As you all know, I’ve been working hard to get Daniel an iPad, hopefully by Christmas. Since starting, we have raised over $300 to this end. There are other people who have said they will be donating, but at this time, we are no where near the $600 needed to buy the device, insurance, case and apps. We will be contributing to the cost as well, but we don’t have the $300 to finish out the cost.

Imagine my surprise, when last week, when iHelp for Special Needs (@ihelpspecneeds) started following me on twitter! I’m sure @SpeechTXJulie had something to do with that as she’s the one who showed me how to get started on this journey. So I wrote to the lovely people at iHelp about Daniel’s story and I received an email back saying that they thought my children were beautiful and that I was a great mom for thinking outside of the box! They want to feature Daniel’s on their website, even!

I know it’s hard this time of year to give without receiving something in return, so instead, for those still shopping for gifts, I ask that you shop through iHelp. The donations will go to fund Daniel’s iPad still. I know in my “There’s an App for That!” series, I’ve given links to buy apps. If you chose to buy apps, I’d also appreciate you purchasing through iHelp, as they have a great extensive list of Apps for Special Needs and a portion of those purchases will also go to the iPad fund.

I hope I’m not upsetting any of my readers by doing all of this. I just really feel that Daniel will benefit so greatly from having this device. He’s an amazing kiddo! And I know that he can do great things so long as he’s given the right support!

If you are a family with a Special Needs child reading this, know that iHelp for Special Needs wants to hear your story too, and to help you get your child an iPad. As well, if you qualify, please think about going through the HollyRod Foundation. If you’d rather support a nonprofit to get a tax deduction, I’d also recommend the HollyRod Foundation at this time.

When I heard about Communication Shutdown, which is a simulation for those without Autism Spectrum Disorders to understand the isolation felt by those who are, I slightly chuckled inside. Autism is a difficult condition to wrap your head around no matter who you are. Even those of us on the Spectrum are often without the words to describe what it truly means to be Autistic. And while those who have more ‘normal’ manifestations of empathy have the greatest of intentions, I do feel the movement and subsequent donations are quite misguided. So for today, I want to take a moment to introduce you to some amazing people, movements, and organizations who exemplify why we’ve chosen ASDay.

An Introduction

My son, Daniel, is 6 years old. He did not start to speak until he was nearly 5 years old. He struggles with it to this day. If he doesn’t get enough sleep, he loses his ability to create even 5 word sentences. In school, they use an AlphaSmart for him for written communication, because like most children with ASDs, he has poor fine motor skills. But this device can be used for much more than written communication. It has the technology available to serve as a speaking voice for nonverbal students as well. This versatile word processing unit is roughly $200 each. Our school system is quite lucky that it’s RTI (right to intervention), but in other poorer districts, this is Assistive Technology where the child must be evaluated to gain access to. These devices and other much more expensive models, while archaic, are live lines for students who cannot communicate.

More than that, since Daniel is unable to speak clearly to where everyone can understand him, he’s not able to participate with most family members. Any parent knows how isolating this is. Instead, we have given him a Facebook account which we closely monitor. This allows him to play games with his cousins, his aunts and uncles and grandparents. It gives everyone the excitement of being able to see how much he has grown. And as he’s able to type more, communicate with him. I don’t typically talk about Daniel as much since this site is dedicated to Autistic parent concerns, but he is truly an amazing boy who would not be where he is without technology.

A Nonverbal

Carly Fleischmann‘s story is pretty well known at this point, but it doesn’t hurt to go over it again. Her parents thought she was unable to communicate or understand what was said to her. Through her life until her teen years, she had no voice. Her computer gave her a voice and what she’s had to say is the same thing we verbal Autistics have been saying all along.

“After my story was played I kept on getting lots of emails from moms, dads, kids and people from different countries asking me all sorts of questions about autism. I think people get a lot of their information from so-called experts but I think what happens is that experts can’t give an explanation to certain questions. How can you explain something you have not lived or if you don’t know what it’s like to have it? If a horse is sick, you don’t ask a fish what’s wrong with the horse. You go right to the horse’s mouth.” -Carly Fleischmann

This isn’t meant as a “Ha! Told you so!” I believe without a doubt that most people assume because we can speak, we don’t experience the world similarly. Our ability to talk just means that the message in our heads can work with other places within our brain to control the muscles for the sound to come out. So I implore you if you have not to see Carly’s story, and if you have, look at it again. I always catch something new.

