User:Bonnie Ventura

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

About me -- Bonnie Ventura

I currently live in Ohio, USA. I am married with two children and work in the publishing industry. My interests include creative writing and autistic civil rights advocacy.

I am the administrator of Aspergian Pride, a site that advocates recognition and acceptance of the autistic community as an intelligent, competent minority group.

Aspergian Pride maintains an extensive database of web links to raise public awareness of the autistic civil rights movement. The links are shown below.

• Aspergian Pride Celebrating the accomplishments and inherent worth of autistic people
• Aspies for Freedom An international civil rights activist group
• Aspergia Promoting the development of an Aspergian cultural identity
• Autistic Advocacy A collection of autistic pride articles, with links to discussion groups
• AS-IF Information, resource links, and links to discussion groups
• SpectrumHaven Information and chat for all people on the autistic spectrum
• Autistics.org: The Real Voice of Autism Civil rights advocacy and resource links
• No Autistics Allowed Michelle Dawson explores discrimination against autistics in Canada and elsewhere
• Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical A parody of autism research
• Autism Network International A self-help and advocacy organization
• Autism National Committee Promotes the right to self-determination
• CIBRA--Children Injured by Restraints and Aversives An advocacy group of parents and others seeking to end physical abuse of autistics
• Autistic People against Neuroleptic Abuse An advocacy group that warns against dangerous and unnecessary medications
• University Students with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Helpful information and advice for autistic students
• Oddizm Humor, pictures, and civil rights information and links
• Proudly Autistic by CafePress Autistic pride T-shirts, etc.
• Neurodiversity.com: honoring the variety of human wiring An excellent collection of resource links for understanding the concept of neurodiversity
• Neurodiversity Now Essays and a link to a livejournal discussion
• Wikipedia on Neurodiversity Wikipedia's definition of the concept of neurodiversity
• Multi Web Vista's Neurodiversity Page "Diversity is not just the way we look, but the way we think!"
• Word Spy on Neurodiversity The Word Spy discusses the emerging concept of neurodiversity
• A Place for All An essay about pride and the freedom to be oneself
• Becoming Real An essay describing the joys of being an Aspie
• what color is your autism? TR Kelley writes that she is "steering the music ship towards these rocky and forbidding shores for some real rough sailing on behalf of My People."
• Perspective on Autism in Adults An essay on pride and self-acceptance
• Self Affirmation Pledge Lianne Holliday Willey's advice on cultivating a positive outlook
• The Kingdom of Laurentius Rex A site promoting positive action
• Reflections by elmindreda Writings discussing the autistic experience
• Autistics Need Acceptance, Not Cure An article critical of "autism awareness"
• Ray's Autism Page A parent discusses harmful myths and stereotypes
• The Asperger's Express An autistic child is a "person, not a problem to be fixed."
• Valerie Paradiz Promotes understanding and acceptance of the autistic community
• On Our Own Terms: Emerging Autistic Culture An article on the history of autistic culture
• Jim Sinclair's Web Site Personal articles and advocacy for autistic civil rights
• Why Disability Rights Are Not Enough An article discussing employment discrimination
• Curing Neuro-Bigotry "Autism is not a 'tragedy.' It is diversity."
• Why Label? An essay on autistic identity and challenging prejudice
• Wikipedia on Autistic Culture Wikipedia's article on the development of the autistic culture
• This Way of Life Joel Smith's site about autism and advocacy
• Celebrating Autistic Parents On the strengths and joys of the autistic family
• Wikipedia on the Autism Rights Movement Wikipedia discusses the campaign for autistic civil rights
• Is Asperger's Syndrome/HFA Necessarily a Disability? Professor Simon Baron-Cohen describes autism as a different cognitive style
• The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria Tony Attwood and Carol Gray discuss positive traits
• The Gifted Visual Spatial Learner An article about the educational needs of visual spatial learners
• Autism and Computing A site that contains articles discussing the advantages of certain autistic traits in computer-related careers and how computers benefit the autistic population
• Ventura33's Neurodiversity Page A discussion of autistic civil rights and a writing challenge on a Star Trek fanfic site
• My Little Rainman An autistic child's mother describes her pride and joy
• Passing for Neurotypical What it's like for Aspergian families "in hiding"
