Kate and Andrew are autistic. By their own words, they are not “living with Autism” or “suffering from Autism”. Kate is a small business owner and Andrew is a retired attorney that served for thirty years in the New York State Department of Finance. In this video, Kate and Andrew share their thoughts about the politically correct trend of “Person First” language and what they say about a dehumanizing requirement to use disability etiquette amongst professionals.
Autism is genetic. It is not caused by vaccines, parenting deficits, or birth trauma. Autism is neither an epidemic nor a disease.
Transcript:
My name is Kate.
My name is Andy.
I am a handwriting instructor, calligrapher, and married woman.
I am a retired lawyer, and am married to Kate.
I am autistic.
I am autistic.
I am not an individual with autism.
I am not an individual with autism.
You are not an individual with youthfulness.
You are not an individual with Americanism.
You are not an individual with partial Spanish bilingualism.
You are not an individual with left handedness.
You are not an individual with Americanism.
You are not an individual with Democratic.
You are not an individual with Judaism.
You are not an individual with Christianity.
You matter!
You matter!
You are important!
You are important!
Henny Kupferstein 
As dyslexia is considered part of the autism spectrum, I too can say I am autistic. I am dyslexic who is the author of many books that, if read and used, will help other dyslexics to read and write.
Just FYI: Yes, many cases of ASD are genetic. It is coming to light, however, that some cases are immune-mediated and occur when malfunctioning immune systems attack brain tissue (by the same mechanism that would cause diabetes if the same immune response attacked the pancreas, IBS if it attacked the intestines, etc). These are the ASD children who most often have comorbid gastrointestinal issues and allergies, rashes, etc. I am glad Kate and Andrew don’t seem to be suffering from this immune disorder, but it discredits those who do have this to say that autism is merely a genetic phenomenon. Those who have the comorbid immune issues are often, indeed, suffering from those issues, though it may not be the “autism” part of the phenomenon that causes the suffering. Beethoven’s GI issues were well documented and caused him a great deal of suffering (and may have contributed to his final illness), but without his probable Asperger’s, we would not have the number or quality of masterpieces with which he has left us.
Reblogged this on autisticagainstantivaxxers.