Youtuber exploiting his severely autistic daughter - please help

[username108]

There is a channel on youtube called FatheringAutism, which is based in the USA. The Dad has a severely autistic teenage daughter and he films her daily life- including distressing meltdowns. As an autistic person, it is really upsetting to see him exploit his daughter. He is making a fortune and has just bought a huge house with a pool etc. He apparently quit his job a few years ago to do this youtube thing full time as he obviously saw that it would earn him a fortune.

What concerns me is that a lot of his supporters are vulnerable people who send him money via paetreon and all these other platforms. A lot of autistic people have commented about how they don't like what he is doing and he basically tells them their opinions aren't relevant (despite claiming to raise autism awareness!).

So, I need your help. They have just been nominated for an award called the WEGO health awards. I have just tweeted the CEO of the WEGO health awards and expressed my thoughts, and I'm wondering if anyone else will do the same? I really don't want this guy (Fatheringautism) to be given a platform for autism advocacy when he continually exploits people who are vulnerable, including his poor daughter. You can tweet or email the CEO - his name is Jack Barrette.

@Loopytiles lots but not all?

So the thread has descended into a Autistic severity contest, has it?

Nice to think that some think those who are "high functioning" are not "as bad" as others on the spectrum.

Some could say that those who are "higher functioning" are actually in a worse space, because very few actually "see" the autism and the struggles and we have to fight to be taken seriously, and to have people actually believe us in the first place.

How about we all agree that all on the spectrum have their struggles, and they are all worthy of help and support?

He stated in the sleep video, they lock her door- and have a camera to ensure she's safe- not sure why so many people are saying she isnt locked in at night, when her father clearly shows himself locking the door. It's not juts a gate across a doorway.

"Nice to think that some think those who are "high functioning" are not "as bad" as others on the spectrum.

Some could say that those who are "higher functioning" are actually in a worse space, because very few actually "see" the autism and the struggles and we have to fight to be taken seriously, and to have people actually believe us in the first place. "

Come on, this is outrageous. You really want to leapfrog over people who are nonverbal and will never live independently, because we lack VISIBILITY?

Appalling, and tonedeaf.

Of course every one in the spectrum needs support ,but it's the level of support needed , people who also have associated learning disabillities, often are unable to do basic things ie self care ,my son can't tell me when he's hungry or thirsty or in pain ,he needs constant supervision as he puts himself in danger it's not that he struggles to do things he can't .

Posters who criticise a family for "locking in" their child at night to keep them safe.
I know it's very easy to say how terrible this is.
But the alternative is that you have to stay awake all night to ensure they are safe. With my dss safe space you can at least get a couple of hours when he's asleep because you know he's safe, he can't smash his head against the walls, or jump off his dresser or fall down the stairs etc etc. I know DoLS is a very serious thing but the alternative is horrendous.

I disagree that high functioning autism is worse, purely the fact that there is much more resources geared to assist those with higher functioning autism to have good lives and to cope with the extra stresses and struggles they go through.
Society isn't geared towards those who cannot express their needs and who can be incredibly destructive and violent for sensory purposes and Express frustration. Those with severe and complex autism are hidden and social services do not support these families adequately. I would actively encourage anyone with autism to meet a person who has low functioning, non verbal autism with complex learning disabilities to understand the hidden side of this disability because that's what it is on the other side of the spectrum.
Those that care for children in this condition will shout loud and constantly, not because it's a competition, but because no one is listening to us or paying attention to our loved ones needs. We are the advocates and we are screaming out to be heard!

How about we all agree that all on the spectrum have their struggles, and they are all worthy of help and support?

???? Nobody is saying your struggles don't exist. We are saying that your struggles are not as severe as the struggles of a person who is non-verbal, bangs their head against hard surfaces, screams constantly because the world is unbearable to them, cannot use the toilet etc.

Some truly ridiculous posts on this thread (and some very sensible ones, too).

purely the fact that there is much more resources geared to assist those with higher functioning autism to have good lives and to cope with the extra stresses and struggles they go through.

Lol.

@SD1978, no, he closes the door, it’s not locked. Abbie is capable of opening the door, but not the gate.

We are saying that your struggles are not as severe as the struggles of a person who is non-verbal, bangs their head against hard surfaces, screams constantly because the world is unbearable to them, cannot use the toilet etc.

And we're saying that you cannot judge that. The struggles are definitely different but you cannot say that one person's struggles are less severe than another's. The average life expectancy of a person with autism is 35. Primarily because of suicide by people with 'less severe' autism. Just because you can't see or hear the screaming and the self harming doesn't mean it isn't going on.

And with that I'm done with this thread. The playing autism top trumps with autistic posters is making me feel a bit sick.

How awful is this where someone suffering with autism is not considered to be 'suffering as much' and so driven off thread as not 'autistic enough'

ImNotYourGranny I had left this threat because of the level of abuse going on here. I for one have appreciated the insights you have provided, and that awful realities. I couldn't read your post and run. for you.

@OwlBeThere - 6.53(ish) of the night time routine- he locks the door. Not blaming him- if it keeps her safe, and they have a video in the room to be able to hear when she is u settled and gets up, then I possibly would too in that situation, but the door lock is closed in the video.

@SD1978 Ah I see where the confusion is here! that’s an old video, they’ve moved house since then and have a different set up in the new house.

@OwlBeThere- thanks. Still didn't judge them for it, but was fine fused at evening saying they hadn't!

@Kokeshi123 - We are saying that your struggles are not as severe as the struggles of a person who is non-verbal, bangs their head against hard surfaces, screams constantly because the world is unbearable to them, cannot use the toilet etc.

My daughter has just finished smashing her head against a brick wall because an ITCH would not go away. That is here trying to shift a feeling of pain that is UNBEARABLE for her, to another pain that she can control. Tomorrow I will her teacher why she has scratch marks on her face (from the brick)

She is 11, just started her periods and cannot wear anything because the sensory overload is too much. We have to have her lie on towels at night, which get soaked through because she is heavy.

She also cannot clean herself after toileting adequately because she lacks the motor skills to do so.

She's considered high functioning. Tell me again how that isn't severe?

I don't want to play "top trumps", however, you need to stop thinking that you know my life, because you don't!! You don't think the world is unbearable to my daughter? We don't use public bathrooms because the hand driers, babies crying send her into meltdown.

You don't have the monopoly on "hardship" here.

This thread is absolute carnage to read. Very upsetting to see how autism sufferers treat others, awful.

Jesus fuck what has this thread turned into?

That's a lie get your facts straight you have a very biased opinion on this family which I have followed from the beginning and the love and care that abbie gets from her parents and family is so heart warming. They don't show inappropriate things they show their daily life and if abbie has a bad day they don't film. So many people want to take this family down and I can only imagine its jellousy because yes they can afford to go on holiday and buy a boat and buy a house for abbies future I don't see anything wrong with that and plus the mum works on social media for a big corporate business and does very well for herself so her income will add to their lifestyle.

They are exploiting her!! Priscilla in a instagram post said that Summer would always be the favorite child, and they don't need to film her all the time and I think that they need to stop talking to her like she's a child. It's annoying. They need to stop exploiting her!! Just bc she's severely autistic doesnt mean she not a human. Abbie should be able to leave and go somewhere else without ppl always pulling her and grabbing her!

ZOMBIE