Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or ALS is chemcially similar to SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).  It is slightly less harsh, but it still very stripping and drying to curly hair.  It is also still classed as a sulfate, and is the major ingredient in things that we normally use to wash objects (cars, dishes, clothing, etc.) and not ourselves.  If you've ever seen your rugged blue jeans fade because the detergent is slowly stripping the indigo dye from them, then you know what this is doing to your hair. 

For most curlies (99+%), this is far too harsh for us to use.  We work very hard to get moisture and oil into our hair.  This strips all of that out. 

I personally find it disturbing that this particular ingredient has OSHA required instructions that say that it is not to come into contact with skin and that if "serious skin contact occurs", the area should be washed, covered with an antibiotic ointment, and you should seek medical care.  That's not what I'd call reassuring when its in the shampoo I'm going to dump on my head. 

References - Wikipedia Article, Material Safety Data Sheet,