Okay, so you want to donate to Autistic Charities. Good for you!

Autism Speaks isn't one of them.

I could just tell you about how every single Autistic individual I have ever spoken to seems to hate the "charity" with a passion. But if you want proof...

Much of their "education" on Autism is deliberately demonizing Autism / Asperger's Syndrome, which as you can imagine is the last thing ANYONE Autistic actually needs. Their most famous video, Autism Every Day, even features a mother who admits in front of her autistic daughter that she had contemplated carrying out a murder-suicide because of her child's Autism.

(Ironically, only a few days after the video's release, one mother did just that to her own daughter. Check out "Karen McCarron" below.)

There are no Autistic members in any controlling position of Autism Speaks, only parents and other related family members. As you can imagine, the divide between "Being Autistic" and "Putting Up with someone else's Autism" is a BIG difference, given how social slights and other communication issues are part and parcel of Autistic behavior, even though it doesn't have to be. As a result, with such lopsided representation, they can hardly presume to speak "for" Autism in any sense.

There exists a very vocal contingent of Autistics online who are appalled with Autism Speaks right down to the choice of logo (They don't appreciate being called "Puzzles", to be honest.) In fact, even MENTIONING Autism Speaks will spark flame wars in Autistic Communities, backed up by plenty of evidence from shunning at Autism fundraisers and conventions to the sheer lack of support they provide current Autistics in favor of long-term "research" that allows them to splurge on PR stunts and lavish corporate expenditures without having to show any proof of the progress they're making with all that money, while true Autistic Charities are choked for funds because it all goes to Autism Speaks.

Fortunately, there ARE alternative charities which would have a far better impact. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and the Dan Marino Foundation are the best alternatives I can recommend to you. Please consider them as your charity to support instead of "Autism Speaks".

I assure you, Autistics prefer to speak for themselves.