you linked lacks many skills which could improve her quality of life.

Here's the major misconception: loving a person and pursuing the best possible future for that person are not mutually exclusive.

[Odin2005]

6. I have no respect for an organization that considers us "broken."

I want people to accept me for who I am, to respect cognitive diversity instead of wanting to use mental eugenics force us into a socially constructed box called "normal."

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. Acceptance of you as an individual is a different kettle of fish...

... than powerless acquiescence to the disorder.

The former is an act of respect to you. The latter is disrespect to those who do suffer from it as well as generations yet to come.

With all due respect, there are people out there who have really much more profound limitations on their quality of life than do you or my son.

Improved treatments, improved therapies and improved diagnostics must be developed. The degree to which you avail yourself (or your children) of them is your business.

[Odin2005]

27. My Asperger's is part of who I am as an individual.

And I refuse to call Asperger's a "disorder," it is a "disorder" the same way homosexuality was considered a "disorder" 50 years ago. The only reason I "suffer" from autistic traits is because most Neurotypicals want to force me into the "normal" box and use biased science to claim that I do not have empathy or a "theory of mind." Also, IMO too many people mix up the autistic traits and mental retardation in people with low-functioning autism, In a society tolerant of neurodiversity the only limitations on quality of life of a person with low-functioning autism would be the mental retardation, not the autism.

[GirlinContempt]

55. "Neurotypicals want to force me into the "normal" box"

Oh lord, what crap.
There is NOTHING WRONG with wanting to find a cure for something that is causing some people to be unable to function. If they are suffering, who are YOU to say they shouldn't be helped? I doubt anyone is going to pin you down and force anything on you, it's your choice. You could argue that any in born disorder that causes huge problems in a persons life is a part of who they are and that trying to find a cure is 'eugenics'. Come on now.

[lumberjack_jeff]

59. I share some of your viewpoint...

... but some listening and understanding is in order.

The adults with autism in my acquaintance were, for the most part, ostracized during their youth for being "unpredictable" "dangerous" "without empathy" and potentially violent. They were treated as broken throughout their lives. It is understandable (and to some degree healthy) that their reaction is to say; "No, this is me. This is how I am. I can't change it any more than you can change your height."

Externalized, this leads to a conclusion that I do not agree with. People with Autism deserve to be accepted in society, but this should not imply that treatments which could improve the quality of life of others like them are equivalent to a form of eugenics.

Rights for people with disabilities are the last frontier of civil rights. Nevertheless, this is a frequently disabling condition which should be ameliorated if possible and desired.

[GirlinContempt]

60. I can understand

not feeling like you have a disability, and having been treated badly because you're different. Really, I can. I can understand saying that this is part of who they are. I have no issue with that.

I have issue with the idea that my god son can barely function, and some people think it would be wrong to come up with treatments or 'cures' for him. There are varying kinds and levels of autism, and for someone with one high functioning form to basically wish to deny possible help to others who are suffering is wrong. And to characterize people who disagree with him/her and pro-eugenics and say that we're "neurotypicals" trying to force that person in to some 'box' pisses me off.

[lumberjack_jeff]

62. I admit to some frustration with that view.

And from the perspective of a parent, I find that we get it from both sides. On the one side are those who haven't abandoned the "refrigerator mom" belief in the cause of the disorder (it must be the parents fault). On the other side, we hear it from the adults with autism ("the biggest source of angst in my life has been my parents refusal to accept me the way I am")

Often those parents greatest fear is death - because only they understand the degree to which their grown children are still dependent upon them.

[Marrah_G]

31. You are fortunate that you can function

There are many Autistics that cannot.

[BlueIris]

7. Interesting discussion. Let's continue it.

[Harper_is_Bush]

8. I think that's a despicable attack to make.

If you disagree with the work that organization does, fine. If it offends you, fine.

But to say that Hillary is "bigoted" against autistics is a low and dishonorable attack.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

35. i agree. wanting a cure to any condition does not mean bigotry. i want a cure to aids, i am not

bigoted against those who have aids.

[cynatnite]

9. Well, I want my grandson cured...

not likely to happen. I do hope at the very least he can be helped so he can be a functioning member of society. It's a long hard road for him and anything that can get him even a small bit of a normal life would be welcomed by our family.

