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Vanish Supporting Autism Advert

213 replies

Tealsofa · 09/04/2023 15:15

I don't normally watch terrestrial TV, but watching the voyage of the dawn treader on C4, and the advert for vanish keeps coming up.

It looks like a deep meaningful maybe a charity or awareness advert, and then it's "vanish" a cleaning product

My ds (autistic) was also wtf about it

OP posts:
spindrycycle · 09/04/2023 15:19

I just felt sorry for the sister in the advert. Yelled at for talking with her friend in the car, then forced to listen to drumming in a shared room later. Like she was walking on eggshells the whole time.

MoongazyHare · 09/04/2023 15:23

We were puzzled by this too. It seems so trite to suggest that their laundry product in particular might be a godsend for autistic teens. It’s as if families across the country are expected to suddenly have easier lives if they choose it.

I am sure that a familiar scent helps to provide some sensory soothing and acceptability, but I’m still not sure their marketing team have made the right call here. It’s appropriating a ‘cause’ to sell stuff, which I don’t think is ethical.

spindrycycle · 09/04/2023 15:25

I think they're claiming that their products help prolong the life of loved clothing.

user1471530109 · 10/04/2023 08:00

OP, have you watched the whole 3.5 minute advert? I'm a bit shocked by your take on it as a parent to an autistic ds?

Yes, pp, you feel sorry for the sister. My other DD has the same and it is definitely walking on egg shells. But she loves her dsis and would defend her to the hilt. I don't for a second think you're not supposed to feel sorry for her.

This advert made me cry. That girl reminded me so much of my DD. The morning scene is my morning before school....on a good day. My DD is nowhere near as good as communicating as the young lady in the advert though. The advert is a short glimpse into how overwhelming general life can be for someone with autism and the impact on their family. I thought it was very well done.

I'm quite sad about the comments on this thread. Quite surprised. Maybe I need to lower my expectations.

CollieFIower · 10/04/2023 08:04

I hate it and am utterly fed up of people sending me links to it (I have an autistic DC). Just feels like Vanish appropriating the struggles faced by autistic people to tug on heartstrings and flog their shitty stinky toxic-to-aquatic-life stain remover.

tryandfindmenow · 10/04/2023 08:09

Haven't seen it.. the word vanish and autism don't actually fit well together but then hey what the heck. If they are supporting a worthwhile charity and getting the message out there surely that's a good thing.

VegetableGyoza · 10/04/2023 08:15

I think I read somewhere that the Autistic Girls Network were consulted about it too. Also I think it’s a real family.

it made me cry, it’s so accurate. That was also the consensus amongst my support group for parents with PDAers. It really struck a chord with many of us.

user1471530109 · 10/04/2023 08:15

So the issue is what it's advertising confused ?

Surely promoting awareness is a good thing?

VegetableGyoza · 10/04/2023 08:18

@spindrycycle that’s the point. Often family do feel like they are walking on eggshells. Someone you love is suffering and you often don’t know how to make it better. Due to the education system and people who just don’t get it, it can be traumatic for the whole family.

Floralsquirrel · 10/04/2023 08:20

MoongazyHare · 09/04/2023 15:23

We were puzzled by this too. It seems so trite to suggest that their laundry product in particular might be a godsend for autistic teens. It’s as if families across the country are expected to suddenly have easier lives if they choose it.

I am sure that a familiar scent helps to provide some sensory soothing and acceptability, but I’m still not sure their marketing team have made the right call here. It’s appropriating a ‘cause’ to sell stuff, which I don’t think is ethical.

Youre aware this is what advertising is right? Companies trying to sell their product and make out it'll improve your life if you buy it. Is it appropriating though when they have spoken with and involved autistic women and are actively working with (and donating to) a charity dedicated to supporting these women? As only a tiny tiny percentage of adverts and indeed media portray autistic women isn't it a good thing? Doesn't seem to me like they've played on the stereotypes or exaggerated for suspense and drama; seems refreshing to me to use the platform they have to give air time to women and girls with autism.

Turquoisesilver · 10/04/2023 08:23

I felt sorry for the sister too. No idea what the solution is but having to STFU all the time and be unable to watch a TV programme isn’t the solution, surely?

thegrain · 10/04/2023 08:26

Chanel 4 like ads like that. I thought the idea was to show it affects the while family including the sister. Can't get worked up about it, it's like a TV show with product placement. But an ad with a small mention of the product. Really doesn't bother me.

OneFrenchEgg · 10/04/2023 08:26

I thought it was ok up to the end. Mine wouldn't have given it back and been all sickly sympathetic. It would have been tossed at them, or left lying somewhere visible.

ShannonMcFarland · 10/04/2023 08:28

It makes me cry too. Took me right back to being that teenage girl. Normally I'd be quite sceptical about autism being "used" in an advert but this was done very well and looks to have been done for well-intentioned reasons.

vinoandbrie · 10/04/2023 08:28

I respect that it’s shining a light on how tough it is for siblings. Because it’s really very tough on them, and people don’t seem to get this sometimes. I’m all for the ad - it is a good depiction of the struggles not just of the autistic daughter, but of the rest of the family as well.

People don’t ‘get’ autism in girls in the same way they do for boys. As a mother to an autistic daughter, I’m grateful to vanish for highlighting the issue.

user1471530109 · 10/04/2023 08:31

I've just shown my younger DD (no autistic) and she had the same reaction as me. I think it's the acknowledgement that we are seen.

@Turquoisesilver you have no idea. What do you think would have happened if she wasn't allowed to regulate by playing the drums? My DD would have exploded. The drums are this young ladies way of managing.

Yes it's bloody difficult for the family. It's a great way of being awareness for that too. It's not just the impact on the autistic girl.

VegetableGyoza · 10/04/2023 08:32

@ShannonMcFarland I’m sorry for what you have gone through. I wish people had more understanding. It’s so tough for our autistic girls and women.

VegetableGyoza · 10/04/2023 08:35

This reply has been deleted

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SpookySpoon22 · 10/04/2023 08:35

Not quite sure how I feel about that advert. Am worried about my DD seeing it actually as it's a bit close to the bone and I'm not sure she'll appreciate it. Funny thing is she hates her clothes being washed!

user1471530109 · 10/04/2023 08:36

Can I ask if those parents that didn't like it, but have autistic dc; are they girls? The similarities in that film to my own life are scary! To have this shown and for all those non aware adults in her life to see is really powerful (thinking if her dad in particular. We are divorced and she masks all this around him).

Turquoisesilver · 10/04/2023 08:37

I do have some idea, @user1471530109

It doesn’t make it an easy or pleasant way to live, and while it may be an uncomfortable fact to acknowledge on a site that has very heavy traffic from parents of children with autism and with autism themselves it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be acknowledged.

lollipoprainbow · 10/04/2023 08:37

As the mum of an autistic dd I'm glad it's being highlighted. There needs to be more representation on tv. Why don't the soaps have it as a storyline ??

stargirl1701 · 10/04/2023 08:37

I haven't shown it to my DC. DD1 is autistic. Life is bloody hard for all of us. I worry about how DD2 is coping.

user1471530109 · 10/04/2023 08:38

@Turquoisesilver but the advert does exactly that! It highlights the impact on the family and in particular the sister.