Looking for the Autism Idol
The Autism Society of American is indeed looking for its own “American Idol”:
Attention persons with autism! Can you sing like an American Idol? Well show us your stuff! ASA is looking for a talented individual to sing the National Anthem at the general opening session and ceremony for the 37th National Conference, Lighting the Way to Hope, in Providence, R.I., Thursday, July 13.
If you are a person with autism, or have a loved one with autism, who has a special talent for singing and would like to be considered for this prestigious honor, please submit a tape or CD to: The Autism Society of Delaware, 5572 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808.
Why not just come out and say “Autism Idol”?
Yes, Charlie can sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” (the first few verses, not with all the words) but I think it would be all right to bypass this “prestigious honor.”
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POSTED IN: Music
8 opinions for Looking for the Autism Idol
Kassiane
Apr 14, 2006 at 10:29 am
There’s one chance to perform *i’m* passing up. And I can sing. Ask my high school choir teacher, my middle school choir teacher, or my K-3 choir teacher.
I love performing too. But doing it for ME, not as a token gesture. If they asked me, personally, to do some backflips or something, not because I’m autistic but because I’m GOOD at them, that’d be something to consider.
Julie
Apr 14, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Ummm… it sounds to me more like it’s some sort of autism-related conference and they’re looking for an autistic person to sing rather than a non-autistic person. Sure, it’s phrased in a tacky way, but is that really such a terrible thing? I don’t have any feelings about it one way or the other. Why not stop looking for things to be offended by?
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 14, 2006 at 2:53 pm
It’s the ASA, the main autism “umbrella” organization of America. My sense is that some parents have felt that the ASA, because it is so big, has to be too many things to too many people, and does not take a firm enough stand on issues.
Wade Rankin
Apr 14, 2006 at 5:49 pm
I suppose Charlie will just have to settle for being an idol for those of us who consider him to be more than a display item.
Bronwyn G
Apr 14, 2006 at 7:45 pm
“Thou shalt have no other idols than me”.
Happy Easter all.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 14, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Charlie generally steals the show around here. Am happy to be in the background.
Julie
Apr 15, 2006 at 9:06 am
I know who they are. Does the fact that it’s the ASA really matter? If it was a different autism-related organization, would people have less of a problem with them looking for an autistic person to sing?
It sounds like they’re just trying to show that autistic people can do things besides just be autistic. I don’t agree 100% with the ASA, but I don’t think that means that every single thing they do is evil and vicious and manipulative.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 15, 2006 at 9:51 am
Julie, I’d have to look more into the history and mission statements of the ASA to fully answer your question. What is your experience with the ASA and other autism organizations?
I guess I would say, in Charlie’s case, singing in his “idolesque” way is all part of being autistic. As for the phenomenon of American Idol-like shows on 21st century popular culture—–that’s a dissertation topic that I’m sure someone is writing or has written, and certainly apropos for discussion in the agora.
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