Autism speaks: Friend or foe?

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No, of course your not a jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle is representative of the confusion of what causes the more debilitating symptoms that some people that are Autistic have; it has been the mission of Autism Speaks to find this out. The research they fund is getting closer to solving that puzzle with a better understanding that these symptoms of Autism are not caused necessarily just by defective genetics, but possibly by environmental influences also, that may be one day be reduced to lessen the more debilitating symptoms of Autism.

Then many more people that are Autistic may truly be able to achieve what they want to in life as free independent individuals with the same abilities that other highly functioning autistic people have in life.

I'm not sure we will ever totally get to the point were we are comfortable with our understanding of what causes the debilitating symptoms that some Autistics have, but if we get there Autism Speaks may no longer need a puzzle icon to represent the confusion that has existed up until now as to why some children suddenly lose the ability to communicate and never fully gain it back, along many other issues that at this point baffle scientists.

Don't know if you looked at their new website, but in my opinion Autism Speaks has changed their approach in response to the legitimate complaints that have been in the past by some people in the Autistic Community.

If they are indeed listening and doing a better job of meeting the requests of all within the Autistic Community, I see that as a good thing. While it's a good thing to change things in a positive way to meet the needs better for people in the Autistic community, it's also a good thing to move past what we saw as not meeting our needs in the past, if it is evident they are doing a better job of meeting our needs now.

Most of the autism symptoms are problems because the people affected by em are a very small minority that is different than the majority. We are living in an NT world & Autism Speaks is trying to find a cure to fix us instead of bridging the gap of understanding between autistics & NTs. I do NOT want to be thought of & treated like I have a f#*king disease. If the percentage of autistics & NTs were reversed; there would be an NT Speaks that would be trying to eradicate the cause for NTism

When I was talking about eliminating the more serious symptoms of Autism by avoiding adverse environmental factors they are the ones that are debilitating, regardless of acceptance by those that see us as difference. Whatever the genetic influence is that causes the general propensities of Autism where a person can still function in life would still remain.

I didn't experience Autism as an overwhelming problem, except for issues with speech. I'm not sure that anyone can make a person accept another individual if they don't want to, but at least an understanding can be provided as to why they are different and that is what Autism Speaks aims to do, but they also provide information on how it affects people differently.

Whether or not someone sees autism as a disorder, disease, or gift, depends on the individual and their unique life circumstances. The current research on an environmental cause is moving away from the disease model.

If there was a specific defective gene that caused the more debilitating symptoms that could be cured, that would fit within the disease model, but it looks like the pursuit of that avenue as previously suggested by science is changing. It's possible that this understanding will reduce the opinion that Autism is a disease.

Current research suggests that 30 percent of the population has at least some traits that fit within the criteria of Autism, so it's not exactly an NT world or a world that is very kind to either the general population or those with a diagnosis of somekind. There are a thousand differences among individuals that can cause them difficulties in acceptance and survival in the world.

It is hard but not impossible to adapt in the world with an ASD; while others require support their entire life because of the more disabling issues. Some that might fit the criteria of an ASD, are seen as gifted and different, but no one would likely ever consider them a disease.; I don't think our civilized world is going to stand by and not try to do something to help the individuals that can't help themselves, if there is any chance they can.

Autism Speaks is trying, while we don't all like their approach, they are taking us in a direction that may eventually benefit people to allow them to reach a potential that would not have been possible otherwise. If that happens whatever differences of opinion that occur on the path may seem small in comparison to the ultimate benefit for Autistic people.