Reaction: Autism Speaks 'Living with Autism'

This mini documentary from Autism Speaks: Living with Autism, popped up on Twitter to an uproar from the SEND community. I chose to record my response as I watched.

Autism Speaks are a very controversial charity and widely condemned by the actually autistic community. I wanted to keep an open mind as I watched. There are some good things about the film, but the negatives greatly outweigh the positives.

As a dad to and autistic daughter with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) I know first hand the challenges SEND parenting can bring; the feelings of isolation, the financial challenges and so on. But I also know the joy! I try to bring that to my review and reaction.

#autismspeaks #autism #reaction

SUBSCRIBE to my channel for more videos about Autism & PDA:

Connect with me on Social Media:
Twitter @pdadaduk

Watch My Recent Videos:

You may have heard of Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and other associated neurodiversities, but do you actually understand what they are, and more importantly, WHO they are?
Autism., Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and other neurodiversities are, while widely known, sadly misunderstood. The purpose of this channel is to raise both autism acceptance and awareness by helping to educate with understanding and looking at all facets of autism such as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD, Mental Health, and other related topics.
I am a father to a beautiful autistic and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) daughter. My channel is very personal and I'm very open about both the joys and challenges of life with a neurodiverse family and parenting Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance. Thank you for watching!

[nicholasclaus]

I am an autistic adult and I thank you for making this video. I don't know you personally but I think you are a great example of what a parent of an autistic person should be

[persephone]

Thank you for this. I used to have a colleague who has an autistic son (she wore a puzzle piece lanyard), and these parents reminded me of her. Apparently her son asked why his brother got to go and do activities with Young Carers, and he didn't. His brother snapped at him "Because you're the one with Autism!". She found it hilarious. I found her reaction repugnant. I thought it was perfectly reasonable for him to question why his non-disabled brother got treats that he didn't, and she could have explained it far more kindly. Years later, and I recently found out that I'm autistic. The guilt is real, but as you say, none of us chose this. Luckily when I talked to my mum about it, she told me that I shouldn't worry because she thinks she has the loveliest daughter in the world. Thank you for showing the same love and acceptance to your daughter - we need more parents in the world like you.

[Themakeupchair]

If your kid is regulated and feels safe they won’t be having hourly meltdown

[Autistian]

Thank you. It's especially impactful coming from the neurotypical parent of an autistic child who will probably grow up knowing she is really loved.

[shelbymunro]

I'm autistic and I'm happy to be alive. I've graduated from High School with an A average. I went to college for two years. I've worked at 4 jobs. I've held down a job that I hated for 3 years in the 1990s. I like to loom knit little characters and sell them at my local flea market every Sunday. I have my quirks. I have certain hats that I like to wear and if I can't wear them, I'd rather stay home.

[nicholaswm]

not only could that woman’s daughter look back on that video and be confronted with what her mum said, but she was standing right there when she said that. She was standing right next to her.

[jantelopez]

Yeah and you're right .. i honestly don't hate my autistic traits - i hate not knowing how not to offend people or let them down.. thats literally the ONLY bad thing about my life i can't fix or work around. the worst thing in the world for me would be if i hurt someone.. and thats all those parents were showing .. how much their lives have 'suffered'.

[healingwaters]

I love this so much! Made me tear up, being on the neurodiverse side, I also know it was damn hard for my parents as well. Lets shake hands on bridging the gap. I love that.

[Urrrm]

The first part reminds me of when I was younger but far more destructive I was more destructive but now I can’t feel anything anymore I’m realising while writing why can’t I feel anything why?

[danielmoore]

Suzanne Wright: “We want a world where no family has to live with autism. I will ultimately eradicate autism for the sake of future generations. If we continue our current trajectory, we’ll get there in my lifetime!”
Fortunately Suzanne Wright failed, she died in 2016 through cancer. Suzanne Wright, RIP, Rest In Pain, the pain you put us through including your own grandson.

