
[Note: Links below are original to the email, or article, and it’s very possible they no longer work.]
NEWS
The Autism Society Launches New Website
Last week, the Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autismorganization, launched its new website, www.autism-society.org. The new site will continue to serve as the top “go-to” source for the autism community worldwide while introducing new user experiences such as a blog, seamless interaction with our social media channels, an art gallery and “story spaces” where visitors can share their stories with millions of users each year. Read more…
Support the Miami-Dade and Broward County, Florida, Autism Society Chapters in WalkAbout Autism
The Autism Society of Miami-Dade and Autism Society of Broward County are featured nonprofit organizations that will benefit from the Dan Marino Foundation’s “WalkAbout Autism” this weekend. Read more…
The Autism Society Congratulates Clare Danes on Golden Globe Win
The Autism Society congratulates actress Claire Danes on her Golden Globe award for her portrayal of Temple Grandin in the biographic film Temple Grandin. Danes was honored as “Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.” Read more…
Don’t Miss the Next Sensory Friendly Film!
Join AMC Theatres and the Autism Society on February 12 for a special showing of Gnomeo & Juliet. We will be showing the movie at 10 a.m. local time in participating theatres nationwide. Don’t miss our new location in Schererville, Illinois. For more information or to find a theatre near you, visit Sensory Friendly Films.
Autism Journeys: Forrest
In Autism Journeys, we ask individuals on the spectrum, professionals and family members of all kinds to share their stories of what they have learned in their journeys with autism. This week, a gifted photographer shares his passion. Read more…
Autism Headlines Weekly
The Autism Society brings you the most important autism news from around the Web. This week, a gifted timpanist rises among peers, a flash mob in West Virginia raises autism awareness and a tragic story about one man’s encounter with local police makes news. Read more…
ADVOCACY
Advocates Up to the Challenge of Renewing the Combating Autism Act
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 (CAA), legislation that sets aside funds for autism research and awareness and established the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, will sunset on September 30, 2011. This month, Autism Society Vice President of Public Policy Jeff Sell, along with a panel of policy professionals, said renewing the act this year will be a challenge, but it is a necessary fight for the autism community. Read more…
Advocates Convene in Washington, D.C., to Reform Toxic Chemicals
On Monday, Jan. 24, advocates from across the county came to Washington, D.C., for the forum, “Reforming Toxic Chemical Policy to Protect Public Health: Science & Advocacy Training for Health Organizations.” Read more…
National Disabilities Rights Network Finds Exploitation at Work
In a report released earlier this month, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) found a total failure of the disability service system to provide quality work for people with disabilities. The report focuses on problems with segregated work, sheltered environments and low wages, and highlights a massive breakdown between good federal and state policies and their implementation and oversight. Read more…
Ask Your Representatives to Join CARE
Representatives Doyle and Rep. Smith are once again proud to serve as co-chairs for the Coalition for Autism Research and Education for the 112th Congress. Read more…
RESEARCH
Economist Revolutionizes Mapping of Genetic Pathway for Autism
A son of physicians and an economist by trade, John P. Hussman, Ph.D., may seem like an unlikely lead author on a paper identifying a new genetic pathway in autism research. Read more…
EDUCATION
Developing and Evaluating Educational Programs for Students with Autism
Recent years have witnessed a marked increase both in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and those placed alongside their typically developing peers in general education classrooms. Read more…
CONFERENCES
Autism Society’s 2011 Conference to Take Place in Orlando, Florida
The 42nd National Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center July 6-9, 2011. Read more…
27th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities Will be Held in April
The 27th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities will take place April 18-19, 2011, at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. More than 1,000 participants will be a part of this year’s conference, whose theme is “Humanity: Advancing Inclusion, Equality and Diversity.” The conference will feature 15 topics and 30 keynote speakers. Read more…
RESOURCES
The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free
Thirty million Americans are gluten-intolerant or have gluten sensitivity, and must eliminate wheat flour from their diets. The food industry has bullishly taken notice. The number of gluten-free baking products on grocery shelves has increased sevenfold in recent years, and includes cake mixes from Betty Crocker, King Arthur, Whole Foods and others. Read more…
New App for iPhone and iPod Touch Teaches Appropriate Smiling to Children
Smiling can be difficult for many children. Some children – particularly those with autism spectrum disorder – may feel uncomfortable and resist smiling when it is appropriate. They may also smile when it is inappropriate. Smile at Me provides quick repeated practice in interpreting these social cues, and rewards children for practicing appropriate smiling. Read more…
How to Detect Developmental Delay and What to Do Next
If a child is not meeting expected milestones, it can be a source of great anxiety for parents and teachers. This forthright guide offers practical advice on how to recognize the signs of developmental delay, address difficulties effectively and help the child to flourish. Read more…
The Autism Community Is Not The Autistic Community

More With Autism Society
Note/Warning:
Autistic people have fought the inclusion of ABA in therapy for us since before Autism Speaks, and other non-Autistic-led autism organizations, started lobbying legislation to get it covered by insurances and Medicaid.
ABA is a myth originally sold to parents that it would keep their Autistic child out of an institution. Today, parents are told that with early intervention therapy their child will either be less Autistic or no longer Autistic by elementary school, and can be mainstreamed in typical education classes. ABA is very expensive to pay out of pocket. Essentially, Autism Speaks has justified the big price tag up front will offset the overall burden on resources for an Autistic’s lifetime. The recommendation for this therapy is 40 hours a week for children and toddlers.
The original study that showed the success rate of ABA to be at 50% has never been replicated. In fact, the study of ABA by United States Department of Defense was denounced as a failure. Not just once, but multiple times. Simply stated: ABA doesn’t work. In study after repeated study: ABA (conversion therapy) doesn’t work.
What more recent studies do show: Autistics who experienced ABA therapy are at high risk to develop PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions. Historically, the autism organizations promoting ABA as a cure or solution have silenced Autistic advocates’ opposition. ABA is also known as gay conversion therapy.
The ‘cure’ for Autistics not born yet is the prevention of birth.
The ‘cure’ is a choice to terminate a pregnancy based on ‘autism risk.’ The cure is abortion. This is the same ‘cure’ society has for Down Syndrome.
This is eugenics 2021. Instead of killing Autistics and disabled children in gas chambers or ‘mercy killings’ like in Aktion T4, it’ll happen at the doctor’s office, quietly, one Autistic baby at a time. Different approaches yes, but still eugenics and the extinction of an entire minority group of people.
Fact: You can’t cure Autistics from being Autistic.
Fact: You can’t recover an Autistic from being Autistic.
Fact: You can groom an Autistic to mask and hide their traits. Somewhat. … however, this comes at the expense of the Autistic child, promotes Autistic Burnout (this should not be confused with typical burnout, Autistic Burnout can kill Autistics), and places the Autistic child at high risk for PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions.
[Note: Autism is NOT a disease, but a neurodevelopmental difference and disability.]
Fact: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.