A SINCERE apology is what we should look for. It's easy for manipulative people to just say "sorry" and not ultimately change for the better. What's more, the more powerful a person/company is, the less they have to value truth and sincerity.
From a corporation. I agree. from a person... it could also be that they don't know what they did wrong. some say that is just is bad. I'd say those people have never been on that side of the table.
It’s about themselves. I and others have called cities to stop running their ads because they are a hate group who wants to exterminate “cure” us Accommodations are the number one most important thing to us. Without this, neurotypicals have the upper hand since they are ALREADY catered to. We are just asking for an even playing field. Equality is a right
Something to note about puzzle pieces... I was a computer tech until I couldn't do it anymore, going to people's homes to fix computers. With frightening consistency, homes covered in those effing puzzle pieces were always the most over bright, overly loud, sensory torture chambers I have ever experienced! And unlike all my other clients, they had a high rate of negative reaction if I asked them to turn down the lights a bit. I dunno, maybe the autistic kids wouldn't be such "out of control nightmares" if they weren't in sensory pain all the time!
@@Autistic_AF On the other side, there was another surprising trend from the non-puzzle homes, the typical homes... When I worked up the courage to start asking my clients for less light, the vast majority of them were understanding and willing. Many of them had a few questions that were usually appropriate. I was stunned by how few were nasty about it. Some of my favorite comebacks for the less mean negative responses... "You're nothing like [child relative]" --> "I bet I was almost 4 decades ago." (I love watching them realize "Oh yeah, that does make sense") "You don't LOOK autistic." ---> "Oddly, YOU DO though." "There was no autism back in the day" --> "There was. There just weren't any computers for you to break to force me to cross your path." A laughable very negative one - One of the few bad ones noticed I was stimming and asked about it. I mentioned I'm autistic, and he proceeded to call me the r-slur. I said "If that's what you think I am, what does it say about you that you needed my help?", and I enjoyed a solid minute of watching him blue screen trying to process his own lack of logic. One of the more amusing NOT negative reactions... I also have tourettes, and I had this old lady client who referred to my tics as my own computer glitch. She was great. A little more talkative than I could handle for longer than an hour, but generally nice. She'd have the light up so she could see to lead me to the machine, and then turn them all down so I could work. A wonderful compromise. She was also understanding when I turned down the snacks she offered.
That is so wild that people are so hostile.. Wild that you where able to handle that job for a longer time, but so cool of you! And some great comebacks yiu gave them haha! Thanks for sharing this, it makes so mich sense why people have these monster children be they autistic or not. As i always talk with my best friend about, its not only autistic people and children who needs less inputs other children also need less inputs or they to will have meltdowns where they get impossible to work with, and if you as a perent dont know how to handle this meltdown youreost likely going to make it worse... So yea inputs should be monitored for all, we can all get too much and especially children! So this makes so much sense 😅
@hellomiakoda3782 it's always baffling to me when people are rude to the person they invited into their house to fix their stuff. Like, I don't have the world's best social skills, but I at least listened to my mom when she told me you should try to tidy up the working area before the [insert technician or tradesperson here] arrives, ask them if they need your assistance or cooperation, and otherwise just be polite and stay out of their way.
As an autistic animal rescuer, Autism Speaks and PETA are two of my least favorite 'charities' on earth. They embody dark irony and hypocrisy on a truly epic level. Lol
"I will make sure your marriage fails" My parents happily married 42 years till dad passed, both obviously autistic. My husband and me also on spectrum... we have been happily married 18 years and together over 21 years... That is so comical.
I am blessed to work in a neurodivergent book shop ❤️ Only two realize/have confided in me they probably are ‘a bit autistic’, but eveyone communicates so well together. It is very cozy, and the shop naturally draws in a neurodivergent customerbase aswell ❤
Wow. Sounds wonderful. Wish we had something like that nearby. There are some job programs but my daughter and I tend to mostly fall through the cracks-too "high-functioning" to qualify, too many "issues" to be traditionally employed.
Being born with a genetic mitochondrial disease (ADOA+), it’s always infuriating to see things like the I Am Autism video because it paints anything different with humans as evil or bad. If you want to guarantee your child doesn’t have a disability, condition, or neurological difference, don’t have kids, because kids are humans and humans have disabilities, conditions, and neurological differences.
OMG! What does this horror show say about these parents' attitude towards their own children: that they are some how embarrassing, disruptive, home and family-wrecking monsters? The pathetic apology is typical of large charities who are genuinely more concerned with their reputation than with the people they purport to serve. Having grown up in the 'care' of a large and well-respected charity which is currently refusing - even in the face of a Royal Commission - to acknowledge, apologise for or redress the harm it has caused many of us, I can sympathise.
I'm glad you mentioned the blue pumpkins. They ARE a solution looking for a problem...and the puzzle pumpkin met its deserved fate. So tired of the awful marketing some of these groups do.
Like someone who used to work for greenpeace told me... it's about making money for lobbiests, from calendars and tortured people who think the lobbiest cares about more than getting money. Notice that orders of magnitude of pollution come from corporate sources but all the most recent restrictive laws are made for the consumers to feel like their contributiom makes a dent... when there are easier and more effective ways. Nevermind Elon Musk sending millions of satellites and burning more than many rides on jets (that he also uses). All those things dwarf what a car makes. And those EVs have HUGE carbon footprints but only last 5-10 years. Yet... we can't have gas lawn mowers in California.
If a child can't speak the words "trick or treat", then paint the words "trick or treat" on the pumpkin. Problem solved. Painting the pumpkin blue doesn't make it easier for the child to communicate.
@@spaceanarchist1107: Little kids do "seize up" from time to time - I don't know if it's because they're autistic or not and I don't think it matters. If you're the adult with the child you just say "trick or treat". No big deal.
We don't really do trick or treating where I'm from, so this blue pumpkin thing is actually a little weird to me. Not because someone is trying to support their child, but because it implies all children trick-or-treating MUST perform this convention or else none of the people they are visiting will reward them. As if people are standing at their front door, holding up a snack and saying "You know what you need to do if you want this - if you refuse to speak, you'll be the only one I won't give this to!" And surely that's not what people are actually like?? It would be sad for all kids if they were.
Even modern research has found that biphasic sleeping where people sleep in two separate four hour long periods that are four hours apart was the average human sleep pattern before longer lasting artificial light sources such as oil lamps and electric lights became widespread! :)
I had my first meeting with a psycologist a few days ago to start my autism investigation (after 1 year and 7 months of work to get here) and guess who has 8/8 of the diagnostic criteria. I was basically told by the psycologist that I am a psycological walking neon autism sign and I just found that funny and wanted to share it
I went into my meeting with the psychologist and was like, “I’m also ADHD twice-exceptional, so that may explain anything you see that you wouldn’t expect in an autistic person.”. He never questioned my autism and didn’t do any “extra” tests; I assume those are used to parse out borderline cases! I’m on the borderline… between “moderately autistic” and “holy cow you’re autistic”! 😅
I was told i have quite clear signs when you ask the right questions. As a high masking female, just fucking ask the right question and my autism shows through so much! And the right question is not hard to ask lol. Recently i heard from a friend that the place i was first wrongly diagnosed with skizophrenia, is apparently the experts in autism... Wild.. We are so fucking behind in these diagnoses and knowledges 😅
@@Gwenx And that is why I brough a list. I'm also a high masking female so the odds were pretty against me. I am lucky enough to have a comunity where a lot of people have autism to help me prepare
“It’s not a horror movie” I dunno, man, that soundtrack says otherwise… Don’t mind me, I’m just over here imagining autism creature sneaking up on me with a 🔪 🤣
No matter how many times I hear it referenced, my initial reaction to I Am Autism is always asking what those Board Members were drinking when they approved that! 😠 Also, I'm Autistic, Now What? has a video dedicated to tearing apart The Blue Pumpkin, which I think should be a supplement to your PSA at the beginning.
I remember that advertisement. I remember how angry I was. I'm still angry it was ever made. We aren't some-sort of nebulous and horrific entities. We are humans with a different neurotype.
@@Cruznick06 That advert reminds me of a very dark British information film about how death was waiting for any unwary child that went unprotected into open water. At least that was making a serious point: open water can be dangerous and can kill. It was supposed to be terrifying.
