In this section, I am to present two social action programs/organizations that contribute to creating a just society for those who are Autistic and ADHD.
The first organization presented is the AutCom: Autism National Committee:
MISSION:
This organization is known as the only Autism advocacy organization that is dedicated to "Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism", this is through a shared vision and commitment to positive approaches. The organization was founded in 1990 to protect and advance the human rights and civil rights of all persons with autism and related differences of communication and behavior (Autism National Committee, 2011).
This organization is known as the only Autism advocacy organization that is dedicated to "Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism", this is through a shared vision and commitment to positive approaches. The organization was founded in 1990 to protect and advance the human rights and civil rights of all persons with autism and related differences of communication and behavior (Autism National Committee, 2011).
METHODS USED:
This organization creates newsletters for the Autism Community, bringing political awareness, international occurrences, workshops, education, lobbying dates and more.
This organization also advocates for and against public policy initiatives that would impact the rights of Autistic individuals. The issues that are currently being worked on are as follows:
METHODS USED:
This organization helps those within the ADHD community in a variety of ways. First, they are a place of safety and support of connection throughout the lifespan, by and for those with ADHD.b
ADDA also helps these individuals transition to post-secondary education. This can be tough for individuals with ADHD due to learning differences, so this organization supplies an advocate as needed.
ADDA also provides representation within the justice system as well. There is a high range of individuals with ADHD within the criminal justice system, 25-40%. Why? Because of a misunderstanding of this population's diversity. There are many factors that can contribute to criminal behavior, and they do not mean to dismiss that at all. However, this organization does advocate for those who need to have proper structures in place to help manage their productivity.
Other areas of support include:
This organization creates newsletters for the Autism Community, bringing political awareness, international occurrences, workshops, education, lobbying dates and more.
This organization also advocates for and against public policy initiatives that would impact the rights of Autistic individuals. The issues that are currently being worked on are as follows:
- ABLE act of 2014
- Electrical Aversive Conditioning Devices
- Restraint/Seclusion
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- The ADA Generation and Employment for People with Disabilities
- Expert Witness Fees
AutCom has also endorsed Position Papers, that are provided for free to be viewed on their site.
Lastly, AutCom also hosts AutCom National Conferences for others to learn more about Autism, becoming a member of the organization and contributing to this Neurodiverse community (Autism National Committee, 2011).
The second organization presented is Attention Deficit Disorder Association:
MISSION:
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association is the world's leading adult ADHD organization. They are an international non-profit organization that helps adults with ADHD lead better lives. They bring together scientific perspectives and the human experience to generate hope, awareness, empowerment and connections worldwide in the field of ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder Association, 2018).
METHODS USED:
This organization helps those within the ADHD community in a variety of ways. First, they are a place of safety and support of connection throughout the lifespan, by and for those with ADHD.b
ADDA also helps these individuals transition to post-secondary education. This can be tough for individuals with ADHD due to learning differences, so this organization supplies an advocate as needed.
ADDA also provides representation within the justice system as well. There is a high range of individuals with ADHD within the criminal justice system, 25-40%. Why? Because of a misunderstanding of this population's diversity. There are many factors that can contribute to criminal behavior, and they do not mean to dismiss that at all. However, this organization does advocate for those who need to have proper structures in place to help manage their productivity.
Other areas of support include:
- Virtual Support Groups
- The International ADHD Conference
- An Educational and Supportive Webinar Series
- A Monthly Newsletter
- A Voice to Policy Makers in Washington, D.C.
- Support for and Facilitation of Research
ADDA is constantly seeking new ways to help adults with ADHD live better lives, and introducing new programs. They bring together researchers, loved ones who are Neurotypical and most important the ADHD community together to create a place of safety and support. (Attention Deficit Disorder Association, 2018).
How These Organizations Apply to My Social Justice Theory
Going backwards a bit to my previous post about Social Justice and my personal choices of John Rawls' Theory of Justice and the Relational-Cultural Theory; I want to tie it in together with these organizations that I have identified that are supports to the Neurodiverse community, specifically Autistic and ADHD communities.
Overall, I felt that these organizations are overall empowering, and do not pull out negatives, regarding these individuals but truly seek out ways to build on the positive. These organizations are also very honest about the truth. There is a necessary fight to get things moving and going, to advocate for the rights of others.
When I think of John Rawls' theory, I think of the need for equity as needed, and moving everyone onto the same playing field; asking people to put on their Veil of Ignorance, and see things without their biases. This is of course hard, but advocating for a world like this, such as AutCom and ADDA attempt to do that by making themselves known and asking for this to happen, does not seem as far fetched (Rawls, 1971).
In addition, as the Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) talks about mutuality, empathy and relationships throughout the lifespan; I think this theory matches well in that these organizations understand that the Neurodiverse community is more than just "disorder", but who they are. Taking into account RCT, is allowing the larger society to look at the historical context of abuse, marginalization and segregation that has happened, and understand there is a hurt there. To acknowledge this hurt is to acknowledge that there is something wrong with our system at hand. These organizations come alongside the Neurotypical communities peacefully, asking for acknowledgment and acceptance. If a just society were to look like anything, I would hope for it to look like this (Comstock, et. al. 2004).
My next and final topic will tie everything previously mentioned together, look to the next post...
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