• DANDA (Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association) A group seeking to improve the lives of people with neuro-diverse conditions, such as Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, and Tourette's
• Autism Assembly A coalition of members of the autistic community who seek acceptance for those on the autistic spectrum, who aim to educate about autism, and who are not seeking a cure for autism
• Autism: Current Issues 26 by Mike Connor Commentary on issues related to autism research, including an article entitled "Asperger Syndrome: Making a Pathology out of a Difference"
• The Hyperlexia Parents Network Helpful articles, success stories, and a discussion forum for parents of hyperlexic children
• AWEtism A mother expresses thankfulness for her blessings; this site sells T-shirts and other merchandise with positive "AWEtism" messages
• Mimestream's Story An autistic mother shares her thoughts on life, art, and society's expectations
• Not a Miracle: A Mother's View of "Autism Awareness" Why it's offensive to describe a competent autistic person as "a miracle"
• Autistic Pride Day The central coordinating site for pride day (June 18th) activities
• Left Brain/Right Brain Kevin Leitch's blog about autism and web design
• Autism Diva Commentary on autism statistics, debunking the "epidemic" myth
• Ettina's Rants Essays on social attitudes toward autism and other neurological differences, with a link to the author's informational site about various developmental conditions
• Whirled Peas Reflections on life's puzzling questions and the importance of being oneself
• I've Heard Things "A different way of viewing the world and unusual learning methods does not mean that a person is defective or genetically bad"
• For Mothers of Autistic Children A Mother's Day 2005 wish for acceptance and understanding
• Autism Research and Prenatal Testing Autism researchers are currently developing a prenatal test; routine abortion of autistic children may be less than 10 years away
• The Autistic Distinction An essay on the need for social acceptance of neurological differences as a healthy and natural part of human diversity
• Cheese-a-Phone A proud father's photos and anecdotes about family life with his two young autistic sons
• Whose Planet Is It Anyway? A blog that addresses autistic civil rights, neurodiversity, and consciousness-raising (some posts contain crude language)
• The Autism Prenatal Testing Eugenics Programme A mother asks: Where is the public outcry?
• Cuckoo's Nest A mother discusses her experiences and her views of autism
• Would you have allowed Bill Gates to be born? Bioethics professor Arthur Caplan discusses the issue of prenatal testing for autism
• Neurodiversity Weblog Kathleen Seidel's blog discussing her efforts to raise awareness of neurodiversity issues
• Ballastexistenz Amanda Baggs' blog discussing autistic liberation and disability rights issues
• Neurodiversity Chain Letter A parent's comments on developing a more tolerant and inclusive society
• Apology from an Autism Researcher What would cause an autism research scientist to resign his position for ethical reasons? Read more about it here.
• Just let them be kids "My son and others like him are not defective..."
• Social Minority GroupA declaration seeking recognition by the United Nations of the autistic community as a social minority group
• Autistic Success A mother's views on inclusion and acceptance of autistic children
• Ian Johnson's neurodiversity blog "In this blog, my main purpose will be to explain the concept of neurodiversity as applied to my own life..."
• Autiemom Speaks Out A mother's blog advocating social acceptance and respect for autistics
• Homo Autistic: Notes from the Autism Ghetto A blog supporting autistic civil rights
• Special Education and the Concept of Neurodiversity An article on positive approaches toward neurological differences in the classroom
• Autism: Getting the Truth Out An activist site that takes a critical look at autism awareness stereotypes
• Lindadiva's Autism Rights Page A site discussing prejudice against autistics
• A Changeling's Alternate Reality Story: Halloween 2005 A tale of becoming, in others' eyes, something not quite human...
• Random reminiscing ramblings A blog dealing with human rights issues in the context of autism
• ASPIES--the place for self-advocacy Advocacy ~ Support ~ Pride ~ Identity ~ Education
• Autvocate A father's site with discussion and links concerning autism and disabilities rights
• 10 things an autistic adult wishes you knew Helpful advice for family members and others who interact with autistic adults
• neurodiversity (idea) "The concept that variance in neurological structure adds needed diversity to the human race."
• A Touch of Alyricism A blog dedicated to the equally fascinating topics of autistic advocacy and the sisterly sophistries of radical gender feminism
• Constructing Autism A professor describes autism as a social construct that arose in the context of the modern world's anxieties about environmental contamination and cultural and technological change
