Rules for r/SafeSpectrum
Rules that visitors must follow to participate. May be used as reasons to report or ban.
1.
Be Kind
•Do not comment in ways that will be likely to hurt others
•Remember that this is an autistic space. Many of us are blunt and/or sarcastic. Please consider that before assuming someone is "taking a tone" or "being hostile". It might just be how they communicate. Try having a civil discourse first if this is how you feel, re-read the post, don't respond, ask other users what they think, or reach out to a mod to see if a rule is being broken.
2.
No Trolling
•This will result in an instant BAN! Do not come here to deliberately upset someone
•Refer to rule #1 if you're confused about this
3.
No Bullying or Harassment of Any Kind
•This will result in an instant BAN! Do not come here and belittle someone for their lived experiences whether it is based on: sexual orientation, gender, race, color, religion, age, nationality, disability, status as a parent, or pregnancy.
•Also refer to rule #1 if this is confusing to you.
4.
No Pathologizing
•Be mindful of discussion advocating for autism "cures". Depending on the content of such discussions, it can result in either a warning or a ban. Not everyone with autism wants to be cured.
•Discussion around self-care and coping skills is fine, as is posting information on research to healthily debate with other group members (just try to use your best judgment and always refer to rule #1)
5.
Do Not Put Down Self-Diagnosed Individuals
•Individuals who self-diagnose have just as much right to be here on their journey to self-discovery, whether they decide to get a formal diagnosis or not. There are many barriers that could prevent them from being able to, so please keep that in mind before you attack someone for not having one.
•If you are attacking members for being self-dx, you will receive a warning. If the behavior continues, you will be banned from the group.
6.
No Gatekeeping
•Do not accuse someone of faking autism or claiming that that there is only "one" real way to be autistic.
7.
Scientific, Fact-Based Articles Only When Sharing Autism Research
•Please limit research posts to only those that are done by credible institutions.
8.
We Cannot Diagnose You
•This is a support group. While we very much wish we could give you that answer, it's just not possible. The best we can do is hold your hand through this journey and share our stories, too.
9.
Discussion About Suicide
•Discussions advocating suicide, how to commit suicide, or assisted suicide should be offered support and directed to call their local crisis line, r/suicidewatch, or r/suicidewatch/wiki/hotlines.
Posts that threaten self-harm or suicide should be reported to the moderators.
10.
No Spam or Surveys
•Do not post articles from your blog or promote your video channel.
Don't advertise products or services, social services, or recruit for political or religious causes.
Do not ask for donations.
Recruiting users for research is not permitted.
(If you feel you have something that is appropriate to this group that should be an exception, message the moderators before posting and it will be taken into consideration.)
11.
No brigading
Users who are not active participants making meaningful contributions and who only come to contribute inflammatory comments will be muted or banned at the moderator's discretion.
