Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Welcome to part 2 of The TRUTH About Autism Speaks mini-series here on my channel. We're picking up where we left off, going into 2013, a (yet again) controversial year for the organization.
Part 1: youtu.be/4EjWGQyFjbo
Part 3: youtu.be/n-hpSMsmDjY
References:
Roundup of sources/resources: medium.com/@KirstenSchultz/a-roundup-of-posts-against-autism-speaks-5dbf7f8cfcc6
web.archive.org/web/20131115074945/http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-washington-call-action
autismpolicyblog.com/2013/11/autism-speaks-contoversy.html
educationupdate.com/archives/2014/MAR/HTML/cov-Suzanne_Wright.html#.XN4MP45KhPY
jerobison.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-resign-my-roles-at-autism-speaks.html
staging.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/docs/autism_speaks_strategic_plan_for_science__2013-2017_final.pdf
milwaukee365.com/event/autism-speaks-walk-milwaukee
judgerc.org/images/weblogo2015.gif?crc=3795898730
science20.com/countering_tackling_woo/autism_speaks_issues_statement_concerning_judge_rotenberg_center-89143
Jen's video: youtube.com/watch?v=A7hklHN-qqY
autistichoya.com/2013/11/an-unholy-alliance-autism-speaks-and.html
psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/applied-behavior-analysis
thirteen.org/metrofocus/2014/04/autism-speaks-founders
youtube.com/watch?v=de-FFNCBPzk
autismspeaks.org/press-release/autism-speaks-launches-mssng-portal-open-access-genomics-research
autismspeaks.org/science-news/worlds-largest-autism-genome-database-shines-new-light-many-autisms
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Logo_Google_2013_Official.svg/1280px-Logo_Google_2013_Official.svg.png
I hope you enjoyed this video and found it informative. If you did, feel free to subscribe and stick around for part 3!
I upload every Thursday @ 4pm CST, so subscribe!
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Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/stephanie_bethany
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Support my channel and become a Patron!: patreon.com/stephaniebethany
Welcome to part 2 of The TRUTH About Autism Speaks mini-series here on my channel. We're picking up where we left off, going into 2013, a (yet again) controversial year for the organization.
Part 1: youtu.be/4EjWGQyFjbo
Part 3: youtu.be/n-hpSMsmDjY
References:
Roundup of sources/resources: medium.com/@KirstenSchultz/a-roundup-of-posts-against-autism-speaks-5dbf7f8cfcc6
web.archive.org/web/20131115074945/http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-washington-call-action
autismpolicyblog.com/2013/11/autism-speaks-contoversy.html
educationupdate.com/archives/2014/MAR/HTML/cov-Suzanne_Wright.html#.XN4MP45KhPY
jerobison.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-resign-my-roles-at-autism-speaks.html
staging.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/docs/autism_speaks_strategic_plan_for_science__2013-2017_final.pdf
milwaukee365.com/event/autism-speaks-walk-milwaukee
judgerc.org/images/weblogo2015.gif?crc=3795898730
science20.com/countering_tackling_woo/autism_speaks_issues_statement_concerning_judge_rotenberg_center-89143
Jen's video: youtube.com/watch?v=A7hklHN-qqY
autistichoya.com/2013/11/an-unholy-alliance-autism-speaks-and.html
psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/applied-behavior-analysis
thirteen.org/metrofocus/2014/04/autism-speaks-founders
youtube.com/watch?v=de-FFNCBPzk
autismspeaks.org/press-release/autism-speaks-launches-mssng-portal-open-access-genomics-research
autismspeaks.org/science-news/worlds-largest-autism-genome-database-shines-new-light-many-autisms
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Logo_Google_2013_Official.svg/1280px-Logo_Google_2013_Official.svg.png
I hope you enjoyed this video and found it informative. If you did, feel free to subscribe and stick around for part 3!
I upload every Thursday @ 4pm CST, so subscribe!
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/StephBethanyYT
Follow me on Instagram:
instagram.com/stephanie_bethany
Follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/stephaniebethanyyt
Support my channel and become a Patron!: patreon.com/stephaniebethany


![Autism Criteria Checklist and Further Guidance (More Examples!)
I thought Id sit down and go over this document with you all, which is further guidance for professionals regarding diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in accordance with the DSM-V. I think this will be helpful for a stricter adherence to the actual criteria for diagnosis while giving more examples and explanations. This was published on the University of Washingtons server, so it is not officially a piece from the DSM-V, but I am comfortable with this as a reputable assistance for professionals in how to interpret the DSM-V criteria for patients. I think this will also be helpful for those looking into possible diagnosis to see if they should proceed in pursuit of diagnosis or perhaps aid in compiling their traits with life examples to bring to practitioners as to why they feel they fit the criteria for being on the autism spectrum.
