Origin of the name “Autistan”

The name “Autistan” is an idea from our autistic friend Josef Schovanec.

Josef Schovanec is an autistic scholar, globe-trotter, writer, translator, etc. well known in France (“in autism”, that is to say by autistic people and “families with autism”).

He has a doctorate in philosophy and political science..

He talks more about 12 LANGUAGES:
– Fluently: French, Czech, English, German, Persian, Hebrew
– Less commonly: Amharic, Arab, Aramaic, Chinese, Azeri and Sanskrit

He has written several books about his life as an autistic person and about autism. (translated into several languages).

He coined the word “Autistan” in a humorous way.
During a conversation in March 2014, this word marked the (future) founder of a formalized concept of Autistan (Eric L.), who started creating pages with Internet domains “Autistan”, a month later.
Ensuite, Josef began writing books dealing with “Autistan”, and various shows and events in France began to use this name.

“Travel to Autistan” (Europe 1 – Josef Schovanec)
Facebook Replay Europe 1

Josef Schovanec : In praise of travel for autistic people and those who are not autistic enough : France Info Fnac

A few words from Josef Schovanec about his book :

“What could life have in store for someone who was supposed to stay in a bubble? ? So what does the world look like seen through its curved translucent walls?, especially this distant world, the most attractive, the one that takes place beyond the horizon ? Not long ago, taking the bus three stops had for me the anguished scent of adventure. Today, the walls of the bubble have been distended. Almost married those of the earth. Et, from flight to flight, from discovery to discovery, made me an autistic traveler.
On my way, I had the chance to meet amazing fellow travelers. Such a person, marginal at home, rejected, had taken up residence where the Ethiopian highlands merge into the plains of Somalia. Such another, escaped from the asylum, had found his true ones at the end of the world. And as for me, the autistic person on duty in France, I was welcomed as a human, as an honorable visitor to where I had dared to run.
During these trips to various countries, so-called normal beings have also crossed my path. They gave me something to think about. In spite of themselves, they made me understand that in truth the supposedly autistic bubble was, oh paradox, often inverted. To so many of those normal people who suffer from depression, various neuroses, who groan under the weight of the burden of the days, I believe him, travel therapy is necessary.
Journey to the end of the world, or, anything, travel in Autistan, This country that starts right next to you, Behind the wall that separates you from a neighbor you never see because he dedicates his life to his collection of nineteenth-century Russian batteries or to the mutations of the optative into archaic Sanskrit.
As for me, before heading back to, let's dream, Central Asia, I will try to meditate on this teaching of wanderings and years of wandering in the world : to tell the truth, what was designated to me as the outside of the bubble, was only its reverse. And what we say is normal could just be a very sad and dull thing.”
Josef Schovanec

In October 2016, he agreed to be the godfather of our organization.
He is not an Ambassador of Autistan and he has no position or responsibility in our organization, but sometimes he gives us some advice or comments, and he sends us some photos of the Flag, made during his travels.

In a TV show about him in French (https://www.rts.ch/play/tv/ecran-total/video/josef-schovanec?urn=urn:rts:video:8800486), the flag of Autistan appears (around 6′):

Declaration of Josef Schovanec on Autistan and on the Flag of Autistan
Translations into 14 LANGUAGES.

Quick presentation :

1. Autistan is the “autistic world” : this designates, In summary, everything that characterizes autism and autistic people.
2. The Diplomatic Organization of Autistan a pour but principal d’inform public authorities countries, so that they better understand the needs and difficulties of autistic people, with the aim of a “Correct Consideration of Autism Everywhere” allowing a “Accessibility for Autistic People Exposed to Disabling Situations“, in order to reduce the “Socio-Generated Attacks (sensory, mental or other)”.
Our organization is “extra-nationale”, she does not perform any “outside interference”, it offers complementary contributions thanks to a very broad approach, diverse, different, which allows comparisons and reflections that are very useful for improving public policies.
3. Autistic people do not suffer “of autism” : they suffer from consequences of the absence of Correct Consideration of Autism Everywhere, and therefore the absence of public policies and measures allowing accessibility thanks to the reduction of these external attacks.
4. For that, it is essential to start by understanding that “autism” (which is a human difference with many qualities) is a different thing from “autism disorders” (which are only problems, objective or subjective).
5. Autistic people must be able to “learn non-autism” to live by adapting to it, BUT without complying that is to say without “obligation to become non-autistic”, because we must preserve the qualities specific to autism, and we must avoid the many and dangerous faults and social traps, in particular that which consists of creating self-esteem through “possible judgment by strangers”, which requires a sort of “dictatorship of social image” obliging to “glasses” (which is absurd, superficial, and particularly toxic for autistic people).
6. It is imperative that autistic people are not thwarted in their interests or businesses (except for the minimum rules of good manners), that they are not exposed to restrictions, to over-protection or deprivation of liberty because of their autism.
Indeed, it’s unfair but above all it prevents any positive development.
The positive development of autistic people is only possible if they can follow “your own life path”, which is obviously not ordinary, and which will be favored by an unlimited multitude of possibilities, of choice, of chances, of experiences, dating, of adventures, travel etc.., and not the other way around : the restriction and aridity of a life even more limited and restricted than that of most non-autistic people (which is very “standardized and robotic”).
For that, it is imperative and essential that PARENTS of autistic people can be “educated about autism”.
7. Freedom and experimentation are therefore essential, and understanding of these principles (among many others that we can explain and demonstrate in detail) is essential for society to enable a better life for autistic people : more free, more just, more fulfilled, with the same level of possibilities and chances as non-autistic people, that is to say a “real life”, worthy and happy.
8. This would be possible if autistic people who can explain these things were listened attentively, and if the public authorities made efforts and understood that the necessary modifications are not abusive : these are corrections that are beneficial for society as a whole.
Try to attract attention, and explain these things convincingly with examples and evidence “from real life” : this is the only goal of our organization.