The Autism Speaks "Truth Be Told" Fund Drive

This past week was a public relations nightmare for Autism Speaks, and autistic self-advocates made it happen. The largest autism charity came to Washington for a "policy summit," to speak for autistic people, with no intention of actually including us in the discussion. As well, co-founder Suzanne Wright's call to action continued an unfortunate trend of fear mongering and demonizing autism, igniting a firestorm among a great number of us on the spectrum. And so, Autism Speaks' arrival in Washington was met with an on-site protest, the resignation of autistic board member John Elder Robison, and an online flash mob of rebuttals to Wright's statement (scroll down). Autism Speaks was shouted down by those it professes to serve, as we exposed the disconnect between the charity's offensive messaging and our reality.

An organization the size of Autism Speaks depends on its fundraising and influence to continue its work, and one can only wonder how the backlash will affect their ability to garner financial support. Actually, I feel a little bad about that. What happens to their "national plan for autism" if the dollars dry up? Without our generous donations, Autism Speaks might be forced to live moment-to-moment. In anticipation of the donors' next move. In despair. In fear of the future.

So I thought I would help out Autism Speaks with a little fund drive for their benefit. I'm hoping you will all take part. And as a bonus, these wonderful gifts can be yours in exchange for your donation:

The Refrigerator Raider - $50-$99

• You'll receive a brand new refrigerator for your child to strip off their clothes and raid -- which is a favorite pastime of autistic children, according to Autism Speaks. Your fridge features a reinforced surface optimized for nude climbing, and an adjustable thermostat so you can feel the cool breeze against your naughty bits. Guaranteed to provide a screamin' good time, well past Junior's bedtime!

The Homewrecker - $100-$199

• A coffee mug that reads “World’s Best Marriage-Destroyer.” Because who broke up your parents' marriage? That’s right, YOU did, little Susie! High five! Your autism was such a burden, it split your family apart, just like Autism Speaks warned you. Autism knows where you live... and so does this fabulous mug! So drink a toast to your destructive power, in style!

The Thelma & Louise - $200-$499

• We'll send you on a thrilling car ride off the George Washington Bridge. Guaranteed to be preferable to a lifetime of raising a child with autism, as noted by Alison Singer in the Autism Speaks film Autism Every Day. Makes an especially wonderful gift for the child with a special interest in bridges, as you can give him an up-close look at its structure on the way down! Buckle up, autism is a bumpy ride, but this is ridiculous!

The Take It on the Chin – $500-$999

• Suzanne Wright will personally grab your autistic child’s chin to teach her eye contact! Because Autism Speaks knows that social courtesy trumps personal boundaries. At Suzanne's school of etiquette, your child will learn her place, and how to respect authority, especially high society. No longer will her autism stand in the way of proper manners, conduct, and character. Moms, this is guaranteed to be chin music to your ears!

The Crisis Responder – $1,000-$1,999

• The National Guard will arrive at your home! Is your little one a tragedy, or a burden? Fear not, our nation's finest are at your service to combat the enemy that is autism. Autism Speaks will prepare a national plan of attack all about YOU, and don't worry about reviewing and signing off on the plan - in fact, they don't even WANT your input. Crisis? Did somebody say autism crisis? Not in your home!

The Peter Pan - $2,000-$4,999

• We'll whisk you away to Neverland. Because Autism Speaks knows autistic children never grow up and become adults. As for where they go when they get older, well, nobody really knows... LA LA LA LA LAAAA WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE BABIES! Three million children may have been kidnapped by autism, but you'll live happily ever after in a fantasy world.

The High-Voltage Vacation - $5,000 and up

• Reserved for our most generous donors, our premium thank-you gift. You and your family will receive a weekend getaway at the fabulous Judge Rotenberg Center. Experience Autism Speaks' idea of therapy at this esteemed service provider, including electric shock treatment. Live like the JRC patients do, and watch your unwanted behaviors (and your cares) simply melt away. The JRC has been recognized by none other than the United Nations for its brutal and torturous practices. Aw, c'mon, a little juice won’t kill you. Unless it does. It actually might.

This is Autism Speaks, and truth be told, this is what your donation buys: ignorance, negativity, and sensationalism. And, let's not forget that only 4 cents of every dollar raised goes toward helping people with autism and their families. Isn't transparency great? So make your donation today, and join generous Autism Speaks supporters, such as:

Private foundations

• Far and away, the largest donors to Autism Speaks (over $1 million each), including the Marcus Foundation, the Allerton Foundation, the Mel Karmazin Foundation, the Gordon and Llura Gund Foundation, the Higgins Family Foundation.

Corporations

• Many of the companies you know, like Toys ‘R’ Us, the New York Stock Exchange, Newman’s Own, the National Football League, NASCAR, and Major League Baseball.

