Kids With Autism Are Not Retards
I shouldn’t even have to say that. Period.
Someone did, on CBS’ Big Brother TV show: Adam Jasinski, who is the PR Manager for the United Autism Foundation (UNIAF). Here’s a video clip in which Jasinski talks about taking autistic children to a hair salon for kids with special needs “so the retards can get it together and get their hair done.” A woman named Sheila confronts Jasinski about what he’s said.
“Can get it together”—–Jasinski’s use of the word “retards” is terrible as it is, but talking about kids “getting it together”: This is seriously troubling language.
My own son Charlie has a lot of cognitive delays—-I’ve mentioned his struggles to read, write, and do most academic skills, his limited language, and his difficulty at learning new tasks. Some may say “oh, cognitive delays, that’s just the PC equivalent of mentally retarded.” Fine, whatever. I’m rather sure my son would not score very high on certain I.Q. tests, precisely because he has impairments in certain areas (language, speech, and more). Maybe, were this 30 or so years ago, he would even have had “mental retardation” as his diagnosis. Charlie is one of those kids who (if you spend a lot of time with him, and wait, and watch, and listen—-and then do all this several times over) really shows how aware he is of everything and everyone around him. And he does know, I’ll venture, when people are making fun of him.
The website of the United Autism Foundation notes that Jasinski is “supporting special needs children and their families” and is selling various items (wristbands, decals) in support of Big Brother Adam and UNIAF. I hope they might post some response to Jasinski’s comments about autistic children.
Autistic kids, autistic adults, individuals on the autism spectrum are not “retards.”
Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism spectrum disorder, big brother, cbs, children, offensive language, pdd-nos, Psychology, StereotypesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Autism Organizations, Stereotypes, Videos, tv
77 opinions for Kids With Autism Are Not Retards
mayfly
Feb 15, 2008 at 3:48 am
My daughter three years ago had her IQ estimated at between 28 and 51. She is nearly 11 and there many things that your child struggles with she does not do at all. She has however made great strides since then and I think should she be re-evaluated her score would be higher.
Calling a child a retard is not the the same as saying they are mentally retarded. Strange though, I can describe my daughter as mentally retarded and simply mean delayed, but if someone said that about her, I take offense even if none were meant.
If someone were to call her a retard they can only mean that in an offensive way.
It’s like using the N word. It is dehumanizing. I wouldn’t let my daughter anywhere near this guy.
Casdok
Feb 15, 2008 at 4:14 am
Is this person still on the show? Last year in the UK a contestant used a racist term, the producers pulled them from the show.
Regan
Feb 15, 2008 at 4:21 am
PR Manager….rrriiiigggghhht.
If so, he has done United Autism Foundation a big disservice, but here’s the deal. As a result of this story I started searching the story and the Foundation. I’m not going to make firm statements on the legitimacy of either the Foundation or A.J.’s association with it, but the site that I ended up looked kind of hincky and seemed to mostly be associated with selling stuff with Adam’s picture via Paypal. I see over at the Big Brother site that people are checking with the IRS and the listed board members to find out the status of the charity.
I recall that these were the folks who were talking about setting up that specialized dental clinic. If it’s legit, Mr. Jasinski may not be the PR Manager much longer, and it it’s not, this may be a bigger story than that epithet.
Either way, he’s an insensitive dolt.
Jen
Feb 15, 2008 at 6:24 am
There is some more information in the comments section of Adam’s Big Brother page (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_brother_9/bio/adam/bio.php)
It certainly doesn’t sound like he’s legitimate, by any stretch of the imagination.
Lisa
Feb 15, 2008 at 7:30 am
that is…absolutely…idiotic.
I have five children.
Boy 13–currently carrying a d-minus average and capable of A’s if he ever knuckled down. ADHD/socially inept a bit beyond just being 13, whose had enough severe med reactions that the option of trial and error is not there. The reactions he’s had to meds have been pretty close to catastrophic. Very bright boy with some major focus issues, and well, 13 with a vengeance on top.
Girl 11, almost 12–now corrected lazy eye, has had bifocals since she was 17months (inherited her paternal grandmother’s eyesight, no ifs ands or buts with that one). 6th grade, reading/comprehension level highschool, despises math. Her preschool teacher wanted her tested for learning delays because she wasn’t cutting out the shapes or tracing them (antique mimeograph style copier used and lines very thin and faint-she couldn’t see them well enough to *do* it) and she was very shy when she was small. Nope, fought that and basically got treated like I was in denial and so forth until the girl had papers she could see (about a week after I pointed out the obvious hello, child has bifocals. I’m squinting at this and I don’t) warmed up enough to start talking (about halloween) The teacher looked at me and flat out said, you’re right nothing wrong with that kid at all. She’s smart. And now she won’t shut up. Good grief that girl can talk…
Boy, 9–this is the child with severe speech delays, had issues with ear in fections/hearing and in all honesty is the one that is “slow”. Speech delays have translated over into whole language delays (reading difficulty and coprehension) Once he gets soemthing, he’s got it, and It’s just *getting* it and generally needs tactile link somehow to get it.
