“Celebrity Group in Civil War”
On Saturday it was Katie Wright Does Not Speak for Autism Speaks; today, courtesy of Fox News, it is Celebrity Autism Group in Civil War. It seems that that there is some dispute between Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright and Lauren Thierry, the director of the Autism Every Day video. Thierry, who has an autistic son, “is accusing the Wrights of appropriating her award-winning film ‘Autism Every Day’ for their own purposes.”
I rather think that this news story could have been called “Celebrity Group in Civil War”: This particular story (as you can read here) could have happened about a film on some other topic, or on some other topic entirely.
After all, as Alison Tepper Singer, Executive V.P. Communications and Awareness for Autism Speaks is quoted by Fox News as saying that, regarding Bob and Suzanne Wright,
the couple would not have known about autism at all had their own family not become involved in it.
That statement says a lot.
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POSTED IN: Autism Organizations, Media
14 opinions for “Celebrity Group in Civil War”
Harold L Doherty
Jun 7, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Isn’t this petty to be wallowing in public gossip about alleged issues from persons within an autism organization simply because they do not share your “neurodiversity” perspective? Must everyone abandon their childrens’ best interest and conform to ND’s confused ideology?
Caroline
Jun 7, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I am proud to consider Lauren Thierry Watkins as a friend. Lauren is a dedicated, loving mother and an intelligent journalist and documentarian.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 7, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Harold: It can indeed be considered petty stuff, and one must point this out, to be sure!
But some might say this sweet achievement is “petty” too.
Caroline, I hope Lauren Thierry receives what she is due for her work. Thank you for telling more about her.
Lisa Jo Rudy at About.com just put up a post regarding this.
Harold L Doherty
Jun 7, 2007 at 1:39 pm
No, that is not a good comparison. A better comparison would be the Neurodiversity Hub which somewhat misleadingly calls itself the Autism Hub. I don’t agree with the Autism Hub’s Neurodiversity ideology but I didn’t blog the recent spats and departures from the Autism Hub even though I think the AH does a great disservice to the cause of autistic people and parents seeking to help their autistic children.
Maria
Jun 7, 2007 at 1:50 pm
That’s not a petty achievement in my book, Kristina! That’s not an easy puzzle to assemble and it is very stimulating visually. “Surprises Every Day” is more like it, don’t you think? I think these kids are just getting started after five.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 7, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Maria, I needed to hear that last sentence five years ago!
For a long time I had to be careful about simply showing Charlie a picture of a ferris wheel as he would have such a hard time transitioning away from looking at it. I also had to be careful about photos of him on any carnival rides. He would carry them with him everywhere and they’d get all torn and shredded and when I taped them up (even laminated them), he would try to tear them more—-and this in the days before I had a digital camera. I think he was quite delighted to see the lit-up wheel on his laptop screen yesterday; his ABA therapist stayed late to watch him do the puzzle.
TheASMAN
Jun 7, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Where there is autism there is civil war lol
Autism seems to have lot of internal disputes and feuds the rest of the world just doesnt get
Maria
Jun 7, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I regret that we were so consumed with taking advantage of that “window of opportunity” to bring our beautiful and sweet daughter “up to speed” developmentally, that we didn’t let ourselves just enjoy her for herself during those precious early childhood years. With all the concern for what was not there, it was hard to see what was. There IS time and with patience and the right tools and people, these kids will continue to progress–on their own timetable.
TheASMAN
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I found this qoute wrong
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n her video interview, Katie Wright criticizes not only Autism Speaks but also a group they took over, the National Alliance for Autism Research, which has organized marches and vigils for 20 years.
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NAAR was founded by eric london and wife from NJ in the 1990’s It was not 20 years in fact I could swear it was 1995.But i need to verify
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:19 pm
According to the Autism Speaks website, NAAR was founded in 1994.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/autism_speaks_naar_merger.php
TheASMAN
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:21 pm
ahh here
http://www.autismspeaks.org/naar_history.php
The walks are only SEVEN yes SEVEN years old jeesh
look
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>
In 1994, the Princeton-based National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) was incorporated, becoming the first national nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research exclusively for autism spectrum disorders.
>>
n 1995, NAAR mailed its first appeal letter. By 1996, the organization announced the availability of funding for biomedical research in autism and made its first request for proposals.
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In 1995, NAAR mailed its first appeal letter. By 1996, the organization announced the availability of funding for biomedical research in autism and made its first request for proposals.
>
In addition, NAAR’s WALK F.A.R. for NAAR autism walkathons — launched in 2000
>
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Maria, I think your point is one that can’t be heard enough. Yes, early intervention is important, but I think it would be well (on parents, at least) not to have that sense of “hurry, hurry, hurry”—not to acknowledge that as our kids grow up, they indeed change and grow, develop and mature, and have been learning all the time. The learning just comes out differently, one might say.
TheASMAN
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:23 pm
lol
beat me to it
I guess thats why you got a PhD
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 7, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I try to put it to use! Try…..
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