The Autism Acceptance Project

The Autism Acceptance Project works to promote acceptance of and accommodations for autistic people in society.

Jonathan

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The Autism Acceptance Project will bring forth a different and positive view about autism to the public in order to create tolerance and acceptance in the community and to empower parents and autistic people.

This organization does not solicit funds for the cure of autism. We do not see autism as a “tragic epidemic.” Its primary mandate is to present critical lectures and exhibitions. The Autism Acceptance Project seeks to debate science, autism belief, and to investigate and support educational needs backed by accurate science. TAAProject is interested in scientific and ethical answers to the question, “what kinds of help do autistics need in order to succeed and contribute to society as autistic people?”

TAAProject will not accept mailings of artwork and can not take responsibility for lost or damaged work.  Please submit all works by email to estee@taaproject.com  only and you will receive an online response regarding your work.

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John Gelmon

"Although I have had an awful lot of challenges, I succeeded because I contradicted professional counsellors who strongly recommended against me driving a bus, becoming a journalist or attending regular school classes. It seemed that they were only relying on questionable statistics when telling me things like driving is unsafe or that there was no way I could make it through high school unless I went to a vocational school." ~ John Gelmon

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TAAP representatives try to ensure that the ideals and mission of TAAP is disseminated to as wide an audience as possible. Please click the images above to view the latest media interviews (hosted on YouTube).

Latest News

» Concepts of Normality The Autistic and Typical Spectrum

For those with autism, understanding ‘normal’ can be a difficult task. For those without autism, the perception of ‘normal’ can lead to unrealistic expectations of self and others. This book explores how individuals and society understand ‘normal’, in order to help demystify and make accessible a full range of human experience.

Wendy Lawson outlines the theory behind the current thinking and beliefs of Western society that have led to the building of a culture that fails to be inclusive. She describes what a wider concept of ‘normal’ means and how to access it, whether it’s in social interaction, friendships, feelings, thoughts and desires or various other aspects of ‘normality’. Practical advice is offered on a range of situations, including how to find your role within the family, how to integrate ‘difference’ into everyday society, and how to converse and connect with others.

Accessible and relevant to people both on and off the autism spectrum, this book offers a fresh look at what it means to be ‘normal’.

Estée Klar-Wolfond contributed to this book in the chapter titled “The Mismeasure of Autism: The Basis for Current Autism Advocacy”.

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This book is expected to be available shortly and can be pre-ordered from the publisher or through Amazon.com

Please click on the title for more information

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» Outrage over Michael Savage’s Remarks on Autistic Children

Response to Savage’s Remarks

To Sponsors of The Savage Nation Radio Show, Syndicate of Talk Radio Networks, and other supporters of The Savage Nation:

We, organizations representing people with disabilities, family members, professionals and other concerned citizens, are calling upon you to withdraw support for Talk Radio Networks in response to the outrageous comments by TRN personality Michael Alan Weiner, also known as Michael Savage.

On July 16th, Weiner announced: “Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I’m not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket…You know what autism is? I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is…What do you mean they scream and they’re silent? They don’t have a father around to tell them, “Don’t act like a moron. You’ll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don’t sit there crying and screaming, idiot.”

These comments represent dangerous misinformation. The refusal by Talk Radio Networks to condemn the comments or undertake any steps in response to them, as well as Michael Savage’s refusal to apologize, is absolutely unacceptable. The autism spectrum is a very real developmental disability affecting millions of Americans. It includes a series of impairments in social interaction and communication, executive functioning, sensory processing, and motor skills. Adults and children on the autism spectrum often require substantial supports, services and education across the lifespan. Comments like those on the Savage Nation do real damage to autistic people by increasing public ignorance and misinformation about autism, thereby putting at risk vital education, supports and services. Contrary to the remarks by Mr. Weiner, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that autism is over diagnosed - in fact, research suggests that there is substantial under-identification of the autism spectrum, resulting in a lack of vitally needed services and education. In addition, these remarks revive outdated and damaging misconceptions about the source of autism, recalling the “refrigerator mother” myth in which parents were blamed for having autistic children.

Talk Radio Networks’ sponsors must consider whether or not to associate with the hateful and offensive comments spoken by Michael Weiner. Because TRN has taken no action, we urge you to communicate the need for Mr. Weiner’s immediate removal by withdrawing sponsorship for TRN’s programming. There are over 50 million people with disabilities in the United States, representing approximately $200 billion in disposable income. We represent a market that cannot be ignored. By disassociating your businesses from the ignorant and hateful remarks made this past week and taking practical steps to help educate the public about the true nature of the autism spectrum and other disabilities, we can move forward towards creating a world that will recognize the rights of all people to respect, dignity, support and inclusion.

Regards,

Ari Ne’eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org

» For Parents

I am not your enemy.

If your child is autistic and you want a better life for him or her, I am not your enemy. I want a better life for all autistic people. However they communicate, however well or poorly they score on standardized tests. Whether or not they have medical problems in addition to neurological differences, whether the diagnosis is autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS or something else altogether, I want the best possible life for every person on the spectrum.

By “better life” I mean physical and mental health and I mean freedom from harassment and discrimination and institutionalization. I want respect for your child and accommodation as needed and I want them to have jobs if they want jobs and friends and partners if they want that. I want your child to be happy and healthy.

By “healthy” I do not mean non-autistic. Autism is a lifelong neurological condition, not a disease.

I have never opposed the legitimate treatment of legitimate medical problems. Most children and adults go to the doctor when they are ill. I object to the characterization of autism itself as an illness. I object to the treatment of intestinal problems being characterized as “curing autism” and I object to the marketing of expensive, experimental treatments to desperate parents. More than that, I object to parents being told they should be desperate.

If you have a child who is autistic, I object to people saying that your child has no soul, or is a train wreck, disaster, walking nightmare or empty shell. I know that your child is a valued human being. I know, too, that you want the best for him or her.

Please click on the title for more information

» The ABCs of Disability Rights TOWARD INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS

Prior to the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) in 1975 — now the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — public schools in the U.S. served fewer than a quarter of children with disabilities. With the passage of EHA and through its subsequent renewals and amendments, children with disabilities, 6 million of them today, finally gained access to the public service that is public education.

While the landmark law mandates a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities, with an emphasis on inclusive classrooms, a report to Congress in 2000 showed that less than half of all students with disabilities experienced inclusive classroom settings for 80 percent or more of each school day. The rates for students with significant disabilities were much lower.

More than 30 years after the passage of EHA, much work remains.

Please click on the title for more information

» Concepts of Normality

by Wendy Lawson

Estée Klar-Wolfond has contributed a chapter to this book . 

For those with autism, understanding ‘normal’ can be a difficult task. For those without autism, the perception of ‘normal’ can lead to unrealistic expectations of self and others. This book explores how individuals and society understand ‘normal’, in order to help demystify and make accessible a full range of human experience.

Wendy Lawson outlines the theory behind the current thinking and beliefs of Western society that have led to the building of a culture that fails to be inclusive. She describes what a wider concept of ‘normal’ means and how to access it, whether it’s in social interaction, friendships, feelings, thoughts and desires or various other aspects of ‘normality’. Practical advice is offered on a range of situations, including how to find your role within the family, how to integrate ‘difference’ into everyday society, and how to converse and connect with others.

Accessible and relevant to people both on and off the autism spectrum, this book offers a fresh look at what it means to be ‘normal’.

This book will be available shortly, please click on the title for more information

 

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