Autism Advocates Blast Trump Administration Announcement As ‘Dehumanizing’

Autism advocates are blasting President Donald Trump’s announcement this week as “dehumanizing” and “harmful” as he and members of his administration framed instances of the situation as a “horrible, horrible crisis.”

“Our Council of Autistic Advisors shared that the language and tone of the press convention induced profound damage throughout the Autism group,” the Autism Society of America said in a statement. “To explain a person as being on the coronary heart of a ‘horrible, horrible disaster’ that’s ‘destroying households’ isn’t solely inaccurate, it’s dehumanizing and harmful.”

Feedback from Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. describing autistic people additionally drew criticism, in addition to the suggestion that moms might be blamed for his or her kids having autism.

“For many years, autism has been defined by means of scapegoating moms ― chilly parenting, improper feeding, improper decisions, improper medical selections,” Sara Rodrigues, Govt Director of Balanced Learning Center, a nonprofit that works on therapies for autistic individuals, told USA Today. “The targets shift, however the underlying message is similar… autism is your fault, and you need to really feel responsible.”

Advocates referred to as for elevated funding in analysis and a concentrate on inclusive schooling and well being care insurance policies.

The White House has told NPR that the announcement this week included two dad and mom of youngsters with autism, who “praised President Trump for truly listening to the questions and issues of fogeys throughout the nation ― questions and issues that this President and Administration stay dedicated to addressing.”

Colin Killick, the chief director of ASAN, told NPR, “This administration talks a lot about autism. It appears to care little or no about autistic individuals.”