ASAN Calls on Sharron Angle to Apologize for Damaging Remarks

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http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=121
National Autistic Advocacy Group Calls on Sharron Angle to Apologize for Damaging Remarks

Washington, DC – September 24th, 2010 – The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a national advocacy organization of Autistic adults and youth, issued a statement today expressing concern about damaging remarks by the campaign of US Senate candidate Sharron Angle1 in respect to adults and youth on the autism spectrum:

"As Autistic adults, we’re concerned by the Angle campaign’s claim that individuals and families 'falsely label other symptoms as autism' in order to take advantage of insurance mandates. Lack of insurance coverage for habilitative services, such as occupational therapy and speech pathology services, is a barrier to the civil rights of Autistic Americans both young and old. Furthermore, research suggests that far from being over-diagnosed, Autistic people of all ages are under-identified, with many people going without needed services and supports.2 Whatever one's public policy views, fostering public ignorance and stereotypes about autism hurts Autistic people and our families. We urge US Senate candidate Sharron Angle to reconsider her campaign’s remarks and to apologize to Autistic Americans and our families for her campaign’s irresponsible statement."

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network does not make candidate endorsements and is a non-partisan organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN's supporters include Autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, family members, professionals, educators and friends. ASAN was created in 2006 to provide support to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to change public perception and combat misinformation by educating communities about persons on the autism spectrum. Our activities include public policy advocacy, community engagement to encourage inclusion and respect for neurodiversity, quality of life oriented research and the development of Autistic cultural activities and other opportunities for Autistic people to engage with others on the spectrum.

The Angle campaign’s remarks can be found here: http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=28446&n=122


Sharron Angle's `chickens for checkups' moment?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/sharron_angles_chickens_for_ch.html?wprss=plum-line

[gratuitous]

1. Fat chance

Angle doesn't apologize for her deeply held beliefs, no matter how grounded they are in fantasy. And how dare those big bullies at ASAN pick on the poor insurance companies so much? Hardly a fair fight, doncha think? Autistic kids and their families just run roughshod over the defenseless insurers, taking advantage of their mandates, and looting our health care system for diagnoses, treatment, drugs, and only the good Lord above knows what else. Shameless, I tells ya!

[PA Democrat]

2. Insurance companies without this type of legislation discriminate against

people with autism. I was shocked to learn that treatments like speech therapy were denied for our child because she has autism. A person suffering from a head injury or a stroke could get speech therapy, but an exclusion clause allowed the insurance company to deny the therapy for a person with autism. Shame on Angle for promoting discrimination against people with autism.

[toddwv]

3. Can't wait to see Palin's twitter on this...

I know that her son has Down's Syndrome, but apparently she has a nephew who is autistic so she'll probably really hand Angle a...what's that? Angle's a right-winger?...eh, nevermind.