What do you think of being associated with models in bikinis

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This is my biggest problem with it. I cannot imagine many people caring enough, after seeing the campaign, to go home and choose to educate themselves about it.... This confuses me a lot!! !! !

I posted on this group's wall asking if there were any Autistic individuals in the campaign,
and received some BS saying, effectively, no-
just hand-wringing mothers of (likely lower-functioning Autistics) and people who "know someone" with Autism.

Some of the general information about Autism on that page is correct,
but it doesn't seem to make mention of adults on the spectrum, nor even females with Autism.
The definition offered for "high-functioning" Autism (being able to use the toilet and speak) is also disturbing,
at least personally.

No mention is made of the gifts many Autistics have (again, that I see),
merely their "difficulties" as defined by difference from an NT "standard".

It smacks of the same ignorant, anti-neurodiversity, and opportunistic concern-trolling for money/attention that Autism Speaks is known for,
with a side of carefully-selected people in gratuitous clotheslesness.

Please-
I would love it if more people commented on this:
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I have heard of sex selling things, but this is really for the wrong cause to bring out the bikini's...

I couldn't help but show that to my 'friends' on fb just to show how sad it is that people are resorting to being close to naked without censorship.

@ValentineWiggin: I read what you wrote and it is a good point. I then went on to make a comment for a few things in the video just bug me. Mostly about their parenting skills. I think it might hurt a little bit but the truth can hurt sometimes.

I'd like to see a bunch of middle aged, fat hairy dads of autistic kids or adults baring themselves to raise funds. It doesn't sell by sex, but I think the shock value will catch more attention. OMG I can just imagine the funds my dad could raise because he's so thin he looks like he never eats (he actually only eat the finest food).

ValentineWiggin: I do agree with you. Though I think your expectations for people is a bit too high. Remember most people are not bright and don't bother to learn things. Just because people look good in red clothes doesn't mean they're well above average in intelligence. Give them a bit of slack for at least trying. I know enough people who get a headache just thinking about learning something new.

Brooke is actually a really nice lady.

I guess I am a dumb airhead now.

I will try to not take people making fun of a volunteer group i am involved with as a personal attack although I probably should.

And VW, there is a few people in the campaign with Autism.

The reason for the bikini's because the campaign started at sporting events. Here we have lots of differant promotions models so it was purely competition that drove to wearing bikinis. The bikinis are only worn at sporting events mostly. Other places like schools, the races, the royal show ect we use just red tshirts and jeans. The campaign works really well because before it started Adelaide was very backwards in regards to Autism Awareness and we dont even have many government resources.

I think its great that you are involved in this.
However Im sure you can understand why people have an issue with them appearing on the newspapers like this to promote autism awareness.

Sorry but to my untrained eye it just looks overly focused on them/their provocative looks instead of on autism awareness which is the cause they are supposedly for.

Sorry to be a little cynic but Ive seen too many people trying to become famous by associating themselves to things like autism/several similar things

those photos were actually produced for the tv show big brother. Smutty tv at best and have been overused in the media. If you actually look at the website on facebook, most of the pics are or the red tshirts. It is like a firefighter nude calender. we all know the firefighters dont fight fires nude.

also that newspaper is a tabloid newspaper and full of rubish and celeb gossip and second rate "news" kind of like the sun in the uk.

I happen to support the Autism Angels. I'm from Adelaide Australia and have made an appearence at most of their events, including the flashmob. I have you know that their were a number of autistic children and parents that participated. I have also learned that several of the models have children on the spectrum. I have had the pleasure of meeting Brooke Clark myself who also has an autistic son, she is passionate about what she does and spends countless hours of her own time and own money to support this awareness group. This group also runs camps for autistic children, picnics, fishing days, designated spots with quiet areas at huge events like the christmas pagent. People pay thousands just to have these girls appear at their events and the money is given straight to an Autism charity. They have also just been approched by a major sponsor that could be worth up to a quarter of a million dollars. I'm not sure if I'm missing something here? Brooke is a mother of an Autistic child, she work fulltime with autistic children, she raises thousands of dollars for charities and does it all from the goodness of her heart. She just happens to be good looking. I'm not sure if any of you are aware but the Angels also run a support group for families with Autism.
I just think think that people have to stop and look at the good things these girls have done. I didn't know anything about autism and had not even heard of the word when my son was dignosed, i now feel by joining this group i have become a member of a huge family of beautiful people. If it's getting the word autism out there, then who cares how it's done.
That's my opinion anyway. Thanks everybody.

That's great, autismdad82, and good for them. But there are a lot of people they're not going to reach with that image. Still there are other organizations that will, so maybe they're filling a needed hole in getting the word out.

I think its stupid I don't like models anyway they just want an excuse to run around with hardly anything on
Someone should hand them some skivvies and tell them to put their clothes back on.

I thought the bikinis were due to Brooke being in charge of a modelling agency, hence she started promoting her campaign at modelling competitions. I think they did one beach volleyball event. The rest of the bikini stuff is mainly to do with the printed advertising photos - in magazines, facebook, newspaper, etc. This is the main avenue of the initial awareness aspect. Also, with the red t-shirts, there are often the small black shorts. There were also many very sexual poses of the girls from a photo shoot on the page.
From what I have gathered, her reason for this campaign with bikinis is to attract controversy to get people talking about autism. Yet, people seem to be getting annoying when controversy IS drummed up, which is confusing to me. Especially since a lot of the controversy is upsetting the very people they want to help.

I think there are MANY things that Brooke is doing which are fantastic with the school support officers, etc. And I wish there was more info about all the other stuff that autismdad82 mentioned, I would love to see that stuff focussed on more. I wasn't aware there was so much ?? Why only show the public some photos yet hide the education aspect for private functions only ?

I just wish there was better information and education involved. To become aware of autism yet still misunderstand it and be rude to those with it seems strange.... I have tried posting on the board a couple of times but no one seems to get me. I think it is more a campaign for parents with autistic children maybe?

I would be curious to know what a person who had never heard of autism now thinks of it from the campaign... That would interest me!

Anyway, I am just trying to understand. I do think it is good that someone has put such effort and dedication into a cause they care so deeply about, and definitely there aren't many out there who could be so dedicated! And I agree, Brooke IS a very nice person. I just am confused + I worry with the best of intentions about any unforeseen negatives that could come about from it is all....

i posted my question on their facebook page, as did a few of my friends of their own accord. we got fairly severely bullied on there. i am somewhat shocked by our treatment

Couldn't agree more

So am I. It just confirms my fear that while they are focussing on awareness, it is not the only thing that is required. We need UNDERSTANDING. Hence, if the people who have now become aware are not also educated, then it is not necessarily working.... I am hoping that will change over time.

I am frustrated also by the campaign, because I feel as though it is a campaign I couldn't share with my family. I would feel ridiculously awkward showing my parents, my siblings, my partner, and my SON pictures like that while talking about autism. Especially my partner and my Son. My partner feels awkward enough being inundated with sexual images of other women in the World as it is, without me now exposing him to it. We are trying hard to nurture what we have together and look at each other rather than live side by side and look outwards to others. As for my Son, I desperately want him to grow up having a sense of respect for women and to see them as more than just a pretty face, so I feel restricted at showing him also. That is my own campaign though, and I understand not everyone agrees with me on that one. And no, it isn't because I am jealous. I am an attractive enough woman.
I love the intention behind it all, and I do not believe that the founder is a bad person at all, I think she has her heart in the right place for sure. I think it all just reminds me that I do not fit so easily with the NT World *sigh*