Logo of the Autism Network International

Autism Network International (ANI) is an advocacy organization run by and for autistic people. ANI's principles involve the anti-cure perspective, the perspective that there should not be a goal to "cure" people of autism.

[edit] Autreat

Autreat is a United States retreat and conference hosted by Autism Network International for autistic people. The first Autreat was in 1996.^[1] As of 2009, there has been an Autreat every year except 2001.

Autreat is a conference for autistic people, in contrast to other autism conferences, which ANI believes are typically about autistic people but are intended for parents and professionals. Although parents, professionals, and others are welcome, Autreat is specifically designed for autistics, and offers an autistic-friendly environment, free of sensory bombardment. Guests are under no pressure to interact socially. A simple visual code in the form of a colored badge is used to indicate members who wish to interact with anyone and everyone, those who wish not to be approached by strangers, and those who wish not to be approached at all.

Autreat was the inspiration for Autscape, another autism conference held in Europe annually starting in 2005.^[2]

Autreat was also some of the inspiration for the ASPIE school;^{[citation needed]} in her book Elijah's Cup, ASPIE founder Valerie Paradiz talks about her experiences going to autreat with Elijah.^{[not in citation given][3]}

[edit] See also

• List of disability rights organizations

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Autism Network International official site
• Autreat

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