Attention Ari

[Guest guest]

Below is what I emailed to Autism Ontario the borough chapter

and their very short response (if you scroll far enough down) the

below is how they responded, including all my email with just the one

short paragraph in response.

wrote:

> I am writing to you regarding my concerns about your upcoming

hosting of 'Autism Speaks'.

>

> It has been brought to my attention that you plan to host 'Autism

Speaks' this April, this news did rather shock me when one takes into

consideration how 'Autism Speak' has behaved and how they are viewed

by the Autism Community.

>

> Autism Speaks portrays autism in a very negative light and offers

practically no hope to anyone with their fear based tactics and over

focus on negatives. In fact they have said things such as 'eradicate

autism' and that they would like to see 'autism as a word in the

history books'. This is a very damaging message that is being sent

out. I cannot see how such messages offer hope or help to anyone!

>

> I myself am parent of a child on the autism spectrum and to hear

someone say they wish to eradicate autism etc is not helpful and is

offensive. Do you care how parents feel about the

organisation 'Autism Speaks' are you aware of how damaging their

views are?

>

> I am also a member of a support group for parents/carers of

children on the autism spectrum and views such as those held

by 'Autism Speaks' are extremely damaging. Autism Speaks does not

offer hope or support, it instead perpetuates negative stereotypes

that cause damage by causing people to see those on the autism

spectrum in a negative light and even in some cases consider those

with autism as somehow lesser. Do you not realise how fed up and

frustrated people, parents, carers get of having to constantly fight

these negative stereotypes? By hosting Autism Speaks you are just

adding to the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and causing damage

that you may not be aware of.

>

> It is my hope that you would seriously re-consider hosting Autism

Speaks. I am aware that there are groups out there that hold much

more positive and helpful views of autism that would be much more

encouraging and supportive for those with and dealing with autism. I

have to seriously question why you have chosen to host Autism Speaks,

is it merely because it is a well known group with celebrity status?

I would be interested in knowing your reasons.

> ,

> Thank You for your email. As an organization we feel that it is

important to present to our parents all the information that is out

there regarding autism, and to let them decide if they agree or

disagree. We do not feel that it is our place to tell our members

what they should or should not believe, as adults they can decide for

themselves.

Thank You,

Clar VP autism Ontario borough

> Instead of focusing and hosting groups that only add to negative

portrayals of autism, it would certainly be more beneficial to host

groups that are actively working on raising autism awareness in a

positive, supportive and practically helpful way.

>

> I look forward to receiving your response regarding this matter.

>

> Regards,

>

> .

>