Boy, will be 8 in a couple weeks–terrifyingly, exhaustively bright. Reading/Comprehension well above age/grade level is in 1st reads at 5th grade level when he sits long enough to read. Bored out of his skull at school most of the time because of where his birthday fell in the calendar year, and the utter devastation it would have caused for his brother if they were in the same class he was kept home an extra year while his brother repeated K. It was a choice of “least horrible” option for both boys rather than best for anyone.
Boy, age 5 1/2- autistic, largely non-verbal, capable we get some “Did I hear that? Did you say that” caliber blurts or 1-4 word prases/simple sentences that have jaws on the floor and lately have been hearing blurted words or phrases at least once a day, but any sort of consistent verbal communication, no. Still wears pullups, will not go anywhere near the toilet, will change a wet pull up himself or bring you them and stick his rear end out at you if he’s had a bowel movement. (definite issue of I won’t rather than I can’t there) Will spell out words up to 10 letters with his plastic letters at school or his foam ones here and using them to indicate what he wants. The look on his face of “FINALLY! How dense are you mom! There now you got it!” when I figure out whatever it is he’s “caught” on or wants that’s new, or at least new expression in how he’s communicating it. Honestly, I think this one is just as bright as the 8 yr old, its there, you can see the little wheels spinning, it’s simply translating it to make sense to the rest of us. Sorting/shapes/patterns have always been his thing well above and beyond what a ‘normal’ child his age would be capable of.
“Lost in Translation” is a far cry from “retard” and that this guy is premoting awarness…
Kathy
Feb 15, 2008 at 8:57 am
We’ve had this discussion before.You may recall Kristina that I posted some time back that my daughter had been called a” retard just like your brother” by a boy in her class.
Retard is (in my experience) always used in a derogartory sense.
I certainly agree with you mayfly.
Retard is just not nice.
No matter what anyone says!
Bit like saying that calling someone a F***wit isn’t neccesarily derogatory either !eh?
debra keaton
Feb 15, 2008 at 9:26 am
Is this a real charity? My grandson is not a retard, he is autistic. Hopefully, no one will donate to this site
ange
Feb 15, 2008 at 9:48 am
What an ass. If anyone deserves to be called an ass, it’s him. His entire attitude irks me.
Regan
Feb 15, 2008 at 9:50 am
CBS Feedback form
“Tell us what you think! Your opinions and comments are very important to CBS and we read every message that we receive…”
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml
United Autism Foundation
1001 W. Cypress Creek Rd., Suite 401
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
1-888-720-3000
(The organization is registered with the IRS, but seem to have multiple mailing addresses and different websites, so it still looks hincky to me without seeing the 990 or until they settle on one donation point).
Rochelle
Feb 15, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hi, Kristina– I hope your semester is going well. I actually have started having discussions in my class about why it’s deemed acceptable to use terms as “retard,” “fag,” “gay,” “queer” in derogatory ways–like “you’re such a retard.” But, we find words like “f*ck” and the “n word” so offensive that we can’t actually utter the words–we have to use euphemisms to stand in for them.
Which speaks to who has the power to say that “retard” is acceptable and the f*bomb and n-word isn’t. Which discourse communities have enough power and have “voices” in our society to say that certain words are in/appropriate and un/acceptable.
While the students might not agree or completely understand, at least, they are a bit more aware that some people find using “retard” in a derogatory way to be offensive.
(Funny enough, I had a student’s mother complain to the department chair that I dropped the f*bomb in class. …She didn’t raise her daughter to speak like that. …She didn’t appreciate her daughter’s instructor saying the “f word” in class. …Her daughter’s a good Christian girl. blah, blah, blah. All of which pretty much proved my point in the first place.)
Hope you’re doing well. [Does graduate school ever end?…]
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 15, 2008 at 12:26 pm
@Kathy,
I remember your comment about “retard”—–gets my blood pressure up.
@Lisa,
you wrote “Boy 13–currently carrying a d-minus average and capable of A’s if he ever knuckled down. ADHD/socially inept a bit beyond just being 13, whose had enough severe med reactions that the option of trial and error is not there. The reactions he’s had to meds have been pretty close to catastrophic. Very bright boy with some major focus issues, and well, 13 with a vengeance on top.”
What you wrote reminds me of my husband. Severe ADHD as a child and still—–he did well in English and History with A’s but math and science were D’s. He lucked out with some good and understanding teachers—–he’s a history professor now in New York.
I have a lot more to say about all this and will……
Translating Autism
Feb 15, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Some thoughts:
At least I was glad to see the reaction of the other people in the show. It gives me some hope. It would have been so sad, if the other people simply laughed and didn’t say anything.
