Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Deconstructing Myths

In just a couple of hours, Estee Klar-Wolfond, Steve D., D0'C, and I (and oh, yes, did I forget to mention...Autism Diva is here!) will present information about blogging and advocacy to a group of around 200 professionals and parents (and even a few autistic people!) at the University of San Diego's Summer Autism Institute.

One of my parts of the presentation will address some of the myths regarding both Autism Hub and the concept of Neurodiversity. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to showcase some of the inaccuracies being spread by persons with agendas ranging from chelation to the absolute necessity of a single particular treatment for all autistic children.

Many of the attendees will not have heard of the Hub or of neurodiversity before. My hope is that some will be moved by our presentations to further explore the roles played by these concepts in promoting respect for autistic people. When they do, they will encounter such foolishness as "Neurodiversity advocates do not care about 'lower functioning' autistic people," and "None of the bloggers on Autism Hub are actually autistic." Of course, all will be free to form their opinions, but having a chance to warn a few people about these misunderstandings and lies (there are plenty of both, in my opinion) may prove advantageous.

Many thanks to Dr. Anne Donnellan and the University of San Diego for helping us to promote the fair and ethical treatment of all people with neurological differences. More later...

15 comments:

  1. Sweet! Hope your presentation goes down well, and looking forward to the report...

    (I am presenting on "The Autistic Rights Movement and the Disability Rights Movement" at this year's Autscape (the UK's equivalent to Autreat)... suggestions on stuff i should cover are welcome, here...)

    BTW, Bev, have you seen this webcomic? http://www.circleversussquare.com/

    OK, i don't *think* it's about autism, or that ze's directly plagiarising you, but just wondered...

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  2. I just listened to your radio appearance. Well done! Thanks for doing it.

    Relax and have a little bit of fun at the conference.

    Joe

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  3. Have fun! I wish I were there.

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  4. It's great that you are all doing this important work. I hope it goes well. I'm proud to be in any way associated with the good people who make up our varied community.

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  5. San Diego, in the middle of Autism Research Institute land?

    Good luck!

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  6. Wishing you well (and wishing I could be there!)

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  7. I was at the conference and the Hub members did a great job. Bev's presentation was very powerful!

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  8. How did it go? It sounds great.

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  9. Yess...you must post Updates! XD

    Sounds cool. Wish I could've been there!

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  10. I just want to let everyone know that Bev is so brilliant and stated the issues so well. I really enjoyed her presentation. It was first rate.

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  11. T. Rex is proud of all of you!

    http://www.qwantz.com/archive/000771.html

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  12. I was one of the lucky individuals that was the conference this week at UDS. Bev...you are amazing and I have learned so much through you and the other autistcs at the conference.
    THANK YOU

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  13. Bev did a fantastic job. Not sure if I did a fantastic job, but it was pretty fun.

    And I cried, too. Our message is so important.

    I'm not sure, but I think I heard a small rumble at one point during one of our presentations... I'm not sure what it was, but I think it was Bernie Rimland rolling over in his grave...

    (Bernie's home base was San Diego).

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