Monday, 25 June 2012
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Defining Unity Within the Autism Community
"In order to promote awareness, we have to define who we are as a community - and thus far we have failed." - Anonymous
I've been in many discussions with top level people in organizations around the world, and one thing remains very clear - our message to the general public is as clear as mud - at best.
Parents have a difficult time determining what research is valid or invalid - and even within the Autism community there is division as to what is the correct course of action.
It's to no fault of any one person or individual or organization, after all - Autism isn't as well defined as other disorders or causes. We can define Cancer and HIV with a goal - to find a cure by getting rid of the disease. This provides a goal, a hope if you will. But with Autism, it's more challenging...
We've heard the phrase often that when you meet someone with Autism, that's it - you've met someone with Autism. A huge definition for those within the community, but it lacks some significance outside the Special Needs and Autism Communities.
We have to define ourselves as a community - with the purpose of educating people what life is like with Autism.
We have to make a determination as to how to share this complicated disorder in such a way that the general public will want to take action.
We have to be open to help one another - as the Autism community is part of the Special Needs community.
We have to find where we agree - and build on those concepts.
Suffice it to say we have to bind together with one voice - and I'm pleased to share that many organizations and individuals are catching on to this concept.
With the rise in Autism Rates these past several years, our community is growing exponentially.
It was a small select group of families twenty years ago - now it's grown into the millions.
Now we have to develop that unity - and share a message to the general public. We are in the midst of defining who we are as a community - and this is very exciting.
In this process we are figuring out how to share what life is like dealing with Autism. Autisable is just one of many places online where people can share their journey and connect with others.
Taking action is paramount - not just with organizations - but with families and individuals.
I'd like some feedback here.
I'd like to know your thoughts on the following statements, if you have the time:
- How could we convey autism to the general public better?
- How could we help one another as a community?
- What could be shared that could help better define what life is like with Autism?
- Do you think we are failing in our message to the general public about Autism? If so, where and how could we improve?
- What do you think Organizations should do to improve Unity within the Autism community/Special needs community?
I look forward to reading your responses.
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About the Author
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- From: Joel
- Name: Joel
- Location: Norfolk, Virginia, United States
- About Me: Husband. Father of a child with Autism. Lead Editor of Autisable.com
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Comments (2)
Hello Everyone, I would first like to interject that my fFAVORITE expression is : Autism UNDERSTANDING !.... I am very well aware of everybody wanting the general publick to be AWARE of Autism and now I am also noticing that Autistics want to be ACCEPTED and that is why we have pages that promote Autism ACCEPTANCE ! . But I personally havve the impression that the general publick is ALREADY aware of Autism but they deffinetely have issues with ACCEPTING and I think that comes from NOT UNDERSTANDING Autism !!!! Many NT ( Normal parents ) who raise autistic children do not understand that autistic children grow up to autistic ADULTS ( Becvause somebody put in their head that you can GROW OUT OF AUTISM ) B*** ( Excuse my french!) ! . If you want the publick to accept autism I think the BEST strategy is to help them UNDERSTAND Autism meaning EDUCATE people on Autism !!!! I think that Grown Autistic people AND Autistic parents who are RAISING Autistic children are the BEST educators you can wish for especially I would STRONGLY reccomend a parent with an Autistic child to talk to an Autistic parent to find out WHAT the child needs because Autistic parents have gone through the SAME that the children have !!!! I have heard many times that parents of Autistic children do NOT want to talk to an Autistic parent , This does not make any LOGICLE sense to me so if somebody can explain this ; Feel free to approach me via Facebook messanger or whatever is out there for communication !!!! No regarding Joes comment I want to basickly say that I think the BEST way to educate the general public about Autism is to first ASK them what THEY KNOW ; And from there on add additional knowlege for them !!!! .... DUSYA ....