“Awareness of and advocacy for the realities of autism. We don’t need propaganda. We can educate without being preachy. We can advocate, telling our truths, while being kind to one another.”
Read moreIt's April! Time to "Celebrate" Autism?
Letter from the President
It's April! Time to "Celebrate" Autism?
Dear friends,
It's April, so that must mean it's Autism Month, no, World Autism Awareness Day, er, maybe Autism Awareness Month, or perhaps Autism Acceptance Month. Or as we at NCSA prefer to call it, Autism Action Month.
Whatever your preference, while we certainly celebrate and cherish our children (like my nonverbal autistic daughter Sophie, pictured with me here), we do not see autism — an increasingly prevalent, serious neurodevelopmental disorder — as something to celebrate.
When ever more American children cannot talk, and cannot function at grade level, is that something to celebrate?
When a growing percentage of young adults cannot care for themselves and require expensive and intensive 24/7 supervision, is that something to celebrate?
When 1 in 12 boys in a populous New Jersey county have a diagnosis of autism, is that something to celebrate?
When devoted parents are routinely berated online by ideological activists, is that something to celebrate?
After spending billions on research and still not finding causes of autism, except in a fraction of cases, is that something to celebrate?
When our "disability rights" leaders are laser-focused on dismantling options that serve the most severely disabled, is that something to celebrate?
Amidst all the festivities, events and news coverage, never forget the bleak reality simmering underneath the pretty pictures. Our system is failing and families are terrified about the future of their loved ones with autism.
For this we have no magic wand, but we do know one thing: working together we can raise #AuthenticAwareness, and fight for a better future. This is the essence of #AutismAction at NCSA. Honest appraisal of facts. Meaningful research. Realistic policy. Read below about the NCSA Initiatives — and think about how you might take part this April. Sometimes it's as easy as a single click.
Wishing us all a month of #AuthenticAwareness and #AutismAction,
Jill Escher
President
10 Ways to Take #AutismAction with NCSA
This month, you can help create a brighter future for our loved ones. Some are as simple as single "like," "follow" or "subscribe."
1. Join the new NCSA National Grassroots Network
Be part of a national movement to ensure that people with severe autism aren’t left behind.
Sign up here.
2. Subscribe to Autism Confidential
The new podcast from NCSA shines a light on the hottest issues in the world of autism.
Find it on Apple here. Find it on Spotify here
Find it (with video) on YouTube here
3. Tell your story on NCSA's blog
Help us raise #AuthenticAwareness by sharing your story or commentary. Bylines can be anonymous. Just email Jess with your pitch here.
4. Follow NCSA's Facebook page
Want to hear the latest news, commentary, events announcements and action alerts? Simply follow us on Facebook here.
5. Subscribe to NCSA's YouTube channel
Watch our past webinars and other videos and online events here.
6. Help us beef up our Resources
Thanks to crowdsourcing we have compiled helpful national resources, state-based resources, and even an Autism Makers' Guide. Please share your other tips with us.
7. Fight severe autism censorship
Check out our recent NCSA Position Statement on Language, Images and Depictions Concerning Severe Autism. Fight back against those who seek to keep severe autism in the shadows.
8. Prepare for emergencies
The September 26th Project is the annual emergency preparedness checkup for autism and special needs families. But you need not wait until September to go over our checklists.
9. Share our Position Statements
Toward fulfillment of its mission, the board of NCSA has adopted several position statements on pressing issues facing our community. These can help you with your advocacy too.
10. Donate to NCSA
Host a birthday fundraiser on Facebook, designate NCSA as your recipient for monthly giving, or just a one-time gift — all are appreciated here.
#AuthenticAwareness: In some autism families, there is “never a second of peace”
“I live for the manageable days and pray that as time goes on, I find answers for the days that are not.”
Read more#AuthenticAwareness: Stop Shaming Severe Autism!
Why do some advocates single out severe autism as “shameful,” “undignified” and “embarrassing”? Champions of other neurological disorders have come under no such attack.
Read more