So, I don’t think it’s news that Autism Speaks doesn’t speak for actual autistic people, nor their families, nor anyone who gives more than half a shit about things like equality, disability rights, neurodiversity, or the rights of children. You know, real trivial stuff.

And yet, they can surprise me. ABFH reports on a horrifying situation come to light, where families with autistic kids–one of which was trying to open a school for kids on the spectrum–who were displaced by Katrina were denied any help from Autism Speaks. The family due to open the school was used in promo material by Autism Speaks, but never given a cent. Read more about it over there at her blog.

Last April (did you know my birthday is World Autism Day? It’s less awesome than it sounds), TJ Maxx (a chain of discount stores, which take clothing and housewears from large department stores and sell them at a hefty discount, and sadly often have awesome and obscure chucks) sponsored a drive for Autism Speaks. I haven’t been able to bring myself to go back since I saw the front window covered in puzzle-shaped pieces of paper, each signifying a dollar given to this do-no-good “charity,” given by individuals duped about their usefulness to the community. Most people don’t know that only 4% of the funds Autism Speaks receives return to the communities. It’s time for more than just autism advocates to protest this bullshit. Every thinking person should be appalled.

Autism Speaks definitely does NOT speak for me.