A Pioneer

Despite her appearance, Amanda Baggs, in my opinion, has to be the leading pioneer when it comes to using social media to actively show her best interpretation of HER Autism. I admire her for constantly making clear that there is no high or low functioning. I first “met” Ms. Baggs in 2007 when my Daniel was first diagnosed with Autism, before I knew what it was, and before I knew I was on the Spectrum myself. It never occurred to me that she was such a pioneer in those days. All I knew is I agreed with everything she said. On a website forum full of parents of Autistic children, she stood up and made her voice heard.

It was through her that I first found out about the Neurodiversity movement. And while I held their core values to be true long before I had ever heard of it, it just made me realize that I was not the only one to think these things. It was in her words that made me realize what I wanted for my Daniel. I simply wanted him to be happy. So we have worked tirelessly these past 3.5 yrs to make him happy. And anytime that we tried an intervention that made him upset, we stopped it. Because I didn’t want, nor do I now, him to look back and see the abuse these therapies put them through. What Amanda Baggs says helps in ways I don’t think she ever intended. I don’t see her as a “window” to my children’s brains, thoughts, and feelings. But with her words, and those of others, I have come to find what works for myself and my family to keep us moving forward, independent as we can be and HAPPY.

An Activist

Ari Ne’eman exemplifies what it means to work hard to get to where you’re at. I know he’s an easy person to turn to and say “See what we can accomplish!” He has done so much in his short 22 years and 10 months. I consider him a close friend and confidant as he will listen and offer to help in any way he can. That is completely amazing to me considering his full plate. I have gone over what he has done before, but just in case you’ve not been to my blog before or have forgotten.

1. President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
2. First Autistic Adult on the National Council on Disabilities
3. Board member to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee of the Department of Health and Human Services
4. Board member of TASH, formerly known as The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps
5. Graduate from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County with a degree in Political Science

A Mother

Sharon daVanport to me is first and foremost a mother, to her children, but also to the many women and girls who find themselves on the Autism Spectrum. Her work started with the Asperger Women Association, but after she saw more and more events happening in the larger Autism community started the Autism Women’s Network. In the short year since they were founded, they have reached out to hundreds of women on the Autism Spectrum, as well as to hundreds more parents of Autistic girls. By bringing awareness to the sexual, physical and mental abuse that many suffer from in silence; creating a mentoring program for those new to the diagnosis; and even reaching top numbers on the Pepsi Refresh Project (currently at 26 on this last day of October voting!), Sharon and AWN have truly created a community that I truly believe is making a difference. My belief is with their efforts, they will help turn the tide into helping the many women suffering from misdiagnosis to come to their true diagnosis. As we all know, knowing what’s different is half the battle.

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While I know these are the known heroes of the Autistic culture, and that there are many more who I missed, I believe all of these people show what true communication is about. It’s not about who can speak, or not. It’s not about who can live without social networking. It’s about getting your message out there. Whether it be for your family, friends and loved ones; for those who have no physical voice; to break barriers; to change the tide; or to give hope, the place it starts is with communicating. It’s not a matter of so called functioning levels, or whether or not one can speak, it’s about letting our voices be heard. And so my hope for today, tomorrow and the rest of my life, is that our “voices” will be heard.

My last post was about disagreements with NTs that leave me feeling inadequate. Today, I had a great conversation with a wonderful set of moms who I don’t always agree with and who sometimes don’t agree with me. To me this is significant because it was a support & networking meeting of other parents with kids on the spectrum. I like to go because I do my utmost to show respect their view points as they often show the utmost respect to mine. I want to thank them for this because in the Autism community, as we all know, there are so many sides, that if there is constant in-fighting, we never can show others what we all know.

So today, I want to address the people who don’t always show that respect, for whatever reason. I’m doing this because I’ve been trying to pinpoint for so long what it is that causes these rifts among our groups.

