On Digital Exhibitionism By Autism Parents: Why Parents Live Tweeting Their Disabled Children's Worst Moments Is Red Flag That Should Concern Everyone
by The Autism Wars
The Internet age has given rise to a dangerous type of exhibitionism among people in general, and people who need parenting courses in particular. This becomes dangerous when the pathological demand for public attention places a child at risk. There is a pattern I have observed among special needs parents who later do harm to their children. This is how the pattern plays out. READ MORE
by The Autism Wars
The Internet age has given rise to a dangerous type of exhibitionism among people in general, and people who need parenting courses in particular. This becomes dangerous when the pathological demand for public attention places a child at risk. There is a pattern I have observed among special needs parents who later do harm to their children. This is how the pattern plays out. READ MORE
The List - 2015 Day of Mourning -
Remembering People with Disabilities Murdered by Caregivers
Remembering People with Disabilities Murdered by Caregivers
Why People With Autism Shouldn't Be Labelled 'Different' by Linda Mastroianni
We hear it time and time again, each incident gut-wrenching and too painful to listen to, each story sad and unjust in its own right with an innocent victim that has suffered at the hands of those who were meant to protect them.
These are the horrific stories of parents who have harmed their autistic children for reasons beyond my comprehension. Just do a Google search and you will find a list of tragic stories of innocent autistic people being killed and/or harmed by their caregivers. READ MORE
We hear it time and time again, each incident gut-wrenching and too painful to listen to, each story sad and unjust in its own right with an innocent victim that has suffered at the hands of those who were meant to protect them.
These are the horrific stories of parents who have harmed their autistic children for reasons beyond my comprehension. Just do a Google search and you will find a list of tragic stories of innocent autistic people being killed and/or harmed by their caregivers. READ MORE
Lack of services does not cause child abuse by Amazing Adventures
This post carries a trigger warning for discussion about abuse of disabled children and people sympathising with their abusers.
Apparently lots of people think it is ok to feel sorry for people who abuse their Autistic children because there is a "lack of services" available.
Let me be clear: I wholeheartedly disagree.
I am aware that my stance on this sounds judgemental to many, and that when I say what I think on this matter people are going to accuse me of not advocating for more services and tell me I don't understand how hard their lives are. I'm not going to get drawn into arguments, here. Unless you know me personally you don't know what I spend my time doing, or how "hard" my life is, so let's try to keep those kind of comments out of the discussion please. READ MORE
This post carries a trigger warning for discussion about abuse of disabled children and people sympathising with their abusers.
Apparently lots of people think it is ok to feel sorry for people who abuse their Autistic children because there is a "lack of services" available.
Let me be clear: I wholeheartedly disagree.
I am aware that my stance on this sounds judgemental to many, and that when I say what I think on this matter people are going to accuse me of not advocating for more services and tell me I don't understand how hard their lives are. I'm not going to get drawn into arguments, here. Unless you know me personally you don't know what I spend my time doing, or how "hard" my life is, so let's try to keep those kind of comments out of the discussion please. READ MORE
Judgement by A Diary of A Mom
Years ago, a colleague of mine told me that I was the least judgmental person she’d ever met. I laughed. Hard. I told her that she really needed to get out more. She said, “No, really. You are.” I secretly took pride in her words.
I have spent a lifetime trying not to judge others. Trying to be open to their perspectives and belief systems no matter how far afield they might be from mine.
But there is a time to judge.
A place that demands that we judge.
This is it. READ MORE
Years ago, a colleague of mine told me that I was the least judgmental person she’d ever met. I laughed. Hard. I told her that she really needed to get out more. She said, “No, really. You are.” I secretly took pride in her words.
I have spent a lifetime trying not to judge others. Trying to be open to their perspectives and belief systems no matter how far afield they might be from mine.
But there is a time to judge.
A place that demands that we judge.
This is it. READ MORE
Essays Related to Issy Stapleton from Parenting Autistic Children with Love and Acceptance's Facebook page
Disability and Abuse Project
Our Focus
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities
Our Mission
To identify ways to reduce the risk of abuse, to promote healing for victims, and to seek justice for those who have been victimized
Action Areas
Public awareness, education and training, policy development, law enforcement, and professional consulting
Our Focus
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities
Our Mission
To identify ways to reduce the risk of abuse, to promote healing for victims, and to seek justice for those who have been victimized
Action Areas
Public awareness, education and training, policy development, law enforcement, and professional consulting
On Teaching the Importance of Consent
by Creigh at Autism Spectrum Explained
No one seems to agree on the statistics - I've read everything from 2-4 times more likely to a sample in which 78% of the autistic people questioned were victims of sexual abuse. Whatever the number is, we can all agree that it is TOO HIGH.