We also need to make a distinction between the derogatory term “retard” and the syndrome of mental retardation. The use of the term retard is never appropriate and serves to hinder our progress in accepting and promoting children with special needs.
There are millions of children with mental retardation due to a variety of reasons (down’s etc) and some also have a co-morbid diagnosis of ASD or other developmental disorders. Kids with MR are lovable, funny, and full of life, just like children with autism. They have specific strengths and weaknesses, struggle in school, and have parents that support them and advocate for them just as do children with Autism.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that in “an ideal world” there should be no shame or stigma attached to having a child with MR, Just like there should be no shame or stigma about having a kid with Autism.
Nestor.
Adam Jasinski from Big Brother’s Sticks His Foot in His Mouth - Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:18 pm
[…] up my Google Reader this morning and see Kristina Chew’s post on her Autism Vox blog entitled Kids With Autism Are Not Retards. Adam Jasinski who is the public relations manager for the United Autism Foundationactually used […]
Autismville
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Just unacceptable. There is absolutely no excuse for this. I agree with Casdok … he should be pulled from the show … and CBS should extend an apology.
Matt
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:54 pm
No one, not even a person with mental retardation, is a “retard”.
Kassiane
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:58 pm
This is disgusting. CBS should pull the guy after HE has to apologize…not just to the viewing public but to the kids he insulted. Each. And. Every. One. Of. Them.
Then he should lose his job.
Eleanor
Feb 15, 2008 at 3:55 pm
That clip reinforces my determination to never watch a “reality” TV show.
I’ll never forget the day my son came home from 1st grade and asked, “Am I a retard?” That word needs to go the way of the n-word. There is no place for it in polite society.
KimJ
Feb 15, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hear comes the contrarian. . . Reality shows are filmed and edited to present the biggest shock possible and skew opinion of the audience. The clip shows his remarks (which look like a sarcastic or angry reaction to something else) and then the follow up. Obviously, the rest of the cast shown doesn’t like him and is now using this outburst to express that overtly. With the chatter amongst themselves and eye-rolling and silent treatment.
I find the NT consensus-gathering a lot more scarier than some loudmouth’s outburst. We don’t know the context. And that means, yes, there are times where “retard” is okay to use.
What I don’t follow here is why are people wanting a nobody pulled from a gameshow? Who is he? A hated loudmouth on a reality show that aims for the lowest common denominator? Where are the real issues here? Does he have that much power over people that he has to be silenced?
The issue with his charity is separate, that should have been investigated long ago, not after people get angry with him. That is classic mob mentality. I’m sorry. But that is the bigger issue to me.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm
One reason for the outrage expressed is Jasinski’s describing himself as working with special needs and autistic children. It’s not clear what his experience or training is, but there have been some teachers, aides, instructors, therapists who have said they “had experience” with autistic children, and who revealed that this was not the case (to the extent they depicted), or that the “training” was not such that acknowledged the potential intelligence and competence and abilities of special needs children.
I’m not surprised that some have such stereotypic views of disabled children. But we do need to keep up the discussion, and the critique, about such views, and the misinformation they present.
On my high horse a bit here—-thanks for being the contrarian, helps to keep me honest.
KimJ
Feb 15, 2008 at 5:51 pm
But my point is that those are entirely two different subjects. There are some really sweet sounding people in “polite society” that are doing and promoting really ugly stuff. The phrase “polite society” makes my skin scrawl, to be honest. I find a lot of irony that this guy is being punished for saying something inappropriate and blunt.
If he is total fraud then my point is moot. However, I maintain we have no idea what the actual context of his remarks are. That’s the entire point of the reality show genre, to manipulate footage to force a perspective.
Jen
Feb 15, 2008 at 7:25 pm
In my opinion (and those of others that I’ve read expressed today), using the word “retard” is similar to using the “n” word. It’s not a matter of “polite society” (and we all know that polite society used that word consistently for a very long time), it’s about giving people the respect that they are due simply because they are human beings. I find it encouraging that even people in the general population are starting to realize that “retard” is not an appropriate word, and I think that the outcry in this case is appropriate (even if it is about something as ridiculous as a “reality” show). I’d find it more upsetting if it turns out that he’s not a fraud- while all of our professionals and workers have almost without exception had a wonderful sense of humour, and we’ve all been able to find funny things in my kids’ actions, I haven’t yet heard a responsible person who works with special needs kids talk in a derogatory manner about them. (And yes, I’m one of those people who find the original “tard blog” one of the funniest things that I’ve ever read).
Our kids have enough challenges that I don’t think that we need to let it slide when someone makes an inappropriate or derogatory comment about them. I’m realistic enough to realize that it’s going to happen, and a lot of times it just slides off my back, but it doesn’t need to happen on national TV, and I’m glad that he was called on it. I can’t imagine a context where calling your charges “retards” (especially if you’re theoretically a PR person for a fundraising charity), is appropriate.
