Autism Speaks. You probaby have heard of them. They are a multinational brand known around the world. When you hear the word "autism", you probably think of Autism Speaks. They seem to be a solid corporation. They seem to support autistic people and help them succed in life.
I used to think of them that way too. Don't feel bad for supporing them in the past if you didn't know what Autism Speaks actually does. However, what I found out about them shocked me and now I am very much against them. This, in my opinion, is why Autism Speaks blows.
The fact is that Autism Speaks does not give even 10% of what they make to autistic individual or even families with autistic children. Autism Speaks actually gives 43% of its total budget, $52 million, to advertising and donated media, 19% for it's employees, benefits and payroll tax. 13% for science grants awards, and a measly 4% for fmaily service grants and awards. The remaining 21% is other things.
They suck up money from local communities and from millions of well-meaning people and only give families a shred of what they recieve. They spend more money on catering, entertainment and travel than they actually give back. They also spend lots of money trying to look for a cure to this so-called "epidemic". The CEO makes more than $300,000 per year.
Autism Speaks tries to elicit pity for the kid who is "missing" because of autism. The parents are victimized from their poor choices and their high expectations. To parents who feel bad for themselves for having to deal with a child "suffering" from autism, I have this to say: You're one stupid retard. You knew that you would have to take the risk of getting pregnant when you have sex, even with the condom and the pill. You know that comparing your child with other children is morally wrong. As parents, it is your duty to be sensitive to your child's needs.
Rant aside, Autism Speaks uses an effective, but immoral, way to make money while families get destroyed in the process with their unrealistic expectations. Those expectations lead to the parents of that autistic kid gettng a divorce, which messes up the poor kid's life. Autistic kids need a stable family with two parents.
In it's Board of Directors only has 2 autistics out of 26. 19 out of the 26 represent major corporations, mostly infuenced by left-wing politics.
Autism Speaks uses it's almost monopoly platform to portray autism as frightening and raise stigma.
What to do now is to boycott Autism Speaks. And to vote with your dollars to other companies that lift up autistic voices. ASAN is the biggest one. However, it is not perfect as it ignores autistic conservative voices and other right-wing or libertarian autistic voices.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long, ranting, rambling post. Next one will be "Why I am Pro-Life"
Sources used: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/11/13/why-autism-speaks-doesnt-speak-for-me/#206cd2893152
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AutismSpeaksFlyer_color_2018.pdf
Rant aside, Autism Speaks uses an effective, but immoral, way to make money while families get destroyed in the process with their unrealistic expectations. Those expectations lead to the parents of that autistic kid gettng a divorce, which messes up the poor kid's life. Autistic kids need a stable family with two parents.
In it's Board of Directors only has 2 autistics out of 26. 19 out of the 26 represent major corporations, mostly infuenced by left-wing politics.
Autism Speaks uses it's almost monopoly platform to portray autism as frightening and raise stigma.
What to do now is to boycott Autism Speaks. And to vote with your dollars to other companies that lift up autistic voices. ASAN is the biggest one. However, it is not perfect as it ignores autistic conservative voices and other right-wing or libertarian autistic voices.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long, ranting, rambling post. Next one will be "Why I am Pro-Life"
Sources used: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/11/13/why-autism-speaks-doesnt-speak-for-me/#206cd2893152
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AutismSpeaksFlyer_color_2018.pdf
