Controversy over "I am Autism" video

[seanr1221]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQVYtM&feature=related

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17410-Toledo-Autism--Parenting-Examiner~y2009m9d29-I-Am-Autism-video-creates-controversy-in-the-autism-community

Personally, I feel the video is terrible. Imagine if you were on the spectrum and saw this video; how would you feel?

And the line about voodoo? Come on.

The people who made the video do not truly understand the disorder and unfortunately resorted to fear tactics to raise awareness.

Also, it's interesting to see where Autism Speaks puts their money

http://autism.about.com/b/2009/09/10/is-autism-speaks-mis-spending-its-money-your-opinion-requested.htm

Thoughts?

[JolietJake]

The narration is way over the top. Sounds like a movie trailer.

[xycury]

Overreacting maybe?

I didn't hear the voodoo line, where was it?

I don't think this is as bad as it might seem... people have to watch the whole thing to get the message. Someone stopping halfway or only 30 seconds will come up with assumptions that are wrong.

[seanr1221]

The voodoo line is at 2:41

The message comes off as autism is this horrible disease that must be stopped. They could have easily portrayed it as the disorder that it really is. They could have elaborated on current research and real therapies (ABA, not voodoo). I couldn't imagine how offended I would be if I had autism.

[Brak]

I walked away with the first narrative expressing the dangers of parents not properly coping with the fact that their child is Autistic, and the second narrative expressing parents' possessing the power to cope with the fact that their child is Autistic.