Before mentioning anything negative, I’d like to start with this positive bit of information:
Aspie adults (often referred to as being on the autism spectrum) looking for a group to meet with in the Hudson Valley, do have one to attend that’s between New York City and Albany. It is Aspies of the Round Table. The best aspect of ART is that it’s a non-judgmental environment.
Here’s some sad news about the big groups:
Don’t even think that the Autism Society of America does what it can to support people on the autism spectrum. If it was true that they did, I wouldn’t have had this experience with their Hudson Valley Chapter [included in my Self-consciousness vs. self-awareness/other awareness post published on April 30, 2009]:
While I was at the 2009 annual Walk for Autism, I went up to a booth, of the local sub-chapter (of a high society organization ‘for’ Autism), to inquire why they had stopped responding to my e-mails sent over a year ago when I asked about them about including a link to the adult Aspie group’s weblog I attend.¹ They originally told me it was a wonderful idea. I had told them the link would benefit many adults on the spectrum if it was included on their website. Since that link never appeared and I had the chance to talk with them in person, I suggested it again. Again, I was told it was a good idea and that I should put information about this group into their suggestion box. When I came back with the brochure to give them, I was told they would bring it up at their next board meeting. I knew they’d never include that link even before I asked them the first time around. The only reason I pursued this was to confirm data in my own mind about the social behavior of humans.
Later, I was overheard talking about this incident. I didn’t think I did anything unusual. Apparently I had. The ’socially incorrect’ thing I did was to confront them by pointing out that my e-mails were ignored; plus, I had the nerve to persist in spite of what should have been an obvious hint that what’s going on is a political affair I’m not welcome to attend. I was supposed to be intimidated by them, but since I wasn’t self-conscious, they were the ones who felt offended by my ‘rude’ behavior. I think that’s hilarious!
The Autism Society of America isn’t the only hornet’s nest of greed. Here’s something not so hilarious, but rather nauseating:
Make Autism Speaks $1,000 more wealthy² and become a member of their exclusive VIP Club. Yipee!… $150 will get you a T-shirt! I bet the wearers of such T-shirts are too ignorant and/or careless to realize they’re wearing a sticker on their back that says, “I’m a sucker. Kick me.”
¹What would happen if everyone who really cares about Aspies were to contact this society to ask them for information about an adult Asperger group in the Hudson Valley area that meets between New York City and Albany and then ask them why they don’t have any information about this group on their website? Wouldn’t you be interested to hear what story they contrive?
²That was during their 2009 Walk Now for Autism Speaks event they’ve disabled from view sometime between when this post was published and 3.15.10.
