Light it up blue or red? We need a whole rainbow

Today is World Autism Acceptance/Awareness Day. Do you light it up blue? Wear red? (Answer: I only wear what looks good on me.) Seriously, I have nothing against the Blue. Or the Red. Not so for others in my community. The Blue is deplored by many because people in our community have a beef with Autism Speaks, the original Blue Puzzle Piece organization. The antipathy ranges from how AS funds are spent, to awful Public Service Announcements from their early beginning, to the fact that research is mostly about cause and not direct support. Causation research is by implication about eradicating autism. This feels like a threat to the self advocates who embrace their autism, or to other autistic loved ones. But Autism Speaks is largely responsible for putting autism on the map, for opening the public’s eyes to this disorder and its challenges. For securing legislation and autism funding. They offer resources to families and autism-friendly events (theater, circus performances, movie nights) nationwide, opening up supportive activities to families who may choose to stay home because it is easier.  Maybe it isn’t enough, maybe they could be more sensitive in their message, maybe they need to ask autistics where the need is greatest. But I still would not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Autism Awareness is a tide that has lifted all of our boats. However now it is time for a new kind of awareness. The red group has been instrumental in moving us all to a new par...
Source: Susan's Blog - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs