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ASAN December Newsletter
barren snow covered trees
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Dear friend,
December has seen its fair share of fights, and in a year with as many struggles as we have seen in 2025, it’s more important than ever that we continue to grow, fight, and organize together. Read about what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved.
This month, the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss various topics related to vaccination. At this meeting, ACIP members continued to spread false information about vaccine ingredients and autism. ACIP members also voted to eliminate recommendations that most newborns receive a Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, cutting away a safety net that has protected newborns for more than 30 years. Both the rampant disinformation about vaccines and autism and the decision to delay newborn Hep B vaccinations represent a continuing, dangerous shift by US public health officials toward pseudoscience and policies that fail to protect the most medically vulnerable people in our country. Vaccines are important for protecting people from dangerous infectious diseases. We know that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines let autistic children live long enough to become autistic adults. Autism is not a tragedy to be prevented; it is a way of being, deserving of support and respect. ASAN will continue to call out and unequivocally condemn any claims to the contrary [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan-condemns-dangerous-disinformation-at-acip-meeting/].
We have seen a wave of dangerous proposals and policy changes from this administration that threaten the rights, freedom, and safety of disabled people. From dangerous misinformation about autism and attempts to shut down the Department of Education to attacks on Medicaid and SNAP, these policies put all of us at risk. That’s why we’ve put together Debunking Autism Misinformation [autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-autism-misinformation/], a resource breaking down what’s happening, what it means for our community, and what’s at stake. All disabled people deserve support, accessible education, and the freedom to live in our communities. We will not stay silent while our rights are under attack. Read the full resource here [autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-autism-misinformation/], and share widely to tell politicians and billionaires that we reject the corruption, greed, and disregard for our lives we have seen from this administration.
As we move through this month, we recognize and honor the holidays, celebrations, and important events that hold meaning for our community and beyond.
* Bodhi Day
* Christmas
* Fast of the Tenth of Tevet
* Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
* Hanukkah
* Kwanzaa
* Winter Solstice
Since January 2025, ASAN has been working in overdrive for our community. From plain language roundups [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/plain-language-roundup-disabled-students-are-worth-protecting/], monthly webinars [youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG18VRFaDwLaNvwNQkdjGOYKugK3AARtF&si=bJ5nzl9akO4nn3QZ], and so much more, we have been able to connect with our grassroots community and allies in the fight for a more equitable world. Through this fight, we are grounded knowing that we are in this for our community and are working towards something greater. We know that autistic communities are the experts who should be leading autistic policy. Only we can protect us, and that means making sure that policy and resources are accessible and available to our community. We’re so grateful for your support and for your spirit of giving, and we’re honored to continue the fight in 2026.
With warm wishes,
The Team at ASAN
* ASAN endorsed the Senate reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act [democrats-edworkforce.house.gov/imo/media/doc/keeping_all_students_safe_act_of_2025_bill_text.pdf] (KASSA).
* We signed onto a letter from the Children's Budget Coalition about guardrails for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations.
* ASAN endorsed a letter from Representative Chu and Representative Schrier to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an investigation into the public health, economic, and equity impacts of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s Hepatitis B recommendations.
autisticadvocacy.org/donate [autisticadvocacy.org/donate]
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan-condemns-dangerous-disinformation-at-acip-meeting/ [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan-condemns-dangerous-disinformation-at-acip-meeting/] ASAN Condemns Dangerous Disinformation at ACIP Meeting [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/12/asan-condemns-dangerous-disinformation-at-acip-meeting/]
autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-autism-misinformation/ [autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-autism-misinformation/] Debunking Autism Misinformation [autisticadvocacy.org/debunking-autism-misinformation/]
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/plain-language-roundup-disabled-students-are-worth-protecting/ [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/plain-language-roundup-disabled-students-are-worth-protecting/] Plain Language Roundup: Disabled Students Are Worth Protecting [autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/plain-language-roundup-disabled-students-are-worth-protecting/]
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG18VRFaDwLaNvwNQkdjGOYKugK3AARtF&si=bJ5nzl9akO4nn3QZ [youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG18VRFaDwLaNvwNQkdjGOYKugK3AARtF&si=bJ5nzl9akO4nn3QZ] Check out ASAN’s webinars [youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG18VRFaDwLaNvwNQkdjGOYKugK3AARtF&si=bJ5nzl9akO4nn3QZ]
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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