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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To be massively unimpressed by the Autism Speaks adverts

273 replies

CommunistLegoOoOoBloc · 13/05/2017 22:07

Come on, MN. Why are you displaying adverts from such a hateful, ignorant organisation? One that advocates a cure, eugenics, is hated by so many people on the autism spectrum and fervently believes in the anti-vax movement?

Urgh.

OP posts:
HerRoyalFattyness · 14/05/2017 11:29

Wow. That advert! Shock
Autism doesn't need to be cured. It needs to be understood.

autisticrat · 14/05/2017 11:35
a clip from an Autism Speaks movie, where a woman talks about wanting to put her autistic daughter in a car and roll it off a bridge. Sure, parents get desperate and they feel whatever they feel, and she's being honest about that, which could be seen as brave. But SHE SAYS IT IN FRONT OF HER DAUGHTER. Absolutely disgusting.
MaximilianNero · 14/05/2017 11:44

My dislike of Autism Speaks is neither exaggerated nor uncontrollable (the definition of hysteria). It's reasonable and very genuine

Whoever mentionned the centre where they shock kids with electrodes, the JRC hasn't closed as far as I'm aware. Still torturing children ("hysteria" alert). Don't know if Autism Speaks have given them any space to advertise recently but I wouldn't put it past them...

Thanks MNHQ

Lemonjellymoonstar · 14/05/2017 11:50

Autism speaks are vile. It's not hysterical to think that.

It's so offensive to want to eradicate autism like they do. Autism is part of who some people are! I wouldn't want my autistic kids to think who they are has ruined my marriage (like the video said).

PlanIsNoPlan · 14/05/2017 11:51

Fanjo sorry for delay (chores), yes I do have 'autism' in my life DS (15) is autistic/has autism etc. He was included in MN 'Every Child Matters'. We get through it and get by and it hasn't been easy - of course there was/is always the fight/battle with SEN Education but we get a little bit further after each one.

I found the film (how it spoke to me) described more how others have reacted to us - schools, school parents, neighbours, other dc, everyone, basically society - like we were to be avoided like 'the plague', I didn't feel that it was saying we were 'evil', etc but that this view was a misconception.

It's also very 'American'.

Dawndonnaagain · 14/05/2017 11:51

I honestly thought it had closed down Max. Apologies.
Bastards!

FanjoForTheMammaries · 14/05/2017 11:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PlanIsNoPlan · 14/05/2017 12:02

I also note what PP has said about it's financials and again I read the associated article, searching for reasons to substantiate the 'vileness' of Autism Speaks. Tbh whilst not great it's hardly unusual for large 'charitable' organizations to act in this way.

As I said, I largely don't pay attention to 'groups' and social media so organizations such as Autism Speaks don't affect me. But I'm still looking for a first hand account (link?) for their reasons to be banned from MN.

If you prefer I could use 'herd mentality' instead of 'hysteria' to the unexplained reaction on here to the 'Autism Speaks' ad that I still haven't noticed.

PlanIsNoPlan · 14/05/2017 12:03

And thanks for understanding Fanjo

MNHQ
DawnMumsnet · 14/05/2017 12:04

@CommunistLegoOoOoBloc

Thanks, HQ. Mine was a banner ad at the top of my page, Chrome on iPhone.

Thanks very much, Communist. We're looking into this as a matter of urgency and we're really sorry for any distress caused. In the meantime, if anyone else is able to let us know where they're seeing these ads, please do post on here as soon as possible. As said before, a screenshot would be extremely helpful.

Many thanks again.Flowers

youarenotkiddingme · 14/05/2017 12:07

I haven't had any ads on the app on my phone.

However as the parents to a wonderful 12yo boy who also happens to have autism I'll be sure to screenshot if I do!

Bubblesagain · 14/05/2017 12:08

If you prefer I could use 'herd mentality' instead of 'hysteria' to the unexplained reaction on here to the 'Autism Speaks' ad that I still haven't noticed.

