Sexy Autism Ads: Clever or Catastrophic?
Dana is a former NYC advertising guru and the mother of Michaelangelo, a child with autism. His story inspired her to write the children's book, Michaelangelo the Diver.As I understand it, Dana has determined that since sexy Jenny McCarthy seems to be using her charms to "sell" her biomedical perspective on autism, why not use a sexy model to "sell" a different point of view? With that idea in mind - and tongue presumably planted firmly in cheek - she has made five short videos.Dana has now taken her creativity and contacts in her new home of Los Angeles to produce a series of controversial public service announcements to combat misinformation about the causes and treatment of autism and the acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity.
The videos, which star family friend and model, Leanne Tweeden, are basically highly-produced peep shows accompanied by stripper music. Behind the sexy, nearly-naked model are panels proclaiming messages about autism (she favors educational inclusion, feels that there's no link between autism and vaccines, supports a neurodiversity perspective, etc.).
In theory, these videos - and the website, which includes a page of information about autism and Commandatore's perspective on autism - are intended as a way to raise awareness and educate the public. So far as I can see, however, the public is far more likely to respond to the medium (sex) than to the message (let's be sensible about autism).
In my opinion, Commandatore may get a good deal of personal publicity for her arty and provocative style. She's also likely to get a lot of flack for her anti-feminist, disrespectful approach to autism education. She's unlikely, however, to make much impact as an educator.
What's your take on RethinkingAutism.com? Comment here, or take the poll (you can click on more than one opinion).
Comments
Ok, I watched these videos to see for myself what the message was. Unfortunately, I think a video about a woman who is posing half clothed and with a few choice words thrown in about autism, was a waste of my time. In my own opinion, I don’t think it tells people anything about autism and of course will draw attention away from what the true message is. Personally, I don’t find anything at all sexy about autism! How about doing a video that shows what autism is really like if you want to educate people and raise awareness?
I’m trying to understand how she connected Jenny McCarthy’s advocacy with sex. I’m not defending Ms. McCarthy, but at the same time, aside from the fact that she is a beautiful woman, how has she used sex to advocate for her child and thoughts and ideas about autism? I realize that prior to her life with her son, she used sex appeal to sell all kinds of messages, but I don’t think I’ve seen her do it yet with her message regarding autism.
I think it’s tacky, these videos, and they make no sense as far as a benefit to the autism community, in my opinion. The message gets lost inside the visual appeal for sure. I’m sure these will be watched for the message just like Playboy gets read for the articles.
I think the ads will fit in just right on certain late-night channels. There are other ads with a similar amount of skin shown, and I feel it’s more beneficial to see a perspective about autism than to see an ad about hand blenders, or whatever is being sold through skimpy bikinis these days. I do not feel that the ads will compete against Jenny McCarthy’s views because they will be targeted to different audiences, generally.
Overall, the ads say that there is a lovely bikini model out there who has a personal and positive familiarity with something to do with the autism spectrum, and has a specific perspective. Could be a lot worse – could be “holding our kids hostage” or “destroying their souls”, after all.
This women certainly knows her stuff. There is only one thing worse than (your or your issue) being talked about and that is (you or it) not being talked about.
It doesnt matter what they say as long as they start talking! Overly horny young men may now go and ask themselves what is inclusive education, what is chelation and what is autism. Zealots will kick up quite a stink and maybe get this damnation on the news, Letterman, Leno, Conan or that other silver haired guy who wasnt much good att he Oscars…..my god how bad would that be? Some will laugh, some will cry but so many more people will hear the message even if it is for the 1st time.
Now we just have to find 20 other unique and new ways to impart the message as educational some research somewhere shows you need to hear/see/say whatever it is 20 times before it just becomes part of what you know.
Great satire. I’m a die-hard feminist and I think it’s funny.
I agree with mamacate. I love the juxtaposition between blatant sexual exploitation and serious messaging. More, please!
“As I understand it, Dana has determined that since sexy Jenny McCarthy seems to be using her charms to “sell” her biomedical perspective on autism, why not use a sexy model to “sell” a different point of view?”
What? LIsa Jo, what are you understanding, if anything? How is Jenny using her charms? She is a former Playboy model and yes, she is certainly attractive. But how is she using those “charms” to “sell”? How did you know that Dana had Jenny in mind when conceiving these videos and website?
