happy world autism awareness day! hilo~ just adding on to my wiwo. please don't light it up blue for autism awareness day/month. this slogan was created and is used by a group called autism speaks, who are notorious among autistic individuals for its history of emphasis on a cure, allocating its funds disproportionately to research and marketing rather than directly giving support to autistic individuals and their families, and its lack of autistic leadership (source: WEAR #REDINSTEAD ON AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY). this group has also supported the idea that vaccines cause autism in the past, stating things like "It remains possible that, in rare cases, immunization may trigger the onset of autism symptoms in a child with an underlying medical or genetic condition" (source: Autism Speaks Too Late on Vaccines | Shot of Prevention). they've also endorsed negative stereotypes surrounding autism, framing it as a tragedy and a burden to parents and further stigmatizing it. to conclude, please #wearredinstead this month. this is a color that has been supported and endorsed by many autistic individuals for autism awareness month, and is the preferable alternative to giving support to a group that has done nearly the opposite of its purpose in many glaringly obvious situations. happy autism awareness day! ~j oh, also if i need to make any changes or additions please lmk :)
p.s. here's some articles that i used: https://www.learnfromautistics.com/wear-redinstead-on-autism-acceptance-day/ https://shotofprevention.com/2015/02/21/autism-speaks-too-late-on-vaccines/ https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/best-autism-charities/
