With April comes Autism Awareness Month, and although this started out with good intentions, many of the awareness practices have actually become more harmful than beneficial to this community.
Many of the organizations centered around helping those on the autism spectrum have actually been extremely ableist, the biggest perpetrator being the organization Autism Speaks.
There are many reasons as to why this organization has the reputation that it does. To begin, many of us actually know the organization due to its widespread campaigns that can be seen in most towns. To begin, their logo is a blue puzzle piece. Most people do not know exactly why this is their logo, but it is actually very ableist. The entire point of their logo is to represent the separation of those with autism from society as they are their own lost puzzle piece. However, this goes against the entire point of the actual autism awareness. The month of awareness was created to try and make those with autism feel more included and understood. Instead, the logo perpetuates the idea that they are disconnected from society.
Beyond that, there are many other issues. Many are familiar with their most common campaign of “Light it Up Blue.” The entire point of this campaign is to try and find a cure for those with autism. However, yet again, this is against the entire point of why we have Autism Awareness Month. There have been many instances in which those with autism say that people try to find a cure for them, making them feel as though they are sick or should feel ashamed of being the way they are.
Autism Awareness Month is supposed to be about bringing attention to the discrimination and hardships individuals on the autistic spectrum are already going through. It is not supposed to create more things for them to worry about.
There have also been a multitude of instances where Autism Speaks has been accused of not letting those with autism spectrum disorders into any leadership roles of the organization. They do not let those on the autism spectrum speak for themselves, further making it seem as though they are incapable of doing things for themselves.
Although there are many instances where they have been flat-out ableists, Autism Speaks had started with good intentions. However, without recognizing their errors and listening to the people they are claiming to try and help, they will not be able to correct their mistakes and actually make a difference.