No herd mentality is not any better, you're acting like we have no reason for finding that advert offensive, people have explained, posted links. hmmm I wonder why people with autism on this thread might find an advert that says autism will basically ruin your life, your marriage, caus you embarrassment and pain would be offensive? Worlds greatest mystery must be some kind of mass hysteria

Dawndonnaagain · 14/05/2017 12:13

Plan, you are being unbelievably rude.

autisticrat · 14/05/2017 12:23

BTW this:

I very much dislike the division into 'factions' when it comes to autism and just get on with life.

is the kind of thing that "autism parents" say when faced with an autistic person who doesn't agree with them. We should all just agree with you Confused

Original poster
CommunistLegoOoOoBloc · 14/05/2017 12:26

Plan, people on the spectrum are taking the time to explain their distress to you. Come on. Autism Speaks views autism as a disease, a burden, something to be fought and not embraced. No one for one minute is going to pretend that every single aspect of autism is easy, but by spreading the notion that the whole condition is something to be rallied against, all Autism Speak does is take advantage of people's fear and further alienate those on the spectrum.

It's not a race to the bottom - 'oh, one charity uses its funds for nefarious purposes but loads of them are probably at it so it's fine.' That is a mentality I find it hard to get my head around.

OP posts:
AndHoldTheBun · 14/05/2017 12:30

I have two DC diagnosed ASD. I've taken to linking articles about why Autism Speaks is vile to anyone who "helpfully" tags me to their posts. Autism speaks doesn't speak for me or my DC.

SumThucker · 14/05/2017 12:30

My two and half year old has just got his appointment through for his ADOS assessment. That advert has made me feel sick Sad

tallwivglasses · 14/05/2017 12:47

Yes it worries me that parents will be go ogling to find information and up will pop autism speaks claptrap. My advice to parents of newly diagnosed dc is look for parent support groups in your area and steer clear of doom-mongering organisations.

Polter · 14/05/2017 12:48

Autism $peaks certainly doesn't speak for me. In fact, they rarely let autistic people speak for themselves at all.

Thanks MNHQ for taking this seriously Flowers

MrsPeelyWaly · 14/05/2017 13:16

To all of those saying that they post helpful stuff - okay, great. But can't you see that this is insidious? That they lure you in with a cheap facade of understanding, and then this somehow creates enough good feeling towards them that when they post the hateful stuff, people don't react as strongly? Because they were once 'helpful'

Yeah it's not like at 60 I have a mind of my own or anything. However, I'm not offended by your patronising - I'll chose instead to be amused by it.

VinIsGroot · 14/05/2017 13:30

Autism Speaks disgusts me!!!
I've got two at opposite ends of the spectrum!!!

CloudPerson · 14/05/2017 13:39

I can make my own choice about what to read and what message I take from it, however, too many people read their anti-autism propaganda and believe it, believe their child/nephew/neice/neighbour's cousin's child has been stolen away from them by autism.
Only very recently an "autism mom" on FB wrote a long post about hating autism, about how she couldn't and wouldn't accept it, she likened it to cancer, and continued to say that she would do whatever she could, to rid her poor son of this horrible thing.
This is the kind of thing that autism speaks spreads. Not everyone knows enough about it to be able to choose to ignore the research/eliminate/cure message, and it adds more pressure on parents, because stupid people think that we should be doing everything we can to cure our children, or to ABA the autism out of them, when what is best for the child is to be supported to be them.

Original poster
CommunistLegoOoOoBloc · 14/05/2017 13:41

MrsPeelyWaly Of course you have a mind of your own. As do people on the spectrum. This is a fact Autism Speaks would like to disprove. So please don't distract from the issue - they may have posted 'helpful' information (which could be found from other, reputable and Autism-endorsed organisations) but they do so in a disingenuous way. I don't think it's patronising to point that out, so that others don't limit their understanding by gleaning their knowledge from that particular source.

OP posts:
FanjoForTheMammaries · 14/05/2017 13:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhereTheFuckIsElsa · 14/05/2017 14:03

The fact that AutismSpeaks is degrading to all people with Asd doesn't mean that there are no treatments that alleviate some of the symptoms
Maybe the chelation didn't work for your friend Fanjo but my syster has done extensive treatment on her oldest and you wouldn't even tell her kid has Asd. It's naive to think that these kids have no hope

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