Jenny isn’t posing seductively to tell the story of her son or otherwise leveraging her sexuality to share her experience with autism with other families. It’s a HUGE leap to say that Jenny McCarthy is responsible in any way for these totally dumb videos.
It was weird, but not offensive. I guess the only people who will be mad and campaign against the two women are the biomed folks.
Lynne:
The fact that Jenny is who she is doesn’t have any significance relative to her message.
BUT.
She IS who she is.
And the reality is that Jenny would never get the kind of attention she receives on autism-related issues if she hadn’t been a Playboy centerfold and a “gross-out” starlet.
I think the point of the videos (at least in part) is that the folks who support Jenny as an autism advocate must be okay, at least to some degree, with following the lead of a person who’s famous for posing nude, pooping in public, and so forth.
Lisa
I think the satire is perfect. What a wonderful way to emphasize the credibility (or lack of credibility) of the messenger, having a messenger which is totally disconnected from the message. Many in the autism community have given credibility to individuals like McCarthy or Olmsted with asking what are their credentials?
“The fact that Jenny is who she is doesn’t have any significance relative to her message.”
What? Does this sentence have any meaning?
“And the reality is that Jenny would never get the kind of attention she receives on autism-related issues if she hadn’t been a Playboy centerfold and a “gross-out” starlet.”
Duh. Every celebrity’s attention on any issue is predicated upon their celebrity. That’s an inherent definition.
“I think the point of the videos (at least in part) is that the folks who support Jenny as an autism advocate must be okay, at least to some degree, with following the lead of a person who’s famous for posing nude, pooping in public, and so forth.”
Again, that’s a HUGE leap based on your personal opinion. However, it is also factually incorrect. Jenny has never had a bowel movement in public.
My point: You have made a huge non-sequitur leap in rationalizing this absurdly dumb video web site because of Jenny’s past as a Playboy model. Get over it and stop using Rush Limbaugh-style smearing to rationalize your point of view.
If you don’t want to try a special diet for your son, check out possible biomedical problems or otherwise provide any intensive interventions for your son that’s your choice, don’t use this website to put down Jenny or other parents who are trying to do the best for their children.
The fact that Lisa Jo is who she is doesn’t have any significance relative to her message. BUT. She IS who she is.
Lynne, I wrote a blog post asking people their opinion about a website. You expressed yours.
The fact of the matter is that Jenny McCarthy is a Playboy centerfold whose claims to fame involve sitting on a toilet (I really don’t know whether she actually pooped or not), and otherwise sitting in bodily fluids for a camera.
I have no idea why you feel that describing J. McCarthy’s past career translates to using “Rush Limbaugh-style smearing to rationalize your point of view.”
In fact, I’ve said nothing whatever in this post about which autism treatments do or don’t work, what causes autism, or anything else along those lines.
If you’re looking for a battle over biomedical versus behavioral treatments for autism, you’ll need find a different writer to engage in that particular conversation.
Lisa
As a mother of child with Autism, I don’t see the point. When I viewed the videos I thought gee wouldn’t it be nice if I looked that good! IMO, no correlation to awareness and Autism. A waste really.
Lisa said: “The fact of the matter is that Jenny McCarthy is a Playboy centerfold whose claims to fame involve sitting on a toilet (I really don’t know whether she actually pooped or not), and otherwise sitting in bodily fluids for a camera.”
Which has nothing to do with your claim that “Dana has determined that since sexy Jenny McCarthy seems to be using her charms to “sell” her biomedical perspective on autism, why not use a sexy model to “sell” a different point of view?”
You have failed to show any link between Jenny McCarthy and the dumb videos. And of course, Jenny did not sit in “bodily fluids for a camera.”
Lisa said, “I have no idea why you feel that describing J. McCarthy’s past career translates to using ‘Rush Limbaugh-style smearing to rationalize your point of view.’”
Because you are using Jenny to make a HUGE leap that rationalizes Dana’s intent in producing the dumbo videos. Besides continuing to make factually inaccurate claims.
Lisa said, “If you’re looking for a battle over biomedical versus behavioral treatments for autism, you’ll need find a different writer to engage in that particular conversation.”