1. I am not disagreeing with you because I don’t care. In fact, we all very much care about the future for ourselves and our children. If we did not, then we would not be so involved. The people who do not care so much are not the ones present, but those who remain outside the circle for whatever reason. I care so much about the future of those with Autism because I have been where they are at now, and do not want to see the heartache in their lives that I experienced in mine. I was homeless. I dropped out of college. I became a single pregnant woman. I went in and out of mental wards. And I have 2 years of my adult life that I don’t remember over the 11-12 yrs of my childhood that I have no memory of. I have been there, done that, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen to a single other person. I don’t talk about these things because they are hard memories (or sometimes the lack thereof) to handle. But if you were in my position, having gone through what I’ve gone through, wouldn’t you do the same thing?
2. I am not arguing with you because I like to argue. I hate arguing. It’s emotionally, mentally and physically draining. I argue for the greater good, because I feel all the pain and suffering I go through arguing, if I can make one person understand, I have done my job. My husband has had to cradle me in his arms on numerous occasions because I literally cannot handle the after affects of these disagreements. If I had no support, I would be in a ball in a corner, but I’m lucky to have what so many others like me don’t have. Support. I wish I could thank my husband enough for what he gives me. And I know that this doesn’t excuse the arguing. In fact, if I knew how to, I’d stop the arguments. I just don’t have that, and as much as I try to learn that skill, it’s just not there yet.
3. Be understanding that I don’t have your theory of mind. If you can forgive your own child’s differences and difficulties, please try to do the same to me. I know how difficult that is as we all try to fight with professionals, and teachers, and administrators each day to make them understand our children’s invisible disability. It’s hard to look past my typing and demeanor, my physical appearance of togetherness, to see that there is a disability in there. I stay in my comfort zone, where I  know that with the supports I have in place, we can pick up the pieces.
4. Please don’t tell me what path I should take with my kids. We are all different, and we all do our best. I’d especially like to ask that you don’t keep telling me what path to take when you can see my path is working for my kids. I chose the path I did because of what I said in #1. If you would like to understand more about what we do each day for my two boys, and can see the progress they have made, please do ask. If you chose not to take that path, that is fine. But in the end, your path is not working like you expected, please refer back to #3. I cannot understand why you continue to tell me to chose a different one, when my path is working and yours isn’t. I’m not saying you’re not doing enough, or that you need to switch to my path, I’m just suggesting you look at what you’re doing to figure out why it isn’t working.
5. Helping Autism is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Someone I know keeps using this phrase, and I keep picking it up. But it really is. The needs of an Autistic individual are always changing, and you need to keep looking at what you’re doing so that you can change accordingly. If your path (#4) isn’t working, find people who HAVE been successful on your path and get their feedback. I know that this is not what I’m ‘supposed’ to say. I’d much rather everyone take my non-evasive way, yes. But if you chose not to, there are those who have been where you are, and have had children come out on the other side with good, great or brilliant results. Find those people. They can help guide you on your road. And if at once you don’t succeed, try try again. But always remember, the sign of insanity is doing the same thing the same way every time and expecting a different result.

I hope this has helped some of you understand me. And for those who are parents on the Spectrum, I do apologize that this was not as useful to you as it was to those from the outside looking in.

I had an argument on a parent list that I’ve been a part of for just over a year. I love the organization’s leader as she’s also Aspie and great to bounce ideas on. But this recurrent theme that I keep seeing keeps leaving me in tears.

Without going into detail about the specifics, I feel that the theme is very important to touch on.

It’s about educating, training, accommodating then allowing a person to live independently. As Autistic adults, we know how hard all of these things can be. For myself and many of my known readers, we all are pretty permenantly disabled for one reason or another. We made it through our teen years some easily, others much more difficultly. This is the nature of the Autistic life.

When I drive home the three A’s of Acceptance, Accommodation and Accessibility, the recurrent idea is that these things are not happening. General population acceptance of our disabilities is definitely not there, but that’s something we will continue to work on.

What I find difficult is that within parent circles, it’s okay to be accepting of your children’s differences, but when it comes to an adult, especially another parent, there is far less acceptance, to the point of personal attack on the person. When I attack an ideology, an organization or other such things, I am not attacking a person. Yet, when I do attack these things, I find myself more often than not insulted in one or more ways. Either because I don’t “represent” the “true” “reality” for many Autistic adults, or because I “attack” or “complain” too much and am not willing to “do anything about it.” If it’s not that, then I am accused of attacking someone personally even if I was very direct in criticizing a group or ideology with no personal flings.

