PicoBlog

Autism Speaks has a long history of characterizing autism as a hideous, terrifying monster which parents should avoid at all costs—including their child’s mental health.

If a child is diagnosed Autistic, Autism Speaks doesn’t focus on providing affirming support, highlighting and enhancing the strengths of the child. Instead, they (and other similarly-minded organizations) take a deficits-focused approach, looking at everything perceived “wrong” with the child.

That judgement is based on neurotypical (NT) standards and perceptions because Autism Speaks does not listen to Autistic adults, let alone Autistic children.

They focus on how difficult life is for parents and families of Autistic children, and how they must spend countless dollars on early interventions in the form of behaviour therapies, to try and make their Autistic child appear as “normal” (aka NT) as possible.

No concern is expressed for the actual child, of course, but more on that later.

Autism Speaks provides funding to other projects and organizations, one of which is something called the MSSNG database. They claim this “may lead to better diagnostics, as well as personalized and more accurate treatments”.

When an organization which has compared an autism diagnosis to the death of a child, it’s not a big stretch to expect their genetic research isn’t about improving the lives of existing Autistics, it’s about preventing us from being born in the first place.

That’s literally eugenics.

In 2009 Autism Speaks released a campaign called “I Am Autism”. They have since removed the video, but transcripts are available.

An excerpt from that campaign:

“…with every voice I take away, I acquire yet another language.
I work very quickly.
I work faster than pediatric aids, cancer, and diabetes combined
And if you’re happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails.
Your money will fall into my hands, and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain.
I don’t sleep, so I make sure you don’t either…”

Wow, talk about painting a sunny picture of one’s child.

And if that weren’t optimistic enough, their original mission statement was as follows:

“We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a possible cure for autism. We strive to raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society: and we work to bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.”
—Autism Speaks

They didn’t even hide their eugenicist ideals, nor the fact they consider having an Autistic child a “hardship” on families and society.

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a form of dog training used on Autistic and disabled people in order to coerce them into performing to neurotypical expectations.

The practitioner either reinforces desired behaviours by giving the person something they like and want, and attempts to reduce unwanted behaviours by withholding those preferred items or activities.

In abusive cases (of which there are many), necessities are used as rewards, such as access to communication, food and drink, even access to the bathroom.

The poster below is still presently available on their website (as of July 14, 2023).

Their poster claims that ABA is not harmful or punitive, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Just last month, the American Medical Association (AMA) received a proposal to remove its support for ABA and behaviourism-based therapies, citing abusive practices and trauma, among other significant issues.

Here’s how their claims hold up when compared to peer-reviewed research:

If they actually listened to Autistics, they would have known the following a long time ago:

ncG1vNJzZmisp6Syrq6NrKybq6SWsKx6wqikaKhfrLW6echmm6hlnqTBbr%2FUqaeoqqRirrbAyKykZqugmq6svw%3D%3D