Can you do self-insemination at home ?
April 2 marks World Autism Awareness Day, a day recognized by the UN since 2007 and heavily promoted by Autism Speaks, a prominent nonprofit that claims to advocate for autism. Their “Light It Up Blue” initiative encourages people to adorn their social media profiles with blue frames, express their support for autistic individuals, and donate funds to the organization.
While these actions seem positive—showing love for autistic individuals and supporting advocacy—it’s important to note that Autism Speaks is not embraced by everyone. Many autistic individuals express the sentiment that “Autism Speaks doesn’t represent me.”
If you’re planning to participate in the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, I’m not here to criticize your choice. Like many, I was unaware of Autism Speaks before my child received an autism diagnosis. Initially, I believed their blue color and puzzle pieces were the universal symbols for autism, but I soon discovered otherwise.
The reasons many autistic individuals distance themselves from Autism Speaks are numerous and complex. The organization has a contentious history, often portraying autism as a tragedy and prioritizing parental experiences over the voices of autistic people. Although they have attempted to rebrand and make progress, many still feel the organization does not properly represent their community.
I’m not here to sway your opinion, but it’s essential to recognize that a significant number of autistic individuals oppose Autism Speaks. Some label it as a hate group, and you should consider what that means for your support.
Since I don’t identify as autistic, I won’t speak for that community. Instead, I encourage you to take the time to read perspectives from autistic individuals. Here are a few compelling quotes from autistic adults regarding Autism Speaks:
In an article from the Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network, writer Eliza Thompson states, “Autism Speaks focuses on the deficits and challenges faced by autistic individuals, painting a picture of autism as a burden rather than a different way of being.”
Cameron Lee, writing on their blog, In The Loop About Neurodiversity, notes, “The pervasive blue color used by Autism Speaks perpetuates harmful stereotypes, particularly the misconception that autism is primarily a male condition, which marginalizes women and gender-diverse individuals seeking diagnoses.”
In an opinion piece for The Student Voice, author Jamie Harris asserts, “I question the motives of organizations like Autism Speaks that frame disability as a tragedy. I want to support groups that embrace neurodiversity and empower individuals like me rather than viewing us as problems to be solved.”
These perspectives resonate with me as a parent to my son, Alex. Diagnosed on the autism spectrum at nearly three years old, Alex has been a source of joy since the moment I first saw him on an ultrasound.
When we received his diagnosis, our pediatrician cautioned us about Autism Speaks, emphasizing that their emphasis on finding a “cure” misrepresents autism as a disease rather than a neurological variation. He encouraged us to view Alex as a unique individual with different needs, rather than as someone requiring fixing.
This guidance shaped our approach. We’ve opted for therapies that align with Alex’s interests and have embraced his authentic self. As my other child, Sam, beautifully articulates, “We’re like computers, and Alex is an iPad. We all have different abilities, but we communicate and connect just fine.”
In our family, we choose to recognize World Autism Awareness Day without endorsing Autism Speaks. There are alternative movements worth considering.
The #RedInstead campaign promotes a message of acceptance, suggesting that blue is often associated with grief and loss while red symbolizes passion and warmth.
Another option is to participate in “Light It Up Gold,” which emphasizes the value of autistic individuals. In our household, we proudly celebrate this by sharing messages of love and acceptance for Alex, stating, “Gold represents value, just like Alex! We’re lighting it up GOLD for Autism Acceptance Day!”
If you’re looking to show your support for autistic individuals on April 2, you might wear red, choose to light it up gold, or simply give a shout-out to those you care about. However, remember that for many, “Lighting It Up Blue” does not equate to support, regardless of how Autism Speaks may present itself.
For more insights on autism and ways to support autistic individuals, check out Autistic Advocacy and Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network.