Code of Ethics

• Autism Parenting Magazine respects the privacy of individuals and families featured in articles, interviews, or case studies. We obtain informed consent for using personal stories and images.
• We are committed to safeguarding sensitive personal information and will not disclose confidential information without explicit consent.
• We take reasonable measures to protect the data of our users, contributors, and employees. We comply with all relevant data protection laws.

Editorial Independence 

• Autism Parenting Magazine places the trust of our readers supreme and, therefore, maintains editorial independence and does not allow advertisers, sponsors, or external parties to influence our content, coverage, or editorial decisions.
• Contributors and staff should disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the accuracy or impartiality of their work.

Diversity and Inclusivity

• Autism Parenting Magazine is committed to representing diverse perspectives and experiences within the autism community. We actively seek contributors from different backgrounds and viewpoints.
• We promote respectful and inclusive language, avoiding stereotypes and stigmatizing language in all our content.

Plagiarism and Copyright

• All content published in Autism Parenting Magazine must be original and not plagiarized from other sources. Proper attribution must be given for any quoted or cited material.
• Autism Parenting Magazine respects copyright laws and will not publish copyrighted material without permission or proper attribution.

Principles around autism

We realize we have an important role in shaping the larger community’s understanding of and attitudes toward autism. Therefore, we have the following guiding principles: 

• We acknowledge that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts the development of the brain, typically exhibiting certain characteristics in early life.
• We do not believe that autism is not an illness or disease.
• We use the term ‘spectrum’ to depict the wide range of characteristics and abilities present in autistic individuals. 
• At Autism Parenting Magazine, we do not see “spectrum” as a “scale” of autism severity, as no such scale exists. Rather, we take the approach that autism and, as is often the case, the sequence of comorbidities can be viewed as a “multidimensional matrix.”  
• Importantly, we acknowledge that each autistic person is unique, distinctly experiencing autism and requiring varying levels of support across different aspects of daily life to facilitate their meaningful participation and contribution to their community.
• In all our content, it is crucial to uphold the dignity, independence, and strengths of autistic individuals. 
• We view autism not as a deficit, affliction, or tragedy; it represents a unique skill set, perspective, and way of life. 
• We acknowledge that autistic people are real individuals with jobs, families, talents, opinions, and flaws, just like anyone else. They are an integral part of the community, and we will always portray them as such.
• Autism Parenting Magazine will avoid making generalizations about the experiences of all autistic people based on the experiences of one individual, as each person with autism is distinct and encounters it differently. 
• We recognize that our language is pivotal in shaping attitudes towards autism. We are humble in our approach and realize that when we make mistakes, we correct them as soon as possible. 
• Similarly, we know it is essential to recognize that there are varying perspectives within the autism community regarding how to describe autism. 
• We will always consult with/defer to the autistic person/people in our content to understand how they prefer to be represented and which terminology they are most comfortable with.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be used interchangeably with autism in Autism Parenting Magazine. 
• We recognize that many individuals with autism prefer to be described as “autistic” to signify themselves and their autism rather than using terms like “on the spectrum” or “with autism.” 
• Whilst there is a preference for identify-first language among some members of the autistic community, we realize it is not a “one size fits all” approach. We will always defer to each individual on how they wish to be identified and described.
• Regarding the term “autistic community,” we see this as referring to the collective community of autistic individuals.
• “Autism Community,” however, refers to a diverse group of people, including autistic individuals, their friends and family, advocacy groups, researchers, autism supporters, or professionals working in the autism field.
• A meltdown results from sensory or information overload, which leads to an autistic individual becoming distressed and unable to cope. A meltdown is not a tantrum and cannot be controlled.
• At Autism Parenting Magazine, we see neurotypical as a term for individuals not on the autism spectrum. This term is primarily used within the autism community.

Conclusion

We at Autism Parenting Magazine view our code of ethics as a living document, and we strive to update this document continuously. 

We abide by all the principles set out above.