Talk:Autism Speaks

Proposed merger: Light It Up Blue

The Light It Up Blue initiative/event is a fundraising campaign for Autism Speaks. It does not exist without Autism Speaks. Therefore, the information on Light It Up Blue is entirely within the purview of this article. Muffinator (talk) 00:08, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

Support: Examining the sources, I'm not entirely sure it's notable outside its relation to Autism Speaks. Therefore, I believe it should be merged. - Purplewowies (talk) 00:01, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

Oppose: A notable social movement. RoyalMate1 20:16, 18 February 2015 (UTC)

Comment: But is it notable outside its connection to Autism Speaks? Is it independently notable? Most sources I find stress its connection to Autism Speaks in a way that seems like it's not notable without the connection. (In short, I'm wondering if you have sources that discuss it independently of Autism Speaks, Royalmate1.) - Purplewowies (talk) 18:09, 20 April 2015 (UTC)

When discussion is so slow, just go ahead and do it. If anyone objects you will see it then. Currently it's only cluttering the article. -- CFCF 🍌 (email) 18:42, 20 April 2015 (UTC)

WP:BRD

The generally accepted flow in disputes is outlined at WP:BRD. If you boldly make a change and it is reverted, it is time to discuss the issue. BRBRBRD is not a generally accepted alternative.

Franklludwig added material sourced to buzzfeed, which is not a reliable source. I reverted for that reason. Franklludwig undid the revert without explanation. Strongjam reverted for the same reason. Franklludwig restored the material, citing a Facebook group, which is not a reliable source. I have re-re-reverted the addition and this is the discussion. Discuss. - SummerPhD (talk) 18:55, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

The fact that the media have remained quiet and none of the established websites have written about it doesn't alter the fact that it happened, and the Facebook thread in itself is proof for that. I can't see any plausible reason for removing the paragraph apart from protecting Autism Speaks from criticism. - Frank L. Ludwig— Preceding unsigned comment added by Franklludwig (talk • contribs) 19:39, May 13, 2015‎

Policy requires us to source all claims to reliable sources. If something isn't in mainstream sources then it shouldn't be on Wikipedia. — Strongjam (talk) 19:48, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

While you may feel that independent reliable sources "should have" reported on this, Wikipedia only covers material that was covered by independent reliable sources. Self-published sources are not sufficient here. - SummerPhD (talk) 19:56, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Now that we have a parade of IPs (likely socks) restoring the edit, I guess it's time for page protection. - SummerPhD (talk) 11:39, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Wow Wow Wubzy?

The lead of this article claims that Autism Speaks uses Wow Wow Wubzy as a mascot. However, the link to the article on their website about it just mentions that they worked with them once for something on Nick's website in 2009. At the very least, is this really worth mentioning in the lead? The blue puzzle piece is definetly significantly more important to their image and is the "mascot" that I personally think should be mentioned in the lead. Wubzy at best strikes me as oddly fascinating trivia. Luthien22 (talk) 15:44, 2 April 2016 (UTC)

eugenics, genocide

autism speaks advocates genocide against autistic people. the united nations definition of genocide reads:

...any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a) killing members of the group;
(b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
</blockquote

while autistic people don't comprise a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, autism speaks does cause serious bodily and mental harm to autistic people by advocating aba, a form of child abuse which is used against autistic children, and their primary goal is to be able to prevent the birth of future autistic people.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.17.182.15 (talk • contribs) 22:40, April 4, 2016‎

You need to cite an independent reliable source which specifically states Autism Speaks has ties to eugenics. Without that, this is WP:OR and cannot be included. - SummerPhD^v2.0 03:17, 5 April 2016 (UTC)

It says on their site that they want to prevent autism. That, by definition is genocide! Mage Resu (talk) 01:21, 20 July 2016 (UTC)

That is your fairly far-ranging interpretation, apparently based on the assumption that people with autism constitute a ethnic, national, racial, or religious group and that finding a effective preventative measure would be the systematic elimination of that group. Taking those two leaps and gluing them together is not objectively reporting what independent reliable sources say about Autism Speaks.

The article currently states, "Autism Speaks stated as its goal 'to accelerate and fund biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism spectrum disorders; to increase awareness of the disorder; and to improve the quality of life of affected individuals and their families'." If, as you propose, this is clearly a call for genocide, it should be a simple matter to find a reliable source saying that. We do not have such sources. - SummerPhD^v2.0 03:07, 20 July 2016 (UTC)

There are plenty of sources claiming that it is a call for genocide. Just look around! Is Autism $peaks paying you to write any of this? How isn't this a call for genocide. Mage Resu (talk) 05:22, 20 July 2016 (UTC)

Updates to Awareness section

Hello to editors watching this page. To provide some more detail for this article, based on sources about Autism Speaks, I have prepared a few sentences for the Awareness section that I would like to suggest for inclusion. The updates are intended to offer more information about the co-founder of Autism Speaks, Suzanne Wright, who has been heavily involved in awareness activities since the founding of the organization. As disclosure, I should note: I am here on behalf of Bob and Suzanne Wright as part of my work at Beutler Ink. Due to my financial conflict of interest, I will not make any edits to the article myself but hope that uninvolved editors will review and make the edits if they look ok.

You can see my proposed updates here, in green, and the full markup is available below:

Proposed Awareness draft

Awareness

One of Autism Speaks' roles since its founding in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright is to increase awareness.

