Autism Speaks, I’m waiting
May 25, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Autism Organizations, Disability Rights, Media, Parenting, Weblogs
Yesterday, May 24th, autism bloggers–autistics and autism parents–wrote passionately and profoundly about the killing of 3-year-old Katherine McCarron by her mother on May 13th and of the death of 19-year-old Christopher DeGroot after being locked in the family apartment which his parents set on fire on May 14th. Many of these posts appeared on the Autism Hub; here is a list of the posts.
Michael McCarron, Katherine’s paternal grandfather, has been quoted as saying that “This was not about autism. This was not about a lack of support.”
Here is the Autism Society of America’s response in an email to members:
There have been a number of disturbing accounts in the news lately of parents harming and even killing their child with autism. Parents of children with autism know all too well the challenges of raising a child with a disability, and the hopelessness that is sometimes felt. ASA - and its nationwide network of chapters - is working hard to provide support for families going through difficult times.
What about the challenges the autistic child knows that he or she faces? What about the hopelessness that gets communicated to the child? Is it not our children–our autistic children–who specifically need the most support when “going through difficult times”?
As for (according to the founders) “the largest single organization devoted to autism in the nation”–Autism Speaks in partnership with NAAR–there is no response. At least, not as of this Thursday, May 25th, in the late afternoon.
Autism Speaks, since your motto is “it’s time to listen,” I am right here at Autism Vox waiting for your response to the murder of autistics. You know the huge response that video got.
I’m ready to listen.
Jeff Stimpson
Jill Cornfield
No kidding! I got the ASA e-mail today too and was glad they at least were aware. I am sure Autism Speaks has no clue because they are focusing on themselves and not even paying attention. Go figure? I am sure we all will be waiting, and when they do “speak” it will be about their “proof for the need for a cure”.
I really like this blog of yours too. Each point is well made. THanks
***** (5 stars)