We'll have to wait until November 1 to see how many Twitter and Facebook users chip in for the Communication Shutdown app and abandon their social networks for autism awareness. What's apparent right now, though, is that the global effort to get folks to withdraw for a day is causing a lot of them to step up and develop creative counter-programming.
The Coffee Klatch, a Twitter-based support group that usually hosts hour-long chats, is putting together a 24-hour marathon for November 1 to keep the conversation going for those who've chosen to continue communicating. An announcement on the group's schedule says of Communication Shutdown, "We admire any effort to bring awareness to Autism, however, many many many people living with Asperger's disagree with this effort -- they feel that communication is key and although the premise was to make neurotypicals understand the frustration from lack of communication, we here want to acknowledge and respect the wishes of many of our followers -- it is a personal choice some of you will shut down and we respect that -- some of you prefer not to -- therefore -- we encourage you to not only speak but speak loudly here on a 24 hour open chat to be moderated by people who will be here to do what we do best here on The Coffee Klatch - Educate." Check out that list of moderators, then follow the tag #tck to join in.
Sunday Stilwell of the blog Adventures in Extreme Parenting writes that instead of shutting down for the day on November 1, "I am choosing to take the complete opposite approach to raising autism awareness by raising that which makes me strongest....my words, my heart, and my voice! On November 1st I plan to do just that by using Twitter, Facebook, and my blog to promote autism acceptance and awareness in what I am calling the Autism ShoutOut! In addition I plan to share with my readers a number of autism organizations that I feel have helped both myself and my family over the years." To join in, follow the tags #Autism and #AutismShoutOut.
Corina Becker of the blog No Stereotypes Here is raising a similar challenge for those on the autism spectrum. She writes, "On November 1st, Autistic people should speak up and be heard. That in the absence of NT voices, Autistics should reclaim the Autism community by communicating in our own ways on our life experiences. ... I would like the day to acknowledge our difficulties, yes, but also share our strengths, our passions, our interests, our 'obsessions.' And so, for the intent of raising Autism awareness and battling negative stereotypes about Autism, I call that November 1st be Autistics Speaking Day." The comments to that post include links to blogs and Facebook pages of those participating.
On her blog I Speak of Dreams, Liz Ditz is compiling links to more bloggers who are declaring their intention to step up their communication on November 1 instead of shut it down. She'll keep updating that information as more bloggers mention their plans.
While I hate to criticize anyone who's trying to do something good to raise money and awareness (and you should read the comment from Marianne, one of the organizers of the shutdown, on my earlier post for her defense of the event), I personally agree with those who feel the Communication Shutdown idea is a bad one. In that earlier post, I mentioned that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter seem especially useful forms of social communication for people on the autism spectrum, and so shutting those down so specifically seems inappropriate. But also, those social networking sites are especially useful forms of communication and support for the parents of children with special needs, and the proposal to go without them seems to reduce them to the level of some frivolous hobby we should make ourselves give up. Yelling loudly seems a better option, and could have been as good a hook for PR and a charity app.
Will you be raising your voice on November 1, lowering it, or doing nothing different at all that day? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Thank you for writing about this important topic. As with everything else in the Autism community there is division as to what is best, perhaps the reason is in the diversity of the disorder itself. I am the founder of The Coffee Klatch and respect the opinions of all. There is validity to any attempt to raise awareness for Autism. It is our position, based on the wishes of the many adults on the spectrum, advocates and parents who have reached out to us ,as well as our own personal opinions that shutting down communication is not the answer. I actually feel that the “Shut Down” effort is in large population doing quite the opposite, encouraging those with a voice in Autism to speak even louder. My goal is to encourage those who truly want to understand the challenges and struggles as well as the incredible brilliance and gifts of Autism to be educated by the the best advocates, experts, authors, therapy providers, parents and most importantly those on the spectrum, to come together in one place for an entire day to “Communicate” I am very proud of the overwhelming response to our invitations to those to be Guest Moderators. The line up is impressive. We have chosen to do the event totally on Twitter verses our Blog Talk Radio to ensure that everyone has a chance to interact. With education will come compassion and acceptance – It’s time. Join us for “Communicate to Educate – Speak out and Speak Loudly” November 1 9am est to November 2 9am est at @TheCoffeeKlatch on Twitter.
Hello–
Thanks for helping get the word out about the alternative activities for Nov. 1. I am participating in both the TCK event and Becker’s Autistics Speaking Day.
I will be chatting on Twitter with the #tck hash tag–and blogging on my autisable blog (all about autism related issues I and my sons face).
I hope more will join in. Those who are uneducated or unaware–I hope they come and listen too.
Hi Terri,
It’s Marianne from Communication Shutdown here again. I just wanted to let you know that we fully support ‘Communicate to Educate’ and would love to share their experiences with our supporters. Although our executions are paradoxical, I believe we have the same goal to encourage understanding and acceptance in the wider community. We would really like to give autistic voices more reach, while at the same time giving our supporters a deeper understanding of autism.
So if anyone has positive experiences or challenges that they would like to share with our supporters, please feel free to email me at marianne.harvey@communicationshutdown.org
Many thanks and hope you have a great day on Monday.
It is a pleasure to meet you Marianne – so confusing with both of us having the same name. We also encourage our audience to donate for your cause. I too feel people do not need to choose, that is not the intent. I think we compliment each others efforts and hope that whether people shut down or speak up or a combination of both, we make a difference for these adults and children. Wishing you great success.
Thank you Marianne!
So glad to hear that. It is funny that we share the same name (and spelling) and the same goals!
Best wishes for Monday! Looking forward to sharing the outcome.
What I’ve learned about Autism, The Shutdown, and fellow Mothers…. http://bit.ly/c0EwHf