National Autistic Society and Mermaids [Title edited by MNHQ]

[GColdtimer]

My friend just posted this on Facebook this morning. She isn't on MN so I have her permission to share. She would really like more people, especially people with ASD or who have children with ASD, to write to NAS thanking them for their willingness to listen and their agreement that Mermaids is not reputable.

This is really great news so please can we keep this bumped and shared. Thank you.

If posters on the SEN board would like to share that would also be great (if appropriate).

Dear XXXX ,

Thank you for your feedback regarding the Gender and autism page on our website.

I’m writing to let you know that I’ve raised your concerns regarding Mermaids UK, one of the organisations we link to on our Gender and autism page, with a number of teams within the National Autistic Society. In light of the concerns raised in your message, and of other feedback that we have received, we have decided to remove all links to Mermaids UK from our website, while we take the time to consult with relevant professionals and to reconsider which organisations we wish to place links to on our website.

As such, our Web Team are working to remove all links to Mermaids UK from our website as soon as possible. Please do be aware, however, that, as we are currently in the process of updating our website to reflect our new branding and organisational identity, it may take a few days for this to be actioned.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and I hope that you are satisfied with the actions we are taking in light of the concerns that you have raised.

Kind regards,

National Autistic Society

[Edited by MNHQ to remove personal info]

If anyone else with a child with Autism is thinking of writing to them there is always the case where Mermaids were ordered by a judge to stay away from a child.

Thank you op.

It would be great if organisations could wake up to the danger of Mermaids and soon. It might take some of the wind out of the sails of the forthcoming Mermaids promotional series on ITV

@Velella thank you, just added that

I've written, comparing the sterilisation/mutilation of healthy young bodies for being gender non conforming, with lobotomies for promiscuous women in the 50s/60s. I think it will be looked back on with as much horror.

I am glad of that.

It is clear that Mermaids has no understanding of autism. They are a one trick pony, and only 'understand' anything in terms of how it can be useful to them.

Brilliant news.
A very big thank you to your friend.

That's excellent news, thank you for sharing. Is there a statement generally available? It would be really helpful for those of us in schools to counter the affirmation narrative.

thank you to your friend. gnc autisitic parent (possibly) with gnc autisitic dd (possibly)

stuppidly long waiting lists for assessment.

This is brilliant. I'm gonna write and thank them :)

oh the assessment wait is totally unacceptable. Its quicker to get reassignment surgery.

There is an excellent blog/article on the transgender trend website on the complexity of autism being a factor in any child who claims to be transgender. Really worth a read.

https://www.transgendertrend.com/speech-language-assessment-autism-and-transition/

I’m really wary of putting this on twitter, although mimmymoo has probably already reported back to Stasi headquarters. The NAS will get a massive pile on when this gets out and will probably capitulate after receiving ‘guidance’ .

For anyone writing, it might be a good idea to talk about how the topic affects you or if a parent, your autistic child. For instance, I added what my daughter shared with me on what her and her autistic friends think of the whole gender issue and why the fuck they're being dragged into it... why they think it might be affecting girls, and then girls on the spectrum more, if it is... and how they are affected by social media conversations about it ie they felt it is private, complex and discussions linking the two should come from professionals- not charities with someones Mum who did something illegal fronting them. I reiterated the importance of expert and unbiased support, and of being careful regarding how we all discuss this, in the absence of conclusive evidence etc

thats a good point re: pile-on

Brilliant!

Yes, they'll be re-educated out of wrongthink

Excellent news! Thanks to you and your friend for sharing!
HUGE thanks to the National Autistic Society for taking action like this!

I really hope they don't change their minds on this one!

I will pass this onto my autistic adult dd. She's very much gc. She doesn't do lying.

Thank you for sharing OP. I hope the NAS are widely praised for their stance.

As an autistic woman I am absolutely thrilled that they're properly thinking this through. God I hope they don't just reverse and push harder though.

Good, the sea witch has stolen enough from Autistic people, NAS just gave them back their voice.

I would, however, be even more surprised than usual if the NAS gave in to any demands. Its not their way.

Really good news.

Women, Mums, autistic people and lesbians have rebelled.