Nearly a year ago, 13-year-old Max Benson, an autistic student, was restrained by teachers at his school for almost two hours. As a result of injuries sustained from that restraint, he died in the hospital the next day.

The autistic community is aware that untimely deaths happen too often to our members. What’s more, many autistics who survive into adulthood– through trauma, restraint, bullying, and social isolation– never get to see their talents and dreams recognized. Often unmotivated by desires of wealth or fame, autistic people are driven to use their passions and unique insights to find a way to contribute to the Greater Good and make a positive difference in a world they’ve experienced as unwelcoming.

Max Benson was inquisitive, bright, curious, thoughtful, funny, and full of life. In his neighborhood, he was known as “the mayor.” His life was taken from him too early, but the autistic community and our allies are not willing to let his Light also be taken. We are going to fight to make sure that Max’s Light continues to shine and that his legacy will live on to bring positive change to the world. #ShineOnMax

-The NeuroClastic Team

The International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (ICARS) and Max Benson’s family will be holding a vigil on Sunday, November 17, in remembrance of Max’s life and in honor of his vibrant spirit. A live vigil will be held at 2pm PST at the El Dorado County District Attorney Office, 778 Pacific Street, Placerville, CA 95667.

However, we are asking all those who are not local, wherever you are in the world, to light a candle for Max on Sunday (11/17/19), and to post a picture of your candle on social media with the hashtag #ShineOnMax, or you can use one of the candle graphics we will post here and on various social media. There’s no need to post at a specific time. Just take a moment to light a candle and let Max’s family, the autistic community, and the world that you value Max’s Light.

Autistic advocates, allies, and organizations who will be lighting a candle in solidarity on Sunday (see note at the bottom if you wish to be added to this list):

• NeuroClastic, A collective of over 500 autistic writers and artists
• The Autistic Union Âû
• Autistic News Feed
• NeuroDivergent Rebel, autistic advocate
• Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes and ally
• Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project/Effect/Result and ally
• Echo Miller, author of The Insiders Club and ally
• Mitch Kosterman, autistic actor, writer, producer, director, and grandpa
• Kim Rhodes, actress (Supernatural, What/If, Criminal Minds), podcaster, and ally
• Jorn Bettin, autistic advocate
• Riah Person, autistic advocate
• Autistic UK
• Dr. Laura Dilley, neuroscientist at Michigan State University
• NeuroGuides, nonprofit for autistic adults
• The Autistic Cooperative, group of autistic advocates
• Autistic Allies, online community for autistics and non-autistic allies
• Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate
• Pete Wharmby, autistic advocate
• Eve Reiland, autistic advocate, International Badass Activists
• Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM), organization for supporting autistic adults and their carers
• Autistamatic, blogger and autistic YouTube creator
• Jen Bluhm, autistic musician, Waltzing on Waves
•  Cassie Crossman, In the Loop about Neurdiversity
• Sara Jane Harvey, Agony Autie
• Tania Melnyczuk, Autistic Strategies Network
• Allison Knight, Unashamed Voices of Autism
• The Vanilla Milkshakes, punk rockers with an autistic lead
• Anna Moore, I Am Academy K-12
• Sara Perry, Oddly Autistic
• Eric Hamell, Green Party of Philadelphia
• Pam Enari and Larry Lefkowitz
• Cynthia Zuber, The Neurodiverse Woman
• Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez, The Autistic OT
• Amanda Seigler, Fierce Autie
• Dr. Marcia Eckerd, neurodivergent psychologist
• Steve Asbell, autistic advocate and artist
• Samantha Craft, Everyday Asperger’s, autistic author and advocate
• Robert Gehrman, The Autistic Avenger
• The SLP Neurodiversity Collective, a nonprofit of Speech-Language Pathologists supporting communication rights
• Anna Kraemer, Autistic Science Lady
• Dustin’s Dynasty, blog shining a light into the normality of autism/Asperger’s
• Autistic Spectrum New Zealand, public group
• Autistics Worldwide, private community for autistics worldwide
• Neurodiversity News Stand, a group for discussing articles related to neurodiversity (autistics and non-autistics welcomed)
• Autistic Worldwide News
• Emma Dalmayne, autistic advocate and author
• Autism Inclusivity, an online community for autistics and non-autistic loved ones
• Jaime Heidel, The Articulate Autistic
• The”A” Team Justice League, Oregon-based autism advocacy nonprofit
• Philip Reyes, nonspeaking autistic advocate, Faith, Hope, Love, Autism
• AutCollab, autistic collaboration for life
• Teenagers with Asperger Syndrome Worldwide, private community for teens
• Hope RPM, tutoring and instruction in rapid prompting method
• Morgan Miller, The Autistic Lens
• NeuroClastic has an article for that, online community for autistics and non-autistics to learn about the autistic experience
• Reach Every Voice, a school for students with complex communication needs
• Melanie Creane, autistic advocate and certified autism specialist
• Joseph Redford, Autistic Pride Alliance
• Mark Blake, The Autistic League
• Emma van der Klift & Norman Kunc, Broad Reach Training
• David Gray-Hammond, Emergent Divergent
• Stop Restraint and Seclusion
• Eliminating Restrictive Practices in Australian Schools
• Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint

If you are a business owner or non-profit associated with inclusion, disability, or autism, or if you are an autistic advocate or ally who is a public figure with a social media page, YouTube, group, website, blog, podcast, etc., and you’d like to be listed as supporting #ShineOnMax, please comment under this blog with your name and a link to your site to be added to this list.

We hope that on Sunday, November 17, everyone can light a candle for Max and will hashtag #ShineOnMax. If for any reason lighting a candle is not ideal for you, images featuring candles will be available at the bottom of this post and on ICARS and NeuroClastic social media. Everyone is welcomed to make their own images for #ShineOnMax.

If you are an individual wanting to stay in the loop about how to keep children and adults with disabilities safe from dangerous restraints and seclusion or to get involved, follow ICARS on Facebook and Twitter.

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International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (ICARS)

The International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion seek to connect efforts and organizations to end the use of restraint and seclusion, as well as representing over 1600 families internationally whose children have been subjected to restraint and seclusion abuse. With legislation passed the parent lead campaigning group continues to work with lawmakers and human rights organizations internationally.

Latest posts by International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (ICARS) (see all)

• ICARS: The Time to End Restraint and Seclusion is Now - February 12, 2021
• My experience of restraint in a psychiatric hospital: This is not a love story - March 18, 2020
• Trending in the US: Calling the Police on Disabled Kids in Kindergarten - March 1, 2020