AutismSpeaks and WrongPlanet Reconciliation

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I never meant it as going to war, but for reconciliation you need both parties be willing to do so. Thus by opening dialog I hope to eventually level the playing field on exchanging opinions on autism and related matters. Theirby getting hopefully to solutions.



I know the signup requirements are alot, but no need to verify your filled-in datas' authenticity.

Both communities are different like night and day, but that's why I suggest a diplomatic stance - Coordinating this isn't the goal, I am not fighting a war even though my phrasing suggests otherwise. It has more to do with the tone of the conversers then it has to do with the subjects, I see where the clashes will be, but just let them be - It's necessary for furthering the conversations of the topics and when just one party of the conversers keeps their cool and let the other rattle the aftermath is manageble.



Thanks. I got my hide of scars already from years of experience dealing with very hurtful people and life events, it's no problem - I know they'll try to lash out if I present a conflicting opinion. Content is never an issue in conversation, the trick is how you bring it and how you keep your cool.
A few pointers for dealing with said people:
Keep calm even though they probably will not, confirm feelings even they probably won't, keep factual even they probably won't and lastly don't let them look like a fool even they might be.



I know, but I do hope we can find some common grounds with both communities so the people from both communities can get their opinion across and hopefully getting to a consensus (I was looking for this word!) on how to present autism in general. I think both communities have something to bring to the table.




No need my fellow Klingon, this isn't war as of yet.



The Columbo approach might work best, but I don't think they are all misinformed. Not everyone on there is against autism and for eradication of it - there are supporters on there too!

Cheerfully,
Wallourdes

Of course there a lot of wonderful smart supportive people on the Autism Speaks forums. But a few people there can be very aggressive and hurtful.

Again, for someone like you, who has a tough skin and good social skills, this diplomatic venture is a great idea.

But hypersensitivity, including the emotional kind, is part of autism. Many people on WP have a very difficult time when people are mean to them. Many of us lack the skills to respond unemotionally when attacked. And those of us who know that to be true of ourselves should not take this on.

I'd come if I could but my IP is banned there. No rules broken, they just didn't like me.

I hope that doesn't happen to me.

This is pretty much my concern, I know from experience (and other people have told me) that when I feel 'attacked' or someone is 'having a go at me' then I'll immediately try and attack back, usually in a very angry and offensive fashion (you ****ing ****er go **** yourself, etc, etc.)

As long as people who go over to Autism Speaks are prepared for the kind of response they'll probably recieve and can cope with it, then this could do wonders for them and for the people over there, but I have to wonder how many of those sort of people there are.

I understand the defensive behaviour mechanics most of have. My automatism reacts the same, only I hold it back and keep it a reflex and not an action.

Well I hope I won't be a one-man band, but i'll be active there.

I'm more interested to know what those few aggressive people think about the involvement Autism Speaks have in funding Alex's videos. I know at least one of them, i.e. Herold, doesn't like it because I saw what he said on his blog and some of the comments he made to the Autism Speaks blogpost that spoke about Alex's Autism Talk TV episodes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the people that are aggressive and hurtful are the moderators and admins.

I would be, these people are the representatives of AutismSpeaks on the internet forum. If they behave aggressive and hurtful, it would be hard for them to be taken seriously and would smear the name of AutismSpeaks in general.

AutismSpeaks has a public face which thrives and withers under reputation, they will suffer immensely in the public eye under such behaviour happening at the core of the website.


I have no idea how to identify a person as being a Moderator, Admin or anything else - as far as I can see there are no titles present.

And there's the circularity that defines Autism Speaks. The organization keeps itself "safe" from us by invoking this truly maddening "Catch-22." If we're intelligent and coherent enough to contribute to the organization, then we're not "autistic enough" -- and thus of little interest and value. If we're "autistic enough," then we can't possibly be intelligent and coherent enough to contribute to the organization -- and thus of little interest and value. (Other than possibly to add shock value to the next propaganda video.)

That's an insightful comment.

I finally got my clearance after two days here is what I think at the first sight:
- I don't like the layout and the presentation, it looks messy, but that's a personal point of view
- I went to the science section, and it was a bit disappointing, I expected to see the strategy of the funded research, but anybody can post. It was more of a long chain of unrelated stuff with vaccines, lead, mercury, epidemic among some interesting but incomplete things. Most of the posts link to other blogs anyway. The funded science can be found on the main Autism Speaks website, but it's kinda cold listing.
- I thought it would be a very serious community, but there are some prolific trolls that run free
- It seems to be more about parents asking for advice for their autistic children. I'm no parent, I can't help.

Verdict: I find it average and not as fast paced as WP, there are some good things (the 100 day resource kit is a good idea) but it is not what I expected. It seems less fun, no threads about who posts last win, no treads where you have to find something new to say about the avatar of Tallyman... And it seems less warm. WP rules hands down, but I may have a glance once in a while.

Wallourdes, I find your intention positive, at least I discovered something new.

Thank you for doing the effort

I've been posting there for years, actually, and occasionally post a blog on my account over there as well.

Mostly updates regarding myself; I've made a few friends there actually, and they give me encouragement when I need it.

I agree. If we act like our merry selves, we are apparently "normal" to them, but if we fit into their stereotypes, they assume we're "autistics" to their standards. Personally, I'm uncomfortable with their partnership to begin with, and I'm just nervous that Alex (or whoever made the website) will adopt Autism Speaks's beliefs and ways to "cure us".

That could just be me and my paranoia, though...

I might consider it, but I just got here. On the other hand, I think I have been able to argue intelligently against people with opposing opinions on other forums. I think that some additional things people should take into account are the following:

-Arguing is not a bad thing. Arguing in an uncivil manner is.

-My grandpa who is a lawyer says (not a direct quote) that if you stay completely calm every time you make an argument or counter argument, the opponent will often get angry because they are not being able to penetrate your defenses, and you have already won. They lose their reasoning abilities. (Note that I added to parts of that things from my own experience.)

-There is a very, very, very small chance that the opponent will give in in an argument and admit that they were wrong and you were right. However, other people will likely be watching the conversation, even if they don't post.

-What matters is that the majority believes you, not always the individual.

-If people question or disbelieve that you truly have autism just because you can talk intelligently, try backing up your case with a reliable source.

I hope that these suggested guidelines are useful.

The more giants clash the more popcorn to be made for the entertainment.

In reality if folks comprising these organization don't find common ground then common ground will find them but I don't wish to imply ground is a sugar, salt, sand or dirt of the earth. The needs of people outweigh any special interests attempts to suppress it. It is in the best interest of politicians no matter side and the world-views which define the broad so strictly to both step aside before what I like to call the rise of truth in spite of a lack of truth and evasions of dignified rights. Ultimately the extremes will fall in of themselves unless they check themselves and good will prevail either way so it is an opportunity.

The dramas have no effect in my life and this is a wisdom I'd like to share.