ArtSci ’23’s Vera Aube was diagnosed with autism during winter break. After her three-and-a-half years in Queens, they now feel “justified” to speak out on behalf of her community at Neurodivergent.
the orb is pleading To stop autism from speaking Canada (ASC) Queens branch and three neurodiverse friends. About 500 people have signed the petition since it started about two weeks ago. The petition calls for AMS to “dismantle” her ASC’s Queen’s Chapter and replace it with another organization or support service.
The ASC in Queens, a club said to try to educate people about autism, perpetuates “harmful thinking,” according to the petition.
“It’s scary to have [ASC] as the largest representative [of people who are neurodivergent] Because it presents us as a problem in society,” Aube said in an interview. journal.[Autism] I don’t think you need to fix it just because your brain works differently. ”
The Stop Autism Speaks Instagram account shares petitions and has an anonymous form to share anecdotes from people who are autistic or have a close relative with autism.
Aube said he contacted AMS to investigate ASC two years ago and was ignored.
“Being neurodiverse, it’s hard to build up the courage to email or talk about these things,” they said.
According to Aube, the “I Am Autism” commercial released by ASC in 2009 sparked controversy for its depiction of neurodiversity. The commercial speaks in terms of “autism” and explains how the presence of an autistic person can cause family problems.
“It paints autism as this raging, dreadful disease that will tear your family apart and make sure you never have another happy moment in your life.”
At the time of publication, part of ASC’s mission is to further research the ’causes’ and ‘interventions’ of autism. In Orb’s experience, autism is not a problem that needs to be ‘solved’, but a ‘problem that requires multiple understandings’. [of] And please help me.
ASC rebranded in 2016 to “better serve the autism community.” journalThe organization has autistic employees, families, and professionals who specialize in autism.
“It is clear [ASC] is trying to rebrand and put as many asterisks in history as possible, but it’s too late. Their damage is already done,” ArtSci ’24’s Clara Toth and members of Stop Autism Speaks wrote in a statement. journal.
ASC’s financial statements comply with Canadian GAAP for not-for-profit organizations, according to a 2021 independent audit by RSM. In September 2020 they Added 3 new officers on the spectrum.
“Some people with autism may not be able to defend themselves, while others can easily defend themselves,” the ASC statement said. “ASC respects the views of all and strives to represent the diversity of the autism community.”
Stop Autism Speaks wants to create a space where neurodivergents can find support, much like a weekly meeting where fellow neurodivergents can hear each other’s stories.
“So many autism organizations, like A4A (Autistics for Autistics Ontario), are doing much better,” said Aube.
Stop Autism Speaks is planning a rally in Queens on behalf of the autism community.
