Tell PETA to Stop Exploiting the Autistic Community!

The following message comes Ari Ne'eman, the President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):

Recently, the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched a new ad campaign entitled, "Got Autism?", misleadingly implying that the consumption of milk is associated with the cause of the autism spectrum. PETA is misinforming the public about autism and thus joining a long line of unscrupulous groups that have sought to try and spread fear about autism as a means of pushing their particular agendas.

Attempts such as these treat individuals with disabilities as pawns in the efforts of other constituencies. By refusing to acknowledge the right of the autistic community to be referred to with respect instead of as the focus of public hysteria, PETA contributes to a state of affairs which marginalizes the disability community. People with disabilities, our families and our supporters deserve better than the exploitation and fear-mongering that comes about when disability is used as a means of scaring the general populace. For millions across the globe, the answer to PETA's "Got Autism?" question is an unequivocal yes. That should not spell the end of our lives or prevent us from being fully included throughout society. By exploiting us, PETA becomes a culprit in the social forces that marginalize people with disabilities and lead to the discrimination and prejudice that truly disable us.

TAKE ACTION!

Let PETA know how you feel about its choice to exploit autistic people by writing to them at info@peta.org or call them at 757-622-7382 and dial 0. In addition, we encourage you to express your support for these ads' swift withdrawal by signing this online petition.

Regards,

Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network


READ MORE:

>>Read an ABC news article from when the campaign launched.

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What Do You Think? 
What do you think of PETA's billboard campaign?

 

Comments

[Liesl]

It's completely unsurprising. Not only does it more than imply that there is something wrong with being autistic, it spreads misinformation. But you know, none of that matters as long as they are protecting animals, right? Oh, except this is the same organization that refuses to do anything other than shout and stamp their feet.

[Kara]

I shared my perspective on this issue over at my blog on Disaboom...I hope the campaign is discontinued immediately but unfortunately I know some of the damage with mis-education is done.

[Ari Ne'eman]

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/autismPETA/index.html

[ARE]

It seems to me you are more offended by the messenger than message. Go to the link and read what they actually say (ie that more research has to be done and that there is some science based evidence), sounds similar to the mercury issue. I have worked with many children with autism and when milk is eliminated from the diet there is improvement - I would think this needs more attention and less noise.

http://www.peta.org/feat_autism.asp

[Melissa]

Ari, you have a point that some children are helped with dietary adjustments, but I've never seen a case that actually relieves a person of their symptoms. Only minimal decreases have been noted in children with actual autism, the ones with the greatest out comes were misdiagnosed, when they were actually having reactions to the diet they were accostom to eating. What PETA is doing is fear mongering, and I think we need to get word out that they are doing just that.

[Ari Ne'eman]

Nicely said, Melissa. Just a quick point. It's ARE you're responding to. I'm fully in support of getting the word out against PETA fear-mongering - the message Anne was kind enough to pass along comes from the organization I represent, actually.

[ARE]

Since when do we fear information. If one child with autism gets some relief by avoiding milk products what's the harm? I suffer from restless legs and the avoidance of dairy has made all the difference and it's less expensive than prescription drugs.

In the school I work we use every appropriate means at our disposal to get positive results, this a multidisciplinary approach which includes Academics, therapies (OT,PT, SLP, Behavioral, Hippo, etc.), Community Inclusion and Nutrition to name just a few. Aren't we trying help children in need?

[acaiberrypills]

good read bookmarked will return to read more posts

[Stakhanov]

I also work with autistic children, and it should be noted that taking away milk doesn't always represent a decrease in symptoms. Merely an adjustment of diet, depending on the child, can give some improvement to their condition....but this adjustment does not always involve taking away milk. In some cases the opposite is true (ie some children should be drinking more, not less, milk) You are saying, Ari, that if one child gets some relief from autism by removing milk we should initiate a campaign to eliminate milk from all childrens diets...that is wrong. Just because one person gets relief from less milk does not mean all will. It is called seeing a qualified medical professional and following his/her advice, not the advice of some crackpot fear mongering organization. Not to mention a hypocritical one....considering how many animals they kill every year. http://www.petakillsanimals.com/

Saying you are just trying to help children in need is fine, but I am saying individual people are different, autism or no. Making blanket statements does not help the issue at all. You should treat autism on an individual basis, and it should be under the consultation of a doctor. Period.