My Tribute to Autism Speaks (I got your back)

OK we all have opinions (you know what opinions are like?) well I have one a very STRONG one about Autism Speaks....I hear repeatedly "Autism Speaks doesn't speak for me" or "they spend all the money on huge salaries and advertising" or "Autism Speaks is making $$ off back to school products at Walmart" OMG

Well guess what if you have autism then Autism Speaks has spoken for you!  The organization has been around about 7 years and in that time frame have brought more education and awareness to this developmental disability or disorder (which ever you prefer) than ANY other organization in history so they have spoken FOR ALL WHO HAVE AUTISM whether you like it or not. And Autism Speaks has funded more research for autism.  I am pretty sure the thought process behind the back to school marketing ploy was not to make a million dollars by selling a $2 notepad but that everyone that might see that puzzle piece notepad will ask what is that for~I think that's raising awareness not money.

I am SO grateful for Autism Speaks~I was thrilled when a representative came to my community three years ago.  I volunteered that day and have been devoting my spare time to promoting Autism Speaks and what they stand for...education, compassion, research~ever since.

I had the pleasure of meeting two individuals from the Home Office of Autism Speaks, they came to Memphis and toured Graceland with us for the Light It Up Blue ceremony at Graceland.  One of the individuals was Kerry Magro an adult with autism, he is a tremendous advocate for all who have autism.

Let's talk insurance reform for autism therapies how many states NOW have insurance coverage 32 states....THIRTY-TWO states. Autism Votes an Autism Speaks initiative was responsible for most of those 32 states.

Our lives have been transformed by a drug STX209, that is still in the clinical trial phases, our child has had SO many positive changes since we have been on the medicine and who is funding the study for this medicine AUTISM SPEAKS!

So many people want to complain about what is not getting done, the services their family members don't have, the lack of family support services, the cost of therapies, but they still find time to complain about what Autism Speaks is not doing....well at least their doing SOMETHING!  If we wait on the federal government to handle this dilemma we will be waiting A LONG TIME.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES AUTISM??  Research costs money and to get the TOP scientist in the country you are going to have to pay them.  They don't work for free.  Another point about what they spend on advertising how can you create awareness and understanding for autism if society knows nothing about it.

Autism Speaks 2010 Form 990 (IRS)

Autism Speaks does speak for our family...if not them then who is speaking for yours???