But dialogue is always good…thanks for the well thought out dissenting opinion.
Another Voice
Feb 15, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I give the girl on this clip a good deal of credit for calling him on his use of words. You can here him say that he works with these kids everyday and can call them whatever he wants. At this point she walked away and did not slap him in the face; amazing restraint.
He is just a peddler that should not be allowed near children. I believe society can do with him and the organization he represents.
dkmnow
Feb 15, 2008 at 8:27 pm
re’-tard 1. n. any adult who, in the act of describing other human beings, routinely employs language commensurate with that of unsupervised third-grade schoolyard bullies…
‘Nuff sed.
Moi;)
Feb 15, 2008 at 10:59 pm
From what I have found, this website/”foundation” is fake, a beard for this guy to be on Big Brother and win the money.
Asshat makes up fake foundation to benefit off of the backs of autistics. Lovely.
JP
Feb 16, 2008 at 12:33 am
Whether this guy’s position or company are real or fake, insensitive comments should not be tolerated. As soon as his words were uttered, he lost the respect of all who will hear his words and he certainly committed corporate suicide.
Loser, Idiots and Adams « Tales of Marketing and Productivity
Feb 16, 2008 at 10:11 am
[…] “retards” deserves his own punishment. Already many blogs relating to Autism such as AutismVox have already voiced their concern - and rightly so. In the Marketing/Creativity/PR world, we […]
deedee832
Feb 16, 2008 at 10:56 am
OK, I have some info that may clear things up. I received emails from 4 of the United Autism Foundation’s Board of Advisors. They inform me that #1 Adam no longer works for UNIAF and that he didn’t for quite some time prior to his entering the Big Broether house. So, he lied to CBS about his job, etc. #2 He was not a Public Relations manager. He was a sales person working in their call center making cold calls to solicit donations-a glorified telemarketer. He did, however “help out” with some of the foundation’s events. But he never worked WITH autistic kids-Thank God! #3 After an email from me and a phone call from another parent, Florida State Senator, Jeremy Ring has stepped down as part of their Board of Advisors. (don’t underestimate the power of a PO’d parent!)
Another interesting piece of information is that during a November 2007 episode of The Amazing race, a contestant was “bleeped” when saying the word retard even though she was referring to herself not others (still unacceptable, however). CBS was applauded by many advocacy groups for doing this but they chose to let it rip during the Big Brother show Wednesday night. This was a taped show and could have easily been edited out. However, it’s sweeps week and I guess ratings come before moral decency.
For me what added insult to injury was the fact that he defended his words when his housemate expressed her disgust by saying “I work with them all day long, I can call them what i want. They are retards”. Sickening. First, he never worked with these kids and 2nd, even if he did, this term is just so unbelieveably offensive.
Just an FYI for those who don’t know (b/c I didn’t until yesterday) the host of Big Brother, Julie Chen is married to the president of CBS, Les Moonvez so you know this is on his radar. It will be interesting to see how they handle it or if they do at all.
You can fill out their comment form here: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml
Translating Autism
Feb 16, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thanks deedee832, however, I don’t understand is this website:
http://www.uniaf.org/
What kind of foundation has a website like that? Specially making Adam the center piece, with statements like “In the following you will find a few projects, which have been initiated by Adam Jasinski & UNIAF”.
Also if you google “United Autism Foundation” you get no relevant hits. Is this a real foundation? Is there a real website for the foundation?
Nestor.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 16, 2008 at 11:51 am
Thanks, deedee832!—this is getting more interesting and a bit fishy……
deedee832
Feb 16, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Luckily I was advised about this as well…aparantly this is a start-up foundation (less than a year old). Those who have been on the front lines of autism advocacy know what it is like to start a non-profit and know that it is difficult and time consuming. This foundation (who I have confirmed is registered with the state of Florida as an official non-profit complete with 501(3)(c) tax exemption) has jumped in with both feet to take on a huge project of building a dental facility for special needs individuals. This project, unfortunately, has taken most of their paid employees and volunteers time so they turned the website (their official site is http://www.unitedautismfoundation.org) over to their in-house IT guy who is friends with Adam. This IT guy thought it would be a good fundraiser for the foundation to sell things with Adam’s picture on them. I guess he assumed Adam would be more popular than he has turned out to be. So he used the foundation’s web server (without the permission of the foundation) to set up a BB9/Adam site. I’ve been told that they are in the process of taking this site down. As for their official site, I’m told that it is not yet complete as it is taking a back seat to their dental facility project. I did confirm with Senator Ring that the dental facility is an actual project that is in the works and not just a farce as so many on different message boards have suspected. And for the record, no one has made any donations via the UNIAF.org site…go figure! LOL!
sydney
Feb 16, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Regardless of what is being claimed and said by others, a closer examination of this organization is needed.
