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Neurodiversity is a framework for understanding human brain function that recognizes the diversity of human cognition as a biological fact. The neurodiversity paradigm argues that diversity in human cognition is normal and that some conditions classified as mental disorders are differences and disabilities that are not necessarily pathological.
The autism rights movement, also known as the autistic acceptance movement, is a social movement allied with disability rights that emphasizes a neurodiversity paradigm, viewing autism as a disability with variations in the human brain rather than as a disease to be cured. The movement advocates for several goals, including greater acceptance of autistic traits and behaviors; reforms of services - i.e. services that focus on improving quality of life and well-being instead of suppression and masking of autistic traits that are adaptive or not harmful or imitations of social behaviors of allistic (non-autistic) peers ; the creation of social networks and events that allow autistic people to socialize on their own terms; and the recognition of the autistic community as a minority group.
The National Autistic Society is a charity for autistic people and their families in the United Kingdom. Since 1962, the National Autistic Society has been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to autism:
The Autism Society of America (ASA) was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland together with Ruth C. Sullivan and a small group of other parents of children with autism. Its original name was the National Society for Autistic Children; the name was changed to emphasize that autistic children grow up. The ASA's stated goal is to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by autistic people as well as their families and the professionals with whom they interact. Although the group has promoted the pseudoscientific belief that vaccines cause autism in the past, it now affirms that there is no link between vaccination and autism. In 2021, the ASA launched a new brand including a logo consisting of multicolor lines forming a fabric with a new slogan, "The Connection Is You".
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Kevin Healey is an autism activist. He also campaigns against bullying.
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Lydia X. Z. Brown is an American autistic disability rights activist, writer, attorney, and public speaker who was honored by the White House in 2013. They are the chairperson of the American Bar Association Civil Rights & Social Justice Disability Rights Committee. They are also Policy Counsel for Privacy & Data at the Center for Democracy & Technology, and Director of Policy, Advocacy, & External Affairs at the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network. In 2022, they unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 7A, losing to state delegate Kathy Szeliga and delegate-elect Ryan Nawrocki.
References
- ↑ "Brief history of the Autistic Society". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- 1 2 Feinstein, Adam (2010). A History of Autism: Conversations with the Pioneers. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4443-5167-5.
- ↑ Fraser, Mark (2 April 2013). "Autistic Society laments 'silent epidemic'...calls for Govt funding". Sunday Express. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ↑ "Observing autism awareness month". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ↑ "Autism Awareness Day 2010". Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Health. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