He can only reach his potential with a lot of help and we welcome it ALL.

[SoCalDem]

11. The spectrum of autism is wide, and I know many people who long for a "cure"

For those of you at the functioning end of the spectrum, it may not be an issue, but a 14 yr old locked in his own world, totally non-verbal, unable to walk, in diapers,...well that's a tragedy that my friend lives with daily, and she would do anything to see Miles even get a little better

[HughMoran]

15. This may be a touchy subject,

but is the child suffering or is the friend who has to live with the child suffering? I didn't "know" I was different until I started to become more aware as I got older - then I suffered as I had a hard time being on the "cusp" of "normal". "Ignorance is bliss" does have some meaning here...

[SoCalDem]

17. They worry about him because they know he will outlive them

and they also know how his condition has affected his younger brother, who will end up as his "brother's keeper"..

They have never thought of institutionalizing him, but his severe disability has crushed their family's spirit as well as their finances.

[HughMoran]

21. Boy, that must be devastating.

I can't imagine having to care for a fully disabled person - that would tear me apart. Being on the spectrum myself, that would push me over the edge. I have a great deal of sympathy for their situation - it would be a miracle if the low functioning people could be caught early and given the ability to interact and thus learn.

[adadem]

14. It is obvious from your post

Odin that you are very high functioning. My son is also very high functioning.

You and he are in the minority of people with autism...a good many are very severely affected.

My dear friend has a 16 year old son with autism who is still in diapers and can only speak a few words.
He cannot function independently at all. He cannot cook, cannot make a snack for himself, cannot wash his face or
brush his teeth by himself. His father must shower with him so that he is washed.

It is those who Autism Speaks and other groups want to help.

You are definitely not "broken" nor is my son. I would never change his sweet personality.. but we must not stop
trying to help those who are not as fortunate as those people with autism/Aspergers who are able to function
independently in the world.

[cynatnite]

16. My daughter cried on my shoulder a few months ago...

that she still has never heard her son say 'I love you'. It breaks her heart that he is almost four years old and those words have never been uttered by him.

[HughMoran]

18. It's difficult, isn't it?

I know my oldest will never say it either (teen now.) I was similar as a kid so I have no expectations and don't expect it. Sometimes she hugs me for no reason - that's a real treat.

[cynatnite]

22. It helps that he is very affectionate...

He'll come right up to me and lean against my leg when he wants a hug.

The other day he got the bird food down and poured it all over the carpet. He got in trouble over it and after I got it cleaned up I was in the living room. He came over with a sad look on his face and just hugged me. He has trouble verbally expressing himself and so this was his way of apologizing for what he did. He does learn right from wrong...it's a matter of us understanding what he's trying to say to us.

His sentences are fragmented and he has a very hard time expressing his feelings.

Yes, the affection is a treat and makes it all worthwhile.

[Odin2005]

28. Your friend's son's problem sounds like mental retardation, not his autism.

As I said elsewhere in the thread IMO too many people mix up the features of mental retardation and autism in people with low-functioning autism.

[JohnLocke]

19. C'mon, this is even more pathetic than the Chelsea Clinton smear.

[earth mom]

24. You are missing the ENTIRE POINT. Many children with Autism don't function at your level.

They can NOT talk, they can NOT wipe their behinds, they have to be cared for as babies even though they are not.

Through Bio medical intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis, parents have been able to pull their children part way out of this black hole.

For you to say that is wrong because YOU can't relate is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

FYI-You TOTALLY misunderstand what people are saying when they say "cured". What they mean is that a child is able to function in the real world. And there is NOTHING wrong with that.

:grr:

And BTW-Autism Speaks sucks.

Will Autism Speaks Fire Donald Trump?

Posted December 29, 2007 | 02:30 PM (EST)

Will Autism Speaks "fire" billionaire fundraiser Donald Trump for telling the world he believes vaccinations may be at the heart of the autism? Trump's long running hit "The Apprentice" runs on NBC, and Bob Wright, founder of Autism Speaks is still with GE, which owns the network. Trump could be in trouble! Why? Allow me to explain.

The Donald made a startling pronouncement during a press stop for Autism Speaks at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida. One would call his words, "heresy" in some autism circles. He fingered vaccines and referenced the epidemic numbers of kids with autism. Looks like Donald Trump has been paying attention to the news.

