WE SUPPORT IDENTITY-FIRST LANGUAGE

While we appreciate that many people have their reasons for using terminology that they think is most appropriate, in a poll conducted for over 3000 autistic people, around 90% chose to be referred to as Autistic or prefered identity-first language. We don’t support language like “Person with Autism” and do our best to share resources which refer to Autistic and other Neurodivergent people as we wish to be represented. In other communities, like the deaf and dyslexic communities, people prefer to be referred as such. Please see links explaining further: https://autismmythbusters.com/general-public/autistic-vs-people-with-autism/jim-sinclair-why-i-dislike-person-first-language/ and https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/

WE DON’T SUPPORT FUNCTIONING LABELS

We believe functioning labels are inherently ableist, and add no value to someone’s identity. In fact, in many cases, because of functioning labels, people may presume incompetency in someone diagnosed as “low-functioning” promoting subconscious bias towards that person’s abilities, and in someone diagnosed as “high-functioning”, there tends to be very little outside support. We do our best to share links to blogs which do not use functioning labels to define someone’s abilities. Here are links to provide further explanation: https://jeanettepurkis.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/why-i-think-functioning-labels-are-fraught-and-unhelpful/ and https://ollibean.com/assumptions-and-ableism

WE DON’T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ASPERGERS’ AND AUTISM

Aspergers’ Syndrome has now been removed from the DSM-5 as a diagnosis. People may choose to refer to themselves or their loved ones as “having Aspergers and not Autism” but that may come from a need to prove that one is different than the perceived notion of someone Autistic, and might want to distance themselves from someone with a different level of support needs. The thought behind this is the same one behind using functioning labels – also labelled by some in the Autistic community as “Aspergers’ Supremacy”. We advocate for all autistics equally, regardless of ability or support needs. Here is a link to provide further explanation: https://www.theautisticadvocate.com/2017/12/the-mess-of-autism.html

WE DON’T SUPPORT ABA AND OTHER COMPLIANCE-BASED THERAPIES

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and other compliance-based therapies have been known to cause PTSD, severe anxiety and depression in Autistics. Its main focus is for the child or adult receiving it to appear Neurotypical, whether it is good for them or not. In a lot of cases the person going through these therapies, is made to comply with things that may make them severely uncomfortable, without letting them be themselves, for example forcing eye contact or suppressing their stims. We only support therapies that help people be themselves, and to manage their sensory difficulties in the way that is most natural to themselves – therapies that don’t suppress who they are as a person. Please see these links to further understand: https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/ and https://autisticgamermom.blogspot.com/2017/02/aba-and-my-experience-with-it.html

WE DON’T SUPPORT RESEARCH FOR CURE

Neurodiversity is a very important part of the human condition. The idea that there is one right way of being is very limited. We are not broken or ill versions of neurotypical people, and therefore don’t need to be cured of anything. What we do need is support in dealing with individual challenges that might arise from executive functioning issues, sensory processing issues, etc. We do support research into co-morbid conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, etc., which are present in a higher percentage in Autistic people and take away from our quality of life. We support the social model of disability – that we are not inherently disabled, but are disabled due to the fact that the world we are living in is not built to accommodate our needs. Please see this link for more information: https://autisticuk.org/neurodiversity/

WE DON’T SUPPORT THE PUZZLE PIECE SYMBOL OR AUTISM SPEAKS

Autism Speaks supports ABA, Research for Cure and other unethical practices – all things that go against our values. Less than 1% of the funds generated by Autism Speaks go to helping Autistic People and over 40% into cure research. The puzzle piece literally represents, “until all the pieces fit, until a cure is found”, which goes against our values of treasuring neurodiversity and takes away from people being themselves. This organisation refuses to listen to autistic people who they claim to help, and continues its cure narrative representing Autistic people as diseased. Please see this link for articles about this: https://medium.com/@KirstenSchultz/a-roundup-of-posts-against-autism-speaks-5dbf7f8cfcc6

WE SUPPORT “LIGHT IT UP GOLD”, “RED INSTEAD” AND “TONE IT DOWN TAUPE”

Campaigns and symbols we support are the rainbow infinity symbol, Light it Up Gold, #RedInstead and Tone It Down Taupe, as they are all autistic-led and are in line with our values. We don’t support Light it Up Blue – here is why.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THROUGH OUR VALUES!