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FYI. Any comments from members of the listserv?
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of VERACARE
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 3:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask] org
Subject: Furor Over NYU Ransom Note Psych Ad Campaign
ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION
Promoting Openness, Full Disclosure, and Accountability
http://www.ahrp.org and http://ahrp.blogspot.com
FYI
An offensive fear mongering advertising campaign by New York University
Child Study Center portrays children as hostages to "untreated psychiatric
disorders," including autism, Asperger Syndrome, bulimia, depression, ADHD,
and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
http://www.courttv.com/news/ramsey/docs/gifs/ransom1.gif
The ad campaign uses "ransom" notes designed to look like actual ransom
notes, as an attention grabber--a hard sell technique in an effort to
increase donations and expand the patient roster for the Child Study Center.
This is a throw back to snake-oil marketing techniques.
The ransom notes include warnings to parents such as: "Do nothing and see
what happens," "it's only going to get worse," "Ignore this and your kid
will pay."
The campaign's offensive, threatening rhetoric was sanitized in the New York
Times coverage, but not in the more accurate report in The New York Daily
News (below).
Each "ransom" note carries the tag line, "Don't let a psychiatric disorder
take your child."
We have your son. We will make sure he will no longer be able to care for
himself or interact socially as long as he lives. This is only the
beginning.Autism.
We are in possession of your son. We are making him squirm and fidget until
he is a detriment to himself and those around him. Ignore this and your kid
will pay.ADHD
We have your son. We are destroying his ability for social interaction and
driving him into a life of complete isolation. It's up to you now.Asperger's
Syndrome
We have your daughter. We are forcing her to throw up after every meal she
eats. It's only going to get worse.Bulimia
We have taken your son. We have imprisoned him in a maze of darkness with no
hope of ever getting out. Do nothing and see what happens.Depression
We have your daughter. We are making her wash her hands until they are raw,
everyday. This is only the beginning.OCD
The ads are being tested in New York City using billboards, kiosks and
magazines. Plans call for massive expansion nationwide.
It is difficult to imagine how parents will be helped by callously framing
children's disabilities in a gangster context.
NYU Child Study Center has garnered a roster of high visibility
"celebrities" in the media, politics, and corporate merchants. [list below]
Not highlighted are the Child Study Center's major sources of support from
pharmaceutical companies.
The Dec. 2007 Annual Gala Award Dinner raised $9 million. It was hosted by
CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
(D-NY).
http://www.med.nyu.edu/communications/news/pr_254.html and
http://www.convergemag.com/story.php?catid=8&storyid=106309
However, families are not amused by the image of "conditions" as kidnappers,
abductors, criminals. They are troubled by the offensive insinuation that
their children are possessed. Fourteen disability groups throughout North
America have signed a letter calling on the N.Y.U. Child Study Center to
withdraw its offensive advertising campaign. The letter, written by ASAN
President Ari Ne'eman, signed by 705 people tells the NYU Child Study
Center:
"By choosing to portray people on the autism spectrum as well as those
living with OCD, ADHD and other disabilities as kidnapped or possessed
children, you have inadvertently reinforced many of the worst stereotypes
that have prevented children and adults with disabilities from gaining
inclusion, equality and full access to the services and supports they
require." http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?ransom
Families are also offended by the implication that they are complacent when
the real challenge is finding (and paying for) non-pharmacologic
interventions.
The NYU Child Center website lists only drugs under "Disorders and
Treatments."
http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/guide_psychiatric_medications_children_
adolescents
NYU's shameless ad campaign is but the latest evidence of how children's
vulnerability being exploited by an unscrupulous cadre of child
psychiatrists who flaunt fundamental professional ethical principles to
increase the number of children prescribed psychotropic drugs..
The threats of dire consequences from no treatment apply far more to
children who are exposed to the toxic effects of those psychotropic drugs
listed on the NYU Child Center website. Self-advocacy network--advocates not
funded by pharmaceutical companies--are denouncing the NYU campaign:
http://www.stigmanet.org/ ; www.autisticadvocacy.org; www.autismvox.com;
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
The NYU Child Study Center's director, child psychiatrist, Dr. Harold
Kopewicz, is a publicity seeker registered with Grabow Biz, which offers his
services as follows: "Booking Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz for Corporate Events,
Business Meetings and Special Events...How to book Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz
for your next Christmas Party Event...Planning your next Convention with Dr.
