To the Autism Society of York, Pennsylvania:

The York, PA Autism Society has a well established history of working to advance understanding
and support for families in the York and Adams county area. Your involvement with the HOPE
playground, your extensive Spanish language resource list and your other activities set positive
examples for other organizations throughout Pennsylvania. It is with this history of positive
efforts in mind that we are forced to express our grave concern after having been contacted by
several Autistics adults and neurotypical family members about your current billboard campaign
depicting Autistic children as kidnapping victims.

For decades, autism has been regrettably associated with fear and stigma. In the early years of the
autism community, Bruno Bettelheim’s characterization of mothers of Autistic children as at fault
for their child’s neurology ruined lives. In later decades, the same fear, stigma and constant
search for blame persist even as science has discredited that particular causation theory. As we,
Autistic adults and youth ourselves, attempt to assert our voices in the national conversation
about us, we find ourselves characterized by those who often speak on our behalf as burdens on
society, as not fully present within our own bodies and as individuals devoid of the full measure
of personhood and humanity. Such mischaracterization threatens our efforts to be included in our
homes, our schools, our communities and our collective society. By making the autism message
one of fear, stigma and hostage-taking rather than one of civil rights, inclusion and support for all,
our desire to be recognized as full and equal citizens in our communities is hurt.

The use of stolen-child imagery is one of many common motifs in autism awareness advertising.
Unfortunately, it serves to send a message that Autistic people are less than fully present in our
own bodies and are less than fully human. Such characterizations are frequently utilized to justify
violence, prejudice and segregation against Autistic adults and children. The autism and Autistic
communities deserve better than this.

It is due to these concerns that we respectfully request that the "Kidnapped" bill boards be taken
down. We stand ready to work with you, the Autistic community of Pennsylvania and any other
interested parties to formulate an ethical replacement that sends a message of hope and support to
Autistic people and our families rather than one of fear and dehumanization. Whatever awareness
these billboards may bring, it is more than outweighed by the stigma and ignorance they add to a
public conversation about autism that is already too full of those things. We believe that, working
together, a better solution can be found.

Due to the public impact- locally and throughout Pennsylvania - we request a response no later
than three business days (Thursday, August 20th). I can be contacted at
aneeman@autisticadvocacy.org and by phone at 732.763.5530. Our Pennsylvania director can be
reached at srobertson@autisticadvocacy.org. We request that you include him in your response.

Sincerely,



Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530