A red flag for me is why they haven’t put out some formal statement or press release addressing this whole thing?
Despite what those emails say from the Board, there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered.
We cannot let autism be used as a front to unethically or illegally extract funds from unsuspecting donors…I’m not saying that has happened here, but this organization definitely needs a closer look!
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 16, 2008 at 3:01 pm
That is what I have been wondering too—–is “autism” being used here (and elsewhere?) as a good cause “front”?
stopautismquackery
Feb 16, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Hi, deedee832
Thanks for the information about unitedautismfoundation.org
Could you please tell me their Federal Tax ID Number? Thanks.
sydney71
Feb 16, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I don’t know if this helps, but UAF originally went under the name “Trees Are Beings, Inc.” and was formed back in November of 2001. They filed for, and was granted a name change in May of 2007 to United Autism Foundation, Inc.
All this info is online at the state of FL website at: http://www.sunbiz.org
There are some good PDF to dig through to get to the bottom of all this.
Regan
Feb 16, 2008 at 5:15 pm
deedee832,
Thank you for the much fuller picture of what has been going on.
I also understand start up pains, which is why it is important for organizations to present as professional, organized and transparent. I have to say that for one with such an ambitious goal, that United Autism Foundation seems to present as more disorganized and confusing than one would expect to see. Perhaps this incident will inspire them to organize themselves better in order to present a less ambiguous face to the public from which it seeks to solicit funds. I personally will wait to consider donations until they present a more public face via one website with clear contact information and the tax ID information that one normally expects on the website of a nonprofit 501c3.
I, too, expected a press release on the current controversy.
If anyone is still interested, this seems to be the page that has more/most info as presented by this organization:
http://www.autism500.com/downloads.html
As for Mr. Jasinski, misrepresenting himself via resume inflation and “that he worked” with children with autism is IMO the calculated icing on the cake, although it explains some of his outburst. He knows nothing about our children and probably respects nothing about them except as a lever for his appearance on Big Brother.
Moi;)
Feb 16, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Trees are Beings?????? If that doesn’t smell like Scam, I don’t know what does.
Kristina, I’m sure there are a lot of fake organizations for all kinds of causes (not just autism) that benefit the scammers that run it. They come in all shapes and sizes. I can think of one in particular (AS)………
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 16, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Now why would you think that……
This and Last’s Weeks Top Posts
Feb 17, 2008 at 2:03 am
[…] Kids With Autism Are Not RetardsThat’s what Big Brother contestant Adam Jasinski said: Many (most/all of us) beg to differ. […]
Karen Ballew Echols
Feb 18, 2008 at 12:33 am
I saw the whole thing on U-Tube. While I overcame my righteous indignation, I sent out bulletins and e-mails. Then, I looked at this from an entirely different perspective and I’ve never been happier in my life!!!!! Imagine… that finally some stupid idiot opened his obviously under educated ( a PR degree?) mouth and set on fire the course of nature. I wrote CBS and suggested that they spearhead a campaign for public awareness about ALL disabilities and even that they might consider a series about a whole NEW kind of reality like what it’s like to live with disability and/or to have a child with one, as an act of good faith for damage control. Obviously..SOMEBODY should!!! Maybe it will help to uncover and even soften the kind of crap (being nice) has to be dealt with encountering people STUCK ON STUPID like Adam, narrow minded Educational Professionals, incompetent Government Agency Employees, condescending Medical Professionals,Red Tape and Legislation etc…
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 18, 2008 at 2:38 am
I think you are onto something—-the remarks were thoughtless and jejune, but more than a few issues have arisen, of the kind that you describe, and also in regard to what are all of these autism organizations (all seeking $$$$) about.
I’ll add Poorly Trained and Inadequately Supported and Supervised Careworkers to your list.
Moi;)
Feb 18, 2008 at 10:25 am
OMG, Karen, that is just Genius!!!
Let’s add Belligerant School Administrators and I-Know-More-Than-You Educators to that list. All of them are rip-off artists, in a very big sense.
What would be even more uplifting would be to make Adam a caregiver in a state mental hospital. ;)
deedee832
Feb 18, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi again. I emailed (again) one of the UNIAF’s supposed Board members, Yomin Postelnik who is, among other things, a consultant for non-profit organizations. There is, unlike the UNIAF, plenty to be found on the internet about him and besides the Florida Senator, Jeremy Ring, Mr. Postelnik seemed to be the most legitimate on the foundation’s Board of Advisor’s list. Anyway, I suggested that the UNIAF has really been presented with a unique opportunity here and if in fact the foundation is legitimately helping kids with autism and other special needs in Florida, offering an explanation of the events on Big Brother (and by this I mean explaining that Adam is not an employee of the foundation any longer and that he was NEVER a PR rep for them but rather a sales person) and an apology via CBS will bring national attention to the foundation and possible further funding opportunities for the dental facility that Senator Ring says is a reality as well as other projects that may be in the works. I guess he emailed the president of the foundation, Olaf Hampel who seems to split his time between his native Germany and Florida and told him of my suggestions. Here’s the reply I received:
Thanks so much for your suggestion. I was able to reach Olaf, who’s out of town, and he will be retaking possession the website this week and issuing a statement. Forcing CBS to broadcast it is an excellent idea and can help undo the damage and bring awareness to the true nature of autism, including the fact that children with Autism, unlike Adam, typically have an above average IQ.
