Talk:Autism Speaks

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Autismspeaks is hurtful to the autistic community.

This organisation should not be considered an advocacy group. It has previously aimed to find a 'cure' for autism when there is no cure because autism is not a disease. Many autistic people find it very hurtful because of this and other past actions. It would be beneficial if some editing was allowed in order to make the average reader aware of the opposition movements against it, and the general feeling against it within the autistic community. WEEEZUS (talk) 15:37, 11 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Frank Ludwig has some relevant articles:

— Lee Carré (talk) 10:14, 2 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

When discussing whether or not something is a disease the sources should be WP:MEDRS compliant, otherwise the article runs the risk of parroting poorly researched information. XeCyranium (talk) 02:22, 4 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Definitely agree with this statement. Autism speaks is a charity for a cure for autism, if which there is none. Mamabear242 (talk) 10:19, 21 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Accusations of being a hate group

Autism Speaks has had accusations of being a hate group by autistics. Autism Speaks often talks about autistics in a way that makes them feel devalued.

Incorrect assertion within the article that autism being a disease is a mainstream medical view

This article states that "Autism Speaks' advocacy has been based on the mainstream medical view of autism as a disease". This is incorrect. The mainstream medical view of autism is that it is a lifelong neurodiverse condition. Whilst individuals can learn coping mechanisms to help them deal with the challenges they face as an autistic person, they will still be autistic throughout their lives.

Whilst a view does exist that Autism is a disease, it is not mainstream, it is a view on the periphery that has been adopted by this charity. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that autism is "a diverse group of conditions" caused by many factors including environmental and genetic factors. The wording "the mainstream medical view of autism as a disease" should be removed. Whilst it is not removed Wikipedia is providing a platform for an incorrect ascertion (fake information) that is damaging to the autistic community. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Boris the Flea (talk • contribs) 20:20, 16 October 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The first three citations in the article ([7][8][9]) do not support the lead assertions of controversy or scale

"Autism Speaks Inc. (AS) is a controversial autism advocacy organization and the largest autism research organization in the United States.[7][8][9]" Is the lead sentence of this article with three sources cited. None of the citations support the assertions that Autism Speaks is controversial or the largest autism research organization in the United States.

[7] This source (Singh J, Hallmayer J, Illes J (2007)) makes no mention of controversy over Autism Speaks nor does it assert that Autism Speaks is the largest autism research organization in the United States.

[8] This source (Newsweek (2021)) is a rehash of Twitter drama regarding a partnership with Google, the only fact asserted in the article. Since all reference to controversy is made from selected tweets from unknown individuals this source violates WP:RS#User-generated_content, nor does it assert that Autism Speaks is the largest autism research organization in the United States.

[9] This source ("Charity Navigator" (undated)) is a blatant violation of WP:RS#Questionable_content and WP:RS#User-generated_content. Moreover, it also makes no mention whatsoever of controversy involving Autism Speaks nor does it assert that Autism Speaks is the largest autism research organization in the United States. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:189:8201:B000:F5C3:EC75:AF76:F77B (talk) 01:59, 30 December 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that the assertion is unsupported by the cites, though I disagree with your interpretation of what counts as user-generated content regarding the Newsweek one, given the article itself isn't user-generated. Nevertheless this article seems to mention several instances of controversy regarding the organization which I think could be mentioned in the lead, still definitely not in the first sentence as it's currently written. I'm going to check how controversial the org is portrayed as being in sources before I make any changes. XeCyranium (talk) 02:32, 4 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

No "criticism" or "reception" section?

The organization has received a lot of criticism for its positions, including from people on the autism spectrum. However, the article does not appear to cover that at all, beyond one or two sentences on response to specific activities. Whether you agree with this criticism or not, this coverage is definitely more than notable enough to warrant its own section. 87.129.180.234 (talk) 14:34, 22 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

There needs to be a controversy section

these guys are pure evil i tell you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.30.52.72 (talk) 00:02, 3 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

They moved their headquarters

I was just on their website and it says they're based at 1060 State Road Princeton NJ not NYC