Comments on: Random Thoughts from the ASA Conference http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/ A view of autism from along the spectrum Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:54:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Shawn http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-566 Shawn Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:41:17 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-566 Cheryl, I'm glad you found me, even if my accident. I'll put together a post about Stitch but it probably won't be for about two weeks. I've got a few projects underway and I definitely want to put some time into the post on Stitch. It's kind of surprising that I haven't written a post on Stitch yet considering how important he is to the family. Cheryl,

I’m glad you found me, even if my accident. I’ll put together a post about Stitch but it probably won’t be for about two weeks. I’ve got a few projects underway and I definitely want to put some time into the post on Stitch. It’s kind of surprising that I haven’t written a post on Stitch yet considering how important he is to the family.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-559 Cheryl Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:51:45 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-559 I found your blog by accident when searching for "Stitch". My dd has AS and is a die-hard Stitch fan. She also has a special interest in canines. Can you blog about your Stitch and what types of training he has? I'd love to hear more about assistance dogs for people with ASDs. Thanks! Cheryl I found your blog by accident when searching for “Stitch”. My dd has AS and is a die-hard Stitch fan. She also has a special interest in canines. Can you blog about your Stitch and what types of training he has? I’d love to hear more about assistance dogs for people with ASDs.

Thanks!
Cheryl

]]> By: Jerry Grasso http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-470 Jerry Grasso Tue, 25 Jul 2006 15:35:31 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-470 I really like your Web site, FYI. I have linked it to mine. Keep it up, good stuff. I'll post about your site tomorrow morning. I really like your Web site, FYI. I have linked it to mine. Keep it up, good stuff.

I’ll post about your site tomorrow morning.

]]> By: Ian Parker http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-464 Ian Parker Mon, 24 Jul 2006 21:15:12 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-464 Wasn't there a famous actor/actress who had a quote about never working with kids and animals because one was sure to be upstaged? ;-) Wasn’t there a famous actor/actress who had a quote about never working with kids and animals because one was sure to be upstaged? ;-)

]]> By: Shawn http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-423 Shawn Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:08:29 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-423 Amanda and Kassiane, I apprecieate your comments. I admit to struggling with what is acceptable from the large national and international Autism groups. I'm willing to accept some bad with the good, as I think most of us are. After all, organizations, like people, aren't perfect. I'm probably less sensitive to the some shortcomings. The ASA, for example, seems largely driven by the needs of parents and autistic children which is where I'm focused right now. I don't catch all the things they fail to do. For what it's worth here's my take on two of the ASA's current shortcomings. The recent conference fee structure which seemed to penalize autistic presenters was a stupid thing to let happen. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that someone just wasn't thinking things through when the fees were set. I'll also assume that some other people were simply being too inflexible when the mistake was pointed out. However, I expect it to be changed next year. The fact that autisitic people are in the minority in the ASA is more of a fundamental and philosophical problem. It really requires the ASA to broaden their focus and will take time to change. I believe there should be continual pressure, from within, and without, to change in this direction. And Kassiane, most people say the kids and the dog are more memorable! Amanda and Kassiane,

I apprecieate your comments. I admit to struggling with what is acceptable from the large national and international Autism groups. I’m willing to accept some bad with the good, as I think most of us are. After all, organizations, like people, aren’t perfect. I’m probably less sensitive to the some shortcomings. The ASA, for example, seems largely driven by the needs of parents and autistic children which is where I’m focused right now. I don’t catch all the things they fail to do.

For what it’s worth here’s my take on two of the ASA’s current shortcomings. The recent conference fee structure which seemed to penalize autistic presenters was a stupid thing to let happen. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that someone just wasn’t thinking things through when the fees were set. I’ll also assume that some other people were simply being too inflexible when the mistake was pointed out. However, I expect it to be changed next year. The fact that autisitic people are in the minority in the ASA is more of a fundamental and philosophical problem. It really requires the ASA to broaden their focus and will take time to change. I believe there should be continual pressure, from within, and without, to change in this direction.

And Kassiane, most people say the kids and the dog are more memorable!

]]> By: Kassiane http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-421 Kassiane Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:44:41 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-421 I remember you! Or, well, the dog and the kids. I barely registered the adults with the dog and kids at all (sorry, it's true..adults are a lot harder to remember than kids and animals). But if you're going in October, I'll be sure to look for you. Familiar name and all... And I have to agree with Amanda on their campaigns...they're doing BETTER at their conferences and such but BETTER does not always equal GOOD. I remember you! Or, well, the dog and the kids. I barely registered the adults with the dog and kids at all (sorry, it’s true..adults are a lot harder to remember than kids and animals).

But if you’re going in October, I’ll be sure to look for you. Familiar name and all…

And I have to agree with Amanda on their campaigns…they’re doing BETTER at their conferences and such but BETTER does not always equal GOOD.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-420 Amanda Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:00:17 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-420 Just remember, that whatever good they are doing, autistic people are still in a vast minority of people being listened to, rarely allowed in more than token positions of power, portrayed in horrible ways in their publicity campaigns, etc. As in, they're still not "the voice of autism" and "doing good" doesn't cancel that out. Just remember, that whatever good they are doing, autistic people are still in a vast minority of people being listened to, rarely allowed in more than token positions of power, portrayed in horrible ways in their publicity campaigns, etc. As in, they’re still not “the voice of autism” and “doing good” doesn’t cancel that out.

]]> By: Kristina http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-413 Kristina Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:19:53 +0000 http://www.alongthespectrum.com/2006/07/random-thoughts-from-the-asa-conference/#comment-413 So we'll see you in October?----superb! My husband, Jim Fisher, was only at the ASA on Friday and I really wanted to attend with Charlie (and check out all those Abilitations items......)-----but he has been adamany about not missing a day of school. Cheers from Kristina So we’ll see you in October?—-superb! My husband, Jim Fisher, was only at the ASA on Friday and I really wanted to attend with Charlie (and check out all those Abilitations items……)—–but he has been adamany about not missing a day of school.

Cheers from Kristina

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