The Problem with Autism Speaks

[DubaiSis]

I was very disappointed to hear when we took on this charity but over time learned that Autism Speaks focuses on research and not on blame, social issues, etc. I have said, jokingly, that if the baby comes out ugly people blame it on autism. Of course that's not true but I am a firm believer in treating it as a preventable, treatable, curable disease. Someone else can worry about living with it, dealing with stigmas, barriers to education, etc.

Mother Theresa once answered the question about why she doesn't help with education, training, politics, etc. to get people out of poverty. She said it's not her job. Her job is to feed the poor. People with Autism spectrum disorders have a lot of needs; research is part of that. And Alpha Xi Delta's job is to fund that research.

And by the way, the fraternity at the national level has given a LOT of money to the national Autism Speaks organization, but local collegiate and alumnae chapters give plenty of time to the non-medical aspects of autism needs as well. I would love to see us put a national push on the correlation between what we eat and autism. Hopefully that is something Autism Speaks is working on. When that day comes (and I really think it will - that the disease is caused or exacerbated by avoidable chemicals in our diets), then we can throw all of our tremendous power at educating people about this aspect of prevention, treatment and cure.