Autistic militarism: turns out I'm not alone in believing in such a thing

I've argued that some on the autism spectrum are so extreme in their views that they would rather live on a different planet (how the Wrong Planet website got it's name). Although I have far from a problem with the autism pride movement (same goes for any pride movement that doesn't hurt anyone or any group, which includes deaf and LGBT pride movements), there are some in the autism community who I have encountered over the years whose views on autism are on the verge of arrogance, both from a neurotypical (NT) and self-autism standpoint. I think there are more than three types of paths one on the spectrum/an individual personally affected by autism. I see myself as an autistic moderate, mostly because I have both NT and autistic traits. Although this blogger in this post is more arguing autistic cohesion (like I support myself) he more argues the view that many have, that autistics are serial killers and psychopaths. I guess the problem is I agree with this individual more than disagree, even though his blog is just creepy.

But it's true: there are plenty of autistics that are more militant in their view on autism: that all NTs are wrong and that's the end of it. However, as of recent, the autistic militants have gained validity in their views. When John Elder Robison resigned his advisory post with Autism Speaks, it was a sign that even for those on the spectrum willing to work with Autism Speaks, the organization had jumped the shark. But I also view Autism Speaks as more of a group that focuses on those on the spectrum with larger challenges than my own. The sad thing: Autism Speaks spends almost none of its money on these individuals. And there are plenty of people who believe that Autism Speaks has misused their funding: news stories included, heck this one made it look like Autism Speaks is the Mafia! NOTE: I will update this entry if I can find something specific on how much of their funding goes, as this article just ain't cutting it.

My experiences with the organization have went like this: pushy, cold and believing that autistics don't want to include neurotypicals in their endeavors. When I tried bringing Autism Speaks U to SUNY Potsdam, I felt like I was trying to reason with Goliath. Looking back, had Autism Speaks U come to Potsdam, our required SGA group constitution would have come into direct conflict with what Autism Speaks requires of its collegiate outreach groups. Looking back, me and my friends dodged a bullet.

Funny I should say this: I wrote to Autism Speaks earlier this year. Several months later, I have yet to get a reply.

Does autistic militarism exist? Seeing things now, yes. Sure, I will see a problem with autistics trying to corner themselves off from the rest of the world, but with the way things are, I can see why they would want to. And the world for autistics is changing, and now we need to hold Autism Speaks accountable for any of their misleading actions.

But then again, I don't tend to be the average autistic individual.

My AQ score is 36 on Simon Baron-Cohen's scale, and according to the group at the Aspie-Quiz website, my Aspie score is 119 out of 200 and my NT score is 113 out of 200. So I am one of those fringe Aspies, I guess.

*I might not have made my post on autistic militarism public, but this one comes close.