Autism Speaks: Self-advocates, allies urge boycott

Organizations representing autistic and disability communities — including the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and Autism Women’s Network — are asking corporate sponsors to end support for Autism Speaks.

In a joint letter, they charge that Autism Speaks excludes adults on the autism spectrum from positions of leadership, has a history of supporting “dangerous fringe movements” that threaten people’s lives and safety and, through fundraising efforts, takes money away from needed services in local communities. Finally, through its advertising, it presents autistic people as burdens and their lives as “little more than tragedies.”