The Sun Sentinel reported:
"In an interview, Donald Trump said he thinks the rising prevalence of autism is related to vaccinations of babies and toddlers, a topic that is hotly debated among parents and doctors.
One in 150 children is now diagnosed with autism, with the prevalence higher among boys.
"When I was growing up, autism wasn't really a factor," he said. "And now all of a sudden, it's an epidemic. Everybody has their theory, and my theory is the shots. They're getting these massive injections at one time. I think it's the vaccinations." (Here is the full Sun Sentinel Story.)

"Hotly debated?" Try nuclear. And Autism Speaks has run away from the vaccine/autism debate faster than that NASCAR dude they sponsor can race.

<snip>

Donald, when Bob and Suzanne Wright fib to you that they are looking at all potential causes of autism, let me tell you about the day back in 2006 when Suzanne Wright promised me in front of hundreds that Autism Speaks was going to study vaccines and autism. Don't be swayed, as I was when she says, "Autism knocked on the wrong door." In reality, it knocked on a bank vault door. (Got time? Pop some popcorn, grab the family and check out the video here.) I've filed her empty promise under "BFL" (big fat lie) and stored it next to my shattered dreams about weapons of mass destruction, compassionate Conservatives and Santa Claus.

<snip>


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-stagliano/will-autism-speaks-fire-d_b_78694.html

[Odin2005]

29. As I said elsewhere in the thread, do not mix up mental retardation with autistic traits.

[earth mom]

38. What you don't understand is that these kids are not the same as you.

What parents/caregivers are trying to do is to bring their kids up to your level or at least part of the way there.

There is NOTHING wrong with that.

You SHOULD NOT be disrespectful of what these parents/caregivers are trying to do because MANY MANY MANY parents/caregivers have been able to recover some of their children's functionality by the interventions I spoke about in my previous post.


For you to come on here and dis that and to cop a negative "curebie" attitude is just flat out WRONG.


FYI-What the Autism recovery movement is about has NOTHING to do with you or your specific type of Autism.


You know NOT of what you speak.

[Odin2005]

30. As I said elsewhere in the thread, do not mix up mental retardation with autistic traits.

Oh, and I have little patience for the vaccine BS. Autism is genetic.

[earth mom]

39. Do some more research Einstein.

:eyes:

[Odin2005]

40. Einstein was a High Functioning Autstic.

:dunce:

[earth mom]

42. Very true. But even he would have done research to prove his theories, now wouldn't he?

The current level of children with Autism is at an epidemic level. Something is triggering it. Parents are noticing a significant change in their children after their vaccinations.

That should not be ignored or scoffed at.

If you really want to know what the cause is, you should do some research instead of acting like some know it all.

[Odin2005]

47. There is no epidemic, it is simply being diagnosed more then it was in the past.

Until around two to three decades ago or so many lower-functioning autistics were just considered mentally retarded and most high-functioning autistics were either never diagnosed or diagnosed with "schizoid personality disorder" or labeled with what was then called "childhood schizophrenia."

The reason parents "notice" an association between vaccines and autism is because the first obvious traits of autistic start showing up around the same time as the kids are vaccinated, leading to parents falling for the correlation-causation fallacy, basically superstitious thinking. The whole issue has been whipped up by anti-vaccine nutters, luddites, and cranks manipulating these parents to further their own agendas and autism was the Trojan horse.

[lumberjack_jeff]

61. This is untrue.

I sat in on a seminar at Childrens Hospital in Seattle and the conclusion of the doctors there was that there truly is an epidemic.

They charted the diagnoses of a variety of common disorders over time. They found that although the diagnosis of disorders which autism could have been mistaken for in the past has held steady, the diagnosis of autism went through the roof. One in 166 children today are diagnosed as ASD. If ASD were misdiagnosed in the past as other things (like retardation) then you'd expect to see a decrease in those diagnoses at the same time as the increase in ASD.

[BenDavid]

25. Well upon research I see that HRC did Serve as Honorary Chair

for Fifth Annual Westchester-Fairfield Walk for Autism Research. Senator Clinton is a co-sponsor of the Combating Autism Act, currently pending in Congress. The bill calls for federal spending of $176 million dollars annually for the next five years to support autism research, screening, intervention and educational efforts. It would increase resources in every state for the early diagnosis and treatment of children with autism.

