*Read the open letter here* Open Letter to CADDAC

ADHDers and Autistics have a lot in common! So much, in fact, that Autistics have been referring to ADHDers (and others whose neurodivergent similarities unite them) as “cousins” since 1993!

We have shared struggles and shared similarities: we often struggle to accept ourselves on our own terms and we struggle to be heard with our own voices. We struggle against stereotypes and misunderstanding.

Many Autistic people were disheartened to hear that the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) began using a hashtag which drew support from an organization that many of us are strongly opposed to on human rights grounds: Autism Speaks.

In this petition, we explain the reasons why we are opposed to Autism Speaks and therefore why we are coming together to ask CADDAC to change its campaign hashtag to #ADHDSpeaking. 

Let’s start this April off by standing together. Let’s use this as an opportunity to work together, listen to each others’ stories and build on our collective strengths to amplify the real experiences of our two uniquely diverse and overlapping communities. We need far more (and diverse) support across our lifespans than what we are currently receiving and if you stand with us, we can stand together.

Autistics and ADHDers can speak, and do speak, for ourselves and we all deserve to be seen and heard. Let’s start speaking, together!