Furor Over NYU Ransom Note Psych Ad Campaign Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:48:02 -0600 (CST) 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 veracare@ahrp.org 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." cboyle@nydailynews.com 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: Sheryl@thesolutionpr.com 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. _______________________________________________ Infomail1 mailing list to unsubscribe send a message to Infomail1-leave@ahrp.org