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A number of readers expressed at least disagreement and often outrage at the New York University Child Study Center soon to be launched Ransom Notes public awareness campaign, whose message is that Millions Of Children [are] Held Hostage By Psychiatric Disorders. Billboards and advertisements in magazines (including New York Magazine, Newsweek, Parents, Education Update and Mental Health News) and in kiosks will start appearing in January. The “Ransom Notes” campaign is provided pro bono by BBDO, a worldwide advertising agency network with headquarters in New York—-though, as I wrote in a previous post, the shock value ads—which are designed to look like an actual ransom note and signed “Autism” or “Asperger Syndrome” or “ADHD”—are designed to startle, alarm, threaten, and get people to do something (hand over the ransom, er, donation, is my assumption).
How we talk about autism—how we talk about autistic persons—directly impacts on how the public, how people, think about autism, and how they perceive and act towards autistic persons. Implying that an autistic child is like a child who has been kidnapped—-is a child who has been kidnapped—recalls older stereotypes of autistic children as “caught” and “imprisoned” in an “autistic shell,” and their real (normal) self “trapped” inside. It is not too hard to find references to autistic children that use such language, as in this commencement speech presented by Autism Speaks co-founder Suzanne Wright on May 15, 2007:
There is a beautiful little boy in my family who has been kidnapped by autism.
I am writing a letter to send to the Director of the NYU Child Study Center, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has sent out a call for letters, along with contact information.
This campaign, which is expecting over 700 million impressions over the next four months, is highly inaccurate and spreads classic stereotypes against individuals with disabilities. There are a number of problems with the advertising campaign:* The ads stigmatize people with disabilities by suggesting that we are a ‘detriment to ourselves and those around us.’
* The ads make people with disabilities feel shame and embarrassment.
* The ads contain inaccurate information: For example, while people with diagnoses of autism and Asperger’s often have difficulty with some forms of social interaction, we are not incapable of it and can succeed and thrive on our own terms when supported, accepted and included for who we are.
* The ads suggest that our true selves have been “kidnapped” by terrible “diseases” and that we need urgent treatment to become normal again. This “stolen child” stereotype has been associated with horrible abuses against individuals with disabilities, ranging from social cruelty to beating, electric shock and even murder.
* The ads do not inspire parents to bring struggling children to professionals for diagnosis and appropriate treatment but instead just make parents terrified that their children are doomed and destined to have horrible, sad lives.
* The ads convey an incomplete and inaccurate picture of the diagnoses they purport to represent; they fail to show the many strengths and abilities of the individuals with those diagnoses. They fail to show the opportunities for support, education and resources that the NYU Child Study Center should be offering to parents and individuals with disabilities.
It is extremely important that we let the NYU Child Study Center know that its language is unacceptable and encourage them to pull the campaign before it does irreparable damage to people with disabilities everywhere. As an organization of adults and youth on the autism spectrum, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network is working closely with self-advocates, parents, professionals and other concerned citizens from throughout the disability community to implement an organized response. However, our time is short and we need you to make your voice heard immediately. Below you will find contact information for the NYU Child Study Center, the director of the NYU Med Center and a number of businesses who have donated time, ad space or other resources to the campaign. We’ve provided a sample template for your letters but please feel free to substitute your own words and to call the Center and their supporters over the phone. If you use our template, please make sure to delete the sections you will not be using within the bold-bracketed components. Once again, the need for action on this is immediate, so please write and/or call now.
Thank you all for your efforts and please feel free to pass along this message to other individuals and groups. We will keep you informed and we ask that you please e-mail any responses you receive to info@autisticadvocacy.org so we can coordinate our response to this offensive advertising campaign.
Best,Ari Ne’eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530
Sample Letter Template:
Dear [Dr. Koplewicz/Van Wagner Communications/BBDO]:
I am writing to express concern about the NYU Child Study Center’s recent “Ransom Notes” campaign. Your statements about people on the autism spectrum and with other disabilities are inaccurate and offensive to me as [an individual with a disability/as a family member of an individual with a disability/as someone interested in seeing respect for individuals with disabilities] and as a concerned citizen. I urge you to pull the advertising campaign immediately from all venues, ranging from billboards and kiosks to print and online advertisements, and to take steps to ensure that the self-advocate community of adults with disabilities is consulted prior to future public relations efforts.
The NYU Child Study Center’s reputation with parents, professionals and individuals with disabilities suffers as a result of the inaccuracies and negative stereotypes promoted in the “Ransom Notes” campaign. These ads will not encourage parents to bring their children to your center, or any center. Rather, these ads will make parents afraid and ashamed of their children, resulting in more children going without helpful services and interventions. These ads are also a slap in the face to both the many youth and adults who survive and thrive with the diagnoses being so inaccurately described and to the many self-advocates, parents and professionals who have worked hard to change the public image of these disabilities so that youth and adults with disabilities can be fully included and accepted in school, at home, at work and in the community at large. I urge you to apologize to the disability community and to take immediate action to remove the offensive material from the public eye.
Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
[Fill in Name Here]Contact Information:
NYU Child Study Center:
Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz
Phone: 212-263-6205
Fax: 212.263.0990
Dr. Koplewicz’s E-mail: Harold.Koplewicz@nyumc.org
Communications Department:
Beth Rowan, Director of Communications
212.404.3757
Beth.Rowan@nyumc.org
NYU Child Study Center
577 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016This is the NYU Child Study Center website: http://www.aboutourkids.org/
In addition, please take the time to copy Michael Statfeld Recanati at mrecanati@aol.com and Ira Statfeld Recanati at istatfeld@aol.com on your e-mails to the NYU Child Study Center. Mr. and Mrs. Recanati are the donors responsible for the creation of the NYU Asperger Institute. You may also want to contact Dr. Robert Grossman, Director of the NYU Medical Center, which has control over the NYU Child Study Center. He can be reached at 212.263.3269 and by e-mail at Robert.grossman@nyumc.org
Mr. and Mrs. Recanati and Dr. Grossman are NOT responsible for the offensive advertising in the “Ransom Notes” campaign but they are in a position to stop it. As such, if you choose to write to them directly, we encourage you to be cordial and polite in explaining our concerns and encourage them to place pressure on the NYU Child Study Center to pull the “Ransom Notes” campaign.
BBDO New York:
BBDO New York designed and contributed the advertising for the NYU Child Study Center’s “Ransom Notes” campaign. Please contact them to express your displeasure and explain why these advertisements are so offensive to individuals with disabilities.John Osborn
President and CEO of BBDO New York
BBDO New York
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
(212) 459-5000
John Osborn’s e-mail: john.osborn@bbdo.com
Press Relations at BBDO: laurie.ben-haim@bbdo.comVan Wagner Communications, LLC:
Van Wagner Communications, LLC has donated significant billboard and kiosk space to the NYU “Ransom Notes” campaign. Please write and call to their New York office to explain to them why these advertisements are so offensive to individuals with disabilities and to urge them to withdraw their support.Tel: 212.699.8500
Fax: 212.699.8521
hfriedman@vanwagner.com
47-50 Van Dam Street
Long Island City, NY 11101Van Wagner has another address and phone number here:
(212) 699-8400 phone
(212) 986-0927 fax
Richard Schaps, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Van Wagner Communications, LLC.
800 Third Ave 28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
This is the Van Wagner website: http://www.vanwagner.com/
1436 days ago
[...] how people, think about autism, and how they perceive and act towards autistic persons.” – Autism Vox Please note that I do support fundraising campaigns for autism if their purpose is to better the [...]
1513 days ago
[...] will also address how autism and disabilities are represented in the media via discussion of the response to the ‘Ransom Notes’ ad campaign. The conference is being held at Teachers College of Columbia University at 525 W. 120th Street [...]
1603 days ago
[...] of a mother in tears does cohere with the notion of a parent feeling that her child has been “kidnapped” by autism, bulimia, etc.. But if the creators of Ransom Notes were thinking that numerous [...]
1603 days ago
[...] Yes, we were. He has received thousands of phone calls and e-mails since the ads became widely publicized, about 70% against the campaign [my emphasis]. Although he heard from parents who said the ads spoke to them, “simultaneously we unintentionally hurt many other people’s feelings,” Koplewicz says. [...]
As a mom who likely grew up with undiagnosed ASD, and is raising a beautiful and intelligent 5 year old diagnosed with ASD, I have always taken offense at the cruelty we adopt in treating mental (and even physical) conditions. These “ransom notes” seem to continue perpetuating that fallacy of needing to combat a person who seems atypical, regardless of damage done to them.
No, it is not that the disorder is holding the person hostage. It is the psychiatric (and other societal) institutions that hold an atypical person hostage when they do not look beyond the negative differences, to see the positive benefits that person can offer to our world.
So, we think differently. We sense our world differently. Our perspectives are different. And that can be a good thing. It is the rest of the world that seems they can’t handle change to take advantage of our abilities.
Oddly enough, it is in many of these changes, from lowering teacher-student ratios, creating smaller school settings, being open to the creative and differing viewpoints, offering quiet sanctuaries in the workplace, and respecting all people, that make life for all of us better, not just the weird ones.
Lawful this on weekend concluded 300 tattoo artists mostly from Southern California studios gathered in Pomona’s Fairplex to chuck their ink at anecdote of the everybody’s largest conventions of its kind. In putting together to the clever artists, the Body Taste Expo in Pomona also featured plenty of play such as tattoo category contests, live music concerts and MMA fights.
I just saw this – this is incredible….
Scaring people is NO way to entice them to get their children Dx’ed!!!
“The strong response to this campaign is evidence that our approach is working.”
Not if your responses aren’t from people asking to have their kids Dx’ed, it isn’t. Fear drives people underground. Asshats.