It disgraced me that Alison Tepper Singer said right in front of her own daughter she wanted to kill Jodie and herself driving off the bridge, Alison was hired to say this, these were not her own thoughts, this is all about Autism Speaks’ narrative that autism is an “epidemic disease” for capitalisation.

I’ve investigated interviews of autistic people been asked about suicidal thoughts. Varying country to country autistic people are up to 10 times more likely to die by suicide and have an average life expectancy of 54 years in Australia. Nearly every autistic volunteer to be interviewed had suicidal thoughts due to masking, self hatred, feeling the world is better without them, depression, they’re a burden to society. It’s clear Autism Speaks’ narrative strongly increases suicidal ideation, commitment of suicide, mental health disorders, emotional abuse.

Autism Speaks’ survival is dependent on the fear of parents/carers, the BACB’s survival is dependent on the fear of parents/carers, it’s easy to see Autism Speaks’ intention is fear mongering. Autism Speaks spends less than 3% of funding to actually help autistic people, the other 97% is spent on interventions specifically ABA, and biological research for prevention and eradication.

[faizaelaz]

I agree !!! So much emphasis on the negatives.

[Rastafairyem]

It's all a bit poor me isn't it!? Your take is so much more positive! None of it is looking at what it's like for the autistic kid, it's all about the parent talking about the negatives. As you said theres parts that resonate and there is real life experiences. It is quite ableist isn't it, with the playing on fears.

[Themakeupchair]

the " i wish i didnt have a sister with autism" was fully coached cuz the clip before she said she just doesnt want people to make fun of her those words are her true words not the hate

[thewildbuhlogna]

19:45 This sentence feels so scripted, like if you had a child this age talk about their sibling like that I think they would probably be breaking down CRYING to actually feel the reason to say that shit, and if it was real, it's probably because the kid is too young to understand their siblings struggles.

[JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Can we have actual autistic people organize Autism appreciation/ pride month? I keep seeing “awareness” and “acceptance” as if we’re a disease or death.

Can it include “educate a neurotypical” week?

[floppehhh]

I am an autistic kid and I don't like the way they show autism as a constant burden with non stop struggle yes I'm sure I can be a pain In the arse probably most of the time but I don't think it's as bad as they show but I'm not sure I could be wrong.

[mwoody]

As a newly diagnosed autistic person myself, i find majority of autism speaks psas infuriating and angering because it pisses me off to hear a neurotypical kid say, “i wish my sibling never had autism.” it’s disgusting to hear that and it angers me. i’m sure my parents would find it hard to be parents of an autistic person. Of course, my dad told me he would do research about autism and find ways to help me navigate it which is amazing to me. To all my other fellow autistic people, i feel how stressful it is to be in a household with not so supportive parents. i’m here if anyone in the autism community needs to talk. rant to me, shit talk about anything. im here to listen, not judge. im here to accept, not be a rudeass motherfucker.

[JosipJasenović]

There was an overture to holocast. In course of that 300 000 people with deficits were annihilated this gave a bad name to eutanasia or eugenics. Since final solution is not decent they turned to a stealth and gradual solution and thus made the original idea acceptable. All the bad statistics of autistic people are caused by good intention. Let us speak and state our case instad of autism speaking on our behalf

[drusillahalliwell]

I am a 56 year-old woman And I just found out About 3 1⁄2-4 weeks ago That I was autistic level 2. I was diagnosed with ADD Back in the 70's when they still call it Back then the doctors didn't even think ADHD An autism Could be morbidity And back then they couldn't decide whether I had autism or ADD So they gave me medicine for ADD Which make me like a walking zombie Did not work the medication I don't like autism speaks As I am not something to be cured I am not defective And I like who I am Although some other people may Disagree That disagree is their problem Please stop trying to cure us we don't need cured The things were able to do far outweigh the difficulties in the long run once we accept who we are

[kaishawna]

I hate the way the boy in the tie die shirt is always grabbed to be made to stop his stims. Help the boy by supporting him. The poor guy just wants to be accepted. I can't stand seeing parents degrading their disabled loved ones. Respect is a must for vulnerable individuals.