Harold S. Koplewicz as your special guest Plan a Wedding, Birthday or
Anniversary....
http://www.grabow.biz/contact-us.html
Contact: Vera Hassner Sharav
[log in to unmask]
212-595-8974
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_psych_grou
ps_fury_over_ransom_ads-1.html
New York DAILY NEWS
Psych groups' fury over 'ransom' ads
BY CHRISTINA BOYLE
December 15, 2007
The words are scrawled in thick black ink and spell out a parent's worst
nightmare: "WE HAVE YOUR SON."
Others are typed or cut from the pages of a magazine but all contain the
same harrowing message: "This is only the beginning . . . Ignore this and
your kid will pay."
These "ransom notes" are being plastered all over town as part of a new ad
campaign about the dangers of psychiatric disorders like autism,
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Asperger's syndrome. They are
causing outrage among many of the groups they are designed to represent -
prompting parents and disability advocates to demand they be taken down.
"I was offended. It's not a helpful way to think about a disorder," said
Kristina Chew, who has a 10-year-old son with autism. "It makes you feel
like there's some sort of criminal element to the disorder."
"The child has not been 'taken,' they just need a little extra help," said
Melissa Ramirez, 26, who has a cousin with autism. "It's basically showing
[parents] they have no control over their child. It's inappropriate."
The ad campaign is being rolled out over the next four months by the NYU
Child Study Center, which says the posters are designed to highlight the
plight of children who suffer from undiagnosed or untreated psychiatric
problems.
"I understand some people's feelings are hurt. For that, I apologize. It was
never our intention to offend or insult anyone," said Dr.Harold Koplewicz,
founder and director of the Child Study Center, who says he has also
received e-mails praising the campaign.
"It's harsh and edgy and shocking but I don't think it's nearly as shocking
as the diseases themselves, and the lack of treatment," he said. "It's time
for psychotic disorders to be equal to physical disorders."
More than 200 ads will appear on construction sites and kiosks across the
city. Eleven billboards will display the shocking messages and a handful of
newspapers, magazines and Web sites will print the ads, designed for free by
the BBDO agency.
Disability advocates including Not Dead Yet and the Autism Acceptance
Project have united in protest.
"There needs to be recognition that not all attention is good attention,"
said Ari Ne'eman, president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network who
suffers from Asperger's syndrome.
"The message that this campaign is sending, specifically that children with
disabilities are shells, that somehow we have had our true selves stolen
away or kidnapped ... is one that has a lot of terrible consequences."
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FAIR USE NOTICE: This may contain copyrighted (C ) material the use of which
has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such
material is made available for educational purposes, to advance
understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and
social justice issues, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair
use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C.
section 107 of the US Copyright Law. This material is distributed without
profit.
ASAN - Autism Self Advocacy Network
Dec. 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sheryl Bass
Phone: 720-488-1116
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
DISABILITY ADVOCATES: "WE ARE NOT FOR RANSOM"
National Disability Groups Seek End to N.Y.U. Child Study Center's
Ad Campaign
(New York) - The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) pulled
together
disability rights advocates to speak with one voice today in protest
of an
N.Y.U. Child Study Center advertising campaign. The campaign,
entitled
"Ransom Notes," consisted of a series of phony ransom letters signed
by a particular disability, announcing that "your child will pay" if
the letter
is ignored. In addition to portraying children as victims of
kidnapping,
the ads, which launched last week in print and on billboards and
kiosks
throughout New York City, also contained several examples of
inaccurate
information about the disabilities it claimed to portray, referring
to children
with disabilities as detriments to themselves and those around them.
Therefore, ASAN has spearheaded a campaign with a broad coalition
of disability rights organizations to send a joint letter to the
N.Y.U Child
Study Center expressing their discontent with the "Ransom Notes"
advertisement. The ASAN also asks people with disabilities, their
family
members and others affected by disability to contact the N.Y.U.
Child
Study Center and the sponsors of the "Ransom Notes" campaigns.