Re:blue pumpkins, It wasnt a 4 year old. It started with a facebook post from a woman about her high support needs adult son. He loved halloween. She just wanted to let her own local community know who he was and why he was trick or treating, because, sadly, a lone adult male behaving "weirdly" in a space predominated by children is liable to be assumed to be a predator and that would be dangerous for him. Theres also a lot of stories out there of people beig dicks to kids trick or treating if they fail to perform the ritual "correctly", so it is a real problem. But rhe solution isnt to require that all kids have a diagnosis and disclose it to every tom dick and harry. Not least because the kind of person who would be a dick over a child whos too shy to say trick or treat, probably wont be swayed by saying the kids autistic. (And indeed, I've seen plenty of stories where that was the case). Theres no easy answer, it's just long term social change to allow "weird" people to just be harmlessly weird without social punishment.
@@skootergirl22 I mean, that's roughly what she tried to do in a way that wouldn't spoil his Halloween. It shouldn't take disclosing a diagnosis to get people to be nice, and not make the worst assumptions. But that's not the world we live in
I wish that you and others reacting to old autism speaks video is out dated but people still have misconceptions and autism is still stigmatized. I think your reaction to it was great. Sad news for me. My celebrity crush, Danny Pino, hosted an Autism Speaks charity event this week. Talluah Willis was the honoree. I wonder how him and other celebrities and everyone who support this organization will feel if they know the truth about the money they help fund. I do appreciate an anti-autism speaks video from you.
So glad for your channel. It’s always a relief to hear intelligent responses to corporate stupidity. I’m autistic and seem to confuse people’s idea of autism because I’m fiercely independent. I can’t stand being labeled, what’s the point, I look around me at so many people who appear to be struggling with life and they’re not autistic, they’re something, whatever, but not autistic. People just showing respect and not judging for each others differences will go a long way . Corporations couldn’t give a damn about anything other than their status and income. I find the biggest problem for autistic people is being misunderstood or disliked for simply not fitting in to society’s expectations of behaviour, and that can be a problem for corporations who need a label to define that and target a group so they can profit off it.
This commercial-like all of Autism Speaks- still makes my stomach sink like lead. I can recall when my children were first diagnosed and people tried to sway me the direction of this horror of an organization. It never jibed right though I did not immediately know how to explain why, not knowing then what I know now. It took my researching tendencies to get there. Other "autism moms" never could understand me when I began to share my conclusions in forums, in blogging, etc . Got called some nasty things as a matter of fact. So...walked away from those so- called "support groups" and have not looked back. Later, I finally discovered my own diagnosis, married a man on the spectrum, and slowly I am finding true support through channels like yours. Thanks, Mike.
That mother could just tell people her child doesn't speak. Autistic children want nothing more than to fit in with their peers. The last thing they need is a different colored pumpkin to carry on Halloween. It's a bullying target, and would also alert weirdos looking for the most vulnerable children they can manipulate away from the group. I've got a lot to say about Autism Speaks, but you've covered all of that and more. Thank you!
Totally she could. Or say, 'trick or treat' on their behalf, maybe even with a short explainer. In some parts of the UK we have a myriad of differently coloured bins/garbage cans - and each colour has a different meaning. How is anyone supposed to keep up with what the latest colour variation is; especially when it's so close to another colour & cause?
He was older than people generally allow for trick or treaters, and if she didn't explain, probably more people would've refused to give him candy, even yelled at him for being too old.
The detection of autism _in utero_ is a really worrying one. I am not opposed in principle to the idea of people aborting foetuses that are going to be disabled babies if they are born. Different people will draw the line in different places in their own personal cases, and I am sure there are some cases where people would want to abort where I would consider that unreasonable and other cases where they don't want to abort and I wonder how the hell they are going to manage in a year or two. All of that said, I think it is highly likely that a lot of people would want to have an abortion if they found out that the foetus was autistic. The problem with that is that, although I don't think it's acknowledged yet, society actually needs autistic people. I know it sounds like a cliché but who's going to write computer programs or fix computers if there aren't any autistic people? The rate of research and discoveries in the physical sciences in particular would drop right off.
If someone can't say 'trick or treat', why not make a speech bubble sign part of the costume? When they want to communicate, they can flick that sign up beside their head, and they could have other options to flick through like the cards some carry around, but in the style of their costume.
I agree that autism isn't a disease, so the "cure" type of propaganda is bullshit. That creepy commercial is absolutely ostracizing and fear mongering. On the other hand, I think there have been some studies that may show a higher correlation of autism alongside physiological issues like methylation. If I can have a lesser degree of some of the factors that are the most challenging for me (or my child) by addressing those physiological issues, then I definitely appreciate that information. But it sure doesn't sound like Autism Speaks is interested in being helpful like that. They've just made an industry of and for themselves. Empowering parents to support their autistic kids' actual needs does not seem to be on the menu.
Autistic people having a higher rate of psychological issues has the same root cause of the LGBTQ+ community having higher rates of psychological issues, society is hell bent to make lives it doesn't see as ""normal"" as bad as possible before blaming said people for the consequences of making their lives as bad as possible
The high rate of co-occurring conditions is why I prefer transdiagnostic theories of neurodevelopment. Google Duncan E. Astle, many of his articles are open access.
Personally, i would also like to share that the history and treatment of us in the whole history of psychology, and of other mental disabilities, etc, are very creepy. I am grateful that we are now, slowly being treated human beings. I will let you know who too are the firsts to go to creepy sanitariums: disabled people.
Any time I hear "with autism", I think of the times there's been one allistic friend lost and confused among a group of my autistic friends info dumping on some subject. 🤣
They have the lawyers and structured to manage risk. Sadly, this is perhaps the thing they're best at. Their current model relies on donors misunderstanding autism and autistic people. Hence, why it's important for actually autistic people to make some noise.
@@Autistic_AF This ia an awareness charity. They only need to bring awareness to a cause in order to fulfill their claim to be a charity. The dumb part is that they can create awareness by fundraising. It's a scam.
Ironically, I only got my diagnosis a couple months ago, and somehow my mother figured it out a couple weeks back even though I was explicitly not telling her, and yet after only like five minutes of explaining the nuances of ASD she basically caught up way beyond where Autism Speaks did in fifteen years and she's literally married to a guy who doesn't believe mental health exists (and I guarantee he's the one I inherited ASD from as his family knows most of them are autistic. lol). Although, I should have probably expected my mom would take it well as I got an ASPD diagnosis ten years ago and she had zero problem with that, and ASPD has a much better case for being a problem than ASD (even though I personally still argue for it as a type of neurodiversity, long story).
19:12 Just to correct you, there’s actually more than 1 now. I think there’s about three of them. I’m not hating on this video, I’m just pointing that out. But yeah I agree “I am autism” and “Autism every day” were horrible they just showed the negatives and especially that one clip of the autism mom literally saying that she was going to drive off a bridge with her autistic child but didn’t do it all because she had a Neuro typical child as well and the worst part is the autistic child was in the room. That’s so messed up. At least they’re not quite as bad now.
More than one? That’s great! Judy Bernadete is the only one that I could see whose bio explicitly stated so; “Beyond her professional engagements, her personal journey as an autistic person and as a parent to a neurodivergent child, has given her a profound appreciation for the mission and impact of Autism Speaks.”
Eileen Lamb is autistic and the new director of Social Media, though adding one or two extra people doesn’t exactly correct the imbalance or mean there is appropriate representation, so I remain skeptical. Ironically, they also have pages on, and courses for, workplace inclusion so they’re aware of the issues but, somewhat remarkably, remain unable to make the move towards self-awareness …
I am a parent of an autistic child, thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas you and other autistic content creators have helped me navigate thru my journey. As a neurotypical i can tell you we need help identifying autistic people and there families, because neurotypicals can sometimes be old school dumb by being this way they can ask and do dumb $hit. I believe the pumpkin, puzzle piece etc can help us identify and accept the way neurodivergent people are in a respectful and caring manner. Its also a great way for neurotypical families of autistic children to share help , information and resources. I understand the people who created autism speaks are terrible people , the one thing that has helped me from A.S is identification. The suicide rate amongst autistic community is heart breaking and i know it has a lot to do with old school neurotypical way of thinking. What is normal for you is abnormal for us that is a fact and vice versa. We need to bridge the gap between neurotypical and neurodivergent people thru identification education understanding compassion love and patience.
