Help us to defend people with Autism

One thing we know about the media is that it is powerful. Adverts and TV shows influence attitudes, frequently in ways we cannot control or predict. I have camaigned for a better understanding of people with problems on the autistic spectrum and I'm highly offended by a TV advert produced by the charity Action for Children. In the advert an autistic boy is depicted by a cartoon monster giving an entirely negative view of autism. I and many other people have protested but the charity refuses to withdraw the advert.

Have a listen to our Purple Comedy appeal, view the advert and hear our autism awareness show. Make your views known.

No Monsters in Autism: Appeal for support

http://standupcomedy.podomatic.com/entry/2009-02-03T12_43_44-08_00

Autism Awareness Special edition

http://standupcomedy.podomatic.com/entry/2007-12-01T04_24_04-08_00

John Burns
Purple Comedy

Hi John,

Your campaign sounds really interesting. I'm currently writing something that explores autism and Asperger syndrome and its links to comedy. I haven't seen the ad, and wasn't able to find it on your site. Could you explain in what way the ad is offensive?

Thanks

An austistic boy is depicted INSIDE, not BY, a cartoon monster. Seems quite clear to me that it represents how the outside world sees the behaviour, and has no reflection on the child himself.

Mountain/molehill?

Anorak: http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/

I know a youngster with autism and he is brilliant.

I thought the ad was quite good. I know nothing about autism though.

Action for Children is an amazing charity, I have to say I agree with Aaron. Especially as there is so little state funding for ASD needs.
It's the new NAS adverts that I can't abide.

Quote: Nil Putters @ February 4 2009, 12:56 PM GMT

I thought the ad was quite good. I know nothing about autism though.

View original

Agreed. (I know a bit.) Can't see the fuss really. Surely it's contrasting untreated, misunderstood behaviour with that of kids once they get help? Surely that's only a good thing?

Plus you ignore the fact that is a boy speaking about his own life in the advert. Which frankly is a massive, massive break through.

I have to agree that I couldn't see how it could have been offensive. Granted if it was just a monster, I can see the issue but you clearly see the boy inside which is a clear representation of the "real person". You also have to remember it IS based on someone with autism's true account and they gave their permission to use that. I'm not trying to be awkward but from my view point by removing the ad, you could be censoring the very people you are trying to help.

Surely it would be far better to talk to Action for Children about making other ads including different experiences with the condition so the public can be more aware, than censoring one suffering person's true account of their efforts and achievements in overcomming an issue.

Our inestimable criminal justice system has just handed out a life sentence to a young man with Asperger's Syndrome and an IQ of 83.

Quote: Godot Taxis @ February 4 2009, 1:11 PM GMT

Our inestimable criminal justice system has just handed out a life sentence to a young man with Asperger's Syndrome and an IQ of 83.

View original

Yes, that one's quite a shocker, whichever way one looks at it.

I thought it was pretty good too.
I've worked with autistic children during my practicum and throughout my time volunteering with libraries over the past few years.
One of my favorite stories happened just a few months ago. This one boy around 17 had (like many) a nack for numbers.
He would ask you for the month and day of your birth and before you were finished giving your answer he would say "Your birthday is on a Tuesday this year" (or whatever it should end up being).

One day my associate teacher was working with the boy and my teacher had to make a quick run to buy some more film developer (we were teaching photography) so he pulled out his wallet and for that split second that his wallet was out the boy smiled at my teacher and read off his Visa card. That was a year ago and when I was at my placement my teacher asked him "what's my Visa number" and he was still able to rhyme it off. The kid was great, I really enjoyed working with him.

That's just one of many great stories you come across when working with autistic kids.

Taking that kid on a holiday to Las Vegas sometime?

Hmm, I sort of see what the original complaint was, and I can see how someone with no knowledge might possibly misconstrue the meaning of the ad. But like the rest of you who have replied, my overall feeling is that the ad is actually quite positive.