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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

National Autistic Society and Mermaids [Title edited by MNHQ]

875 replies

GColdtimer · 04/10/2018 12:56

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]

OP posts:
lunarain · 04/10/2018 15:59

Oh and just to add. Autistic people are sticklers for the truth. We hate lying and will not back track from the truth back to a lie. Autistic people just dont do that we are practically allergic to doing this. It makes us physically ill to say things we dont actually believe.

Ekphrasis · 04/10/2018 16:07

Which is why this can be so messed up as if a lie is dressed up as a truth - "you were born in the wrong body because you like girl's/ boy's things" (which seems logical to a child) to a child with Autism and indeed their parents, it's even harder to untangle.

DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 04/10/2018 16:09

Autistic people are sticklers for the truth

Yes. And I hate it when people force me to lie for them or to believe their lies.

DayMay · 04/10/2018 16:14

Autistic people are sticklers for the truth

Yet powerless Penny and her CPS guidelines would have autistic people prosecuted for hate crimes.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3382991-Penny-Mordaunt-thinks-the-public-need-re-educated-on-trans-rights-issues?pg=1&order=

cheminotte · 04/10/2018 16:17

Really great news

FactsAreNotMean · 04/10/2018 16:25

Agree re autism being a double edged sword. I'm autistic myself but wasn't diagnosed until late 20s. Looking back to teen years, the struggle to fit in and not knowing why I didn't, constantly trying to find my "group" - I can very much see that if I had been a teen now I could have been very vulnerable to the trans ideology. I never thought I was a man, but if I was growing up now it would have been easy for me to end up thinking that I was unhappy because I didn't conform gender wise. I think the still large number of undiagnosed (i.e. those who have been missed) autistic people are particularly vulnerable as they won't have the insight in to other reasons why they feel different (i.e. autism) that somebody diagnosed might have. I reckon it's also even worse for girls as the current hyper feminine expectations around appearance - clothes, make up, etc - are a nightmare for many from a sensory perspective.

On the flip side though, we are generally highly logical so I'd agree that once an autistic person peaks they're likely to stay there. We just need to make sure they have the information available to do so before they get pulled in by what I think can seem like a highly seductive and attractive sense of belonging that being trans offers to some.

LikeDustWeRise · 04/10/2018 16:32

I don't know if this is a common trait, but both DP and DC can become besotted 'fans' of people - peers, superiors, etc and I think this makes them vulnerable to damaging themselves in attempt to ingratiate the person. Even though it is illogical I think there could be a period they play along with the lies until they could stand it no longer and have a near breakdown over the dilemma.

Ekphrasis · 04/10/2018 16:46

Like, yes that's very common. As is getting into YouTube among young people with autism as it can be a very good way to learn about something or somewhere before you visit.

The number of children I've taught who are completely addicted to YouTube is huge. Often harmless things and infact adds to their learning, but also potentially damaging and misleading too.

DayMay · 04/10/2018 16:47

LikeDustWeRise

I recognise this behavior. I have seen it in some Corbyn fans. The good news as you say is once the scales fall a new intense interest will be found.

DayMay · 04/10/2018 16:51

Even though it is illogical I think there could be a period they play along with the lies until they could stand it no longer and have a near breakdown over the dilemma.

For me it's not playing along with lies, it's recognising an intense feeling and interest and not knowing how to label it.

LikeDustWeRise · 04/10/2018 16:53

I am glad you both know what I mean.

It makes me wonder what we can do to support all the people on th AS who have already been sucked in. Is there a way we can safely talk them down from the cliff edge?

LikeDustWeRise · 04/10/2018 16:55

it's recognising an intense feeling and interest and not knowing how to label it.

That's very interesting.

HandsOffMyRights · 04/10/2018 16:57

Great news though just seen a Tweet about how the author of the letter is now getting stick from MRAs.

Shocked.....I tell thee!

Yrevas · 04/10/2018 17:02

I’m new to mumsnet and have just read this post. What is the link between NAS and Mermaids (I had to look up what they do!) and y is it a bad thing that they promote them? Sorry - just incredibly interested. X

lunarain · 04/10/2018 17:05

they seem to have removed everything about gender from their site. This is good that they have done it so fast rather than in a few days like they said. It seems the press attention has had a good effect in that they have been eager to dissassociate themselves from mermaids as soon as possible

misscockerspaniel · 04/10/2018 17:10

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4960080/Transgender-charity-banned-contacting-family.html

The Daily Mail's report re; banning contact by Mermaids

DayMay · 04/10/2018 17:10

What is the link between NAS and Mermaids

There is none, that's why people are happy. NAS believe in sex as a protected characteristic and the charity is for people on the autistic spectrum.

GenderApostate · 04/10/2018 17:15

The letter is being shared on twitter without the sender’s info being removed 🤬 Tbh I thought Lily Maynard would have more sense. I hope the poor guy is ready for the onslaught.

lunarain · 04/10/2018 17:17

Its too late now. If this guy hasnt peaked already he is about to. I d feel bad for him but this could just peak the whole autistic community. They are clearly already questioning trans politics so it will only take one false move from transactivists and we all know their default is male pattern abuse

pennydrew · 04/10/2018 17:22

What guy? I’m not on Twitter

SpartacusAutisticusAHF · 04/10/2018 17:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ekphrasis · 04/10/2018 17:30

I started watching a video on the site regarding being non binary. The first thing she says is "I didn't get why I have to like pink" - we really need to change the discourse around all of this. We are all non binary! No one HAS to like pink! She does describe how many girls with asd feel though through the eyes of being trans rather than autistic. (Fabulous hair, I'm very jealous!)

cheminotte · 04/10/2018 17:34

Thanks for that article DayMay . Have just written to Children in Need to tell them why I won’t be supporting them this year (did a bake sale etc last year so they’ve just emailed me).

DayMay · 04/10/2018 17:36

Further information on Mermaids

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3384335-Susie-Green-article-in-the-Graun?pg=3&order=

NAS are going to be firefighting now when they've actually done the right thing.*

There are going to be people on the autistic spectrum taking fire on the phone lines.

lunarain · 04/10/2018 17:37

Sorry, this is my fault. I am new to Mumsnet and dont really use Twitter. I agreed to the letter going on Mumsnet as i thought it would raise awareness with mothers of autistic children without realising how public it is and was happy with it as it seemed details had been removed. I do feel bad for the guy as he was doing the right thing. It is too late now there is nothing that can be done. We just have to hope it peaks a lot of people by transactivists showing themselves up for the violent misogynists they are