Man, that ad is scary. I'm now dreading going in for my autism assessment. I hope I'm not tarred with that label for life. Sounds like a death sentence.
Excellent video, Mike! I am adding this to a list of videos I have for when people want to talk about autism as though it needs to be cured or for when people start talking about all of the things autism speaks has done in a positive light because they only know the PR side of autism speaks.....
My take on "my child can't say the words so I single my child out with a blue pumpkin..." You are so right! I say >think differently. Instead of thinking: "there's a lack other's must know" why not think: how do we help this child to say the phrase anyway or in another way (if the child want to). Then there are possibilities! If you can buy a blue pumpkin you can, for example, buy a recordable button or make a sign. You can create a really cool recording and coordinate with the costume even. Listen to what the child desires... We need to know and remember that being treated badly often includes the "pity the one different" even when it's done with good but ignorant intent. It hurts! So, let us think outside the box for an inventive solution. Who knows, next year half the neighbourhood might carry recordable buttons with cool voices saying: Trick'or'treat 🦁
Here is the text of a review I did of Joe's Crab Shack, a restaurant chain in America. In the review, I say, "As Autism Awareness Month approaches, I thought I'd share a personal story. Last year, I ate at Joe's Crab Shack in Tempe, AZ during Autism Awareness Month, April. Several servers showed up at my table and asked me to purchase a dinner coupon in support of Autism Speaks. At that point, I didn't know much about Autism Speaks, so I said yes. Then, one of the servers went on to tell me part of the research is to help determine if a fetus is autistic, so it can be terminated. There I was, a high-functioning autistic with a server standing at the end of my table giving me an image of myself, as a tiny fetus, going splat in a bucket. I didn't tell her I'm autistic, simply because that would have probably evoked a good roasting with the feminist flamethrower. These days, I don't have much of an appetite for Joe's Crab Shack."
It's terrifying and disgusting that in the 21st century there are still people calling for us to be euthenized. And not only that, but the fact that people nod and agree with the proposition as if it's nothing wrong.
I think you're too charitable in the reading of that AS advert. You respond to the part at 10:21 as if it's talking about the relationship between sleep issues and autism in general when I think the reality of the matter is that they are speaking specifically to parents of autistic children, using fear to try to raise money for their search for a cure.
5:43 Even Albert Einstein is a perfect example of someone on the autism spectrum before the disability was formally identified while it’s very possible that other prominent historical figures including ancient ones may of had the disorder! :)
The term Hive refers to those humans that control society and all groups. These groups appear to be competing but they are really unified in maintaining the illusion. Their success comes from the nature of being able to lie and keep secrets without a feeling of guilt. Their activities are coordinated with subtle finger gestures they can see real time. This is not a secret society they join but rather a genetic nature. They know as children and from a young age only the Hive are filtered into all positions of prominence. ASD/Aspergers/ADHD are non-Hive from Hive families. Some socially typical are also non-Hive, being exceptions to the exceptions. These non-Hive can lie but not without a feeling of guilt that can be overwhelming. Keeping secrets feels like lying to them. Some finger gesturing lying Hive families deliberately drive their neurodivergent relatives to suicide. That is attempted murder and murder when successful. The high suicide rate for autistics is evidence it is successful. Police and politicians are failing to investigate this crime or to warn potential victims. Autistic women are targeted with disingenuous engagements. Used for sex for a year or more and then dumped. The guy did a finger gesture when proposing to her so in Hive morality it is her fault for not knowing it was fake. It is rape, rape by deception. There is massive discrimination. Only Hive are allowed any position with a public platform or the truth might be spoken. Therefore, all non-Hive such as ASD/Aspergers/ADHD must be excluded. All the ones you hear about are fakes to cover up this fact. No autistic trying to succeed in art, music, acting, media, sport or academia will be successful. The discrimination extends to lower profile employment. Repeated stories of being unable to maintain employment are due to discrimination for being non-Hive. Autistics are the perennial victims of bullying. Always perpetrated by Hive because they don't see or understand the finger gestures. Hive will pretend to be their friends, gain their trust and then often turn into their abusers. This should be criminalized as a form of stalking. All the victims need is the truth. The anti-bullying narrative is exposed as hollow virtue signalling. Suffering from severe or suicidal depression the victims seek help. Again, they are betrayed by qualified doctors and counsellors with a duty of care. Doctors, psychiatrists, counsellors and psychologists will do a finger gesture while lying to them. They are rewarded for disregarding the health and safety of those that trust them. It is a massive criminal medical cover up. The entire neurodiversity narrative appears to be a psyop to drug the non-Hive. They are unable to see the hidden non-verbal language. They only need to be shown. This is the moral equivalent of not telling a blind person that others can see and then tripping them for life. These non-Hive victims don't have the theory of mind to see others can lie without conscience. This is because they have a conscience and it does not occur to them that others do not also have a conscience. All people keeping these secrets are accessories to all crimes committed using them.
1. Halloween...its for whoever goes out. come to my door, take one thing i offer...easy. as far as i'm concerned, if you are out and about and not terrorizing me, we're good. if i needed candy...i'd buy it for $3.50 nov 1st so...woo! 2. never used halloween pumpkins...limits the treasure trove available. used to carry a pillow case :) my family has a giant pokeball this year though..
Yeah, my child likes to have his bucket match the theme of his costume, but it fills up fast...so I'll carry the pillowcase to help him carry it all. I would say I used to be more professional ..I organized skits to perform before giving the kids their candy, but I'm on escort duty these days haha
My best idea ever was to dress up as the pumpkin one year. My mother's an ex-seamstress so she took a commercial costume and refitted the elastics for the bottom. We padded me up with strategically placed anti-sit-on-candy pillows and I just stretched out the collar of my costume (I was wearing a green hoodie under it because cold! and my mother pinned a felt leaf and curly ribbons to make it look like a pumpkin stem and vine) and had people just drop the candy into my costume. I think one person asked where my pumpkin pail was and I got to explain I dressed up as the pail and I can carry more candy that way, the person had a good laugh about my reasoning from what I remember of it.
it occurs to me for the first time that the autism speaks psa advert - is an awful close one another psa - one that was pretty famous and i think won an award ? i have to wonder if the fact the lifted so much of its wording and just slllightly rephrased it was intentional. i cant remember the name of the psa off hand but i believe it was a fire safety one . im going to do some research and circle back because its way too closely worded in my opinion.
I can answer that for you; that's the first draft shown on screen via the WayBackMachine/Internet Archive. It was originally hyperlinked on their website for no real logical reason!
I don't normally reply out of fear but felt compelled to in this case. Sadly it isn't just Americans with the problem, I recently signed up to do Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism 601/6330/6 SU but it is completely triggering to me as a late diagnosed Autist, it keeps referring to "People with Autism", I related to the part where you said parents getting diagnosed after one or more of the children receive a diagnosis, in my case it was my youngest stepson, again failed relationships due to misunderstanding of myself and others.
@@Autistic_AF Having first hand experience working and volunteering in the non-profit / NGO industrial complex I no longer trust the model. Very few if in fact none at all put their money where their well crafted public relations mouth is.
I get your point, but modern corporations follow communist ideals. Not capitalist. They're greedy and they don't care about anyone but those in the top tier. That's why they don't share profits with employees, or in Autism Speaks case, they don't help the people they use to attract money - us. They pocket it for themselves. Like all communist regimes have done in the past.
💯 “it’s not about the autistic people”. This ad was shocking and so bad it’s almost laughable (but too serious to take as a joke). A few thoughts: They might think they have the perfect number of people on their board, arguing that, with one out of 28 being autistic, “one of our number is odd”. (Joke.) If you listen to their ad but replace ‘autism’ with ‘neoliberalism’/‘rampant end-stage capitalism’ it actually makes a lot of sense. Every accusation is a confession. Let’s find a cure for that, please, and put people before profit. It’s a tale as old as time: make people fear and hate and they’ll give you money to protect them from the scary thing. Bastards.