Individuals

• Numerous celebrities support Autism Speaks, including Sumner Redstone, Jerry Seinfeld, Tommy Hilfiger, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, Ricky Gervais, Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and more.

Say, what are the chances these donors are aware what their charitable dollars truly support? Imagine if they knew? Imagine if they pledged to withhold future support until Autism Speaks does the right thing, and speaks for autistic people instead of dehumanizing us. Imagine if these major donors instead supported other worthy charities which will put their dollars to much better use, such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, GRASP, or other organizations listed here. Perhaps if a flash mob made the suggestion through their social media, I dunno, just sayin.'

Money talks, and Autism Speaks is doing an awful lot of talking with its donors' money. Donors, it's time to listen... listen to what they're actually speaking about, and then listen to autistic people speak. Then decide where your charitable dollars, and your voice, can do the most good.

"Dude, I'm An Aspie" Named to Babble's Top 30 Autism Blogs for 2013

Babble has announced their Top 30 Autism Spectrum Blogs of 2013, continuing their annual Autism Awareness Month tradition. I'm honored to be selected for a third consecutive year!

Babble.com is the revolutionary site for a new generation of parents. The Top 30 Autism Blogs recognizes a range of viewpoints from self-advocates, parents with autism who have kids with autism, and non-autistic parents. Please check out the list to see which of your other favorites made it, discover some great new blogs to follow, and suggest nominations for next year.

I'm grateful and proud to be named to the autism blogging "all star team," as it were. It's thanks to all of you who enjoy what I do. Really, many of my posts are simply me messing around, throwing together some doodles. Yet I continue to hear from those of you who have found yourself, or your child, in the cartoons, or turn here for a dose of truth about autism. For that, I'm truly appreciative.

Thank you! And thanks to Babble for all you do for autism awareness.

The Taupe-inator

The Taupe-inator may be out of commission, but you can still Tone It Down Taupe. Visit to find out more and get involved.

Diagnostic & Statistical Merriment

 

Tiny Island

Today is the 3rd Annual Autistics Speaking Day. It also marks my third year of writing about autism. I have much to be thankful for this past year: the chance to create an animated short, to travel with the Juniper Hill crew, and to publish my second book. I am glad many of you continue to come here for laughs and insight. But often, when living with autism, there are no laughs or insight. The reality is that my daily life remains dominated by my inability to understand and coexist with other people.

I prefer to feel in control of my environment, and other people introduce chaos into it. They disrupt my equilibrium. They pop in and out, as it meets their needs and not mine. They are too fast, and too loud. Other autistic people are no easier for me to deal with than NT's. People irritate me. Or perhaps I irritate myself through my own discomfort and inability to articulate myself. Regardless, I find I deal best with others at a safe distance.

Most of my time is spent at the office or at home. I’m good at my job, and autism is a big reason for that. My work requires perfect accuracy, and perfection is what I deliver. I have a purpose in the workplace. I’ve learned the structure and I excel within it. It’s a foreign tongue sometimes, one that speaks with Important Words, like pursuant, and execute, and the delta, but I’ve become conversant in the language. I assimilate to ensure my survival.

Autistic people have no choice but to assimilate. Yet, we also desire to withdraw to our comfort zone, where we feel in control. This internal conflict threatens to drive us out of our minds, as Adam Bailey describes in a piece called Islands.

Our islands are awesome, but only to us. An island cannot simply fit into a school or workplace setting. Most others cannot feel comfortable on our islands, because it is so odd there. We cannot feel comfortable leaving our islands for very long, because it is so odd outside them.
 
It takes a perfect balance all the time in order to get by, and as soon as we stop working as hard, things get really difficult really quick.

Maybe in the workplace, assimilation is easier, because I have a clearly defined role. Maybe those of you who share a household also find it a comfortable fit, within easily definable parameters. But outside of familiar environments, there are simply too many unknowns. At times, sanity demands avoiding such uncertainty.

Leo Kottke sings in his song, “Tiny Island,”

I wish I had a tiny island floating in the sea.
Palm trees sway, don't get in the way, it's a tropical ease.
And everywhere that I keep my silence, no sound returns to me.
Just endless waves at the end of our days, the sighing of the seas.

Given the option, I believe I would cast off the civilized life for my own tiny island. I find solitude the most comfortable state, and increasingly, my lifestyle leaves no room for others.

I’ve grown less hopeful about autism acceptance by the greater community. I know the world will not change for me. So I have fewer laughs and insights to share with you in this space. A few successes doesn't make it easier to navigate a daily existence that drifts from mundane to chaotic. As Adam says, this is how I am, the real-life me. Man wasn’t meant to live on his own tiny island. So why does it seem so enticing?

