My autism is a part of who I am – and I don’t need to be ‘cured’ (Picture: Erin Aniker for Metro.co.uk)I am (ASC), as is my youngest son.I’m always grumbling about how so many people still don’t really understand it, so – March 26 to April 2 – can only be a good thing, right?Well, sort of. Any raising of public awareness is a good thing when it comes to, so long as there are no ulterior motives and it’s just about helping people learn about the condition and how to support those with it.But then there’s.Their ‘’ campaign has been so successful in the United States that it’s now pretty much ubiquitous – even major landmarks such as Niagara Falls and the White House have been known to ‘light up blue’. The White House has lit up blue (Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)However, Autism Speaks are an ‘autism advocacy organisation’ who offer a wide range of therapies, interventions and treatments for autistic children. Which is where the issues start to creep in.Up until 2016, Autism Speaks openly worked towards finding a ‘cure’ for autism, despite the autistic community regularly explaining why trying to ‘cure’ an inherent condition was offensive.According to a video they produced – which has since been withdrawn by the organisation themselves but copies of which – having an autistic child meant the end of your life as you know it.

AdvertisementA sample from:I am autism.I’m visible in your children, but if I can help it, I am invisible to you until it’s too late.I know where you live.And this:I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. I derive great pleasure out of your loneliness.I will fight to take away your hope. I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams. I will make sure that every day you wake up you will cry, wondering who will take care of my child after I die?As an autistic parent of an autistic son, I can tell you right now that I do not wake up every day and cry about how terrible autism is – because it isn’t.Autism doesn’t rob either myself or my son of our dreams – if anything, it makes our dreams more vivid, brilliant and ridiculously wonderful.Autism cannot be ‘cured’ – it is a difference in the wiring of the brain and is permanently built into our genetic makeup. What Autism Speaks offers is training to coax your child into ‘behaving acceptably’, in much the same way one would train a dog.Applied Behaviour Analysis is the most common therapy offered by organisations such as Autism Speaks. Their ‘100 Day Treatment Kit’ states:Treatment for autism is usually a very intensive, comprehensive undertaking that involves the child’s entire family and a team of professionals  The recommended number of hours of structured intervention ranges from 25 to 40 hours per week during the preschool period ABA methods use the following three step process to teach:An antecedent, which is a verbal or physical stimulus such as a command or request.

This may come from the environment or from another person or be internal to the subject;A resulting behavior, which is the subject’s (or in this case, the child’s) response or lack of response to the antecedent;A consequence, which depends on the behavior, can include positive reinforcement of the desired behavior or no reaction for incorrect responses.is less popular in the UK, but does have its supporters. However, as an autistic person I find it incredibly offensive that we should be required to undergo training in order to ‘fit in’ to the world – in more detail than I have space for here. Just a quick reminder that if you're planning on charity activity for this year:1. DO NOT 'LIGHT IT UP BLUE'2. DO NOT DONATE TO AUTISM SPEAKS3. LOOK AT THE HASHTAG4. SUPPORT DECENT CHARITIES SUCH AS and5.

Apr 4, 2012 - Explore autismlearn's board 'Light it up BLUE', followed by 173 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about Gallery lighting, Autism speaks. Nov 13, 2013 - Light It Up Blue Photos To learn more and see how you can help: See more ideas about Autism awareness month, Autism.

RETWEET THIS—??DadGeek UK?? (@dadgeekuk)The fabulous put out this very informative vlog, which explains just how autism can become very big business.After much campaigning and complaints on social media, Autism Speaks have actually brought two autistic people onto their board.Professor Stephen Shore is, among other things, the author of Understanding Autism for Dummies and Valerie Paradiz is an author who was herself diagnosed as autistic at the age of forty.However, this is still only two autistic people out of twenty board members, not including the founders and a ‘Director Emeritus’. Most parents would welcome a cure for their child or a therapy that would alleviate all of the symptoms and challenges that make life difficult.Is There a Cure?Is recovery possible? You may have heard about children who have recovered from autism. Although relatively rare, it is estimated that approximately 10% of children lose their diagnosis of autism.Life can be difficult whether or not a person has ASC. No child is perfect and a child with autism does not need a ‘cure’.Autism Speaks are savvy enough to acknowledge that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ treatment for autism – so they offer several.Even if you are one of the ‘lucky’ parents whose child ‘loses’ their ASC diagnosis, that will only be because they have been forced into adapting their behaviour in order to appear neurotypical.But however well you train them to hide it, they will still be autistic.The suggestion that autism is something that can be ‘recovered’ from is offensive. Most people never lose their ASC diagnosis for the simple reason that autism is part of us – it cannot just disappear.Autism is as much a part of me as my green eyes – they can be temporarily disguised, but they’ll always be green underneath.We do not need a cure – because autism is not a disease.

The ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign raises money for Autism Speaks as an organisation.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some prefer fluffy onesies. The Office Quest is a point & click adventure for all you people who just cannot stay in the office any longer! So who feels like sneaking out early?? The Office Quest is a point & click adventure for all you people who just cannot stay in the office any longer! Solve challenging puzzles and riddles Surprisingly handy objects + your beautiful sharp mind = a clear path towards freedom! Look for the red light and use everything you’ve got to make your way out of the grey abyss called the. The office quest.

FacebookHere are some suggested posts you can make to your Facebook wall to get the word out. Join friends, family, professionals to LIGHT IT UP BLUE in Central and Western, MA. UMass Medical School, UMass Memorial Health Care and Autism Resource Central joins the international movement to host its 10 th annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Celebration on Tuesday, April 2, 5:30-8:00 PM. Enjoy food, fun, autism friendly activities, and a provider fair to learn about resources.

Visit the website to learn more:. Get the word out! Central and Western, MA support Autism Awareness and Acceptance. UMass Medical School, UMass Memorial Health Care, and Autism Resource Central bring families, providers, and friends together to celebrate with entertainment, food, family activities, resource information for it’s 10 th Annual LIGHT IT UP BLUE! At 7:45 PM we will join the international celebration by LIGHTING UMASS MEDICAL SCHOOL UP BLUE! Visit the website to learn more:. At the 10 th Annual UMass Medical School/Memorial Health Care and Autism Resource Central LIGHT IT UP BLUE Celebration bringing autism awareness and acceptance to Central and Western, MA.

Enjoy entertainment, food, family activities, and learn about community providers and resources. Visit the website to learn more:TwitterUse these suggested tweets to help raise awareness.

LIGHT IT UP BLUE! Autism Awareness and Acceptance Celebration, Tuesday, April 2 on the UMass Medical School Campus, Worcester. #LIUBUMassMed Learn more:. Show support for people and families with autism in Central and Western, MA.

Celebrate April 2 with LIGHT IT UP BLUE! #LIUBUMassMed Learn more:. Save the date!

Celebrate with people with autism, their families and friends! Tuesday, April 2 LIGHT IT UP BLUE autism awareness and acceptance. Activities, resources, fun on the UMass Medical School Campus, Worcester. #LIUBUMassMed Learn more:. Your organization name supports families and children with autism! Join us at LIGHT IT UP BLUE! Celebrate autism acceptance and awareness in Central and Western.

Fun activities, resources, food. #LIUBUMassMed Learn more:Photos and GraphicsEnhance your posts with these images.