PinnedMember-onlyThe Cognitive Distortions that Feed Neurodiversity RadicalismA young woman on the spectrum sheds light on some forces behind anti-parent cyberbullying. By Lucy Kross Wallace A year ago I was en route to becoming the type of “neurodiversity activist” who cyberbullies autism parents in the name of tolerance. I had every hallmark of such an activist: a recent ASD diagnosis, a desire to partake in the social justice that surrounded me…Autism7 min readAutism7 min read
PinnedMember-onlyHow the Biden Administration Can Put Autism Policy on the Right Track in 2021By Jill Escher As the Biden administration takes the reins in Washington this week, the catastrophe of Covid-19 is understandably at the forefront of policymaking. …Autism11 min readAutism11 min read
Jul 14, 2022Member-onlyWhat About Us Without Us?by Thomas A. McKean As a high-functioning person with autism I often hear a lot of “Nothing about us without us.” But does this mean only us? The articulate higher functioning autism us? There are some who believe it does. I happen to disagree. If you have been diagnosed (and…Autism4 min readAutism4 min read
Sep 9, 2021Member-onlyOur Moral Duty to Prevent AutismAn autism mom fights back against the anti-prevention mindset popular among “neurodiversity” adherents. By Alicia Mesa In my moral universe — and probably yours — we humans have a strong duty to prevent neurological disability, and this includes autism. But online I see this moral universe has turned upside down. “Neurodiversity” proponents wage online battles fiercely condemning the idea of preventing autism. Autism…Autism4 min readAutism4 min read
Aug 24, 2021Member-onlyThe Autism Puzzle Piece Logo: What It Really MeansOne of the orginators of the puzzle symbol explains the intentions behind it. By Thomas A. McKean There has been some misinformation spreading out there on the web lately about the puzzle piece awareness ribbon and what it means and represents. One of the things they are saying is that…Autism3 min readAutism3 min read
Aug 5, 2021Member-onlyDear Parents, I’m an Autistic Self-Advocate, and I See YouThomas A. McKean was diagnosed in 1979 at age 14. As one of the original autism self-advocates he has served on the board of Autism Society of America, has written two books on autism, has spoken at numerous conferences, has done private consulting, and has even appeared on Oprah. He…Autism4 min readAutism4 min read
Sep 8, 2020Member-onlyAm I My Brother’s Keeper?As his parents age, the sibling of a severely autistic adult juggles feelings of devotion, incompetence, and fear By Tom Clements There’s a question I never ask my parents out of a fear of opening the sluice gates, namely, “What exactly happens when you’re no longer around?” Since I was…Autism5 min readAutism5 min read
Aug 20, 2020Member-onlyDozens of Disability Leaders Decry Cancel Culture at the New York TimesThe following letter was sent to The New York Times on behalf of 75 organizations and leaders in the disability community in response to the paper’s editorial choices omitting serious issues facing those with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dear Editors: July 26th marked the 30th anniversary of the signing…Autism6 min readAutism6 min read
Aug 19, 2020Member-onlyAutism Parents, Don’t Let the Bullies Silence You“I have a deep sympathy for the tribulations of autism parents and will continue to reject the wicked aspersions cast upon them.” By Tom Clements Neurodiversity (ND) advocates are a small but powerful ideological group who depend on the tacit support of a much larger group of well-intentioned social liberals…Autism4 min readAutism4 min read
Aug 5, 2020Member-onlyStop Canceling Options for Severely Autistic AdultsWhile our country faces a catastrophic shortage of supports, “activists have doomed many disabled individuals to receive no services at all” By Susan Jennings The words “Willowbrook” and “Pennhurst” conjure images of horror in the public mind — visions of naked, vulnerable, disabled people wallowing in their own filth, abused…Autism9 min readAutism9 min read