Literally, thank you for sparing me the religiosity segment. It was already bad enough. Note I get to look up and see if Opus Dei has anything to do with this fiasco. Either way they're on my list now. Hopeful that I get the same results I got with UMG.
Video starts, agreeable takes are said. Their video starts. I turn off. Genuinely on top of the, let's just say "content" of that clip, the audio direction makes me immensely uncomfortable.
I would not include "depreciation and amortization" costs in anything other than the "operational costs and self-promotion" category. For one thing, "family services grants, awards and sciences" do not depreciate and are not amortised.
Oh gosh, this freaking add 🤦🏼♀️ It. Is. So. Freaking. Atrocious! Like…OMG, it’s laughably bad. We should take down Autism speaks, because they have done nothing but harm. Also…We should make a counter video to this add, show the public what Autism **Really** is.
Maybe people in the USA should start a petition or a lawsuit to disassemble the charity altogether. Because if you look carefully at their budget, they just use the charity money for their own salaries and do some damage to the Autism community "on the side". Are there any good Autism charities that we should push more in the USA? Maybe that will help people to find them better.
It's clear this ad was to inspire fear to drum-up more donations--another false charity. Had I used them as a source, I would have probably never discovered that I'm autistic too. I think differently. I've known it all my life and I was looking for answers. When I acted up in my past, it was a part of my autism. When I accomplished some amazing things I never thought I could, it was because of autism. It's an incredible joy to now know I'm autistic. I could ask what's wrong with Autism Speaks but I already know the answer--create an awareness charity and siphon off the donations to line the pockets of the director, the board the charity's advertising company. Lots of charities run this type of scam. In this case, they're only required to raise awareness of autism. They accomplish that goal by fundraising. It's a grift.
Our family solved my allergy with a simple trade: we're 4 siblings, I'm the only one with allergies but we all have different likes and dislikes. So the 4 of us would just trade among ourselves and tell our parents to either pick sweets for themselves or stop talking
Thanks again Mike, Your research and eloquent spoken words make a good combination And this makes you a great advocate for autistic people Better than the Autisme Speaks 😂 Sic Organization
We should honestly make and share content, pictures and memes about autism speaks and how they lie and shit.. We are so far away from the USA, but my sister had somehow heard about autism speaks and how its an organization for autistics, i had to tell her about what they really are about, as she would never have found out on her own, as her english is only the basics and she wouldnt seek out this kind of information 😅
Autism Speaks has so much money and influence. Surely if they are materially improving the lives of autistic people (or at least the people in their lives), wouldn’t THAT be the focus of all of their marketing? Where are their success stories? It’s obvious that they like to make noise to make money, and that autism is just the “skin” that they chose. They could have gone into saving the whales instead, and the only difference would be fewer misconceptions about autistic people and fewer whales.
That’s a good point. Their marketing would lead with this (similarly to Apple’s health/Apple Watch events) up front and centre. But, what they do wave is, “awareness”, which is such a nebulous term.
It just feels performative. They aren't actually sorry, and they don't actually care. Even if they were being genuine, it would be too little too late.
@@PraveenSrJ01 Welcome! 🤗 At the risk of potentially concerning you; there is no ‘high functioning end’ or ‘low functioning end’. The autism spectrum doesn’t run from ‘low’ to ‘high’. I made a video to explain that I hope helps: STOP Believing the 'High Functioning' Autism Lie th-cam.com/video/seS7sdM32_s/w-d-xo.html
Oh dang! Didn't know anything about pumpkin colors meaning anything! Thank you for that info...don't wanna kill some kid just because I like blue! Now on to my few minutes in, autism related comments. WTF is up w "Autism Speaks"?!!? How incredibly cruel & misleading. I am so effing angry!! I don't know everything about autism, but I know differences don't equal evil. Difference is what makes all of us humans interesting & unique. I'm 60 now. Pretty sure I've met and do know people who are autistic, but all that's mattered is knowing and respecting what people do & don't like & how to communicate. You know: just like it is with all of the "neurological" as well. Sheesh. Thank you for this video. I didn't know anything about "Autism Speaks" except for their name before. Definitely a group to avoid & I'll be spreading the word.
"An apology without change is manipulation"
A SINCERE apology is what we should look for. It's easy for manipulative people to just say "sorry" and not ultimately change for the better. What's more, the more powerful a person/company is, the less they have to value truth and sincerity.
From a corporation. I agree. from a person... it could also be that they don't know what they did wrong. some say that is just is bad. I'd say those people have never been on that side of the table.
It’s about themselves. I and others have called cities to stop running their ads because they are a hate group who wants to exterminate “cure” us
Accommodations are the number one most important thing to us. Without this, neurotypicals have the upper hand since they are ALREADY catered to. We are just asking for an even playing field. Equality is a right
It's a careful rephrasing of the classic non-apology, "I'm sorry that you feel that way."
I disagree. Change can still be attempted after an apology and just fail. That's not no change at all
Something to note about puzzle pieces...
I was a computer tech until I couldn't do it anymore, going to people's homes to fix computers.
With frightening consistency, homes covered in those effing puzzle pieces were always the most over bright, overly loud, sensory torture chambers I have ever experienced!
And unlike all my other clients, they had a high rate of negative reaction if I asked them to turn down the lights a bit.
I dunno, maybe the autistic kids wouldn't be such "out of control nightmares" if they weren't in sensory pain all the time!
It’s ironic, isn’t it? If this situation wasn’t real, and instead a creation of a fictional Netflix series, we’d never believe it.
@@Autistic_AF On the other side, there was another surprising trend from the non-puzzle homes, the typical homes... When I worked up the courage to start asking my clients for less light, the vast majority of them were understanding and willing. Many of them had a few questions that were usually appropriate. I was stunned by how few were nasty about it.
Some of my favorite comebacks for the less mean negative responses...
"You're nothing like [child relative]" --> "I bet I was almost 4 decades ago." (I love watching them realize "Oh yeah, that does make sense")
"You don't LOOK autistic." ---> "Oddly, YOU DO though."
"There was no autism back in the day" --> "There was. There just weren't any computers for you to break to force me to cross your path."
A laughable very negative one - One of the few bad ones noticed I was stimming and asked about it. I mentioned I'm autistic, and he proceeded to call me the r-slur. I said "If that's what you think I am, what does it say about you that you needed my help?", and I enjoyed a solid minute of watching him blue screen trying to process his own lack of logic.
One of the more amusing NOT negative reactions... I also have tourettes, and I had this old lady client who referred to my tics as my own computer glitch. She was great. A little more talkative than I could handle for longer than an hour, but generally nice. She'd have the light up so she could see to lead me to the machine, and then turn them all down so I could work. A wonderful compromise. She was also understanding when I turned down the snacks she offered.
That is so wild that people are so hostile..
Wild that you where able to handle that job for a longer time, but so cool of you!
And some great comebacks yiu gave them haha!
Thanks for sharing this, it makes so mich sense why people have these monster children be they autistic or not.
As i always talk with my best friend about, its not only autistic people and children who needs less inputs other children also need less inputs or they to will have meltdowns where they get impossible to work with, and if you as a perent dont know how to handle this meltdown youreost likely going to make it worse...
So yea inputs should be monitored for all, we can all get too much and especially children!
So this makes so much sense 😅
@hellomiakoda3782 it's always baffling to me when people are rude to the person they invited into their house to fix their stuff. Like, I don't have the world's best social skills, but I at least listened to my mom when she told me you should try to tidy up the working area before the [insert technician or tradesperson here] arrives, ask them if they need your assistance or cooperation, and otherwise just be polite and stay out of their way.
@@Autistic_AF ; Maybe, do a show on the correlation between "autism moms" and "Munchhausen by proxy."
As an autistic animal rescuer, Autism Speaks and PETA are two of my least favorite 'charities' on earth.
They embody dark irony and hypocrisy on a truly epic level. Lol
Both are similar in comparison
Didn't PETA actually run a campaing (in the early noughties) that claimed cow milk causes autism?
Yeah that's a good comparison
My previous comment was removed, anyhow, in 2008 PETA actually released an ad campaign "Got autism?" claiming drinking milk could make you autistic 🤦
Agree with you 100% about peta and autism speaks!