• The Lucitania Hindenberg Foundation A website that seeks to improve social attitudes toward autism and argues against the use of extreme and negative language such as "catastrophe" in describing the autistic population
• Autistic Pride A forum for positive events and thoughts relating to autism spectrum conditions
• Farewell to Holland A response to the widely circulated essay "Welcome to Holland" about raising a child with a disability
• Autist Art: Autism with an Attitude An online source for autistic pride and anti-cure merchandise, with links to autistic advocacy sites
• Neurodiversity: In Praise of Dappled Things An essay on appreciating the beauty of natural differences as a part of God's creation
• Say it loud, autistic and proud A magazine article describing autistic activists' struggle to establish basic rights and to end prejudice and discrimination
• Autistic Conjecture of the Day A blog that highlights the absurdity of all the unfounded speculation about causes of autism
• Aspies.co.uk A parent writes: These sensitive, intelligent people have so much to offer I don't believe they should be "cured" or forced to be "normal"
• Susan Senator A mother writes about her emotional journey to acceptance and understanding of her autistic son
• Autistics Speak An article that challenges the disability stereotypes perpetuated by groups such as Autism Speaks and the resulting prejudices
• Tales of an Aspie Freedom Fighter A blog that discusses the autistic civil rights movement from a personal viewpoint, with the focus on the motivation and mind-set of those involved
• Autism's Edges A mother's blog on life, love, and learning with a child at the edges of the autism spectrum
• Outlander!, or, Whose Neurodiversity is It, Anyway? "At its heart, neurodiversity is about the worth each of us have by our very existence..."
• The Joy of Autism The blog of a mother who writes that she is learning to look at the world through her son's transparent coloured blocks
• Action For Autism Parental concerns, the dangers of quack treatments, and the importance of positive language are among the topics discussed by a father in his blog.
• Autism News News from around the world on autism and Asperger's syndrome, including original interviews and articles, daily updated stories, and related science and research news
• Geek Goddess An autistic advocate blogs about her life and thoughts
• 29 Marbles A father's thoughts and discussion on autism and its impact on individuals and society
• Autistic Culture "Here you can read about autism and the many aspects of our culture from the perspective of people on the autistic spectrum."
• Processing in Parts The author describes her blog as "notes from my own corner -- or spectral line -- of the autistic spectrum"
• Autismland A mother's blog, which she describes as "The Autism Reality Show starring Charlie"
• MOM - Not Otherwise Specified "On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction"
• Autism Hub Autism Hub takes the best in autism related blogging and pulls it all together in one easy-to-access interface
• Autism Demonized A blog monitoring and detailing the ways in which autism and autistic people are demonized and dehumanized, and the real-life consequences for autistic people
• The Voyage A mother's blog about life, family, home-education and autism
• A Matter of Perspective An essay on society's attitudes toward disability and eugenics
• Autism - Natural Variation Dispels crackpot theories of autism, criticizes questionable treatments, attacks stereotypes and demeaning descriptions, and highlights good science
• Abnormaldiversity A blog opposing neurological discrimination and asserting the value of all human beings
• Rett Devil A woman with Rett syndrome writes: "your kids can do more, and they want to do more, and they need to do more. Join me in raising some hell"
• Commentary on the State of the World A former ABA therapist advocates understanding of differences and acceptance of neurodiversity
• A Disturbing Timepiece A mother writes: "Eugenics is a scary word for anyone who believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, the term becomes especially scary for me when it's used in reference to my own children"
• Autism: Deal With It! A blogger who calls himself "The Autistic Jedi" goes into battle against prejudice, seeking to turn our society away from the Dark Side
• Paradise-NOS A father writes about his son's development and his family life; his advice to other parents of autistic children is "don't panic"
• Autism for Parents A good starting point for parents trying to learn more about autism, with information and links to a wide variety of resources - both on and offline
• Hard Won Wisdom A mother writes: "As a parent and teacher... here is the blog never around when I needed it. I hope it helps!"
• The Rettdevil's Rants A blog about disability rights and the fight against bigotry and hypocrisy
