learning to listen

Roll-outs can be bumpy and before Benny even went to print, I knew I had a problem. At the back of the book I included a list of websites; some were recommended by friends, and others I found on the websites that come from the Black ASD community (The Color of Autism). I included Autism Speaks on my list and an author friend, Cory Silverberg, let me know that it was a problematic organization. It has been criticized for speaking for but excluding people with autism; there are also issues with their allocation of funds, leadership, and mission to find a “cure” for autism. I found a good summary of the problems here. When Cory told me about Autism Speaks, I reached out to a graphic designer friend to see if I could have it removed; she needed the original file, which I couldn’t get. So I went to print with the files I had, accepting that I would have to apologize for having Autism Speaks on my list. I’m still trying to get the original file fixed and will try to add the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. I’m sorry for the hurt my inclusion of Autism Speaks may cause, and thank Cory and author/librarian Ann Clare LeZotte for alerting me to the problem. Ann also pointed out that “special needs” isn’t an acceptable term—we should talk about kids with disabilities, not “special needs.” I didn’t know that, and hope my education can help others learn as well.