Action vs. Hope
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Have you seen the documentary I Am Greta? It’s a 2020 film that follows climate change activist Greta Thunberg. It is 100-percent worth your time. With today being World Autism Awareness Day and April being World Autism Month, the film seems especially relevant.
Greta is a Swedish-born environmental activist and global phenomenon. She has been Time Magazine’s person of the year, on the Forbes list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three separate times.
She is also 18 years old and has Asperger’s syndrome, one type of autism spectrum diagnosis.
Greta’s openness about her autism coupled with her unrelenting fight against climate change have helped raise awareness about autism ten-fold. She is one of the most public faces of the disorder and yet that is not her sole focus or the first thing people know about her. Greta is helping autism look as multi-dimensional as it is.
As she said in a TED Talk, ‘I think that in many ways, we autistic are the normal ones, and the rest of the people are pretty strange.’
The main purpose of World Autism Month is to raise awareness. But many think that is not enough; beyond awareness, actions are needed. As Greta has said, ‘We do need hope -- of course, we do. But the one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.’
Kim Stagliano, journalist and autism advocate, added to this sentiment in an op-ed for The Washington Post. ‘Celebrating talents does little to educate the public on the intense challenges of the diagnosis and the tough aspects of living with the disability.’
Below, we’ve rounded up three local organizations advocating for those with autism spectrum disorder. Consider action on their behalf: donate, volunteer, or amplify.
1) Kansas City Autism Training Center
KC Autism Training Center is a local KC nonprofit and school. The organization’s mission is to provide professional, research-based interventions and training for children diagnosed with autism and their families.
2) Autism Society: The Heartland
Autism Society is a local organization that provides services and support for autism communities in Missouri and Kansas, including in the Kansas City area.
3) Sherwood Autism Center
Sherwood Autism Center is a KC nonprofit started by three UMKC psychology students. The group educates, equips, and empowers children and adults with autism.
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
A playlist created by Abby Yemm
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