"Alpha Xi Delta is a member of National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the umbrella organization of 26 national sororities. By its constitution, Alpha Xi Delta is one of the few social sororities that accepts graduate students as well as undergraduates.[3] The sorority has over 185,000 initiated members and maintains active chapters at 130 institutions across the United States, and its headquarters are located in Indianapolis, Indiana." ("Alpha Xi Delta")

If you have any knowledge of college life in America, you would know Greek life is the thing. Sororities and fraternities are great ways to get involved on your college campus creating lasting relationships, expanding leadership skills, raising money for a good cause, volunteering to help your community, etc. The National Panhellenic Conference recognizes 26 sororities nationally, with Alpha Xi Delta included. If you are unfamiliar with how Greek life works, each sorority (and fraternity) has a national (and sometimes local) philanthropy- or an organization that a Greek chapter volunteers efforts towards including raising money and advertising. Nationally, Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropy is Autism Speaks.

"Autism Speaks Inc. (AS) is the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States. It sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public.It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and his wife Suzanne, a year after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism." ("Autism Speaks")

"Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions." ("Our Mission")

While this brief description from the Autism Speaks official website sounds nice, many people with Autism and disabled activists, as well as allies, have been criticizing Autism Speaks for years. From autisticchoya.com, Lydia Brown states, "Autistic and disabled activists, as well as our allies, have for years criticized Autism Speaks' long history of dehumanizing rhetoric about autistic people, irresponsible financial practices, and unconscionable claim to represent autistic people without including any autistic people in their leadership — in direct contradiction to the principles of the disability rights movement. I have written numerous times on the myriad of reasons why autistic people, writ large, not only decline to support Autism Speaks but also actively condemn their goals and practices." She goes on to discuss the host and feature Autism Speaks chose for a Washington D.C. walk of The Judge Rotenberg Center. It was not until 2020, yes, last year, that this facility was banned by the FDA from using electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior. ("After FDA..."). This institution is notorious for its cruelty, yet Autism Speaks had them host one of their Walk Now for Autism walks. Lydia Brown attaches "Living Archive & Repository on the Judge Rotenberg Center’s Abuses." 

Criticisms of Autism Speaks include the exploitation of autistic people, making decisions without the consultation of those with autism, not keeping money raised in the community where walks are held, the promotion of stigmatizations around autism, and the list goes on and on. Debra Muzikar from The Art of Autism published an article including her review of Autism Speaks's 2013 Financial Statement. She concluded that out of the $120 billion budget, only a little over $4,000,000 went to family services, meaning 4% of their entire budget goes to helping families. ("Autistic People...") The salary of the CEO of Autism Speaks that year was $371,000. Additionally, the budget contributes 13% towards science, and 43% of their budget goes towards advertising. The science they contribute to includes very little of improving the lives of those with autism ("Before You Donate") and it wasn't until 2016 that they removed the word "cure" from their mission statement ("For the Record")

UNC Asheville’s Zeta Tau chapter of Alpha Xi Delta voiced their concerns about the national philanthropy being Autism Speaks. They were shut down by the national board. Here is this chapter's story: UNC Asheville Zeta Tau

The links provided include stories from people with autism and their experience with this organization, as well as the story of someone who resigned from his position at Autism Speaks. A simple Google Search will bring up articles upon articles of experiences with this organization.

Before you donate to Autism Speaks, Consider the facts​

4 Simple Reasons I Don't Support Autism Speaks​

Noted Self-Advocate Cuts Ties With Autism Speaks​

Why Autism Speaks Doesn't Speak For Me

The bottom line is: Autism Speaks is not supported by those with Autism and allies, and has faced criticism for their practices for years. Greek life is supposed to be for not only making friendships and having fun, but contributing to a good cause, and Autism Speaks is not what Alpha Xi Delta should be standing for. The sisterhood and commitment is strong amongst these women, but there appears to be a lack of education on the organization they stand for.

Alpha Xi Delta, please consider focusing your energy towards an organization that truly cares about the lives of those with autism, Autism Speaks is NOT it.

Here is the petition created by the some of the sorority chapters as well. 

If you feel as if the word choice of my petition (or comment you saw of me promoting it), please reach out to me so I can correct it. I am still learning and do not want to use improper terminology, and do not mean to if I have done so. Instagram: @kayladistler