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]

(Cross post, I'm referring to this: network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/supporting-trans-and-gender-questioning-autistic-pupils)

And there is a DAVRO in their about lobby groups. Deny, attack, victim reverse offender?

Wtf does this mean in reality???

"Staff may need to advocate for the pupil if barriers are put up due to misconceptions such as the pupil lacking capacity or being susceptible to change. Every pupil’s emotions, journey and needs are individual, and schools must always act in the best interests of the child. Some children may not feel the same awareness of ‘fitting in’ socially, and may have difficulties in understanding how others may feel."

(Their bold, not mine)

Ekphrasis Yeah they will obviously need to go through all links which is why they said it may take a few days I guess. For anyone writing in, maybe challenge what they have up currently on this and what your thoughts are as an autistic person.

The TRA may phone NAS, who have people on the autistic spectrum taking calls. If past behavior is anything to go by, if TRA bully this vulnerable group of people it is dreadful. The palace of Westminster and Millwall FC had never seen anything like it when TRA phoned to complain.

I agree with Helen Mermaids.

I too hope the NAS speaks to "REPUTABLE organisations [for verification], not self-appointed lobby groups".

My concern is that this person is advising the NAS and advocating all the Allsorts, stonewall and mermaids take on it. Taking out one link in this article isn't going to change the advice here.,

Well, this is encouraging.

Well done lunarain

Thank you, from the parent of an autistic boy. A boy with long hair, who has nabbed my hairdryer, but who thinks changing gender is a load of tosh (his words). On the other hand, he'd not be able to advocate for himself if expected to share an intimate space with someone of the opposite sex.

Ekphrasis Yes I see your point. You could challenge it and send in some of the links further up this thread which have good information they may not yet have.

My concern is that this person is advising the NAS and advocating all the Allsorts, stonewall and mermaids take on it. Taking out one link in this article isn't going to change the advice here.

No, true.

But once someone joins the dots, and sees the advice from Mermaids et al. is not independently verified but actually opinion, then they will have to review all their material in line with that. I think it would be unlikely they wouldn't pursue investigating and interrogating their advice once they have been alerted to potential issues with it.

Yeah, because NAS themselves don’t confirm a link either. They say there may be. It’s an important distinction. But if it leads to NAS actually looking at other information like the transgender trend link posted here earlier, from actual professionals, then for now I will have faith that they’ll do the right thing for the people they actually represent: autistic people.

www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities

This is why there needs to be top down, official guidance on this. Even Transgender Trend could be seen as opinion. (Though is a much better set of guidance.) I'm really cross with the government and parties about this. Enormous safeguarding issue, even more so due to the vulnerability of a child with autism or additional needs.

Joe Butler is clearly touting themselves as an 'expert' in this area of sen and gender confusion.

I can certainly complain; but I fear it's my word against this person's ideas. This is a very clear path they are advocating and not the path the child I taught took. There should be referrals to skilled professionals in such cases. Not mentioned in the slightest.

No doubt the dogs will be set on them until they backtrack or make some quasi apology. I hope they stand strong and rely on their expertise instead of listening to an organisation that promotes bad science and statistics.

*their own expertise - missed out the own.

It is indeed all opinion. What is needed is research.

But the brilliant thing is that NAS might want to look into this further as an area to research. They might want to question the appropriate medical opinions too on what research is being carried out in this area.

The more places that push for verifiable facts the better. The problem with it all, in a nutshell, is opinion.

I hope they stand strong and rely on their expertise instead of listening to an organisation that promotes bad science and statistics.

Why doesn't anyone look into the science the suicide stats? Laziness or limited critical thinking ability?

We obviously highlighted this by this bring posted here as there was no official policy change...

I guess it doesn't help when you have people peer reviewing their own work using the dead name nobody else is allowed to use.

NoSquirrels Precisely. I’m all for research and whatever the outcome of that research, I want the best for autistic children. Currently, everyone is relying quite heavily on opinions and feelings. Including official organisations and government itself. It’s really unacceptable.

My daughter is aspie. I just emailed to thank NAS.

Its a double edged sword with autistic people. On one hand yes we are vulnerable to bullying and abuse but on the other hand we are very logical so it doesnt take much to peak an autistic person. This is why the trans movement have worked so relentlessly to lock down autistic groups. They are more in autistic groups than lesbian groups even. You are fighting a losing battle trying to push something so illogical onto the most logical people. Also I am guessing the autistic people on the phone will be older and will have already have had a lifetime of abuse and bullying that they are sick of. It will only serve to peak them

I'll attempt a letter referring to transgender trend.

I've always been horrified by the line on that page regarding dismissing it as linked to sensory interests as certainly that can be an overwhelming factor esp at primary age.

Temple Grandin wears clothes and a hair style she finds practical and comfortable. I know if two young children with asd who loved princesses due to the dresses, colour and sparkle. One who enjoyed wearing high heels and handbags simply as they missed out on that dressy up 'stage' and heels give fantastic sensory feedback (what child doesn't like clopping in heels?!) and handbags have a variety of security symbolisms.