• Autism Vox A blog in which an autism mother gets on her soapbox
• Autism Prenatal Test A website for information, study, and opinions on a prenatal test for autism
• Simul Justis et Pecator A blog that addresses a variety of issues related to neurodiversity, disability rights, and gender identity
• Aspie Dad An autistic father writes about his family: "We are happy, independent people with advanced college degrees (well, our son doesn't have one - yet) and have a good life..."
• Autism, Life and Liberty A Texas father comments on his love for his autistic son and the need for our society to learn tolerance and acceptance of neurological differences
• Neurodiversity and Democracy An article that addresses the need for modern democracies to accept neurological differences as a natural and beneficial subset of human diversity
• Celebrate Autism Now A site that expresses pride in the autistic community and provides inspirational information about autistic role models
• Mum is Thinking A mother's blog about raising an autistic child (as an autistic adult), painting, homeschooling, and family
• Andrea's Buzzing About A blog that discusses autistic human rights issues from a social theory perspective
• The Autism Acceptance Project A Canadian nonprofit group that seeks to tap into human potential and dignity
• A Wandering Mind A blog about Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Disability Rights
• The Autism Acceptance Project Blog News and articles about acceptance and understanding of autistic people
• Aspies Inc. Is Asperger Syndrome a disability or a gift? YES. I've spent my life (born in 1965) feeling like a creature from another planet. Now I know I'm an Aspie. Some days I love it. Some days I hate it. This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on life from an Aspie's point of view.
• Coloring Outside the Lines The blog of a "Mom to one extraordinary five year old boy with autism and wife to a real renaissance man"
• It's All Okay A mother writes: "Our future is bright and promising. This beautiful child grows and reaches new heights every day. Yeah, he's not typical. But is that really such a terrible thing?"
• My Act of Combating Neurobigotry A modern-day gladiator goes into the arena of cyberspace to do battle for autistic civil rights
• My Quirky Boy A mom writes about her life with her three-year-old son, who "has Autism, and that is not a bad thing, it does not mean that there is anything wrong with him, or that he needs to be fixed"
• Abby's Neurodiversity Blog Information and opinions about issues affecting the autistic community today
• Beautiful Autism A father's home video of a happy and cherished autistic daughter
• Autistic Pride Day Blog Photos and stories about two beautiful and proud young autistic dancers who perform to raise awareness of neurodiversity
• Autistic Video Videos, animations, and music videos made by people on the autistic spectrum
• The Face of Autism A brother shows his love for his autistic sister through a video
• Jared at the Park A father's view of his "beautiful boy" running around and playing
• AutTV Autism TV channel showing aspects of autistic culture, interests, views, talents, and autism issues
• I'm An Aspie An inspirational site that discusses strategies for the autistic life
• Soapbox Mom "We are everywhere: Moms who want their opinions heard and don't just shut up or go away"
• What are they thinking? The blog of a proud mother of six children, five of whom are autistic
• Don't Mourn for Us Video A video montage of an autistic child's first three years
• The Autism Acceptance Project Video A video celebrating the lives of autistic artists and people
• The Autism Life Resources and a discussion forum to help parents, caregivers, family, and friends learn about autism
• Me by the Sea A mother writes: "We are simply loving our daughter, and all we can do is hope we are doing the right things. We hope that with our love & acceptance, she will bloom in her own beautiful way."
• Beautiful Child The story of an autistic boy and his family learning and loving and growing together... a story of acceptance for all children regardless of labels
• Life in the New Republic A mother describes her life with an autistic son and how she finds the Jedi philosophies of Star Wars to be useful
• Acceptance, Wouldn't It Be Nice A video of a young autistic child playing in the ocean and hugging his mother
• With a Child's Heart Scenes from an autistic boy's day at home and at preschool
• The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network A nonprofit organization providing support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to change public perception and combat misinformation by educating communities
• The Autism Crisis Michelle Dawson's blog about the science and ethics of autism advocacy

www.rdos.net contains discussion of neurological differences in information technology, as well as possible genetic origins of such differences, and an "Aspie Quiz" developed by autistics