This is a screening tool.
Melt Like Icecream book
Request autographed by Sarah version: https://www.facebook.com/theautisticOT/posts/3092877360840005
Not autographed, just through Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Melt-Cream-Sarah-Selvaggi-Hernandez/dp/0995307091/
[this is NOT sponsored in any way, just wanted to share ;)]
Guidelines: https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/Screening%20Tools/DSM-5%28ASD.Guidelines%29Feb2013.pdf
Videos I mentioned I would link:
DSM-5 Criteria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiXTEDguAe0
Flat Affect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7rCU8VfWQI
Eye Contact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWMuQ7MODvk
Theory of Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfIisooqDc
Echolalia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTBAkxcVdZ8
Stimming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ2u72D1bmw
Autism Levels on IndieAndys channel: https://youtu.be/DYf6-lEh2fI
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![Does Infant Therapy Prevent Autism? | Reviewing New Research
News outlets like The Telegraph, BBC News, and more shared recently about a pre-diagnosis intervention therapy that supposedly prevents autism or lowers the risk by 2/3rds. I decided to look into this research to help bring understanding to what is actually being shown in the study and push past sensationalized headlines.
IndieAndy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-fiMOz0Ot2x3bwA mS0A
Sez Francis: https://www.youtube.com/c/SezFrancis1
References
Bowler, J. (2021, September 21). A Landmark Autism Intervention Study Has Shown Dramatically Reduced Diagnosis Rates. ScienceAlert. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.sciencealert.com/landmark-autism-study-on-intervention-for-babies-reduces-clinical-diagnosis-by-two-thirds
Roxby, P. (2021, September 20). Early baby therapy could reduce autism diagnoses. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58626945
Sher-Censor, E., Dolev, S., Said, M., Baransi, N., & Amara, K. (2017). Coherence of Representations Regarding the Child, Resolution of the Child’s Diagnosis and Emotional Availability: A Study of Arab-Israeli Mothers of Children with ASD. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 47(10), 3139–3149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3228-8
van ’t Hof, M., Tisseur, C., van Berckelear-Onnes, I., van Nieuwenhuyzen, A., Daniels, A. M., Deen, M., Hoek, H. W., & Ester, W. A. (2021). Age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2012 to 2019. Autism, 25(4), 862–873. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320971107
Video-feedback intervention to promote positive parenting and sensitive discipline (VIPP-SD). (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/care-and-treatment/treatments/video-feedback-intervention-promote-positive-parenting-vipp/
Whitehouse, A. J. O., Varcin, K. J., Pillar, S., Billingham, W., Alvares, G. A., Barbaro, J., Bent, C. A., Blenkley, D., Boutrus, M., Chee, A., Chetcuti, L., Clark, A., Davidson, E., Dimov, S., Dissanayake, C., Doyle, J., Grant, M., Green, C. C., Harrap, M., … Hudry, K. (2021). Effect of Preemptive Intervention on Developmental Outcomes Among Infants Showing Early Signs of Autism: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Outcomes to Diagnosis. JAMA Pediatrics, e213298. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.3298
MERCH: https://stephanie-bethany.creator-spring.com/
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Sensory Tiles:
https://cobyandbam.com/?ref=stephanie [be sure to use code stephanie783 at checkout for 20% off!]
-Please note that if you do buy through the link and use my code, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!- Does Infant Therapy Prevent Autism? | Reviewing New Research](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sa17e3nQ0kw/mqdefault.jpg)
![In Defense of Autism Moms
This video is an adaptation of an ethnographic essay I did for school. There are some minor adjustments, but most of it is verbatim. This means you may hear a very introductory explanation of parts of autism, person-first language, etc. Furthermore, this looks into what makes an autism mom, and makes an argument that isnt exactly popular in the current autistic community online. I also want to clarify that this is more in regard to the mothers of autistic children who have higher support needs, as, for example, my upbringing wouldnt require autism to be so closely associated with my mothers existence.
If you honestly want to try to understand the perspective of autism moms or care about the future of the autistic community, I encourage you to watch. Lets build bridges instead of burn them.
What Makes An Autism Mom: Understanding the Invisible Bond and Its Importance to the Future of the Autistic Community
*Editing note: YES I KNOW, there are some editing mistakes. I fought with my editing software and the production of this video for literal days and it stressed me out and Im over it, so lets pretend the mistakes arent there and VOILA, we can all be happy :)
Works Cited: https://pastebin.pl/view/7908ba51
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My website: https://www.stephaniebethany.com/
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Or give once at https://ko-fi.com/stephaniebethany
Sensory Tiles:
https://cobyandbam.com/?ref=stephanie [be sure to use code stephanie783 at checkout for 20% off!]