I believe this is a good thing and she had a co sponsor Wayne Allard (R.Colo)....

[BlueIris]

26. Curious responses, all.

Keep 'em coming!

[Feron]

33. Unfortunately eugenics will never be unpopular.

I'm an Aspie as well and I find organizations like Autism Speaks disgusting. My soul hasn't been kidnapped or stolen by autism-this is who I am. I should not be talked down to or pitied simply because I am different.

Personally my main challenges in life have been other people, not autism.

And no, I was not always this high functioning. I'm one of the autistics like Attwood talks about that self-improve on their own. There is a video on Youtube in which a autistic woman talks about how she learned to speak because she was inspired by Dr. King's speeches. But even still, I'm very much autistic even though I can pass well enough in society as being NT. My NT behaviors are all a script and highly unnatural, but I'm a decent actress. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just that I don't grok 'normal' society.

However I have no problem with therapies that work with a child in order to improve functioning. Sadly there is a lot of woo and snake oil surrounding autism and most people do not consider the autistic person an individual person ,but rather as a tabula rasa. And autistic people, especially adults, need services. Just because you need extra help does not make you less of a person. There is a gigantic stigma against the disabled in this country. Unfortunately many people think that disability is worse than death.

Some links for the interested:
http://www.autistics.org/library/dontmourn.html
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com /
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=christschool <--not a god channel I promise. LOL

[Odin2005]

44. "There is a gigantic stigma against the disabled in this country." Exactly

Us people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders are considered burdens and are discriminated because we disturb socially-constructed concepts of "true personhood" simply by existing. By saying that our souls has been "stolen" by autism they is essentially questioning our humanity. It is little different from the dehumanization of minorities and ethnic groups.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

34. thats because you have aspergers and are not so severely autistic

that you are in a mental health facility or need to stay with your parents.

there are several forms of debilitating autism, you dont have one, but those who do may want/need a cure. you should have empathy for those whose condition is worse than yours.

this is a BS argument against HRC.

[Marrah_G]

36. This is a truly bizarre post

She is close to an organization that is trying to help find a cure for a disorder that is devastating to many families. You have a form that allows you to function in the world. Many are not so lucky.

We have an Autistic child in our family who will never be able to function on his own. He is an autistic savant. He will need constant 24/7 care his entire life. My best friend also has an autistic child. She is medium functioning and has begun to be able to speak in rudimentary sentences and does communicate on a limited basis. She will always need help, but not at the same level as my cousin's child (the savant).

Try considering other situations besides your own before making such a condemnation of people trying to make life better for other families.

Your post comes across as extremely selfish and self-centered.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. i completely agree.

[JVS]

43. Autism should be cured. Just like Polio was eradicated.

If you don't like that, too bad.

[Odin2005]

45. I AM NOT A DISEASE!!!

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[JVS]

46. You have a disease, this is not the same as BEING a disease,

And hopefully someday there will be a cure for the disease that you have.

[Odin2005]

48. I do not have a disease, either. Autism is not a disease, anymore then being gay is a disease.

My suffering is not from my Aspergers, my suffering is the result of the bigotry and discrimination resulting from the social construct of "normal."

Your prejudice and pro-Mental Eugenics attitude is sickening.

[JVS]

50. Would it make you feel better if we used the term "disorder"?

You're the one who used the word disease in the first place.
Autism is a disorder and curing it would be a great thing. Worthy of a Nobel prize!

[karlrschneider]

51. No, what is "sickening" is your insistence that NOBODY ELSE should seek to be fixed.

That is bullshit.

[uppityperson]

53. I want my friend's son able to function.If you call that prejudice and sickening, tells me about you

Be how you want, no one is forcing you to be changed at all. My friend's son is unable to function and she would be very happy to have him not be as he is and unable to care for himself. Your inability to consider anyone but yourself is what is sickening.

[GirlinContempt]

54. Really?

So, my god son is suffering because of bigotry? I guess it's bigotry that caused him to basically be unable to talk until he was 6 years old, and still prevents him from communicating with other children, teachers, etc. I guess it must be bigotry that has him working at a grade level well, WELL below that of his age peers, and even still he is unable to keep up or progress. I guess it's bigotry that causes him to act out and become emotional for no visible reason, causing his removal from his classroom. Bigotry also makes him unable to recognize or fear danger or dangerous situations.