Jodi and Katy

Kids' Edition For Sale in Paperback

Dude, I'm An Aspie! Kids' Edition is now available in paperback! 

Looking for a way to explain your child’s Asperger's traits to others in a way that’s clear, positive and fun? Just give 'em this book. As an autistic person, I like to talk about autism with cartoons, because it’s easier than using words. It helps people understand where I’m coming from, and I hope it does the same for you.

This 38-page book, containing this post, plus a new introduction, is perfect for kids, parents, teachers, or professionals. Pick yours up today!

You can also get it as an eBook.

And, don't forget, you can still get the original edition of Dude in paperback or as an eBook!

B. Giraffle To "I Wish I Didn’t Have Asperger's"

#AutismPositivity2012

Dude, I'm An Aspie! (Kids' Edition)

My name is Fuzzy and I have Asperger’s syndrome. What’s that mean, you ask? Well, you’re in luck, cause I’ve made this helpful guide!

Asperger’s is a type of autism. Sometimes it makes me look different from others. Like when I have trouble being around other people, putting my thoughts into words, or knowing what other people are thinking. But other times, it seems invisible, and I blend in with everybody else. So, some say Asperger’s is like having “a dash of autism.”

Why do I have Asperger’s? No one is sure where it comes from, but it's not a disease, just a difference in how my brain works. It isn’t my fault, just something I’ve always had and always will. Like having a big nose. I was BORN with Asperger’s, and I’m PROUD of it!

Asperger’s is sometimes called Wrong Planet syndrome. That's because I act and think so differently from others, it can make me feel like an alien! But there’s nothing wrong with the way I am, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. I just see the world differently, that’s all.

It’s not easy to be different, but it can be a good thing too. Now that I know what Asperger’s is, I have a name for why I'm different. It explains why I am the way I am. So it kind of makes me happy! Like finding a box I fit in.

People can often misunderstand me. They might think I’m being rude because I don’t look them in the eye. But this is part of being an Aspie! I need to look away because it’s the only way I can concentrate on what you’re saying.

It’s easier for me to be around one person than many. When someone’s talking, they’re not only using their mouth, but also their face and their hands. That’s a lot to pay attention to! Being an Aspie means my brain works harder to understand all that. The more people in the room, the harder it gets to keep up!

When I’m in a crowded or noisy place, I can get very uncomfortable! Sometimes it feels like I’m spinning out of control. I need to leave and go somewhere quiet, or I might have a meltdown. It’s best to let me have some time out and some space.

Aspies can also have super-senses. I can hear things others can’t hear, like the refrigerator running. If there's a sudden loud noise, I might jump out of my seat. There are lots of other things I notice that others don't.

Other times, I can be super-sensitive to scratchy clothing, or fluorescent lighting, or certain food textures.

Repetition and routine are very relaxing to me. When I feel anxious, it helps if I fidget, or “stim” by rocking, or tapping my foot. Also, I like to perseverate on certain words or sounds, or repeat them over and over, if I like how they sound.

Did you ever notice most people love playing with lots of friends? The more they run around, holler, and act crazy, the happier and more excited they get! Well, many of us Aspies are the opposite way. Being around lots of people tires me out, and I often need time alone to “recharge my batteries.”

Aspies usually have special interests or hobbies that we like to do on our own, and spend lots of time on. We can go on and on talking about our interests. This can be anything from trains, to foreign languages, to mollusks, to duct tape.

 

Are there good things about being an Aspie? Yes! We are honest. We pay attention to the little things. We are good listeners, and good problem-solvers. Often, we become experts in our special interest area. Einstein, Beethoven, and Michelangelo are some of the famous folks believed to have had Asperger’s.

So that is a glimpse into my world. I hope it has helped you better understand me and others like me. If we were all the same, the world would be a boring place. Dude, I’m an Aspie, and I can be whatever I want to be, and do whatever I want to do!

Babble's 2012 Autism Spectrum Blogs

Dude, I'm An Aspie has been named to Babble's Top Autism Blogs for the second straight year. What an honor! Thank you!

The 2012 honorees were selected for being invaluable resources to families and individuals who might otherwise feel confused and alone when looking for information about autism. It's an excellent list, full of blogs I have turned to myself.

Dude, says Babble, is "a terrific resource for anyone curious about the experiences of a thirty-something with Asperger’s. But the highlights are his cartoons, simple yet effective, which convey the essence of Asperger’s in a more engaging way than a scientific book ever could...This blog is a must-read for anyone remotely connecting to the world of Asperger’s."

This is a compliment indeed. I am grateful to all of you who have been touched by what I do, and to Babble for sharing it with their readers as part of Autism Acceptance Month.

...and if that wasn't cool enough, I'm featured today on the Thinking Person's Guide to Autism's monthlong "Slice of Life" conversation series. Check it out, dudes!