1607 days ago
[...] good posts on the issue, written by autistic people and the parents of autistic children: Kidnapped by Autism: Making Noise About Ransom Notes “Mine are the words of a mother who knows how much ignorance is out there (how many averted [...]
1607 days ago
[...] http://www.autismvox.com/kidnapped-by-autism-making-noise-about-ransom-notes/The blogosphere response to the “Ransom Notes” campaign and a letter from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network [...]
1611 days ago
[...] community’s joint statement about the New York University Child Study Center’s “Ransom Notes” advertising campaign, please sign this online petition. And spread the word! activism, ASD, [...]
1611 days ago
[...] their concern and, indeed, outrage at the New York University Child Study Center’s “Ransom Notes” advertisement campaign. A continually update list of blogs by autistic persons and by [...]
I wrote a letter stating my displeasure about this “Ransom Notes” campaign, and made it a point to post information on how to write protest letters in all my online Aspie web forums.
I’m just starting to get back into a work rhythm after two months of travelling and dealing with family health stuff…
Two things struck me after a little investigation and thought.
On the “about us” section of the “aboutourkids” site (http://www.aboutourkids.org/about_us/institutes_programs) it says that they use their public education programs to “work to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.” I’d like an explanation of how the idea that autism, aspergers, adhd, etc. is stealing your kid “eliminates” stigma – and that’s aside from the mislabeling of these disabilities as mental illnesses.
I’m increasingly disgusted at how cynical and exploitative this campaign is. The aim of this campaign is – obviously – to gain attention and donations for the Center at NYU. Using the metaphor in this “public education” campaign – that of a ransom demand, it really puts the Center in the position of the one collecting the ransom money.
But I guess that in some people’s ways of thinking, there is no such thing as sinking too low as long as you believe your cause is a good one. And you benefit financially.
Greetings,
I wrote my letter of complaint last Friday and was told by Dr. Koplewicz that
“”Ransom Notes” may be shocking to some, but so are the statistics: suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, and serious emotional problems affect one out of 10 young people, most of whom do not get help. The strong response to this campaign is evidence that our approach is working. We acknowledge the challenges faced by individuals with these disorders and their families. We hope to both generate a national dialogue that will end the stigma surrounding childhood psychiatric disorders and advance the science, giving children the help they need and deserve. We want this campaign to be a wake up call. Please join the dialogue.”
I’d like to know how this consistent demonizing of disabilities is really generating any benefit to the people they are supposedly trying to help. Spreading stigma, because that’s all the people are going to see, despite what the motive is, only serves to generate more stigma.
I would like to ask Mr. Doherty how he would mind being portrayed the way autistics generally are? Would he feel good about who he is if rhetoric of this nature was directed at him every single day from the media, his parents, other parents, the general public and medical professionals? How would he like it if his doctor treated him the way so many doctors treat us? Would he be *wanting* to interact in a world that hates him so and has no place for him? Would he want to live?
I find it interesting that Dr. Koplewicz mentions suicide stats. Is treating people like terrorists really helping people to *not* want to commit suicide? If he believes this then there is some serious flaws with his logic. Demonizing people does not make them happy, does not make them feel good and is more likely to cause people to want to end it all.
It’s not about political correctness, it’s about people’s feelings. Surprise, Mr. Doherty and those who think we are emotionless, incapbable of thought or “oblivious”: autistics *do* have feelings and I for one am feeling pretty darned offended by this campaign and the general rhetoric that is directed at us every day.
Mr. Harold L Doherty,
I can assure you that Asperger Syndrome does not “rob children of the ability to learn, make and keep friends and enjoy life.” Ignorant people who refuse to treat individuals with autism with the respect due any individual are responsible for robbing children — and adults — with Asperger Syndrome of the ability to learn, make and keep friends and enjoy life.
I know a great many people with ASDs, including my 12-year-old son, Lewis Schofield, and I can assure you that when you treat the individual with respect, it is amazing what you learn about life in general and yourself specifically.
Rather than rail against those who stand up against skewed and inaccurate representations of individuals with autism, you should open yourself up to the beautiful realities of kindness.
1612 days ago
[...] me: That is the essence of the message of the “Ransom Notes” “public awareness campaign” that the New York University Child Study Center is [...]
Those who always drone on about “you people” are mostly always bigots.
If that’s the case, they’re honestly not safe to work with people with these conditions…the whole working to expectations thing.
Or maybe those who came up with the campaign are all too aware of how negative it is—-and that’s an asset (in their view—a way to get attention).
No child (or adult) is ever a detriment.
That educated adults can even think of representing them as such-to their faces, no less-is truly appalling. It’s like they cut themselves off from the consequences of their own actions…
Kassiane,
My daughter is old enough to write, if she wants to, I let her know that I have the contacts.
I think the frustation for me earlier, and now as a matter of fact, is that we all know that she has ADHD, and have followed the standard treatment model. Some parts of it have improved some aspects, and some of it was a rocky road because of medication side-effects that led to more problems than they solved. But she was NEVER a detriment.