There is a point of intersection between adult autistic advocacy and parenting of autistic children. That intersection is called Autieparenting.

Autieparents are often on a two-pronged quest: (1) self-awareness and self-advocacy; and (2) advocacy for and appreciation of our autistic children. Neurotypical (NT) parents who appreciate and respect their autistic child's uniqueness are also welcome here.

Autistic advocacy can mean many things to many people, but to me it means celebrating the wonderful qualities of autism, while not denying its unique problems and challenges. It means not trying to force autistic people to become "normal." It means defending the rights of autistic people to be autistic minorities in an NT-dominated world. And it means equal respect for every person on the autistic spectrum, regardless of commonly perceived levels of intelligence or ability. I see the autism spectrum as a unit, not fractured into splinter groups and hierarchies, so when I speak of advocacy, I speak of advocacy for everyone on the autistic spectrum.

This group will not promote and focus on any single type of method for treating autism. We do not believe in autism treatment in the sense of "curation," but we do believe that every child--autistic or otherwise--should have access to whatever will help the child realize his or her full academic, social, and emotional/spiritual potential. Discussion of general nutrition and health, as well as education and related services, is welcome.

Above all, the goal is for members to feel comfortable exchanging ideas and venting about the peculiar challenges of autieparenting. Parenting is a tough job, autieparenting is even harder, and autieparenting of autistic kids is one of the hardest jobs of all. I think autieparents need to support, understand, and learn from one another.