Some links for Autism Awareness month.
First up I want to say that I am not Autistic myself. I have Dyslexia and Dyspraxia and am not neurotypical but not
Autistic.
This list was put together by my partner iamshadow, who is definitely Autistic herself and pretty much everyone on her mothers side of the family is also Autistic going back at least a few generations.
Because it's April, here are some links you should look at. Even if you don't actively donate, sometimes your purchases support things you might not be aware of, for better or worse.
Why you shouldn't give money to Autism Speaks, either directly or by buying products like Lindt chocolates this Easter.
So, what is the problem with Autism Speaks? by The Caffeinated Autistic
Why I am against Autism Speaks and you should be too by The Caffeinated Autistic
No Misery: This Is Autism, Suzanne Wright by Shannon Des Roches Rosa
An Unholy Alliance: Autism Speaks and the Judge Rotenberg Center by Lydia Brown
Autism Speaks and Controversy
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Think Geek has a Neurodiversity shirt with the proceeds through April going to ASAN (the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) for the third year running. The design is great this year - a brain as a world. I have the t-shirt from last year and can confirm they're 100% cotton, comfortable and well made. They have a tag that some people will want to remove, but most sensory sensitives are used to doing that with pretty much everything anyway. They have sizes from 3XL right down to children's sizes, so if you want one yourself, or want one for the adorable neurodiverse kid in your life, go for it.
(FYI - Neurodiversity isn't an autism-specific term - it applies to anyone with a brain that isn't neurotypical. So if you're bipolar, ADD/ADHD, OCD, dyslexic, epileptic, whatever, any kind of brain difference, the neurodiversity label is yours. Embrace it.)
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As much as Amazon is evil, a lot of people have to use it anyway for various reasons, and I found out something quite awesome the other day - if you shop at Amazon you can choose to have a charitable donation go to ASAN or to AWN (Autistic Women's Network) with certain purchases. Both are reputable self-advocacy organisations that do a whole lot of good for autistics.
Acceptance Vs Awareness by Kassiane S. at Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Basically why we should aim for more than awareness.
Autistic.
This list was put together by my partner iamshadow, who is definitely Autistic herself and pretty much everyone on her mothers side of the family is also Autistic going back at least a few generations.
Because it's April, here are some links you should look at. Even if you don't actively donate, sometimes your purchases support things you might not be aware of, for better or worse.
Why you shouldn't give money to Autism Speaks, either directly or by buying products like Lindt chocolates this Easter.
So, what is the problem with Autism Speaks? by The Caffeinated Autistic
Why I am against Autism Speaks and you should be too by The Caffeinated Autistic
No Misery: This Is Autism, Suzanne Wright by Shannon Des Roches Rosa
An Unholy Alliance: Autism Speaks and the Judge Rotenberg Center by Lydia Brown
Autism Speaks and Controversy
*
Think Geek has a Neurodiversity shirt with the proceeds through April going to ASAN (the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) for the third year running. The design is great this year - a brain as a world. I have the t-shirt from last year and can confirm they're 100% cotton, comfortable and well made. They have a tag that some people will want to remove, but most sensory sensitives are used to doing that with pretty much everything anyway. They have sizes from 3XL right down to children's sizes, so if you want one yourself, or want one for the adorable neurodiverse kid in your life, go for it.
(FYI - Neurodiversity isn't an autism-specific term - it applies to anyone with a brain that isn't neurotypical. So if you're bipolar, ADD/ADHD, OCD, dyslexic, epileptic, whatever, any kind of brain difference, the neurodiversity label is yours. Embrace it.)
*
As much as Amazon is evil, a lot of people have to use it anyway for various reasons, and I found out something quite awesome the other day - if you shop at Amazon you can choose to have a charitable donation go to ASAN or to AWN (Autistic Women's Network) with certain purchases. Both are reputable self-advocacy organisations that do a whole lot of good for autistics.
Acceptance Vs Awareness by Kassiane S. at Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Basically why we should aim for more than awareness.