This is difficult enough for me to handle. But then to be further insulted that just because you live with someone with Autism, means that you automatically know what it means to live with Autism. Independence is very difficult for many of us. If I did not have my husband, I would not be considered “independent.” So when you’re supporting financially, emotionally, and/or physically, an Autistic child, it is not nearly the same thing as we “independent” adults live with every day. What happens when you’re gone? How are they going to support themselves?

Many of the programs out there cost exorbitant amounts of money to train your child only for them to live and work in a sheltered program. Is this what you want for your child, or would you rather they be “independent like me?” I know I’m preaching to the choir. But why in one breath are we Autistic parents seen as extraordinary, then in the other unrealistic in what we want to see out of programs and services to address our brethren?

I really want to understand this. My husband says I never will because I’m working from the idea that everything is logical. (He’s right, by the way.) If you want your child to be independent, to not want to worry about what happens to your child when you are no longer around, or no longer able to take care of them, why do you scoff at our ideas? Is it so much to ask that instead of training a person to work in a sheltered workshop, that you instead give the supports to work in a normal workplace? If they are having a hard time coping with certain work situations, why are you taking them out of the workplace and putting them else where? Wouldn’t 1) Emotional and Job support, 2) Life Coach or 3) Job liaisons help the person stay where they are qualified to be as well as give them the skills to take it to another place?

In the end, if they can no longer work in the sheltered workshop, where will they go? Most likely to a group home or institution if you as parents are no longer able to support them or be there. How is that helping the person? And do you truly think about these things when you set up the “great” programs? Or are you just looking for the next year or two?

It keeps going round and round. And until someone stops to think, I do not think it will ever change.

Making a Name for Myself: Developing Individual Self-Advocacy and Leadership Skills

Ms. Zosia Zaks was unable to present at the conference, for undisclosed reasons. As a result, Dena Gassner presented the morning portion of the workshop. You may not be aware, but you may have seen Mrs. Gassner if you’ve watched any PSAs put out by the Dan Marino Foundation and ASAN. She was a lovely woman who had a lot to share about learning yourself so that you can effectively navigate and advocate for yourself.

This was not that unfamiliar with myself, but I could tell a lot of “new” Aspies had not thought of this before. As a result, a lot of people shared about their personal experiences when it comes to social inadequacies and sensory issues. This discussion was ended with a tour of the entire ASA conference “grounds”. There were 3 floors, several hallways, several stops, and a quiet room (which turned out to be not as quiet). I ended up having a very easy time learning the layout because of this tour. This also gave us an opportunity to speak with the different ASA representatives who were able to help us in case we needed anything.

Following that was a boxed lunch in a general hall for all workshop attendees. I should have known to take my lunch elsewhere, but I didn’t. This is my own fault. I ended up sitting in the room with several hundred other guests. I did end up meeting a lovely woman who is a teacher in Round Rock. She and her co-teacher sat with me to talk and I was more than pleased with how inquisitive they were. I ended up leaving early as I became overwhelmed quickly.

The latter half of the workshop was not nearly as insightful as the first portion. We were able to do Art projects that were displayed all conference long. I did not finish mine, but as it did not show my name on the front, I was not ashamed to have it show. (Now that I think about it, I never got it back.) We listened to another lady who’s name escapes me now. She has had a tough time advocating for herself, and gave us examples and tools to help advocate for yourself and when needed have others advocate for you. Again, I think a lot of people, this put some perspective on how difficult it can be. I was happy to see others making note. Her daughter, Missy, also gave a small speech. She’s a junior high student on the Spectrum. Very nice for her first public appearance.

Lars Perner ended the day. While I was delighted with his jokes, I had hoped he would delve more into Aspie humor, than how Aspies don’t often get humor. Alas, that did not happen. Nor did the Leadership portion because of our unattended presenter. I really hope to be able to get more information on Leadership skills, but perhaps later, or next summer.

I know there was very little to this day, but there were more the other three. I will have those installments as I have time. Because of the energy exhausted during the 4 days at the conference, I ended up having to take a week off from most major duties. As a result, my memory is trying to lapse into “long term” from “short term” in these events. I did leave out some of my more unfortunate experiences as they weren’t because of the conference, but just happened to occur at the conference.

Until next time….

