Fixing Autism Speaks

Unlike most individuals on the autism spectrum, I don't think Autism Speaks is the Grim Reaper, but they're an organization that has some ideology problems. And I believe that by writing a letter to Autism Speaks, I'll make them aware of the fact that autistics in the autism-self community (Wrong Planet, ASAN, etc.) have serious issues and complaints about the organization. Here's the few things that bother me, but don't piss me off enough to brand them a hate group towards the autism community:

1) "Autism is a disease, not a disorder": Even my celebrity crush, Alexis Wineman, knows better. "We can't cure what is not a sickness." (By the way Alexis, if you're reading this, I admire you more JUST because of that statement). It's a birth defect, not the bloody plague. And yet Autism Speaks is still convinced there is a cure. Some of us, like myself, have gifts that we worry we wouldn't have if we were cured of autism. Even John Elder Robison, who I will be seeing at a conference next month (and having autograph at least one of his books that I have a copy of) knows you can't cure autism. And thank God for that, in a way. Treatment though might not be a bad thing. I've always wondered what I would be like without sensory overload issues.

2) Autism (as in a couple's autistic child) can cause divorce: Well, so does infidelity. And boredom. And just good old-fashioned incompatibility. But don't go blaming your autistic child for your marital problems. The only way I can see autism causing divorce is with the PARENTS. People who are going to have a weak marriage shouldn't be in that marriage in the first place. I might not be married until I'm 30 or God-forbid, 40, but at least I won't be in divorce court. Hopefully with my social skills improving at a cubic (or even exponential) rate, that might be a moot point.

3) Autism is not the result of vaccines: I guess you can call me a racist and an eugenicist, but I'm not. But I do believe globalization is causing health disorders we have never seen. Interracial marriage was rare a half-century ago. Today, it's almost a norm. But with that, and this is my ignorant assumption, problems might ensue, including genetic issues. But my answer to that? SCREW IT! Actually, some genetic disorders that run in some ethnic groups, like Tay-Sachs disease, might become extinct because of globalization. Genetics is like Russian roulette: you might live and you might not be so lucky.

4) Autism Speaks tends to ignore the issue at hand when it affects them: A mother of an autistic child sued Autism Speaks when they would not allow her a flexible work schedule so she could work around her son's schedule. And then they one-upped that. Autism Speaks later rescinded their employment offer. Wow, nice going! Their response? Inappropriately brief:

“Autism Speaks is committed to employing parents and other family members of people with autism, as well as individuals on the spectrum."

BS. I'd probably be in for a battle if I applied for a job with Autism Speaks. When I wanted to start a chapter of their collegiate outreach program, Autism Speaks U, they gave me a hard time about it, and my college student government didn't do much to support my cause.

And lastly:

5) Autism Speaks has not reached out to the highest functioning autistics: And that's a real shame too. Just because we can live without independently doesn't mean we don't have challenges too. I have mental road blocks up the ying-yang. It makes life a BITCH challenging. Autism Speaks hasn't gone out and asked "What are we doing that is causing negative feedback among the people we fight for?"

I live by the belief that keeping your mouth shut might make you wise, but if there's a problem and no one is speaking out, you're screwed.

EDIT: Saint Patrick's Day (3/17/13)- Having written this after six and a half hours of sleep wasn't one of my better ideas, but looking back, I stand by all I said. However, there's some confusions I needed to clear up. I don't want anyone thinking I believe that autism is a disease! And lastly,