鈥淚 HAVE no interest in right or wrong鈥� I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams.鈥�
So goes a that has provoked a spat between people with autism and a charity that aims to help them.
Premiered on 22 September in New York at an event organised by the charity Autism Speaks, the film includes clips of children with autism backed by doomy music and a voice-over saying that the condition breaks apart families and relationships.
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鈥淭his makes people afraid of us. What will people think about me and other autistics if they have watched this damaging video?鈥� says , director of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of the (ASAN). She on 26 September against the film in Portland.
ASAN president Ari Ne鈥檈man adds that the film could cause practical problems for people with autism. 鈥淚f you have autism and are looking for a job or a relationship, this adds to the fear and prejudice and stigma.鈥�
鈥淚f you have autism and are looking for a job or a relationship, this adds to the fear and stigma鈥�
Marc Sirkin, chief community officer at Autism Speaks, points out that the film was produced by two fathers of children with autism. He says it is a 鈥減ersonal poem鈥�. 鈥淪ome parents have found the video inspiring,鈥� he says; 鈥渙thers have been offended by it. No one perspective can ever be the definitive voice of autism.鈥