Today, Autism Speaks is sponsoring a conference for families and professionals called "Treating the Whole Person with Autism: Comprehensive Care for Children and Adolescents with ASD." 

It featured my favorite neurotypical autism expert:

Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., director of the McCarton Upper School and chair of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research, emphasized the need to continually think of the changing care needs across the lifespan. Dr. Gerhardt stressed the importance of making optimizing adult outcomes a much higher research priority. In particular, he noted the need to identify and focus on meaningful knowledge and skills vital for independence and fulfillment.

And then there was a lot of stuff about gut bugs and genetics.

Chief science officer Geraldine Dawson said:

"The theme of this conference, treating the whole person, reflects our ultimate goal of helping individuals with ASD to have healthy and successful lives."

But is that the ultimate goal of Autism Speaks?  Or, as they are telling Walmart shoppers across America, is Autism Speaks "dedicated to finding a cure for Autism"?

It's nice that the Twin Mills Camping Resort is raising money for Autism Speaks.  It would be even nicer if the version of Awareness that Autism Speaks espouses in 2012 included telling them that many autistic people feel hurt when NT people give events to raise money for us names like "Camp for a Cure." 

Oh-- and Autism Speaks is advertising on thAutcast today!  So they can pay for you to read why I think eugenics are a major part of their agenda.

Thanks, Autism Speaks!