"I will make sure your marriage fails" My parents happily married 42 years till dad passed, both obviously autistic. My husband and me also on spectrum... we have been happily married 18 years and together over 21 years... That is so comical.
I'm pretty sure my parents' marriage failed, not because my mom or I or my siblings were autistic, but because my dad was abusive to my mom.
I work for a charity, it's rare to find a non disabled person working here. My team has 3/5 neurodivergent people. It's a refreshing change.
Can I work there? 😅 seriously. Hospitals have too many neurotypicals
What's this unicorn charity?
@@attentivechair3248 Scope! They're absolutely fabulous to work for. :)
I am blessed to work in a neurodivergent book shop ❤️
Only two realize/have confided in me they probably are ‘a bit autistic’, but eveyone communicates so well together.
It is very cozy, and the shop naturally draws in a neurodivergent customerbase aswell ❤
Wow. Sounds wonderful. Wish we had something like that nearby. There are some job programs but my daughter and I tend to mostly fall through the cracks-too "high-functioning" to qualify, too many "issues" to be traditionally employed.
Autism speaks: “oh we gave them janitor jobs, look at us being inclusive”
Being born with a genetic mitochondrial disease (ADOA+), it’s always infuriating to see things like the I Am Autism video because it paints anything different with humans as evil or bad. If you want to guarantee your child doesn’t have a disability, condition, or neurological difference, don’t have kids, because kids are humans and humans have disabilities, conditions, and neurological differences.
@@TheLexikitty Beautifully put.
Yoo Hi Lexi!!
OMG! What does this horror show say about these parents' attitude towards their own children: that they are some how embarrassing, disruptive, home and family-wrecking monsters? The pathetic apology is typical of large charities who are genuinely more concerned with their reputation than with the people they purport to serve. Having grown up in the 'care' of a large and well-respected charity which is currently refusing - even in the face of a Royal Commission - to acknowledge, apologise for or redress the harm it has caused many of us, I can sympathise.
Autism Speaks needs to update their Logo by using a drawing of a Gas Lamp. New catch phrase: "Gaslighting Autistics for 15 years!"
19 years total, just 2009-2024 for /that/ 'I am autism' video....
@@Autistic_AF If they commission it this year they should be able to launch it on 20th anniversary 🤣🤣🤣
2025 - I can’t wait (/s).
I'm glad you mentioned the blue pumpkins. They ARE a solution looking for a problem...and the puzzle pumpkin met its deserved fate. So tired of the awful marketing some of these groups do.
Like someone who used to work for greenpeace told me... it's about making money for lobbiests, from calendars and tortured people who think the lobbiest cares about more than getting money. Notice that orders of magnitude of pollution come from corporate sources but all the most recent restrictive laws are made for the consumers to feel like their contributiom makes a dent... when there are easier and more effective ways. Nevermind Elon Musk sending millions of satellites and burning more than many rides on jets (that he also uses). All those things dwarf what a car makes. And those EVs have HUGE carbon footprints but only last 5-10 years. Yet... we can't have gas lawn mowers in California.
We've got a 12 year old EV.... (it's a special interest of mine!).
If a child can't speak the words "trick or treat", then paint the words "trick or treat" on the pumpkin. Problem solved. Painting the pumpkin blue doesn't make it easier for the child to communicate.
@@spaceanarchist1107: Little kids do "seize up" from time to time - I don't know if it's because they're autistic or not and I don't think it matters. If you're the adult with the child you just say "trick or treat". No big deal.
We don't really do trick or treating where I'm from, so this blue pumpkin thing is actually a little weird to me. Not because someone is trying to support their child, but because it implies all children trick-or-treating MUST perform this convention or else none of the people they are visiting will reward them. As if people are standing at their front door, holding up a snack and saying "You know what you need to do if you want this - if you refuse to speak, you'll be the only one I won't give this to!"
And surely that's not what people are actually like?? It would be sad for all kids if they were.
Even modern research has found that biphasic sleeping where people sleep in two separate four hour long periods that are four hours apart was the average human sleep pattern before longer lasting artificial light sources such as oil lamps and electric lights became widespread! :)
Thats genuinely comforting to me. thank you.
I had my first meeting with a psycologist a few days ago to start my autism investigation (after 1 year and 7 months of work to get here) and guess who has 8/8 of the diagnostic criteria. I was basically told by the psycologist that I am a psycological walking neon autism sign and I just found that funny and wanted to share it
I went into my meeting with the psychologist and was like, “I’m also ADHD twice-exceptional, so that may explain anything you see that you wouldn’t expect in an autistic person.”. He never questioned my autism and didn’t do any “extra” tests; I assume those are used to parse out borderline cases! I’m on the borderline… between “moderately autistic” and “holy cow you’re autistic”! 😅
😅Congratulations on the autism haha :)
I was told i have quite clear signs when you ask the right questions.
As a high masking female, just fucking ask the right question and my autism shows through so much! And the right question is not hard to ask lol.
Recently i heard from a friend that the place i was first wrongly diagnosed with skizophrenia, is apparently the experts in autism...
Wild.. We are so fucking behind in these diagnoses and knowledges 😅
@@Gwenx And that is why I brough a list. I'm also a high masking female so the odds were pretty against me. I am lucky enough to have a comunity where a lot of people have autism to help me prepare
At least you can say you got a perfect score in autism
“It’s not a horror movie”
I dunno, man, that soundtrack says otherwise…
Don’t mind me, I’m just over here imagining autism creature sneaking up on me with a 🔪 🤣
Haha. That's my newest knitting pattern! Soon to come. (Though I'll have to add the knife.)
@@EsmereldaPeahaha awesome 🤣
I feel like I want a blue "be nice to me, I communicate differently" pumpkin at least 2 days of every week. 🤷♀
There are a few furry-made Badges that do just that!
No matter how many times I hear it referenced, my initial reaction to I Am Autism is always asking what those Board Members were drinking when they approved that! 😠
Also, I'm Autistic, Now What? has a video dedicated to tearing apart The Blue Pumpkin, which I think should be a supplement to your PSA at the beginning.
They hate autistics. Autism speaks is a hate group. It’s like all the gay conversion”therapies”. Yet somehow, this is still allowed
I saw her video!
Autism Speaks: "I'm sorry you feel that way."
We're sorry sworry
I remember that advertisement. I remember how angry I was. I'm still angry it was ever made. We aren't some-sort of nebulous and horrific entities. We are humans with a different neurotype.
@@Cruznick06 That advert reminds me of a very dark British information film about how death was waiting for any unwary child that went unprotected into open water. At least that was making a serious point: open water can be dangerous and can kill. It was supposed to be terrifying.
Re:blue pumpkins,
It wasnt a 4 year old. It started with a facebook post from a woman about her high support needs adult son. He loved halloween. She just wanted to let her own local community know who he was and why he was trick or treating, because, sadly, a lone adult male behaving "weirdly" in a space predominated by children is liable to be assumed to be a predator and that would be dangerous for him.
Theres also a lot of stories out there of people beig dicks to kids trick or treating if they fail to perform the ritual "correctly", so it is a real problem. But rhe solution isnt to require that all kids have a diagnosis and disclose it to every tom dick and harry. Not least because the kind of person who would be a dick over a child whos too shy to say trick or treat, probably wont be swayed by saying the kids autistic. (And indeed, I've seen plenty of stories where that was the case). Theres no easy answer, it's just long term social change to allow "weird" people to just be harmlessly weird without social punishment.
She might as well have a huge sticker on his face that says, "I'm autistic please be kind"
@@skootergirl22 I mean, that's roughly what she tried to do in a way that wouldn't spoil his Halloween. It shouldn't take disclosing a diagnosis to get people to be nice, and not make the worst assumptions. But that's not the world we live in
I wish that you and others reacting to old autism speaks video is out dated but people still have misconceptions and autism is still stigmatized. I think your reaction to it was great.
Sad news for me. My celebrity crush, Danny Pino, hosted an Autism Speaks charity event this week. Talluah Willis was the honoree. I wonder how him and other celebrities and everyone who support this organization will feel if they know the truth about the money they help fund.
I do appreciate an anti-autism speaks video from you.
