National Council on Severe Autism
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Abbreviation | NCSA |
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Founded | January 23, 2019[1] |
Founders | Jill Escher, Feda Almaliti, Amy Lutz, Alison Singer |
83-0665732[2] | |
Legal status | 501(c)(3) non-profit organization |
Purpose | Autism awareness and advocacy |
Headquarters | San Jose, California, US |
Jill Escher | |
Amy Lutz | |
Volunteers (2019) | 9 |
Website | www |
Autism rights movement |
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The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) is a non-profit organization that pursues recognition, policy and solutions for individuals, families and caregivers affected by severe forms of autism and related disorders. The organization was founded in May 2018 by Jill Escher, Feda Almaliti, Amy Lutz, and Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation.[3] The NCSA is the first group to advocate exclusively for the needs of autistic individuals needing high levels of support.[4][5] The organization is already controversial concerning its views on low-functioning autism, with some supporting its goals of medical treatment and additional support, and others believing that the organization detracts from autistic people.[6]
Formation[]
In an article on Psychology Today, Lutz wrote that the Council was set up to advocate for suitable housing arrangements, adequate developmental services, and scientific research.[7] The National Council on Severe Autism has issued position statements on issues such as guardianship, crisis care, employment and what qualifies as a community-based setting.[8] The NCSA supports the option of appointing a guardian to make decisions for severely autistic individuals when necessary. Additionally, they note that the number of studies that focus on severe autism have declined dramatically.[6]
Kimberlee McCafferty, an autism parent and writer, wrote that as a parent of a severely autistic child, she supports the organization because it gives her the opportunity to discuss the challenges of severe autism. She claimed that those challenges are not adequately portrayed in the media, as the media tends to mainly focus on successful autistic individuals.[9]
Advocacy[]
The NCSA has created a series of webinars in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide advice and answer questions about the effects of the pandemic on autistic children.[10]
Opposition[]
Shannon Des Roches Rosa, the senior editor for the news site Thinking Person's Guide to Autism, claims that the organization will take away autonomy from autistic people. She claims that the organization wants parents or guardians to make decisions for autistic individuals, and that there are no autistic people on the board of directors. Amy Lutz, the organization's secretary, stated in response that most autistic individuals served by the organization cannot advocate for themselves, saying “We fully support self-advocates pursuing the support that they need, but this is completely separate.”[6]
See also[]
- List of autism-related topics
References[]
- ^ "One Year of NCSA: A Brief Report From the Board". National Council on Severe Autism. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Who we are — NCSA". National Council on Severe Autism. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Opar, Alisa (24 April 2019). "In search of truce in the autism wars". Spectrum. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ Opar, Alisa (May 6, 2019). "A medical condition or just a difference? The question roils autism community". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ a b c Opar, Alisa (4 February 2019). "New group faces backlash over its goals for severe autism". Spectrum. SFARI. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ Lutz, Amy S.F. "National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) Launches". Psychology Today. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Diament, Michelle (17 January 2019). "New Group To Focus On Severe Autism". Disability Scoop. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ McCafferty, Kimberlee (29 January 2019). "National Council on Severe Autism". Point Pleasant, NJ Patch. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ Tager-Flusberg, Helen. "COVID-19 Resources | Center for Autism Research Excellence – CARE". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
External links[]
- Autism-related organizations in the United States
- Non-profit organizations based in California
- 2019 establishments in the United States
- Medical and health foundations in the United States
- Mental health organizations in California