Duh. My post also did NOT mention ANYTHING about biomedical versus behavioral. YOU might want to find someone else to engage in that particular conversation.
My point: your blog about these videos should be about the videos. Don’t try to blame Jenny or anyone else for Dana’s intent.
Lynne,
the lady who made the videos said on her website –
“All too often in the world of autism, celebrity and sex appeal are used to promote pseudo-science that exploits autistic people, their family members and the public. We decided to put those very same factors to work in service of the truth.”
Lisa-Jo was merely pointing to the most recent “celebrity” to do so. Others I can think of are Dennis Leary or that moron from a daft reality tv show making comments to drew just a little more attention to themselves for as long as possible.
There is no need to flame Lisa-Jo or anyone on here. Lisa-Jo often states what others are thinking but will not post for fear of having to (or no desire to) engage in a slagging match to defend their point of view.
Karen P – I am with you! I would have offered my services 100 times over to make the videos if I could have “qualified”! Perhaps my turn will come when someone decides to create a viral campaign for release across the fat fetish websites!!
Thanks, Unachannomama!
Lynne, I am not trying to prove anything here. I’m merely describing an idea presented on a website and asking folks to comment.
You can certainly get in touch with the creator of rethinkingautism.com if you don’t like her approach or her message.
Lisa
Jenny McCarthy dressed in her Bunny Suit for donations for autism, not sure which outfit would be considered less appropriate. I’m not quite sure either outfits would get autism the well needs awareness and I’m sure mommy’s out there wont be gazing too much at those video’s as much as dads might. Nothing like relating autism to a female dressed in a slinky outfit.
Dana Commandatore SHAME ON YOU! YOU USE SEX TO TEACH ABOUT AUTISM! Your model’s boobs are fake and implanted, gross! Using women as sex objects to teach about autism on your website, Dana Commandatore , is disgusting! rethinkingautism.com is NOT a family friendly website! DANA, YOU NEED TO “RETHINK” ARE YOU REALLY HELPING YOUR CHILD BY USING SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE VIDEOS TO TEACH ABOUT AUTISM? WHAT WILL YOUR SON THINK WHEN HE IS A TEENAGER / YOUNG MAN!?
You are listening to the wrong people if you think what you are doing is kosher on your site. Promoting a woman in lingerie with fake boobs, to lure people to learn about autism is sick! I think you need psychological help if you don’t pull those videos off your site! You appear to need some psychological redirection! Children/people with autism have challenges communicating appropriate messages. You are hurting the autism community by being so insensitive. One would think a mom with autism, had more logical sense. You seriously need help! Your site suggests women are so stupid that they feel they need to lower themselves by showing flesh in order to get a message across thus appealing to men. Pathetic…
You disrespect the Autism Community, and your child! Your hoochy videos do NOT role model and teach proper communication for those with autism! They are appalling! You have no self respect, or self esteem, or are majorly confused yourself that you use sexual images, to get attention to our Autism cause? It’s Sick! PLEASE TAKE THOSE VIDEOS OFF! Never underestimate what your child understands, or what he WILL understand! You son would not approve of this if he was older, and you know it. You send an irresponsible mixed message to anybody who views your site.
At first I thought the site was hacked. What an idiot site. Not reputable. For reputable Autism Resources, please go here: http://www.autism-resources.com/links/linktoc.html -Yes, I am a parent of a teen with higher functioning autism, and it is pathetic you go this low, to get your message across….It is Sad, Disgusting, Pathetic, Appalling, idiotic, insensitive, and offensive.
I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE UPSET BY HER SITE rethinkingautism.com TO WRITE HER AND TELL HER HOW YOU FEEL. IF SHE WON’T TAKE OFF THOSE VIDEOS, LET’S TRY TO SHUT HER DOWN! She needs to RETHINK what the heck she is doing using sex to educate. She is insulting all of our children and people with autism.
“In our children rests the future of the people.”
~Alfred Adler
Rhonda Zisle (real name)
I thought the videos were just totally weird and failed to see how anyone would care what a half dressed woman would be trying to say. The only thing I could focus on was the fact that she was gorgeous and I was so jealous of her legs! The autism message was secondary. I think there needs to be a hard hitting video campaign just showing what the reality of living with a child/young person with Autism is like. A bit more reality tv is required instead of this silliness!