Before I get started, for all the Americans in my audience, I hope that your Independence day went well. We spent ours mostly on the road. We drove down to Austin, spent 6 hours before we finally had to come home. We had hoped to stay the night, but the boys were unable to handle all the days events without melting down. Overall, it was an enlightening experience that makes me aware that we still don’t have this planning thing down 100%.

This week, the Autism Society of America is having their annual National Conference right here in the Dallas area. Thanks to the Autism Society of Collin County, I will be attending the entire conference. I’m especially looking forward to Zosia Zaks’ (author of Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults) pre-conference workshop, Making a Name for Myself: Developing Individual Self-Advocacy and Leadership Skills. As well, Sandy Yim, Alex Plank, creator of WrongPlanet, and Jason Ross are delivering the keynotes on Saturday, Making Connections Online: Communicating through Blogs and Online Communities.

As well, on Saturday, I will be speaking on the Speaking for Ourselves: Individuals on the Autism Spectrum panel. I feel I’ve come up with a pretty concise evaluation of my life for my 15 minute speech. As well, there will be 3 others to speak. For those coming to the conference, I invite you to come to the panel. For those in the Dallas area, Saturday is discounted to $50 per person, so I would also encourage you to come for that day. Included are presentations for fathers, grandparents and Spanish-speakers.

I will be tweeting from the conference as well. Luckily, there is a sensory room available. There will also be lots of vendors to peruse. I’m hoping to make some contacts. I have made business cards for both this website and for ASAN, Dallas chapter. As well, I have 3 t-shirts that I will be wearing to show my devotion to Neurodiversity and one with the website logo on it. I hope you will all keep up with what’s happening through the tweets. Feel free to follow me on Twitter!

Another Guest Blog

I’m so thankful to Leigh and all the editors at The Dallas Morning News Moms’ Blog. They really help to get the words of Neurodiversity, understanding and support out to our larger communities. I wanted to give everyone the chance to go over and comment on their blog.

Today’s guest blog is about nonharmful ‘behaviors’. With the work that each of us puts in each day, allowing ASDs the opportunity to stim is the least a family can do. I put it more eloquently than that though. Hope you enjoy.

I recently wrote a blog for Autism Awareness month for the Moms Blog for Dallas Morning News. It was published online today here.

Autism Awareness means…

Autism Awareness means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, like myself, it is hope for the future. For adults with Autism, awareness brings the chance to spread a message of acceptance, accommodation and accessibility. Our hope for the future is to have the outside world understand ‘our kind.’

I hope this not only for myself, but for my two Autistic children as well. Our family believes in Neurodiversity. Neurodiversity states that neurological conditions are a normal human variation. The abnormal neurology gives each of us areas of strength as well as various difficulties. Those areas of strength and deficit can vary greatly between each individual.

The hard areas that can be, should be treated. Intervention is still one of the best predictors of independence as an adult. What can’t be treated though should be accommodated. Other areas should be accepted. Is the behavior harmful? Does it cause the person great stress? Those are some of the questions we on the spectrum ask parents to think about. The most important aspect though is that we have access to all the things that can help us be meaningful contributors to our communities.

Autistic people from all functioning levels can be helped by the goals of Neurodiversity. Accessibility gained to keep a person in their own home rather than be institutionalized. Accommodations can be made to find employment, much like the programs by Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. Alternative and Augmentative Communication devices would help relate to others their needs. For children, Neurodiversity means equipping their peers with social awareness to prevent bullying and promote acceptance of the unique differences.

All any parent in this world asks for is a happy, healthy child. Proper treatment, awareness, and acceptance can help all parents achieve that. You can start within your own communities, your own schools and playgrounds, or even your own home. Love and compassion begets acceptance. Everything else will start from there.

I hope you all enjoy. Those of you taking a look at my website for the first time, I welcome you.

April is Autism Awareness Month

April in my household means 3 things. It’s the start of the Autism year. It holds both boys’ birthdays. It is the start of Spring. Although, depending on your family history, you may also see it as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Stress Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month and a host of others. Does anyone else find it odd that Autism Awareness shares a month with the three I’ve listed?

With the fear campaigns that go along with Autism, you’d think they picked it just for the three above. They try to show increase in child abuse in families with Autism because of a ‘lack of services’. They definitely say it’s more stressful to be a parent of an Autistic child. When you mix all of those together, surely you get an increase in Alcoholism.

