The PETA “Got Autism? billboard has been taken down by the advertising company that was hosting it. PETA’s blog nonetheless noted that the billboard garnered tons of feedback,” with “support from parents of autistic children who have seen noticeable improvements after removing dairy from their child’s diet” specifically noted but not more, ahem, “sour” responses.

Apparently PETA is going to run a billboard with that very phrase around Newark, New Jersey. Reports that dairy consumption might be linked to autism have spurred this ad campaign, according to The Peta Files:

Testimonials suggest that some people with this devastating disease may be able to find relief by simply removing milk from their diet.

There’s a whole world of information out there for parents and for women who are pregnant or nursing about how to raise their kids dairy-free. Be an informed consumer and check it out!

*The Newark area had the highest rates of autism occurrence among 14 states studied in one report.

Aside from the “devastating disease” phrase which reinforces the view of autism as some dreadful disease, PETA should note that Newark is one among a few places in New Jersey which autism rates were studied by the CDC; four other counties were also studied. Will there be billboards going up across the state of New Jersey too?

I drive through Newark everyday as I go to and from work so I may well see this billboard. We do avoid giving my son milk—I avoid it myself—-but “yes” will be my very affirmative answer to the question “got autism.” Yes, and very fine about it, thank you.

But I also have to say “yes” about PETA’s ad campaign providing misinformation about autism and oversimplifying what autism is, and what can be done to help a child.

Update, 3.10pm: For a transcript of the Town Hall forum, you can go here.

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Today from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., the NYU Child Study Center is holding an Online Town Hall on Children’s Mental Health. Details can be found here; registration starts at 9 a.m. today and commenters have contributed thoughts on what to address in the forum. How can we improve awareness and care for individuals with conditions like autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, bulimia, OCD, depression, and in ways that do not simply denounce and shame people? How can we advertise not fear, but hope?

Back in December, the New York University Child Study Center launched a public awareness advertisement campaign called “Ransom Notes,” in which. The campaign was pulled a few weeks later, in no small part due to the work of disability rights advocacy groups, parents, and many concerned individuals, who questioned the negative portrayal of autism and psychiatric disorders by the “Ransom Notes” campaign. On Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., the NYU Child Study Center is holding an Online Town Hall on Children’s Mental Health. Details can be found here. How can we improve awareness and care of these issues, in ways that do not simply denounce and shame those with conditions like autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, bulimia, OCD, depression?