So glad for your channel. It’s always a relief to hear intelligent responses to corporate stupidity. I’m autistic and seem to confuse people’s idea of autism because I’m fiercely independent. I can’t stand being labeled, what’s the point, I look around me at so many people who appear to be struggling with life and they’re not autistic, they’re something, whatever, but not autistic. People just showing respect and not judging for each others differences will go a long way . Corporations couldn’t give a damn about anything other than their status and income. I find the biggest problem for autistic people is being misunderstood or disliked for simply not fitting in to society’s expectations of behaviour, and that can be a problem for corporations who need a label to define that and target a group so they can profit off it.
Neurotypicals struggle less than us. I find it hard to believe they struggle at all compared to us autistics
This commercial-like all of Autism Speaks- still makes my stomach sink like lead. I can recall when my children were first diagnosed and people tried to sway me the direction of this horror of an organization. It never jibed right though I did not immediately know how to explain why, not knowing then what I know now. It took my researching tendencies to get there. Other "autism moms" never could understand me when I began to share my conclusions in forums, in blogging, etc . Got called some nasty things as a matter of fact. So...walked away from those so- called "support groups" and have not looked back. Later, I finally discovered my own diagnosis, married a man on the spectrum, and slowly I am finding true support through channels like yours. Thanks, Mike.
Nice job walking away from those types of groups! I'm sorry you were treated that way, but glad you're finding more empathetic groups. :)
That mother could just tell people her child doesn't speak. Autistic children want nothing more than to fit in with their peers. The last thing they need is a different colored pumpkin to carry on Halloween. It's a bullying target, and would also alert weirdos looking for the most vulnerable children they can manipulate away from the group.
I've got a lot to say about Autism Speaks, but you've covered all of that and more. Thank you!
Totally she could. Or say, 'trick or treat' on their behalf, maybe even with a short explainer. In some parts of the UK we have a myriad of differently coloured bins/garbage cans - and each colour has a different meaning. How is anyone supposed to keep up with what the latest colour variation is; especially when it's so close to another colour & cause?
He was older than people generally allow for trick or treaters, and if she didn't explain, probably more people would've refused to give him candy, even yelled at him for being too old.
@@ShadoeLandman then she really only needs to go with him and do that explaining. Not make him stand out even more than he would.
@@Autistic_AF Yeah, blue and teal are too close anyway, and why as more confusion to the world?
@@raven4090 Because an explaining mother doesn’t stand out
The detection of autism _in utero_ is a really worrying one.
I am not opposed in principle to the idea of people aborting foetuses that are going to be disabled babies if they are born. Different people will draw the line in different places in their own personal cases, and I am sure there are some cases where people would want to abort where I would consider that unreasonable and other cases where they don't want to abort and I wonder how the hell they are going to manage in a year or two.
All of that said, I think it is highly likely that a lot of people would want to have an abortion if they found out that the foetus was autistic. The problem with that is that, although I don't think it's acknowledged yet, society actually needs autistic people. I know it sounds like a cliché but who's going to write computer programs or fix computers if there aren't any autistic people? The rate of research and discoveries in the physical sciences in particular would drop right off.
It kind of will drop off anyway due to declining birth rates in many countries.
If someone can't say 'trick or treat', why not make a speech bubble sign part of the costume? When they want to communicate, they can flick that sign up beside their head, and they could have other options to flick through like the cards some carry around, but in the style of their costume.
Hi Mark, that’s a fabulous idea! 💡
Yeah, I thought about using some sort of signal to indicate that you want candy.
This sounds so much like breast cancer awareness campaigns here in the US (see the Susan G. Komen Foundation). They promote... themselves.
Through generous donations to spread the word. All over thier back.
I agree that autism isn't a disease, so the "cure" type of propaganda is bullshit. That creepy commercial is absolutely ostracizing and fear mongering.
On the other hand, I think there have been some studies that may show a higher correlation of autism alongside physiological issues like methylation. If I can have a lesser degree of some of the factors that are the most challenging for me (or my child) by addressing those physiological issues, then I definitely appreciate that information. But it sure doesn't sound like Autism Speaks is interested in being helpful like that.
They've just made an industry of and for themselves. Empowering parents to support their autistic kids' actual needs does not seem to be on the menu.
Autistic people having a higher rate of psychological issues has the same root cause of the LGBTQ+ community having higher rates of psychological issues, society is hell bent to make lives it doesn't see as ""normal"" as bad as possible before blaming said people for the consequences of making their lives as bad as possible
The high rate of co-occurring conditions is why I prefer transdiagnostic theories of neurodevelopment. Google Duncan E. Astle, many of his articles are open access.
It's my ten year veganniversary today! Great that you dropped a video while I'm eating bedtime cake 😁
Happy veganniversary, Anne! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
OMG. That ad is horrific!! WOW!
It's really bad. And it took them 15 years to post their apology-not-apology!
imma be real with you, if they're still using the "please kidnap me" pumpkins they probably still dont care
Personally, i would also like to share that the history and treatment of us in the whole history of psychology, and of other mental disabilities, etc, are very creepy. I am grateful that we are now, slowly being treated human beings. I will let you know who too are the firsts to go to creepy sanitariums: disabled people.
I find your videos so damn comfortable to watch, I love how straightforward you are in your advocacy!
Thank you! 🧡
@@charwyrm8702 Yes!
Any time I hear "with autism", I think of the times there's been one allistic friend lost and confused among a group of my autistic friends info dumping on some subject. 🤣
Wish we could take class action against corporations like this that are damaging to understanding autism.
They have the lawyers and structured to manage risk. Sadly, this is perhaps the thing they're best at. Their current model relies on donors misunderstanding autism and autistic people. Hence, why it's important for actually autistic people to make some noise.
@@Autistic_AF This ia an awareness charity. They only need to bring awareness to a cause in order to fulfill their claim to be a charity. The dumb part is that they can create awareness by fundraising. It's a scam.
Good Halloween video. Scared me and gave me chills.
And down went the puzzlepiece pumpkin 😈.
Tee-hee!
@@Autistic_AF - it was an absolute DELIGHT to see that!!
Ironically, I only got my diagnosis a couple months ago, and somehow my mother figured it out a couple weeks back even though I was explicitly not telling her, and yet after only like five minutes of explaining the nuances of ASD she basically caught up way beyond where Autism Speaks did in fifteen years and she's literally married to a guy who doesn't believe mental health exists (and I guarantee he's the one I inherited ASD from as his family knows most of them are autistic. lol). Although, I should have probably expected my mom would take it well as I got an ASPD diagnosis ten years ago and she had zero problem with that, and ASPD has a much better case for being a problem than ASD (even though I personally still argue for it as a type of neurodiversity, long story).
The nice thing about them avoiding the word autistic is that anyone searching specifically autistic wont be filled with AS articles.
Brilliantly thorough critique, Mike. Thank you for this.
Thank YOU, ShapeOfSoup for being here and for all your support🧡
19:12 Just to correct you, there’s actually more than 1 now. I think there’s about three of them. I’m not hating on this video, I’m just pointing that out. But yeah I agree “I am autism” and “Autism every day” were horrible they just showed the negatives and especially that one clip of the autism mom literally saying that she was going to drive off a bridge with her autistic child but didn’t do it all because she had a Neuro typical child as well and the worst part is the autistic child was in the room. That’s so messed up. At least they’re not quite as bad now.
More than one? That’s great! Judy Bernadete is the only one that I could see whose bio explicitly stated so; “Beyond her professional engagements, her personal journey as an autistic person and as a parent to a neurodivergent child, has given her a profound appreciation for the mission and impact of Autism Speaks.”
Eileen Lamb is autistic and the new director of Social Media, though adding one or two extra people doesn’t exactly correct the imbalance or mean there is appropriate representation, so I remain skeptical.
Ironically, they also have pages on, and courses for, workplace inclusion so they’re aware of the issues but, somewhat remarkably, remain unable to make the move towards self-awareness …
How the heck do they get away with this as a non profit???
