Our Objective is to look beyond the differences caused by autism and into the hearts and minds of these incredible people.
The Golden Hat Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived, by shining a light on their abilities and emphasizing their great potential. With proper education and career training, these individuals can truly realize their dreams.
Autistic individuals carry a double burden. In addition to their daily speech and sensory challenges, they must also cope with negative attitudes of society, inadequate support for their needs and, in some cases, outright discrimination. Sadly, people with autism are often labeled "cognitively impaired." Because communication skills are an integral part of how most professionals determine a person's intelligence, their communication impairments can severely affect their ability to perform on standardized intelligence tests.
The notion that a large portion of autistic people are mentally retarded is incredibly wrong and destructive. Many autistics are nonverbal and are plunked into the low-functioning (severe) category simply because they lack the ability to express what they know.1
We at the Golden Hat Foundation believe that:
| • | Despite the behaviors and communication difficulties of people with ASD, we should assume intelligence first and then find ways to access it. People on the autism spectrum are different, but they have unique strengths, perceptions, and talents that deserve recognition and respect. | ||
| • | People on the autism spectrum should be given the means to learn to communicate. | ||
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Autistic individuals should have access to an appropriate academic education, social supports and job training based on their abilities. |
Join us in autism acceptance, embracing differences, and recognizing abilities.
1. The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know. Wired.com, David Wolman, February 25, 2008. https://www.wired.com/2008/02/ff-autism/