Autism Advocacy Alert

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Why is this spam/nonspam?
Derrick Jeffries
to undisclosed-re.

show details 3:24 PM (1 hour ago)


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**This message is sent as a blind carbon copy (bcc) to protect your privacy**

Dear Autism and Human Rights Advocates,

This message is to help you be aware that the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Massachusetts (formerly Behavioral Research Institute in Rhode Island and California), the children’s school that currently uses electronic skin shock devices and food deprivation, and that formerly used such aversive techniques as severely and repetitively pinching the undersides of children’s feet and forcing them to inhale ammonia or taste hot pepper sauce is now advertising on the radio. The majority of people who I have discussed this matter with, including many experts in related fields, agree that it is not acceptable to use such techniques on any people, especially children and young adults who are coping with challenges associated with Autism and other factors. A humane approach would be to first keep the child safe, next seek to understand the reasons for the behaviors, and then apply positive intervention methods that are according to the best available research and practices. Often times just making changes in the way we communicate and/or making environmental changes can make a major difference in a child’s ability to cope. Archaic methods that are based on fear, pain and humiliation are not humane and produce negative effects and a lack of enduring benefits.

When I contacted Mark Edwards, the Programming Director for radio station WCRB-FM in Boston about a JRC ad that aired on his radio station, he immediately discontinued the advertisement and thanked me for bringing the matter to his attention. However, when I contacted the staff at WBZ, another Boston radio station, about a similar ad they did not respond to my email. The advertisement, that gave no organizational name, encourages parents of children with severe behavioral issues to call 1-877-31CHILD (1-877-312-4453).  Several parent volunteers called the phone number and confirmed that it actually is for the Judge Rotenberg Center. Even after waiting an extended period of time and then contacting WBZ again, they have still failed to respond.

This is an urgent matter that I am asking for your help with. Most of the children and young adults at JRC are living with life challenges that are often associated with Autism. Since my own son and one of my sisters are Autistic and I am also on the spectrum this is a concern that is very close to my heart. I believe that there are many others of you who may feel the same way. Please contact the staff at radio station WBZ and ask them to discontinue the JRC advertisements immediately. If even one more child is sent there as a result of these ads it is one too many. Tell them that it is not okay for one of our nations oldest radio stations to support JRC practices by providing them with a means of advertising.

Please send emails to:

Peter Casey (Program Director), peter.casey@CBSradio.com

Chris Hill (General Sales Manager), chris.hill@CBSradio.com

Laurie Lamper (Marketing Director), laurie.lamper@CBSradio.com

Bill Flaherty (Assistant Programming Director), bill.flaherty@CBSradio.com

Rebecca Ivey (Local Sales Manager), rebecca.ivey@cbsradio.com

WBZ can also be contacted via phone at 617-787-7000

Their mailing address is:

WBZ NewsRadio 1030
1170 Soldiers Field Rd.
Boston MA, 02134



Please forward this message to as many other people as possible who may be interested in helping. Let’s get our voices heard!

I am also asking that if you hear or see any ads for JRC on the radio, television, or in a magazine, etc, to please let me know ASAP

Thank you for your help!

Derrick Jeffries
Derrick_jeffries@bestmail.us

Go Gareth! Is there any way we can help? Who should we send copies or variants of that letter to? Who are the particular lobbyists, and the demograpohics in the general public that are for the JRC?

Ana54: What led you to this old thread?

I think I clicked on its name either on the main page or on the Who Is Online list, probably the latter. I look at the list sometimes to see who is reading what. I didn't notice the date tho... but I am releived that AFF is sending them letters.