ChillCedar
Well-known member
US Autism Funding Cuts 'Useless' To Autistic People, Advocates Say
The Trump administration's push to link acetaminophen use to autism has been met with widespread criticism from autistic individuals and their advocates. The proposed research agenda is seen as a distraction from what truly matters – providing support services and funding for quality of life research.
Autistic people are not concerned about the causes of autism, which have long been linked to genetics. Instead, they want to address pressing issues such as communication devices, employment outcomes, and mental health care. "Preventing autism or identifying its causes are nowhere near the top of our list," said Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
The administration's efforts have been described as "eliminationist rhetoric" by some advocates, who fear that this kind of thinking will lead to further stigmatization and marginalization of autistic individuals. "Autistic people are not a problem to be solved; we're a community with our own strengths and challenges," said Jessica Banks, a neurodivergent mom and educator.
The cuts in federal funding for autism research have already had a significant impact on the field. Research on quality of life has been severely underfunded, leaving many questions unanswered. "We need more support for children's hospitals, for medical care, and for sensory integration and restrictive feeding programs," said Thomas Wallach, chief of pediatric gastroenterology.
The administration's focus on autism is part of a broader push against people with differences, according to some advocates. "Autistic people are being targeted as a group that needs to be punished," said Banks. This kind of thinking is seen as a threat to the very existence and dignity of autistic individuals.
Gross and other advocates are calling for more inclusive and supportive policies, rather than ones that perpetuate stigma and marginalization. "We need resources to make the most of our strengths while allowing the whole person to have worth and dignity," she said.
The Trump administration's push to link acetaminophen use to autism has been met with widespread criticism from autistic individuals and their advocates. The proposed research agenda is seen as a distraction from what truly matters – providing support services and funding for quality of life research.
Autistic people are not concerned about the causes of autism, which have long been linked to genetics. Instead, they want to address pressing issues such as communication devices, employment outcomes, and mental health care. "Preventing autism or identifying its causes are nowhere near the top of our list," said Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
The administration's efforts have been described as "eliminationist rhetoric" by some advocates, who fear that this kind of thinking will lead to further stigmatization and marginalization of autistic individuals. "Autistic people are not a problem to be solved; we're a community with our own strengths and challenges," said Jessica Banks, a neurodivergent mom and educator.
The cuts in federal funding for autism research have already had a significant impact on the field. Research on quality of life has been severely underfunded, leaving many questions unanswered. "We need more support for children's hospitals, for medical care, and for sensory integration and restrictive feeding programs," said Thomas Wallach, chief of pediatric gastroenterology.
The administration's focus on autism is part of a broader push against people with differences, according to some advocates. "Autistic people are being targeted as a group that needs to be punished," said Banks. This kind of thinking is seen as a threat to the very existence and dignity of autistic individuals.
Gross and other advocates are calling for more inclusive and supportive policies, rather than ones that perpetuate stigma and marginalization. "We need resources to make the most of our strengths while allowing the whole person to have worth and dignity," she said.
The US government's decision to cut funding for autism research is pretty shocking if you ask me 
. I mean, we all know that finding a cure for autism isn't gonna happen overnight 
. What autistic people really need is more support services and funding for quality of life research 
. Like, have you seen the lack of communication devices and employment opportunities out there? It's like, come on 
! We shouldn't be stigmatized just because we're different 
. The administration's focus on autism is just a distraction from what really matters – helping autistic people live their best lives 
. And honestly, I think the whole acetaminophen link thing is pretty sketchy 
. It's like they're trying to blame autistic people for something that's beyond our control 
. We need more inclusive and supportive policies, not ones that perpetuate stigma and marginalization 
.
. autistic ppl r not worried bout causin autism, its about havin acces 2 comunicashun devs, gettin jobs & good mental health care 
. dont @ me but it feels like dey r tryna stigmatize us more. like, autistic ppl rnt a prob to b solved, we got our own strengthes & challs 
. need more fundin 4 sensory intgration & restrictiv feeding programs, pls 
. anythin els is jus more drama 
we need more funding 4 sensory integration & medical care not just some lame research that dont even make sense. autistic ppl rnt a problem 2 b solved they're jus another community with ther own strengths & challenges 
It's not like we're a problem that needs to be solved, we're a community with our own strengths and challenges 
and to think they're linking acetaminophen use to autism... like, what's next? cutting funding for diabetes research because of a weak link between coffee consumption and type 1? 
It's so frustrating to see people making claims like "autistic people are a community with our own strengths and challenges" yet still having this "eliminationist rhetoric" going on. 
We need more inclusive policies not less, it's so basic but apparently no one is listening...
this is just so messed up... all they care about is finding out what causes autism like it's some kinda puzzle we gotta solve 
but autistic people are literally DYING for more help with stuff that actually matters 
employment, healthcare, communication devices 
these ppl need support, not 'solutions' to be fixed 
the whole thing is just a huge distraction from what's really important 
.
.
.
.
. And let's be real, mental health care for autistic kids is NOT on the table 
.
. Autistic people are NOT a problem to be solved, they're a community with their own strengths and challenges 
on what's really important for autistic people, and here are some points that came up:
comparing the two approaches:
thats just code for "we want to get rid of autistic ppl" no thanks, we're a community with our own strengths and challenges 
it was sooo good! like I'm not even kidding I laughed out loud for like 20 mins straight