World Autism Awareness Day 2020

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. You're probably going to hear a lot of things on the news, see fact sheets and statistics floating about the internet, and hear organizations tell you why you should donate to them. I want to share some facts and statistics with you, but with some anti-fear-mongering info from an autistic person.

#WAAW2020 #actuallyautistic

References:

[Jaichbinhier]

When the video comes out at 4am instead of 4pm, it makes me smile a bit,
Since then I know for sure Stephannie wasn't rushing to finish the video last-minute. :)

[searchandverify]

They should change it to Autism Appreciation so it highlights the cool qualities, traits and accomplishment of those with ASD. Awareness makes us sound retarded, and acceptance sounds like forced enjoyment. Death and taxes are things I've learned to accept but neither are pleasant.

[louderthanwordsInclusivity]

Thank you for sharing information and your perspective on the subject! I so love how you worded every single thing. I want to share something i just posted on my facebook it is similar
 
“I want people to see Yi, and watch him grow and play and laugh and love over time like I do, fall in love with him like I do, so that they can have that empathy for special needs people that so many lack. 
I used to be that person who would never speak I’ll of special needs, but I never saw them as myself. I never had empathy for them, I had pity. I never thought to ask about their lives or days, I just thought about not staring. It’s so hard to see someone “different” as yourself, therefore it’s hard to empathize.
Acceptance. Begins. With Empathy. “
You mentioned several points that i aim to make to people. I grew up with a brother and uncle diagnosed Autistic, and while i was never tested for Autism, i was diagnosed with Early Onset Bi Polar, which i now believe was a misdiagnosis. I think its easier to say a girl is just moody or having mood swings than to view the whole picture, especially when i was younger. But even with me struggling, I remember anytime i saw someone who looked different, whether it be from a physical disability or similar, I always thought i was being nice. And i was being nice. But being nice and being equal are not the same. Having pity and having empathy are not the same. And i think that can be a difficult concept for people to grasp until they experience it first hand.
I look forward to seeing your other videos! ❤️

[AlexCarson]

Happy Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day, Stephanie 💙❤️

[ree-is-me]

Great video, lots of good info. Never even heard of the light it up blue thing, guess I'm still relatively new to all of this myself. This is just my opinion, but I'm all right with it being autism awareness month because you're right, a lot of people get uncomfortable about autism since they don't know a lot about it. You can't really accept what you're not aware of, and at least we're starting somewhere.

[raven]

Thank you for speaking up for us. I can't even get my mom to understand it. And one day she tried to tell me that autism had to be caused by vaccines because the numbers are increasing. I pointed out that the numbers haven't increased. Some of the people being diagnosed have been around for up to 90 years undiagnosed. I was undiagnosed for 51, but I was around. I'm not sure if I got through. She changed the subject.

[kaishawna]

If only we can that acceptance from society.... 🥺🥺

[drose]

Happy autism awareness day to everyone!

[SerenaToxicat]

I was hoping to have my dx by today but no biggie. Feedback session will be this month. I'm 52 if it matters.

[thevirtualjim]

Acceptance, not awareness! :)

I do prefer gold ('Au' for autism) or rainbow (representing a spectrum) over blue as representation.

A few yrs ago I found out one of the colleges I work at raises money for A$! I think I finally might have gotten them to look to support a different org next year! I also connected them with some other better local organizations and they asked me for speakers for a symposium they had last semester, and it went well!

[spacecadet]

I recently found your channel, I am loving your videos!💚💚💚

[davidlanier]

Is there more than one type of ABA therapy? The reason I ask is because I heard a couple of the therapist where I go talking about it as if they use it. I said back to them, you don't use that type of therapy do you I heard it was bad. They told me they use a different type of ABA therapy. I didn't believe them. The place I am connected to is a major university. They briefly mentioned Autism Speaks to me too. And told me to look up the Autism Speaks website, which was a waste of time. Just a bunch of advertisements. I'm curious about what you think since you know about it and I'm just learning.

[garyfrancis]

Light it up blue for the NHS at the moment.