AUTISTIC LIBERATION

I was informed of an autism telethon being hosted in my area (Northeastern Pennsylvania) and is to benefit "The Northeast Regional Autism Center at Friendship House". First, this program much like the Autistic Society of America are operated by non-autistics who believe that they know what is best for the autistic individual and whose basis is on forcing and coercing young autistic persons into being 'normal' (whatever that may mean). So, individuals who support such programs are led to believe they are helping, or that they are 'helping those poor autistic children." But they are not, maybe without even realizing it they are supporting their oppression. They fail to realize that autistic persons are seeking respect, dignity, and autism (just as left handedness or sexual orientation) is a part of who they are. Autistic persons may need supportive people to help them 'navigate through the mainstream' but they do not need programs that try to force them to be something they are not. I speak this as a person who it was suggested that I may be within 'the autism spectrum" but I have never been one for labels. I fully support the Autism National Committee and autistics.org- the real voice of autism as these groups are actually operated by autistic persons. I am also pleased to see that there exists an Autistic Liberation Movement. As this movement has stated many times-autistic individuals are persons, not puzzles.

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.