It is with some trepidation that I write this  article. I mean no offense in the following words.

The Student Council at my school recently sent out an email encouraging students to wear blue for autism awareness day. A few years ago, I would have gladly  done so. I’m autistic myself, after all.

However, I’ve recently learned some facts about ‘lighting it up blue’ that make me hesitate. The campaign was started by a  group called Autism Speaks, which is very problematic. Here are just some of the reasons why:

• They want to  cure autism, which they see as a disease. I’m not saying autism is always a good thing, but it’s not nearly as terrible as Autism Speaks makes it out to be.
• They focus mainly on services for autistic children, ignoring or minimizing teens and adults.
• They claim to care about autistic people, but rarely, if ever, consult us. There isn’t a single autistic person on their board of directors.

I know the student council had the best of intentions—but, knowing what I do, I can’t comfortably go along with wearing blue on the specified date. Instead, I’m  wearing red, the official color of the neurodiversity/autistic pride movement, which seeks to help autistic people (of all ages) with their struggles, while still celebrating their good points and value as people.

Will you join me in making a stand against ableism?