I am a parent of an autistic child, thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas you and other autistic content creators have helped me navigate thru my journey. As a neurotypical i can tell you we need help identifying autistic people and there families, because neurotypicals can sometimes be old school dumb by being this way they can ask and do dumb $hit. I believe the pumpkin, puzzle piece etc can help us identify and accept the way neurodivergent people are in a respectful and caring manner. Its also a great way for neurotypical families of autistic children to share help , information and resources. I understand the people who created autism speaks are terrible people , the one thing that has helped me from A.S is identification. The suicide rate amongst autistic community is heart breaking and i know it has a lot to do with old school neurotypical way of thinking. What is normal for you is abnormal for us that is a fact and vice versa. We need to bridge the gap between neurotypical and neurodivergent people thru identification education understanding compassion love and patience.
@@ivanaldana1030 or we could just normalize letting people be who they are without having to disclose a diagnosis.
Man, that ad is scary. I'm now dreading going in for my autism assessment. I hope I'm not tarred with that label for life. Sounds like a death sentence.
6:31 I laughed louder than I should have 😅 That's really sounds like a trailer to some horror movie.
This advert......what the actual F.
They must have been smoking something strong the day this was made.
Excellent video, Mike!
I am adding this to a list of videos I have for when people want to talk about autism as though it needs to be cured or for when people start talking about all of the things autism speaks has done in a positive light because they only know the PR side of autism speaks.....
My take on "my child can't say the words so I single my child out with a blue pumpkin..." You are so right!
I say >think differently. Instead of thinking: "there's a lack other's must know" why not think: how do we help this child to say the phrase anyway or in another way (if the child want to). Then there are possibilities!
If you can buy a blue pumpkin you can, for example, buy a recordable button or make a sign. You can create a really cool recording and coordinate with the costume even. Listen to what the child desires...
We need to know and remember that being treated badly often includes the "pity the one different" even when it's done with good but ignorant intent. It hurts!
So, let us think outside the box for an inventive solution. Who knows, next year half the neighbourhood might carry recordable buttons with cool voices saying: Trick'or'treat 🦁
It doesn't hurt me if it's with good intentions. Intent matters just as much as outcome. I'm autistic
I love the way you explained all of this, and your sense of humor. I'm glad the video is getting lots of views. Hopefully, it will get many more!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. (Love your username!).
@Autistic_AF Thank you so much!! :) Have a great day!
This is beyond reproach. That's the nicest way I can put it.
I don't have autism, Skyler. *I AM THE AUTISM*.
Wow, this Autism Speaks PSA is Reefer Madness-level accurate. Thank you for calling them out.
Here is the text of a review I did of Joe's Crab Shack, a restaurant chain in America. In the review, I say, "As Autism Awareness Month approaches, I thought I'd share a personal story. Last year, I ate at Joe's Crab Shack in Tempe, AZ during Autism Awareness Month, April. Several servers showed up at my table and asked me to purchase a dinner coupon in support of Autism Speaks. At that point, I didn't know much about Autism Speaks, so I said yes. Then, one of the servers went on to tell me part of the research is to help determine if a fetus is autistic, so it can be terminated. There I was, a high-functioning autistic with a server standing at the end of my table giving me an image of myself, as a tiny fetus, going splat in a bucket. I didn't tell her I'm autistic, simply because that would have probably evoked a good roasting with the feminist flamethrower. These days, I don't have much of an appetite for Joe's Crab Shack."
It's terrifying and disgusting that in the 21st century there are still people calling for us to be euthenized. And not only that, but the fact that people nod and agree with the proposition as if it's nothing wrong.
I think you're too charitable in the reading of that AS advert.
You respond to the part at 10:21 as if it's talking about the relationship between sleep issues and autism in general when I think the reality of the matter is that they are speaking specifically to parents of autistic children, using fear to try to raise money for their search for a cure.
I think you’re right; it really is aimed at the parents of autistic children as opposed to any other audience.
5:43
Even Albert Einstein is a perfect example of someone on the autism spectrum before the disability was formally identified while it’s very possible that other prominent historical figures including ancient ones may of had the disorder! :)
The term Hive refers to those humans that control society and all groups. These groups appear to be competing but they are really unified in maintaining the illusion. Their success comes from the nature of being able to lie and keep secrets without a feeling of guilt. Their activities are coordinated with subtle finger gestures they can see real time. This is not a secret society they join but rather a genetic nature. They know as children and from a young age only the Hive are filtered into all positions of prominence.
ASD/Aspergers/ADHD are non-Hive from Hive families. Some socially typical are also non-Hive, being exceptions to the exceptions. These non-Hive can lie but not without a feeling of guilt that can be overwhelming. Keeping secrets feels like lying to them.
Some finger gesturing lying Hive families deliberately drive their neurodivergent relatives to suicide. That is attempted murder and murder when successful. The high suicide rate for autistics is evidence it is successful. Police and politicians are failing to investigate this crime or to warn potential victims.
Autistic women are targeted with disingenuous engagements. Used for sex for a year or more and then dumped. The guy did a finger gesture when proposing to her so in Hive morality it is her fault for not knowing it was fake. It is rape, rape by deception.
There is massive discrimination. Only Hive are allowed any position with a public platform or the truth might be spoken. Therefore, all non-Hive such as ASD/Aspergers/ADHD must be excluded. All the ones you hear about are fakes to cover up this fact. No autistic trying to succeed in art, music, acting, media, sport or academia will be successful. The discrimination extends to lower profile employment. Repeated stories of being unable to maintain employment are due to discrimination for being non-Hive.
Autistics are the perennial victims of bullying. Always perpetrated by Hive because they don't see or understand the finger gestures. Hive will pretend to be their friends, gain their trust and then often turn into their abusers. This should be criminalized as a form of stalking. All the victims need is the truth. The anti-bullying narrative is exposed as hollow virtue signalling.
Suffering from severe or suicidal depression the victims seek help. Again, they are betrayed by qualified doctors and counsellors with a duty of care. Doctors, psychiatrists, counsellors and psychologists will do a finger gesture while lying to them. They are rewarded for disregarding the health and safety of those that trust them.
It is a massive criminal medical cover up. The entire neurodiversity narrative appears to be a psyop to drug the non-Hive.
They are unable to see the hidden non-verbal language. They only need to be shown. This is the moral equivalent of not telling a blind person that others can see and then tripping them for life.
These non-Hive victims don't have the theory of mind to see others can lie without conscience. This is because they have a conscience and it does not occur to them that others do not also have a conscience.
All people keeping these secrets are accessories to all crimes committed using them.
Glad i found your channel. I was diagnosed with ASD at 29. Im still trying to learn about myself... thank you for the video.
1. Halloween...its for whoever goes out. come to my door, take one thing i offer...easy. as far as i'm concerned, if you are out and about and not terrorizing me, we're good. if i needed candy...i'd buy it for $3.50 nov 1st so...woo!
2. never used halloween pumpkins...limits the treasure trove available. used to carry a pillow case :) my family has a giant pokeball this year though..
@@condor727me A pillowcase or giant pokeball? You and your family are PROFESSIONALS.
Yeah, my child likes to have his bucket match the theme of his costume, but it fills up fast...so I'll carry the pillowcase to help him carry it all. I would say I used to be more professional ..I organized skits to perform before giving the kids their candy, but I'm on escort duty these days haha
My best idea ever was to dress up as the pumpkin one year. My mother's an ex-seamstress so she took a commercial costume and refitted the elastics for the bottom. We padded me up with strategically placed anti-sit-on-candy pillows and I just stretched out the collar of my costume (I was wearing a green hoodie under it because cold! and my mother pinned a felt leaf and curly ribbons to make it look like a pumpkin stem and vine) and had people just drop the candy into my costume.
I think one person asked where my pumpkin pail was and I got to explain I dressed up as the pail and I can carry more candy that way, the person had a good laugh about my reasoning from what I remember of it.
That advertisement remains the stuff of nightmares
it occurs to me for the first time that the autism speaks psa advert - is an awful close one another psa - one that was pretty famous and i think won an award ? i have to wonder if the fact the lifted so much of its wording and just slllightly rephrased it was intentional. i cant remember the name of the psa off hand but i believe it was a fire safety one . im going to do some research and circle back because its way too closely worded in my opinion.
also 16:23 currently fixated on the fact that OF is hyperlinked for no real logical reason
I can answer that for you; that's the first draft shown on screen via the WayBackMachine/Internet Archive. It was originally hyperlinked on their website for no real logical reason!
Mike. I had no idea. Monsters. Thanks for sharing
Thank YOU.
