Some unsettling news today; The NYU Child Center is getting some new advertising out there. Called the "Ransom Notes" project, the intention is to cause panic basically in order to secure more research into mental disabilities. Not that I agree with the goal, but it's not shocking.

What is shocking, on the other hand, is the way in which it's being advertised (specifically by BBDO, which is doing the work pro bono). Here's what the advertisment, made to look like, well, a ransom note, says about autism.

And Asperger's


There were others (all offensive), but since autism is my particular note here, I'll focus on it.

First, whoever was holding me ransom in these notes really messed up. I can take care of myself, and I can interact socially. Frankly, these kind of ultimatums, in a means to scare, aren't even true always.

And they represent the very worst of a very complicated picture. How about the intelligence that comes with (yes, comes with) Asperger's? How about the unique perspective granted by autism? Why focus solely on the negatives of social interaction, even if there are positives? For example, Asperger's individuals are known to have the lack of social filter, and thus can be very direct and to the point. And if the literary critics and stylists I've read recently (I have Joeseph Williams on my shelf, Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace. He very much supports that), it's an extremely valuable resource. Heck, it might even be better communication.

At a minimum, it is insensitive to say such things, anyway. How pleased am I to learn that I have a ransom note written in my name? I can't say I'm thrilled, especially since, if I'm captivity, I totally missed the point. I could say I have been locked away from social interaction in degree, but no more than a regular person is locked into certain types of thoughts. And if you're locked away from something, it seems that you can be given something as well; my social distance has given me a perspective that, frankly, I like.

And, yes, I'm offended. I prefer not to be a victim of something I like about myself. If I am a victim, it's certainly not to autism. Indeed, when thinking about being a victim the perpetrators seem more to be BBDO and NYU Child Center.

In any event, since I'm apparently being held ransom, I might as well direct the extortion that's supposed to be going on. So, contact the following;

The NYU Child Study Center
577 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Public Relations
Contact: Nadine Woloshin 212-843-8041

Write about your disgust with such blatant fear-mongering tactics (and mine, though I'll be writing about that, too). Put into perspective the damage these statements cause. Outright condemn, if need be.

Maybe if you do, I, and every other autistic on the planet, will be no longer subjected to this kind of harassment and defamation.