1. I am autistic, not just
an adult with autism. It is part of who I am.
Autism is a part of who I am. I was born this way. I would not choose
to change that. Acknowledging my autism as a part of me is entirely
compatible with respecting me as a person with thoughts, feelings,
and talents. I am a human being like everyone else and deserve the
same dignity and respect that any one else deserves. Please consider
whatever term I prefer and do not use language that suggests I suffer
from an unfortunate disease.
2. Autism is a neurological variation, not a disease, or mental
illness. Autism often includes differences in social behavior and
practical skills.
My behaviors and learning
styles might vary. My perceptions may differ. I may learn and understand
things in way that’s different
and process the world in a different way. Please do not judge me
or other autistics for our differences.
3. Who I am and what I am capable of is not defined by medical diagnosing
criteria. I am born with my own set of abilities and difficulties,
autism included.
Those who use it to tell me who I am and what I can do are using
it as a stereotype. Please do not make generalizations and assumptions
about me or other autistics.
4. I am not going to be cured.
Nothing will change me, and if it could, it would destroy who I
am completely and would leave me worse off. I have the right to refuse
questionable or risky treatments. My life is my own, I do not want
to be cured and I think the idea of curing me and other autistics
is wrong. Please respect my individuality and do not try to fix me,
because I am not broken.
5. I may be your adult child, but my life is own.
Parents do not have
the right to choose questionable or risky treatments without my
consent. I have my own mind. I can think for myself. I know what
I want and don’t want.
6. Focus on the positives of my, and others autism, I am living
my life as best as I can, I want to make the most of it every day.
Talking negatively about autistics and focusing on our weaknesses
all the time causes me and other autistics emotional distress. Please
do not use language that suggests that being autistic is bad.
7. I am a logical thinker, that is one of my strengths.
It can make me take
words literally, or misunderstand jokes. Also I may be misunderstood
equally by others, if you do not understand my own logical style.
I do have my own sense of humor that is unique to me, it’s
a stereotype that autistics have no humor.
8. Socializing is not
always easy, if I don’t want to join
in, that is my choice, and I will avoid a situation if I am uncomfortable
with it.
I am not trying to be ‘rude’ or
impolite. It is simply better for me to participate socially when
I choose, rather than feeling forced.
9. I do have emotions, au-tistics are not emotionless like some
stereotypes suggest. However, I may express them in a different way.
What may make someone
else cry, can be different for me, it doesn’t
mean that I don’t care, or am an uncaring person. My facial
expressions might not always reflect my emotions.
10. If you have an autistic
adult in your family, try to find out information about autism.
Many
articles in the media only concern children; try and find out the
differences in an autistic adult. Some autistics do get married,
have jobs, leave home, some don’t; we are all unique. Please
do not use language that suggests that being autistic makes a person
violent.
This list was written by adults
on the autistic spectrum in order to educate people on the views
and opinions of autistics. Reprinted from http://aspiesforfreedom.com/wiki/
Autism Resources
Autism: Getting the Truth
Out -- Created by Kim, an autistic
woman, this site "was designed
to to show how images and descriptions of autistic people serve the
needs of the people who are providing them." www.gettingthetruthout.org/
Autism Society of MN;
Chapter of the Autism Society of America, “The
Voice of Autism” -- ASM " exists to enhance
the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. ASM
seeks to realize its mission through education support, collaboration,
and advocacy." www.ausm.org/
Autism Speaks
-- "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. www.autismspeaks.org/
Autism Spectrum Disorders,
National Institutes of Mental Health --
NIMH is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the
Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency.
NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm
Autistics.org; The Real Voice
of Autism --The Real Voice of Autism. The
purpose of the autistics.org project is to connect autistic people
with the services we need to live whole and happy lives. The immediate
goal of autistics.org is to build a global database of information
and resources by and for persons on the autistic spectrum. http://autistics.org/
Minnesota Autism Project --
A statewide training and technical assistance project for Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD), funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, Division
of Special Education. The Minnesota Autism Project provides support
and expertise to help meet the unique and special needs of students
with Autism Spectrum Disorders. www.ecsu.k12.mn.us/mnautismproject.html
The National Autism Association
--
Mission is to "educate society that autism is not a lifelong incurable genetic
disorder but one that is biomedically definable and treatable. We will raise
public and professional awareness of environmental toxins as causative factors
in neurological damage that often results in an autism or related diagnosis." http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/
Neurodiversity.com -- A site
or ganized by a Web developer and librarian who seeks
"to help reduce the suffering of autistic children and adults, who often face
extra or dinary challenges in many domains of life, challenges made more difficult
by others' unrealistic expectations and demands, negative judgments, harassment
and economic marginalization."
http://neurodiversity.com
A Way of Life; Joel
Smith’s Web site about Autism and Advocacy
--
Joel Smith's Web site about Autism and Advocacy www.geocities.com/growingjoel/index.html