The Walk for Autism Research program conducts an annual autism walk on Long Island, New York; the walk attracted 20,000 participants in October, 2006, and raised $2 million.

Prior to her leave of absence in 2015, Suzanne Wright had been called the face and voice of the organization. She appeared on NBC's The Today Show to discuss the Ad Council campaign launched in conjunction with Autism Speaks to raise autism awareness and to highlight the importance of early detection. Wright addressed the United Nations in December 2007, urging its members to accept the World Autism Day resolution. In addition to helping in the designation of April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, Wright has been credited with assisting the launch of Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign and annual World Focus on Autism event.

Autism Speaks sponsored and distributes the short film Autism Every Day, produced by Lauren Thierry and Eric Solomon.

References

Markup

====Awareness===
[[File:5F23.jpg|thumb|On April 2, 2013 the [[Cloth Hall, Ypres]], [[Belgium]] with {{Ill|nl|Nieuwerck}} was lit up blue for the [[World Autism Day#World Autism Day|World Autism Day]].]]

One of Autism Speaks' roles since its founding in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright is to increase awareness.<ref name=Leaders11>{{cite web |url=http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.2_apr/New%20Frontiers%20in%20Doing%20Good/LEADERS-Suzanne-Bob-Wright-Autism-Speaks.html |title=A Strong Voice: An interview with Suzanne and Bob Wright, co-founders, Autism Speaks |author= |date=April 2011 |work= |publisher=Leaders Magazine |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref>

The Walk for Autism Research program conducts an annual autism walk on [[Long Island, New York]]; the walk attracted 20,000 participants in October, 2006, and raised $2 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/long_island_kickoff.php |title= Long Island Walk holds enthusiastic 2007 kick off |publisher= Autism Speaks |year=2007 |accessdate=2008-11-21| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20081007131938/http://www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/long_island_kickoff.php| archivedate= 7 October 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

Prior to her leave of absence in 2015,<ref name=Donnelly15/> Suzanne Wright had been called the face and voice of the organization.<ref name=NantucketToday12>{{cite news |title=Bob & Suzanne Wright |url=http://digitaleditions.sheridan.com/publication/?i=132541&p=63 |newspaper=Nantucket Today |date=Winter 2012 |accessdate=28 April 2016}}</ref> She appeared on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' to discuss the [[Ad Council]] campaign launched in conjunction with Autism Speaks to raise autism awareness and to highlight the importance of early detection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/today_suzanne_wright_alert.php |title= Suzanne Wright discusses new Autism Speaks awareness campaign on Today Show, MSNBC |publisher= Autism Speaks |accessdate=2008-11-21}}</ref> Wright addressed the [[United Nations]] in December 2007, urging its members to accept the World Autism Day resolution.<ref name=Pace09>{{cite news |title=Philanthropist wages fight to cure autism |last1=Pace |first1=Giacinta |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33868343/ns/us_news-giving/t/philanthropist-wages-fight-cure-autism/#.Vx_cHqMrLVo |newspaper=[[NBC News]] |date=12 November 2009 |accessdate=28 April 2016}}</ref><ref name=HuffingtonPost13>{{cite news |title=World Autism Awareness Day 2013: A conversation with Bob and Suzanne Wright |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grown-and-flown/world-autism-awareness-day_b_2944287.html |newspaper=[[Huffington Post]] |date=2 April 2013 |accessdate=28 April 2016}}</ref> In addition to helping in the designation of April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, Wright has been credited with assisting the launch of Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign and annual World Focus on Autism event.<ref name=Donnelly15>{{cite news |title=Autism warrior turns focus to a new battle |last1=Donnelly |first1=Shannon |url=http://theinsiderblog.blog.palmbeachdailynews.com/2015/11/03/autism-warrior-turns-focus-to-a-new-battle/ |newspaper=[[Palm Beach Daily News]] |date=3 November 2015 |accessdate=28 April 2016}}</ref>

Autism Speaks sponsored and distributes the short film ''[[Autism Every Day]]'', produced by Lauren Thierry and Eric Solomon.<ref name="Moore AS">{{cite news |title= Hard-hitting look at autism is being shown at Sundance |author= Moore AS |work= New York Times |url=http://nytimes.com/2007/01/21/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/21lifilm.html |date=2007-01-21 |accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref>

I welcome feedback and for others to share their thoughts on my suggested additions here. Happy to respond to any questions here. Many thanks! 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 01:56, 20 May 2016 (UTC)

Pinging this request, in case anyone watching this page is able to take a look. @SummerPhDv2.0: as you seem to be active on this page (and have been over time), I'm wondering if you'd be interested to review this request? Thanks in advance! 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 19:06, 2 June 2016 (UTC)

Dropping another note here to let see if editors are able to look at this request. @Quackslikeaduck: I see you added the infobox containing a mention of Suzanne and Bob Wright as co-founders earlier this year. If you have a moment, can you assist here? Thanks in advance! 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 21:37, 15 June 2016 (UTC)

 Done , I added much of the proposed content. I added content that is relevant to Autism Speaks, rather than only to Wright. I did not add a redundant citation. I reworded the content regarding the United Nations resolution based on the information in the citation given. 16912 Rhiannon, thank you for respecting WP:COI. ~ Quacks Like a Duck (talk) 22:03, 15 June 2016 (UTC)

Thanks much, Quacks Like a Duck. Appreciate your review and making the updates. 16912 Rhiannon (Talk · COI) 17:32, 16 June 2016 (UTC)