I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…
“Autism Acceptance Month:
Acceptance is an Action.”
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Check out some resources on the topic, from The Autistic Self Advocacy Network!
The following correspondence originally took place here, upon the Facebook page, “Wake the Fuck Up“…
(replies from all third parties have been omitted for clarity)
Wake the Fuck Up:
“Autism: We are not here to fit into your box. We are here to help you realize that there is no box.”
Rayn: Neurodiversity, for the win!
“Autistic Speaking Day”
In honor of Autistics Speaking Day, I would like to share with the public some of my thoughts on Autistic Self-Advocacy.
As an Autistic Self Advocate, I work to advance the rights, goals, concerns and self-determination of the Autistic community that I am a part of. I strive daily to promote Neurodiversity awareness and acceptance, knowing that my condition is a functional, natural and necessary difference, worthy of respect, and celebration. I push to uphold the Social Model of Disability in regard to the Autistic Spectrum, fully aware that “systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently)” are the main obstacles I face as an individual on the Spectrum living in a Neurotypical world. I fight to dispel the popular belief that the Autistic Spectrum is a “disease” in need of a “cure,” understanding that there cannot be any real and honest dialogue about the Spectrum so long as the general public entertains such a prejudicial viewpoint. And, of course, this trend in thinking is not so easily reversible, since it is perpetuated by not only medical professionals, experts, and the mainstream media, but even some well-known organizations that purport to represent the Autistic community, as well. However, like many others on the Spectrum, I struggle against these factors to add my own voice, realizing how important it is for Autistic individuals to educate the public about the Autistic Spectrum for ourselves – especially when our Neurotypical counterparts fall short.
I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…
ThinkGeek Supports Neurodiversity! Purchase your t-shirt here!
April Donations: ASAN and the Neurodiversity Shirt:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2012/04/april-donation-asan-and-the-ne.html
(Thinkgeek.com) Neurodiversity means that we love you for your brains–only not the way zombies love brains.
So we’re going a step further than Autism Awareness Month this April to celebrate cranial diversity.
To commemorate our appreciation of what makes you you, autistic or not, we’ve worked with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to create our neurodiversity shirt, and 100% of the proceeds from the month of April will go to ASAN. That makes ASAN our $1,000 monthly donation charity for April, though we should exceed the $1,000 threshold.
My Commentary: Shoutout to ThinkGeek for supporting The Autistic Self Advocacy Network during this year during “Autism Awareness Month,” rather than the fraudsters at “Autism Speaks“! The world is finally beginning to understand! “Nothing about us without us!”
Tax Returns Speak VOLUMES for “Autism Speaks”:
http://acidrayn.com/2010/09/13/tax-returns-speak-volumes-for-autism-speaks/
I originally posted the following artwork I created, along with statement, onto my Facebook wall…
“Neurodiversity: the Spice of Life!”
Today marks the fifth annual World Autism Day, while April is also National Autism Awareness month!
Time for me to promote Neurodiversity Awareness and Acceptance through Autistic Self-Advocacy! I created the art above a few weeks ago. 🙂 Feel free to share it!
If you’d like to wear it, as well:
http://www.cafepress.com/neurodiversityoflife