Great, good to know that all we need to do is get rid of bigotry and he'll be able to function. :eyes:

Sarcasm aside, YOU may be ok with your Aspergers, but to claim that people who want to help severely disabled people learn and function are prejudiced and pro-eugenics is insane hyperbole. I object to the idea that you think a sweet little boy I know should spend his whole life on the outside because you're an oversensitive freak who thinks everything is about YOU.

How's that hyperbole for you?

[goddess40]

63. It should be prevented but there is no "cure"

I have two son's and both have autism spectrum disorders, both are extremely bright and they are learning to cope with their differences to some degree. But coping is not curing. Since insurance companies are allowed to decide which illnesses and disorders they cover they have chosen to let most that have autism flounder.

[loyalsister]

52. Medical model rules

Not in my world.
As a person with a developmental disability, I am with you 100%.
Posters don't seem to recognize the possibility that a person with autism might want to have some intervention without the pressure to be like most ordinary people.

Is it possible that if the public were to accept the concept of difference that "low functioning" people with autism might have some incentive to come out?

For example, my friend accepted that her son would not "speak" and he learned sign language. Now, he is in school and their household uses sign language so that he is included in their family.

Autism is not a "problem" it is a fact. Our reaction is eithe the problem or the adaptation.

[Solon]

56. That makes absolutely no sense...

Many Autistic people can't communicate at all, whether with sign language or not. The fact is that many cannot take care of themselves, and if a cure can be found for them, so they CAN communicate and interact with the outside world, then such a cure should be developed.

[Kajsa]

58. Anything that can help my son

is a blessing.

He's also high on the autism spectrum, but not as high as you are.

He can work part time and take a few classes that don't demand too much
writing. He can do a number of things independently, but needs supervision.


Anything that helps him, especially when he has a meltdowns, obsessive-compulsive
perseverances and panic attacks, is welcome here with open arms.

He knows he is different.
He just doesn't want it hindering his life.

(Edit- I had them mixed up with another organization.)
I'm not familiar with Autism Speaks.

[liberalhistorian]

65. My teenage son has Asperger's Syndrome, and

my husband has a mild form of it and I'll take them both just the way they are, thank you very much. Those who've had forms of high-functioning autism, such as Asperger's, throughout the centuries have accomplished a lot for society and done a lot that they likely would not have been able to do, or would not have even thought of, had they been "normal." Their minds work in very interesting ways and we need that as a society.

And I'm tired of people having a problem with my son, and now my husband, because they aren't considered "normal" enough. Neither of them need any kind of fucking "cure", thank you, and our lives are not "devastated" by it. Challenged, yes. A bit more difficult, yes. But we don't need their brand of "advocacy" and "cure". No fucking thank you.

I'll say one thing for this group, though, at least they aren't as bad as Families Affected by Aspergers's Syndrome, FAAS, which is a hateful, hurtful, harmful group that promotes a very negative view of Asperger's and those dealing with it and does a lot of harm, thus perpetuating discrimination against people like my son and my husband. They even used to use the word "Afflicted" instead of "Affected" in their title, until even their members protested.

And I will continue to speak out against groups like these two. Hell, I'm even thinking of starting my own non-profit awareness and advocacy group, especially for adults, as adults with these conditions have almost no support or advocacy resources when it comes to education, employment, etc., etc.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

66. Autism is a disadvantage for most of its sufferers. Trying to deny them a cure is selfish.

If you're happy with being autistic, then great. I would fully support moves to oppose making any hypothetical cure for it that was discovered compulsory.

But to oppose attempts to discover a cure for a condition that does cause a great deal of suffering to nearly all those with it simply because you're happy with that condition is incredibly selfish.

And to describe the supporters of discovering such a cure as bigots is ludicrous, as is your claim to speak for most of, as opposed to a small minority of, people on the autistic spectrum.

[in_cog_ni_to]

67. I heard her yesterday speaking PASSIONATELY about Autism! She cares. WTF? She alone probably brings

more attention to the issue than anyone else EVER HAS! I cannot believe some of the shit I'm reading on here.