Autism community offended by toxic vaccine debate language
People with autism don’t want to hear the words 'damaged' or 'vacant'
For people who live with autism, sometimes words can be just as harmful as sticks and stones.
The language used to describe people with autism feels like an attack, says Allison Garber.
"What's bothered me about the vaccine conversation is that on both sides we're seeing very ableist language," she says.
Her son Hugh was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2013. She says language used by both the anti-science fringe and those trying to bolster public health don't reflect the personality of her loving five-year-old who likes movies, action figures and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
"Hugh is a really happy, funny, go-lucky little guy," she says of her son.
People with autism and their families say the discussion started by Jenny McCarthy has caused a great deal of harm. The actress and former Playboy model was featured prominently for saying there is a link between autism and vaccines on every media outlet from CNN to Oprah.
Although the study — which McCarthy's theory was based on — has been debunked, the notion that vaccines can cause autism marches on.
Hurtful language
Meanwhile, Garber isn't saying life is perfect. She knows Hugh will face obstacles with his diagnosis.
"It's really become my life's mission to try to help pave a path of acceptance," she says.
But the language on both sides of the vaccine debate can be hurtful, says Garber.
"On one hand you have the anti-vaxx movement with a large majority of them saying, 'Vaccines cause autism,' and they're using language such as, 'They lose the light in their eyes and their faces go blank and they lose their soul,'" she said.
Then there are those trying to keep immunization rates up. Even though what they are fighting for is understandable, Garber still finds the movement doesn't take into account how it sounds.
She hears advocates for vaccination shutting them down saying, "My gosh, it doesn't cause autism," said Garber.
"As if autism is the most tragic thing you could ever experience."
Hugh is not a tragedy and Garber says she doesn't want her son to grow up thinking he is.
"I think of my son and how he will grow up and he will hear this, and see this, and potentially believe that his neurological make up is something to be embarrassed of, or something to be ashamed of," she said.
"I'm not going to accept that."