Thanks again,
Yomin
Olaf – When you’re back in town tomorrow let’s hammer out a plan. First thing we need the password from whoever mans the site.
I’m trying to give this foundation the benefit of the doubt here because I know the struggles in starting a non-profit and can’t imagine what it would be like to have the like of ADUM destroying all you’ve worked for in one fail swoop. But we will see what they chose to do going forward.
To “stopautismquackery” who asked me for the UNIAF’s 501(3)(c) EIN, I don’t know it. I received an email from Megan Browne at Autism Speaks who confirmed that they are registered with the Florida State Department of Corporations and have the tax-exempt status. She did admit, however, she’s never heard of them.
deedee832
Feb 18, 2008 at 11:40 am
I just also wanted to point out that back in September 2007 there was an article here on Autism Vox re: the dental hospital that the UNIAF hopes to build: http://www.autismvox.com/compassionate-dentistry-be-prepared/
So, there must be some validity to this foundation.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 18, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thanks, deedee832, for posting that—–Autism United is demanding an apology from CBS—–Autism United is not the UNIAF, but a New York area (Long Island) based organization (and not exactly “national,” as the following quote indicates).
Moi;)
Feb 18, 2008 at 1:46 pm
You are believing this stuff?
ANYONE can be a “board member” on a non-profit. My dead grandmother included. The state does NOT know. They do NOT check.
“Yomin” and “Olaf” could even be fictional names. Especially since the non-profit used to be about beings being trees. @@ Until a camera crew goes out there and finds these people, I won’t believe a Word they tell you.
deedee832
Feb 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I totally see your point. I’m certainly not sending them a donation any time soon (or at all for that matter). I am, however, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt especially since I found the article and video interview posted here on Autism Vox about the United Autism Foundation’s plans for a dental hospital for autistis kids. If you watch the video it’s clear that the foundation’s president, a former NFL linebacker (Olaf Hampel) isn’t the most well-spoken guy on the planet but he seems to mean well. I’m hoping they are simply the victims of Adam Jasinski’s idiotic comments on Big Brother. Time will tell.
If you go to this site: http://boards.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=21&nav=messages&webtag=cbsbigbromb&tid=576 scroll down to the Feb 17 comment from mag.pie1 there are attachments that show the UNIAF’s 501(3)(c) tax-exempt info as well as some other relevant info.
Florence
Feb 18, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I think both my autistic son’s each have a higher IQ than this guy. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. If there is a boycott, I’m in. This makes me sick.
theasman
Feb 19, 2008 at 10:05 am
It is funny gilmore is demanding this since it is him and people like him are at fault for this.
Read his language and website achamp spreading lies about mercury. he is no better.
Adam I gather really doesn’t feel he said anything wrong. He seems insensitive and sincere at the sametime. I would like to send him for an eval. He seems pretty oblivious to me and not able to see the other viewpoint.
supermom_in_ny
Feb 22, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I’m soooo angry, I’m incoherent.
My son is 6 and diagnosed with PDD-Nos. He has a significant speech delay. He’s not a retard. He’s unique.
I couldn’t believe this clip. This guy really pissed me off. HA-ha! He buried any chance of profiting from his fraudulent businesses.
A little advice Adam. Don’t get any parent mad, especially a parent of a special needs child. Oh and we don’t need an insensitive brute, like you doing any pr for our kids.
Thanks for showing the world your incompetence at being a human being!
Moron.
deedee832
Feb 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm
An update…the UNIAF still seems to be a questionable organization. However, they seem to have now retaken control of their website and have posted an apology. You can view it at http://www.uniaf.org. It’s a bit weak on my opinion and I expressed this in an email to their board and president. Their other site http://www.unitedautismfoundation.org remains incomplete with all broken links except their donation link (convenient).
I also received word today that Lowes has pulled their advertising from CBS during the Big Brother time slot. Lowes’ major cash cow (besides their stores) is their NASCAR sponsorship of 2-time champion driver Jimmie Johnson. Many of the high profile NASCAR drivers have autism in their lives (some even with children of their own who are affected) and support the autism community with their private foundations. So, kudos to Lowes.
