However it is one that has equally been asked of the “disability movement” and refuted before.

Whilst obviously there is a caucus of activists and a growing one at that, it is not a monolithic caucus, all bound together in one or even two organisations or perspectives.

In my travels up and down the country to this conference and that, in my communications with aspie friends back home who are not amongst the “key” activists, there is a lot of shared experience, opinions, and culture out there, adding considerable weight to the vocies of the activists. It’s not all coming out of the internet culture either, it is on the ground in pubs clubs and meeting places now.

If you did not believe autistics are shaping any discourse, ask yourself why our voices were heard at treehouse, and why the NAS is running a campaign called I exist. These things would not happen if the parents perspective were the only one that is prevailing in the UK.

What is more we are also having a greater impact through and with the wider disability movement, who have already made some headway.

At least it is not like in Canada.

And I’m not saying I should see people rioting in the streets or such things. That’s not of interest. But I don’t see autistics shaping the U.K. discourse in any way, or rallying a large base of popular support to shape public policy in a significant way.

And the notion of “various autistic movements” is an interesting one. What variety in movements are you talking about? I’m not seeing a variety of seperate movements either (granted, I’m not seeing one). I’m not even seeing really divergent ideological strains in autistic advocacy at this point, and I’m taking this as a general statement.

So… I’d like a little qualification, if you would (and I suspect you’ll provide). Is there potentially work being done that might build that kind of consensus and generality needed for a movement? Perhaps there is, though I don’t have a full sense of that being in the U.S. But as to an already existing movement? I’m admittedly skeptical.

Cliff

Consider this that what Bob Wright is not saying is that he had to endure the indignity of speaking on a platform alongside an autistic activist, after having had to sit through a video full of autistics speaking for themselves, and worst of all, having to endure an audience flapping for applause instead of clapping.

I do think that we in the various autistic movements in the UK, made our presence felt last night in a number of “subversive” ways.

Interesting also to see that on Tuesday although autism speaks maintained there usual presence at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism, Bob Wright was not there to here the reports from five years after the committee’s autism manifesto launch.

This was the outcome of work started before Autism Speaks even existed over here, and from the outset autistics have been going to those parliamentary meetings and asking questions of the politicians.

We have quite a vigorous autistic movement in the UK, and we are doing more than just protesting.

By the way, loved the article, Regan. Thanks for posting links.

Cliff

I think Treehouse share some of the blame for inviting this disgusting self publicist into the country with his press machine, arranging convenient publicity shots entertaining and being entertained by “the great and the good”, when he has nothing but vacancy to represent. It is just as well that most autism charities in the UK, seem to share the contempt for him that our community has, you cannot come over here to the country where the worlds first autistic society was founded, and then say nothing is happening here.

He thinks he is the only show in town, well let me tell you the circus came to town and then went, it was all smoke and noise.

I think society can come to accept and embrace all diversity rather than say that people are better off if they look, act or think a certain, preferable way.

I hope some autistic adults will respond here because I’d really like to get their take on this subject.