Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks
Posted on Sunday, July 04 @ 09:01:32 EDT by
For the fourth installment of Autism Talk TV, I sat down with Peter Bell, vice president of Autism Speaks. In our interview, Peter Bell discusses his role at Autism Speaks in addition to what it is like to raise an autistic son. Peter also speaks about the controversial issue of finding a cure for autism and what it means to him as a father. Peter was also recently a guest star on NBC's Parenthood, in which an autistic boy is one of the recurring characters.
I enjoyed talking with Peter and I think you will be moved by his story. Hopefully interviews such as this will help to shed light on the similarities between those of on the spectrum against the notion of "cure" and parents who are trying to give their children the best life possible.
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Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by MolochTheBlackFlame Wednesday, July 07 @ 20:16:37 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
The new advertising campaign by Autism Speaks:
"The team over at BBDO came up with the brilliant idea of turning the “Odds” campaign on its head. Why not show celebrities that beat the odds of becoming tops in the field but didn’t beat the odds of having a child with autism? The challenge then became who was going to be brave enough to show the world that they have a child on the spectrum?"
Any response, Mister Bell? I think your organization just called autistic children modern-day lepers. Could have fooled me with that talk about respecting other people not wanting to be cured...
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by MolochTheBlackFlame Monday, July 05 @ 12:52:43 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
Peter Bell directed David Kirby, a major anti-vaccine proponent and propagandist, to the Autism Speaks website and fed Kirby information for a piece of writing. The Left Brain / Right Brain blog has the story. He is anti-vaccine (I have not read otherwise) and is probably a major player in the organization's viewpoint and I cannot respect him for that.
I feel for his child, but this is just Autism Speaks saying the same things they always do. I learned nothing new from this interview.
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by AardvarkGoodSwimmer Saturday, July 10 @ 13:36:02 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
Look at the set up: " . . . between those of on the spectrum against the notion of "cure" and parents who are trying to give their children the best life possible."
Uuhhh??
Parents who do not think "cure" is a helpful way at all to think about autism still want to give their children the best life possible.
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by ShamelessGit Saturday, July 10 @ 20:50:44 EDT (User Info | Send a Message | Journal)
Autism is a condition that affects wiring all over the brain.
So, 1, I don't even see how it's possible to cure autism after birth, as you would need to go into the brain and rewire everything. Even if you could do that, you'd need years of development to be able to function properly.
And, 2, curing autism without changing a person's personality is impossible. I have neurotypical friends and have picked up neurotypical girls before, and I can tell you that what I have to do to get these thing are totally against my temperament and exhaust me terribly.
A better solution is to get neurotypical people to come out of their fantasy worlds in which emotional responses are assumed to be inherently valuable and universal. And I think under no circumstances should a person be cured before he/she are old enough to decide that he/she wants to be cured. I would rather die than be cured.
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by Gregorio Wednesday, July 28 @ 07:56:50 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
As a parent, I found the interview moving and interesting. I don't think of "curing" my son, but I do have to think about how "interventions" and therapies and medications affect him. We always think about that for all people in all ways in which they interact with the world. e.g. You eat something sweet and tasty, it makes you happy but it also has an effect on your anatomy and physiology, including your Neurolanatomy. Does that mean you should stop eating sweet and tasty foods? Any food will affect you somehow but you can't stop eating.
I don't know how to best make those decisions about what foods or medications are right. Which ones preserve your essential being and which alter it unacceptably ...
Sorry for rambling.
What I really wanted to say is that I think this web site is awesome! The videos are great, Alex is a superstar. I'm thrilled to be a subcriber and look forward to reading and watching everything!
Thanks,
Greg S
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by StefanoB Monday, August 02 @ 02:19:06 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
I don't understand why this site is giving these ... people ... publicity? And in a positive light, no less. I can speak for myself, thanks.
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by Schadenfreude Monday, July 05 @ 09:45:04 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
Rather than getting offended I couldn't do anything other than marvel at how white this mans teeth are! STUPENDOUSLY BLEACHED!
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by mrkoolnerd Sunday, July 04 @ 16:57:01 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
after watching this i still feel insulted
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by mirabeljude Wednesday, November 10 @ 02:17:36 EST (User Info | Send a Message)
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I can understand this man wanting what is best for his son. Other posters have stated that he is anti-vaccination, etc. I don't know his personal viewpoints on any of that stuff. I respect other viewpoints regardless of whether I agree. However, I do know that one can determine the intentions of many organization and those that control it simply by following the money. When it comes to Autism Speaks, I suggest that those who want to become involved to do exactly that - follow the money.
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by Awiddershinlife Friday, October 15 @ 18:31:10 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
I realize that this guy was not interviewed, but allowed complete control of the content - however, could was he even asked to speak to why as-speaks refuses to include people with autism on the board or how much money actually goes to funding autism research/support over in their wallets? There are many other serious charges made against this group that letting him talk about how much he loves his son is lame
However - this series is great!!
Re: Autism Talk TV Ep. 4: Peter Bell of Autism Speaks (Score: 1) by StatMama Tuesday, August 17 @ 22:24:59 EDT (User Info | Send a Message)
Why would Wrong Planet give Autism Speaks a voice here when all Autism Speaks wants to do is silence us?