That means that teaching consent and boundaries to people on the spectrum, male and female alike, is absolutely critical. Unfortunately, more often than not, what we teach is the exact opposite. As part of managing behaviors, we teach people on the spectrum conditioned compliance. We teach them hand over hand, we teach them that they are to unconditionally follow directions from authority figures, we teach them that they are to comply. And when it comes to preventing sexual abuse, that can be a very dangerous thing.
Naturally, there are times when compliance really is important and bodily autonomy is sacrificed for a greater good - like getting a shot at the doctor's office, for example. (Which, when Caley got one as a kid, required no less than three nurses and my mom to hold her down for. It was the only way they could find to get her the shot.)
But there are other times when we really can teach bodily autonomy, can teach that no means no. Tickling, for one. When I tickle kids on the spectrum (or any kids, for that matter), the INSTANT that they say 'no!' or 'stop!', I stop. And, then, of course, they ask me to tickle them again. But they know that they can say no whenever, and I'm teaching them that that word has power. For children who do not speak I could still use this exercise, because remember, behavior is communication. Even if they can't say no, they can still push your hand away, make noises, sign, or otherwise communicate 'no' or 'all done'.
That, of course, is only one example of teaching consent. There are many ways to teach it, and I'll link you to several articles that have done a great job of covering the issue. The point here was, however painful it is to think about, this really is an issue to be aware of, and one you can start teaching children young. READ MORE
by Creigh at Autism Spectrum Explained
No one seems to agree on the statistics - I've read everything from 2-4 times more likely to a sample in which 78% of the autistic people questioned were victims of sexual abuse. Whatever the number is, we can all agree that it is TOO HIGH.
That means that teaching consent and boundaries to people on the spectrum, male and female alike, is absolutely critical. Unfortunately, more often than not, what we teach is the exact opposite. As part of managing behaviors, we teach people on the spectrum conditioned compliance. We teach them hand over hand, we teach them that they are to unconditionally follow directions from authority figures, we teach them that they are to comply. And when it comes to preventing sexual abuse, that can be a very dangerous thing.
Naturally, there are times when compliance really is important and bodily autonomy is sacrificed for a greater good - like getting a shot at the doctor's office, for example. (Which, when Caley got one as a kid, required no less than three nurses and my mom to hold her down for. It was the only way they could find to get her the shot.)
But there are other times when we really can teach bodily autonomy, can teach that no means no. Tickling, for one. When I tickle kids on the spectrum (or any kids, for that matter), the INSTANT that they say 'no!' or 'stop!', I stop. And, then, of course, they ask me to tickle them again. But they know that they can say no whenever, and I'm teaching them that that word has power. For children who do not speak I could still use this exercise, because remember, behavior is communication. Even if they can't say no, they can still push your hand away, make noises, sign, or otherwise communicate 'no' or 'all done'.
That, of course, is only one example of teaching consent. There are many ways to teach it, and I'll link you to several articles that have done a great job of covering the issue. The point here was, however painful it is to think about, this really is an issue to be aware of, and one you can start teaching children young. READ MORE
Autism Speaks doesn't speak for autistic people and does more harm than good.
The Color Blue by A Diary of a Mom
As many of you know, after years of trying desperately to change the way in which Autism Speaks approaches autism advocacy, I reached my breaking point last November after Suzanne Wright made it clear with her “Call to Action” that they still have no intention of listening to those whom they purport to represent.
It broke my heart to give up on the possibility that they might finally see the light — the one illuminating the glorious breadth of the human spectrum upon which we all reside. There are good people within the organization whom I was loath to walk away from: the people in the trenches who get it, who work tirelessly and try desperately to change the destructive message. But leadership has time and time again patently refused, and continues to refuse, to stop demonizing autism in the name of “helping” autistic people. READ MORE
The Color Blue by A Diary of a Mom
As many of you know, after years of trying desperately to change the way in which Autism Speaks approaches autism advocacy, I reached my breaking point last November after Suzanne Wright made it clear with her “Call to Action” that they still have no intention of listening to those whom they purport to represent.
It broke my heart to give up on the possibility that they might finally see the light — the one illuminating the glorious breadth of the human spectrum upon which we all reside. There are good people within the organization whom I was loath to walk away from: the people in the trenches who get it, who work tirelessly and try desperately to change the destructive message. But leadership has time and time again patently refused, and continues to refuse, to stop demonizing autism in the name of “helping” autistic people. READ MORE
Oops, they did it again by Love Explosions
The numbers used to analyze Autism Speaks’ spending were taken from its 2013 audited financial statements. The report is available on the Autism Speaks website here.So Autism Speaks finally released its audited financial statements. I wish I could say that I am surprised by their brazen irresponsibility. READ MORE
The numbers used to analyze Autism Speaks’ spending were taken from its 2013 audited financial statements. The report is available on the Autism Speaks website here.So Autism Speaks finally released its audited financial statements. I wish I could say that I am surprised by their brazen irresponsibility. READ MORE