Tag: neurodiversity

Autistic Adults

Autistic adults are easy to find if you choose to look for them, instead of blindly believing in an autism epidemic associated with vaccines.

A common argument for those who believe in a true autism epidemic that is associated with vaccines is that there are no autistic adults.

“Where are all the adults with classic autism? Where are the hand flapping, head banging, self-abusive, spinning, screaming, rocking, stimming, non-verbal and violent 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 year olds wearing autism helmets and diapers? Where are the grown-ups at the mall experiencing violent tantrums, seizures and GI tract problems?”

Robert F Kennedy, Jr on Is the Autism Epidemic Real?

Of course, the argument is easy is disprove.

Kennedy on Classic Autism

The worst part of Kennedy’s statement is how he chooses to define “classic autism.”

“Functioning labels do not always relate to people’s real skills and can be based on hurtful stereotypes about autistic people. They also assume that people’s skills cannot change over time.”

Finn Gardiner on The Problems with Functioning Labels

Considering that he has also used the term holocaust when talking about autism, it’s not a surprise though.

“We all deserve to be respected for who we are.”

Amy Sequenzia on It is About Respect

But we shouldn’t let folks like Robert F Kennedy, Jr define what autism is for everyone.

Autistic Adults

What’s the first clue that there are autistic adults?

Yes, that’s right, it is all of the autistic adults!

Did you know that the Autistic Children’s Aid Society of North London formed in 1962? It later became the The National Autistic Society.

And the first meeting of the National Society of Autistic Children was held in 1965. It became the Autism Society of America.

Around this time, the Sybil Elgar School (1965) was established as the first school for autistic children and Somerset Court (1972) was established as the first residential community for autistic adults.

Think about Kennedy’s claim. Are we to believe that we have no autistic adults now, but in 1972, there was a need for a residential community for autistic adults?

Also consider that the children diagnosed with autism by DSM-III criteria (1980) are now adults, as that was almost 40 years ago.

Some folks, like Robert F Kennedy, Jr, would likely be surprised that autistic adults published a book to help autistic teens and adults go to college.
Some folks will likely be surprised to know that autistic adults published a book to help autistic teens and adults go to college. They shouldn’t be!

Where are the autistic adults?

They are easily found, if you choose to look for them.

Like everyone else, many of them are:

And sure, some have more issues than others. Some are living at home or in supported living arrangements, too many live in poverty, and tragically, too many die young.

That’s why it is important that we all do more to support autistic children, autistic adults, and their families, instead of continuing to believe these folks who push propaganda about vaccines.

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