"These ads are deeply destructive to individuals with disabilities,
our
families and our supporters," said Ari Ne'eman, President of the
ASAN.
"As a person on the autism spectrum myself, I am deeply offended by
how
N.Y.U. chose to mischaracterize my disability and those of others in
the
disability community."
ASAN is a national, grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to
increasing the representation of the autistic community in public
policy
and to increasing acceptance and support for people on the autism
spectrum through changing public perceptions.
"There is a broad feeling of outrage about this sort of
advertising," said
Zosia Zaks, a 38-year old author on the autism spectrum and a
volunteer
coordinator for ASAN's letter-writing campaign. "I got involved
because
I feel that the disability community has to ensure that accurate,
respectful
information is provided to the public. We have to help families, but
not by
fear and shame."
Fourteen disability groups throughout North America have signed a
letter
calling on the N.Y.U. Child Study Center to withdraw its offensive
advertising campaign. The letter, written by ASAN President Ari
Ne'eman,
tells the Child Study Center that, "By choosing to portray people on
the
autism spectrum as well as those living with OCD, ADHD and other
disabilities as kidnapped or possessed children, you have
inadvertently
reinforced many of the worst stereotypes that have prevented
children
and adults with disabilities from gaining inclusion, equality and
full
access to the services and supports they require." The organizations
listed as signatories to the joint letter are: the Autistic Self
Advocacy
Network; ADAPT, the largest national grassroots activist
organization
of people with disabilities; TASH, a national organization of
parents,
self-advocates and professionals; the Autism Acceptance Project;
Autism Network International; the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network
of New Jersey; ADA Watch; the National Coalition for Disability
Rights;
Not Dead Yet; MOCEANS Center for Independent Living, the Alliance
for Disabled in Action, Inc.; Next Step, Inc.; The Family Alliance
to
Stop Abuse and Neglect; the Asperger Association of New England
and the Autism National Committee.
Sue Pniewsky, transition specialist with the MOCEANS Center for
Independent Living said, "Children with disabilities deserve
respect,
understanding and acceptance, as do their "typical" peers, to reach
their potential as full members of our community. Those providing
services to children with disabilities must avoid outdated
stereotypes
and scare tactics in their relationships with the children, their
families
and the greater community."
Parents and professionals have also joined the campaign to protest
the
Center's offensive advertising. Kristina Chew, university professor
and
mother to a 10-year old boy on the autism spectrum said, "As a
parent
of an autistic child, I am deeply offended by this advertising.
Spreading
fear and stigma only discourages families from seeking diagnosis.
I hope that N.Y.U. pulls the campaign as soon as possible."
###
Celebrities listed as NYU Child Study Center supporters:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/communications/news/pr_141.html
Al Roker; Matt Lauer; Ann Curry; Stone Phillips; Campbell Brown; Diane Neal;
B.D. Wong; Dylan Baker; Nathaniel Kahn, Oscar-nominated director of My
Architect; Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; The Honorable Jon S. Corzine; Dr.
Ruth Westheimer; Brooke and Daniel Neidich; Arthur and Linda Carter; Alice
and Thomas Tisch; Ann Tenenbaum and Tom Lee; Claude Wasserstein; Klara and
Larry Silverstein; Patricia Warburg Cliff and Karl von Frieling; Michael
Gould, chairman and chief executive officer, Bloomingdale's; Dr. Gail Saltz;
Erica Jong and Kenneth Burrows; Martin Lipton; Ken and Elaine Langone; and
Heather and Steven Mnuchin. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. was the
evening's corporate sponsor. Other supporters of this year's dinner include
Beth Rudin DeWoody; Millard Drexler, chairman and chief executive officer,
J. Crew & Co; Laura and Robert Sillerman; and Katherine and Jerry Speyer,
chairman, president and chief executive officer, Tishman Speyer.
Past honorees include: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; First Lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton; Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; Tipper Gore; Governor George E. Pataki;
Whoopi Goldberg; Senator Jon S. Corzine and Joanne Corzine; Surgeon General
David Satcher, M.D. Ph.D.; Lawrence Summers, President of Harvard
University; and Leonard N. Stern.
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