CBS still refuses to issue an apology. Their official statement was as follows:
“We certainly find the statements made by Adam to be offensive, but believe they were countered by the immediate reaction of shock and condemnation from a fellow houseguest, Sheila [Kennedy]. Adam’s remarks would not have been permitted to air unchallenged.”
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 22, 2008 at 6:13 pm
thanks for the updates—imagine what the response would have been had it been an ethnic or racial slut that was said…..
So who is Adam Jasinski and what is the UNIAF?
Feb 23, 2008 at 6:20 am
[…] now you’ve probably heard about the remarks by Adam Jasinski on CBS’ Big Brother reality TV show in which he referred to autistic children as […]
Sharon
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm
As the mom of twins, both of whom are on the spectrum, I am totally outraged by this idiot!! If he “ever” has worked with children with disabilities, he would know how unique and truly special these children are. How they see the world in a way that is inspiring and refreshing. I think the network should be held accountable. It is not up to a “housemate” to issue a response from the network. I don’t watch this show, and don’t plan to. I just stumbled across this in surfing the web on “autism”. If we don’t hold everyone accountable, then some niave people will wind up thinking this is ok….well it’s NOT!! The apology issued by the UNIAF, seems to me to be more of a public relations ploy than an actual apology. Why has AutismSpeaks and other reputable Autism advocates not gotten involved in this? This makes me soooo mad!!
Rob Mattheu
Feb 23, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I think this guy should be left on the show. He’s not going to win, and chances are he’ll make more comments to make him unemployable.
While his comments are inexcusable, if you rewatch the clip, it’s clear they were edited down, perhaps to make them more idiotic. I’m guessing he was saying something about opening more than a hair salon, but they edited down to leave the hair salon, so the comment would sound even more inane and crass.
Frankly, I’d prefer to see him left on the show and have this “charity” investigated.
Rob Mattheu
Feb 23, 2008 at 1:52 pm
In looking at this further, here’s what I think….
This organization is probably “legitimate” in that it probably gives a portion of the proceeds to autism charity. What should be troubling is that the charity has a UPS Store as its street address, that the company is looking for “PR Experts” and offering to sell sponsorships to major companies in exchange for a “donation”. My guess is that the organization is devoted to raising money, using the money for “administrative expenses” and then farming out whatever is legally permissable for charitable giving.
A legitimate charity would have information about its staff, an office location, and would take the time to create a website with information that doesn’t look like it came out of an autism pamphlet.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 23, 2008 at 2:55 pm
While definitely distrubed, and perturbed, by Jasinski’s remarks, it is his affiliation with an autism organization, and the exact status/existence of that organization, that puzzle me more. And what kind of organization has a UPS box for its address….
PR Manager Says, “Retards”…What a Mistake « Diagnosis: PR
Feb 23, 2008 at 3:20 pm
[…] surfing the Web, I stumbled across a blog about this story written Feb. 15 and couldn’t believe a PR manager would say something like […]
Ryan McReynolds
Feb 24, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I happen to be an individual with Autism but I am not retarded at all, and I hate it when ignorant people refer to auties as retarded.
I wrote a song last year called Autism Is Not Retarded after a tift with a teenage punk who claimed autism is a form of mental retardation.
here are the lyrics
1st verse:
You said Auties are retarded
That is very untrue for me
You sound to me like a crack head
A good lesson is what you need
Chorus:
Autism is not retarded
Auties like me aren’t invalids
Auties like me have had enough
Don’t you dare tell us to shut up
2nd verse:
Well have you heard of the bill of rights?
It gives me the freedom of speech
Many years I have had to fight
So I can speak what I believe
(Chorus)
3rd verse:
Don’t tell me I have to shut up
I know myself better than you
Don’t try to act like you’re so tough
Because you haven’t got a clue
(Chorus)
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 24, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Thanks for the song and, even more, saying this.
dkmnow
Feb 25, 2008 at 6:10 am
Speaking of “retards”:
WIRED.com’s latest — Amanda, Michelle, and Autistic intelligence:
http://dkmnow.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/wired-im-autistic/
“”We label them as retarded because they can’t express what they know”
Feb 25, 2008 at 9:48 pm
[…] this way”—shows he knows his way up and down New Jersey highways. People might call him retarded and he has a lot of challenges and impairments, and a lot more smarts than you or I can tell. Tags: […]
Ryan McReynolds
Feb 27, 2008 at 8:37 am
You’re welcome Kristina and thanks
Beth
Feb 27, 2008 at 6:21 pm
“Overseen disorder”
“…confusion and anger, which
has been created…”
“Based on those comments made by Adam on CBS,
hundreds of complaints and even death threats,
Adam Jasinski cannot and will not represent UNIAF
since he caused tremendous damage to UNIAF.”
Yeah, no kidding they’re looking for PR experts. This is one crummy piece of writing.