Thanks for being an inspiration for truth and autistic people who are being silenced. Thanks.
I don't normally reply out of fear but felt compelled to in this case. Sadly it isn't just Americans with the problem, I recently signed up to do Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism 601/6330/6 SU but it is completely triggering to me as a late diagnosed Autist, it keeps referring to "People with Autism", I related to the part where you said parents getting diagnosed after one or more of the children receive a diagnosis, in my case it was my youngest stepson, again failed relationships due to misunderstanding of myself and others.
What the actual…. Is this real??
Sadly, yes!
Capitalists doing what capitalists do best, profiting off other’s struggles.
Good point, Stephen; if you look to the S&P 100 to recruit board members, that's what you're going to get.
@@Autistic_AF Having first hand experience working and volunteering in the non-profit / NGO industrial complex I no longer trust the model. Very few if in fact none at all put their money where their well crafted public relations mouth is.
I get your point, but modern corporations follow communist ideals. Not capitalist. They're greedy and they don't care about anyone but those in the top tier. That's why they don't share profits with employees, or in Autism Speaks case, they don't help the people they use to attract money - us. They pocket it for themselves. Like all communist regimes have done in the past.
Yeah, I don't know what the solution is - I currently volunteer for marine conservation and wildlife charities that 'benefit', but not nearly enough.
💯 “it’s not about the autistic people”. This ad was shocking and so bad it’s almost laughable (but too serious to take as a joke).
A few thoughts:
They might think they have the perfect number of people on their board, arguing that, with one out of 28 being autistic, “one of our number is odd”. (Joke.)
If you listen to their ad but replace ‘autism’ with ‘neoliberalism’/‘rampant end-stage capitalism’ it actually makes a lot of sense. Every accusation is a confession. Let’s find a cure for that, please, and put people before profit.
It’s a tale as old as time: make people fear and hate and they’ll give you money to protect them from the scary thing. Bastards.
Literally, thank you for sparing me the religiosity segment. It was already bad enough. Note I get to look up and see if Opus Dei has anything to do with this fiasco. Either way they're on my list now. Hopeful that I get the same results I got with UMG.
9:16 Agantic autism? Where can I get that second income for the autism that is coming to work with me? :p
Video starts, agreeable takes are said. Their video starts. I turn off.
Genuinely on top of the, let's just say "content" of that clip, the audio direction makes me immensely uncomfortable.
Skip it: 15:00 :D
Thanks @@Autistic_AF
Welcome!
Well Said 😊 🎃🎃🎃👋, awww Hydra is looking comfy, and Sabre is close by, sweet.
2 of my favourite kitties in the Autistic AF menagerie ❤
Awwwwh, Sabre says 'hi' !
What a creepy organization! Good grief. No wonder there are so many misconceptions about autism.
What exactly is your comment insinuating
@@PraveenSrJ01 The same thing that this video does. I'm saying that this organization has caused a lot of misconceptions about autism.
Wow that was efficient! 3 videos in 1 🎉🧡
Great info as always!
Appreciate that, thanks Michael.
So since it's almost Halloween, let's bring up the classic horror movie ''I am autism''
Is the music from Devil's Carnival?
I would not include "depreciation and amortization" costs in anything other than the "operational costs and self-promotion" category. For one thing, "family services grants, awards and sciences" do not depreciate and are not amortised.
I wonder if Autism Speaks considers having autistic people on the board to be like an animal shelter having cats as executives.
So much offense in that commercial it seems mountainous. My mother would have eaten up all this ego food. She loved making me the villain.
You've become my Monday morning wakeup video.
That ad! Such scary narration over footage of autistic people literally just chilling... 🙃
Good clear video again
Keep going please!
Thank YOU, Alison for being here!
Oh gosh, this freaking add 🤦🏼♀️ It. Is. So. Freaking. Atrocious! Like…OMG, it’s laughably bad. We should take down Autism speaks, because they have done nothing but harm. Also…We should make a counter video to this add, show the public what Autism **Really** is.
I agree on the counter video!
Maybe people in the USA should start a petition or a lawsuit to disassemble the charity altogether. Because if you look carefully at their budget, they just use the charity money for their own salaries and do some damage to the Autism community "on the side". Are there any good Autism charities that we should push more in the USA? Maybe that will help people to find them better.
It's clear this ad was to inspire fear to drum-up more donations--another false charity. Had I used them as a source, I would have probably never discovered that I'm autistic too. I think differently. I've known it all my life and I was looking for answers. When I acted up in my past, it was a part of my autism. When I accomplished some amazing things I never thought I could, it was because of autism. It's an incredible joy to now know I'm autistic.
I could ask what's wrong with Autism Speaks but I already know the answer--create an awareness charity and siphon off the donations to line the pockets of the director, the board the charity's advertising company. Lots of charities run this type of scam. In this case, they're only required to raise awareness of autism. They accomplish that goal by fundraising. It's a grift.
Our family solved my allergy with a simple trade: we're 4 siblings, I'm the only one with allergies but we all have different likes and dislikes. So the 4 of us would just trade among ourselves and tell our parents to either pick sweets for themselves or stop talking
Thanks, Mike. 💖
Thanks, Sam! Appreciate you being here.
@Autistic_AF i see you read bios. 🥸
Is there an organization that actually represents autistic people and actually helps people?
Thanks again Mike,
Your research and eloquent spoken words make a good combination
And this makes you a great advocate for autistic people
Better than the Autisme Speaks 😂 Sic Organization
Thank you, Juju!
It is telling that the "I am autism" video could be made just aswell about cancer. Or smallpox
We should honestly make and share content, pictures and memes about autism speaks and how they lie and shit..
We are so far away from the USA, but my sister had somehow heard about autism speaks and how its an organization for autistics, i had to tell her about what they really are about, as she would never have found out on her own, as her english is only the basics and she wouldnt seek out this kind of information 😅
Well said Mike, I totally agree.
Thank you Suzanne, I'm glad you're here!
Autism Speaks has so much money and influence. Surely if they are materially improving the lives of autistic people (or at least the people in their lives), wouldn’t THAT be the focus of all of their marketing? Where are their success stories? It’s obvious that they like to make noise to make money, and that autism is just the “skin” that they chose. They could have gone into saving the whales instead, and the only difference would be fewer misconceptions about autistic people and fewer whales.
That’s a good point. Their marketing would lead with this (similarly to Apple’s health/Apple Watch events) up front and centre. But, what they do wave is, “awareness”, which is such a nebulous term.
If we could only bring back the trick in trick-or-treat, the problem of rude adults withholding candy would solve itself.
It just feels performative. They aren't actually sorry, and they don't actually care. Even if they were being genuine, it would be too little too late.
0:01 Best Halloween intro of the year!!! 👏😈
I’m on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum and am 41 years old
@@PraveenSrJ01 Welcome! 🤗 At the risk of potentially concerning you; there is no ‘high functioning end’ or ‘low functioning end’. The autism spectrum doesn’t run from ‘low’ to ‘high’.
I made a video to explain that I hope helps: STOP Believing the 'High Functioning' Autism Lie
th-cam.com/video/seS7sdM32_s/w-d-xo.html
Oh dang! Didn't know anything about pumpkin colors meaning anything! Thank you for that info...don't wanna kill some kid just because I like blue!
Now on to my few minutes in, autism related comments. WTF is up w "Autism Speaks"?!!? How incredibly cruel & misleading. I am so effing angry!! I don't know everything about autism, but I know differences don't equal evil. Difference is what makes all of us humans interesting & unique. I'm 60 now. Pretty sure I've met and do know people who are autistic, but all that's mattered is knowing and respecting what people do & don't like & how to communicate. You know: just like it is with all of the "neurological" as well. Sheesh. Thank you for this video. I didn't know anything about "Autism Speaks" except for their name before. Definitely a group to avoid & I'll be spreading the word.
Great video and I agree with you 💯
We're sorry insert the South Park BP owner
YES! Agh, I missed a trick there!
No.
I was tempted to make a 1 second video!
I don’t think there’s anyone left on this planet without anything. Healthy, abled-bodied, neurotypical. That’s a myth
It’s surreal they actually exist
"Updating misconceptions." Huh. What new misconceptions are they promoting now?