-Please note that if you do buy through the link and use my code, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!- In Defense of Autism Moms](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T9gqx66eStI/mqdefault.jpg)

![Autism Moms Share Their True Feelings (Full Data & Responses from Survey)
You all indicated that you would, indeed, be interested in a video going over the full information from the autism mom survey that I conducted. If you arent familiar to what this is referencing, you may want to watch my video, In Defense of Autism Moms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9gqx66eStI
I think there are a small amount of free responses that werent read aloud, but Im confident nearly all were. If you want to check out the data yourself and make sure you didnt miss any responses, the survey results can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9bn6SYPY4ILiqTUyK7bEZg_yCsKOku2x9kcE6jgmTSqtoFg/viewanalytics
Yes, this is LONG! Feel free to skip to questions/sections that interest you. Ive timestamped them for your convenience.
Timestamps/Sections:
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - How many autistic children do you have?
01:40 - What level of autism does your child have?
02:23 - Do you have non-autistic children?
02:53 - Are you autistic/do you have autism?
03:21 - How well do you think you understand your autistic child?
03:47 - How well would you rate your relationship with your autistic child?
04:35 - What, if any, therapy is your child enrolled in?
06:57 - How did you feel when you first found out about your childs diagnosis?
14:50 - How do you feel about your childs diagnosis now?
23:20 - Would you consider yourself an autism mom?
24:18 - How well would you rate your support system?
24:51 - On an average week, how would you rate your stress level?
25:10 - Rate how much you feel that stress is related to your child being autistic.
25:51 - Why did you give the above rating?
36:00 - Do you participate in autism awareness events?
36:22 - Which do you prefer? (Awareness vs Acceptance)
37:44 - How well do you think those around you understand your childs autism?
38:12 - How well do you think people understand you as a mother of an autistic child?
38:54 - Is there anything youd like people to know about being the mother of an autistic child?
50:32 - If youd like to expand on anything or explain any prior answers further, feel free to use this space to do so.
55:14 - Further Charts & Data Comparisons
1:00:49 - Conclusion
MERCH: https://stephanie-bethany.creator-spring.com/
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Sensory Tiles:
https://cobyandbam.com/?ref=stephanie [be sure to use code stephanie783 at checkout for 20% off!]
-Please note that if you do buy through the link and use my code, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!- Autism Moms Share Their True Feelings (Full Data & Responses from Survey)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UHJLT5m2oSs/mqdefault.jpg)


![Pathological Demand Avoidance - A Subset of Autism?
While demand avoidance is a thing a lot of people deal with, this takes it to a whole new level. Learn about what pathological demand avoidance is, if its a subset of autism, and ways that can help when interacting with those with PDA (especially parents). If you suspect you or your loved one has PDA, definitely check out pdasociety.org.uk
In this video, I explore research and information regarding what pathological demand avoidance is, some of the theories around it, as well as the limited available research. I share some of my own thoughts, examples, and experiences as well as help to interpret more confusing academic language into understandable, yet still accurate and detailed, language for the average person looking to understand more. This video is embedded on my website here: https://www.stephaniebethany.com/blog/pathological-demand-avoidance-a-subset-of-autism for those who prefer a text-based format with in-text citations. However, this is my own original work with the inclusion of outside references and sources, cited.
References/Further Reading:
Gillberg, C., Gillberg, I., Thompson, L., Biskupsto, R., & Billstedt, E. (2015). Extreme (pathological’) demand avoidance in autism: A general population study in the Faroe Islands. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(8), 979–984. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0647-3
O’Nions, E., Gould, J., Christie, P., Gillberg, C., Viding, E., & Happé, F. (2016). Identifying features of “pathological demand avoidance” using the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 25(4), 407–419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-015-0740-2
O’Nions, E., Viding, E., Quinlan, E., Pidgeon, C., Happé, F., Floyd, C., & Gould, J. (2018). Dimensions of difficulty in children reported to have an autism spectrum diagnosis and features of extreme/‘pathological’ demand avoidance. Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 23(3), 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12242
PDA - a guide for autistic adults. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2021, from https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pda/autistic-adults
PDAadmin. (n.d.). Helpful approaches—Children. PDA Society. Retrieved April 6, 2021, from https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/life-with-pda-menu/family-life-intro/helpful-approaches-children/
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-Please note that if you do buy through the link and use my code, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!- Pathological Demand Avoidance - A Subset of Autism?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VRio3dp5zZM/mqdefault.jpg)