Anyway, what got to me most was his comment that he could call these kids anything he wants since he works with them. Absolutely chilling to think that there are people who have this mindset are out there.
And get a load of him trying to equate his calling the children “retards” with the other contestant referring to them as “them.” There aren’t enough eye-rolls in the world for that comment.
Wanda
Feb 27, 2008 at 10:38 pm
The issue is not Adam and his poor choice of words…. the issue is RESPECT AND VALUE for those with developmental disabilities. The “r” word is just one of the ways to de-value this population of valuable people. Families who have children, siblings or even loved ones, go day in and day out defending the VALUE of their loved ones. This is wrong. Using the “r” word is only the evidence of the prejudice. When people start giving value where it is due, to ALL INDIVIDUALS, the “r” word will disappear.
Now is the time to respect ALL PEOPLE!
CBS is a part of the problem of continueing to bring prejudice to people with disabilities.
Lowe’s defended, who else will stand with them…. It’s about respect.
Thank you Lowes!
Spread the word
www therword org http://www.therword.org
Ryan McReynolds
Feb 28, 2008 at 12:22 am
Yeah, I also wanna thank Lowe’s for pulling sponsorship, if there was a Lowe’s in my town, i’d probably be applying to work there.
David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)
Mar 1, 2008 at 6:47 pm
What a dipshit. Glad he no longer works for that foundation.
Larry Clay IV
Mar 6, 2008 at 2:44 am
I thought what he said was offensive and ungodly. But he represents a majority of people who are not educated about Autism. Before my 3 boys were diagnosed, I did not know what Autism was. We have lost our sense of values and morals when we look as children with disabilities as burdens rather than blessings. I pray he will never have children with A disability, but if he does God help him to see that they are not retards, and are to be relished for how hard they fight to be “normal”. I work with children with disabilities everyday,365days a year 24/7, but don’t think for a minute that I should be rewarded for that. It’s what God has ask me to do. By the way, those children our my 3 boys, Isaac, Elijah, and Chase.And I will fight the devil himself to protect them from people like you.
Ryan McReynolds
Mar 6, 2008 at 4:03 am
Yeah it’s like ok I want to have kids someday, and ok I have no idea for sure if my Autism will pass to any of my future kids or any other disabilities as well.
But i’ll take whatever comes, no matter what.
One thing for sure I would not let Adam Jasinski or a person like him work with my future kids no way, in fact if I do pass Autism to any of my future kids and I get word that someone working with my Kid is referring to Auties as the R word, I would then be pulling my future kids away from that person and saying “may God have mercy on your soul.” to that person.
Deb K
Mar 20, 2008 at 12:35 am
I made a visit to a specialist at Dupont a few years ago he said my Autistic daughter was retarded? ! I WANTED TO WALK OUT. What a ***! He should retire that old fool!! Like to see him comunicate without many words and always get his needs met!
No.
Apr 17, 2008 at 7:42 pm
“retard” means slow, if your son has a cognitive “delay”, that means he is slow. A delay is a slow. He is retarted.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 17, 2008 at 7:58 pm
And I hope you might someday pick up on the problems with these words. Very best.
Regan
Apr 17, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Huh?!
I don’t watch this show intentionally, don’t plan to, and honestly don’t even understand how the “competition” works, since it mostly seems to be people conniving against one another. But that’s TV.
Adam Jasinski is still in the running and could win the prize of half a million. Maybe he should do some payback and apology if he doe, and donate a sizable chunk to help some children, rather than exploit the connection to get on the show and then insult them on national TV.
People are NOT retards.
Jen
Apr 17, 2008 at 9:33 pm
“retard” means slow, if your son has a cognitive “delay”, that means he is slow. A delay is a slow. He is retarted.
But he might still be able to spell “retarded”.
Moi
Apr 17, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Gang, do not feed the trolls. Especially ones that can’t spell…..
Evonne
Apr 24, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Matt: Thank you. The word “retard” doesn’t apply to anybody.
To say that “retard” is an acceptable thing to call someone — anyone — because “retarded” means “slow” is the equivalent of saying it’s acceptable to call someone a “nigger” because “negro” means black.
Kyle
Apr 29, 2008 at 5:21 am
And Adam wins the game. I hope he doesn’t give any money to UNIAF unless they hire him back.
Sharon
Apr 30, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Please tell me he really did NOT win. I can’t believe CBS would even allow this. If CBS does not do some type of damage control, I think everyone who has a family member with a disability should write CBS and let them know our feelings. Families of children with disabilities know how to fight, and fight we should. This is OUTRAGEOUS!! I have 12 year old twins with autism. I take serious offense at Adam’s remarks. I think he should donate ALL his winnings to research as the “consequence” for his thoughtless comments. I applaude Lowe’s for being thoughtful enough to take a stand. I know where I’ll be purchasing all my home improvements from on. Oooooh this guy needs lots of education!!
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