But I digress.

April 2, 2010: Light It Up Blue

World Autism Awareness Day.Org

“They” will be starting tonight. Across the US, the Light It Up Blue campaign started by Autism Speaks in honor of their World Autism Awareness Day has encouraged major buildings to turn blue for Autism. I know AutSp’s puzzle piece is blue. They have also asked that people wear blue on Friday April 2, 2010 to show their support. To me, this just shows support of AutSp’s mission. I have made sure to tell everyone I know not to wear blue tomorrow.

Instead, a variety of suggestions have been tossed around for those of us that want to show our support to Autistic people (including ourselves). I have chosen to generally ask others to wear a Spectrum shirt, ie something with rainbow colors. I know rainbow usually signifies Gay culture, but it is also a spectrum that signifies the Autism Spectrum. Conversely, you can choose to Infinity Symbol (like above), the Autistic Pride Flame, the “I’m not a Puzzle” shirts, so on and so forth. The key idea is to stay away from puzzle pieces, puzzle ribbons and solid blue.

As this month goes forward, my goal is to attend as many of the Autism Awareness events I can. Make sure the ND presence is known off the internet. And of course, execute a well planned birthday party for my two Autistic kiddos and their non-Autistic classmates. Integration works!

Nominee to Disability Council Is Lightning Rod for Dispute on Views of Autism

The above is an article from The New York Times about the president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, otherwise known as ASAN, Ari Ne’eman. His nomination has been placed on ‘Hold’ anonymously. As a candidate, President Obama had very high remarks for Mr. Ne’eman.

Ari Ne’eman is the Founding President of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, where he initiates and directs efforts to increase the representation of autistic individuals in public policy discussions. He is a leading advocate in the neurodiversity movement, frequently briefing policymakers and speaking publicly on disability and autism policy issues. Mr. Ne’eman also serves as Vice Chair of the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force, where he represents autistic adults in reviewing the state’s autism services. He also previously served on the New Jersey’s Special Education Review Commission, where he authored a minority report on the topic of aversives, restraint and seclusion. Mr. Ne’eman previously served as the Policy Workgroup Leader for the Youth Advisory Council to the National Council on Disability. He is a board member of TASH and the Autism National Committee. In 2008, he received the HSC Foundation “Advocates in Disability” Award. Mr. Ne’eman is currently an undergraduate at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County where he studies political science and expects to graduate in May 2010. In 2000, Mr. Ne’eman was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

His nomination marked a first and if nominated, he will be the first person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder on the NCD. As stated, that nomination has been placed on hold. In the NYTimes article, Autism Speaks co-founder Jonathan Shestack was quoted to say the following:

“Why people have gotten upset is, he doesn’t seem to represent, understand or have great sympathy for all the people who are truly, deeply affected in a way that he isn’t.”

The summation does not seem accurate. As articulated in UMBC Magazine: Winter 2009, Ari Ne’eman is very aware the difficulties faced by those not only with Autism Spectrum Disorders, but of most people with a variety of mental and cognitive disabilities as well. Mr. Ne’eman spent much of his educational career in a separate public school for those with emotional and mental diagnoses. His Asperger’s Diagnosis does not preclude him from having been placed in the same segregated, self-contained schools that the ‘Low Functioning’ Autistic students did. Who better to help write legislation and promote liberties than someone who has experienced those issues?

As well, Mr. Ne’eman and ASAN have been very active on getting The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) passed. While critics say the bill doesn’t go far enough, it is a very important initial legislation to stop the abuse of all students, not just those with disabilities.

In 10 short years, Ari has gone from being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome to being just one mere step away from serving on the National Council on Disabilities. Through those years, he’s had to fight his segregation from the mainstream. He became a young voice in New Jersey to help those just like him. Then to founding a now national organization with several chapters across the US, not to mention affiliates across the globe. Just to be silenced again. To be segregated again. To be told that all the fighting, all the changes he’s helped to come through is not enough. That he needs to stop fighting for those who have no voice because it’s more important to find the cause to eradicate Autism.

Stand up for what’s right. Do not let Ari Ne’eman’s voice be silenced. Call your Senators, email them, write letters. If his voice is silenced now, who will be next? When are Autistic people going to be given the right to speak for themselves?