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From ABC:
Parents hit the streets protesting a radio show hosts comments about autistic children. Conservative talk show host Michael Savage called them everything from "brats" to "idiots" and "morons." As you can imagine, parents of autistic children are furious and want Savage pulled off the air.
Some parents held a news conference Monday outside WOR, the New York radio station that carries Savage's San Francisco-based talk show. Last week Savage said "99 percent" of autism cases involve "a brat who hasn' t been told to cut the act out."
On Monday he said autism is being overused as a diagnosis. John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United and father of a nonverbal 8-year-old boy, said Savage "needs to get another job." A spokesman for the station says Savage's views are his own.
This is so disturbing. I almost hate to post it because he is obviously being a shock jock and just trying to get attention. This is a bad way to do that!
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
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11 comments:
Disgusting ... truly disgusting.
The sad thing is that there are a lot of folks out there that share his opinion, even if they don't express it quite so brazenly. I fight against subtler versions Savage's viewpoint regarding ADHD and/or autism spectrum disorders almost daily.
Knight, you have talked to people who feel this way? That is so sad! I hate to think we'll be hearing more people singing his tune. That is just sickening.
Protesting Parents - Get over it!!!
Michael Savage is intelligent. Rather than scapegoating him for your bitterness, why not give thanks for your blessing instead?
As a parent who's been through the ups and downs with an autistic child, it's obvious Mr. Savage is a narrow minded individual with no medical or personal experience with autism. He needs to learn that one should not judge another until they've walked in their shoes.
I've also heard similar comments, though not in such hostile terms. This has become one of those "wedge" issues in our culture. One side "believes" in autism, and the other believes that there is more autism diagnosed today because the label is used on people who don't really have a developmental disability. It makes me wonder what other kinds of bigotry my granddaugher will have to deal with growing up with autism.
The "these kids nowadays just need a good whoopin'" attitude is still quite prevalent.
For stories like that that happen in our schools, check out http://detentionslip.org! Voted #1 for crazy headlines in education.
while I think what savage said is incredibly insensitive and dumb, the fact remains that these are WORDS! if you don't like what he says, don't listen to him.
I think he's a conservative douchebag blowhard, so guess what, i don't listen to him.
but, to defend him, I did hear his appearance on Larry King Live with glenn Beck the other night. it seems his comments may have been taken out of context. he explained that maybe, just maybe, autism has been over diagnosed. that a doctor either, is lazy, or doesn't know what is wrong with some children, so he/she just determines the kid is autistic.
i'm just sayin....
Chris,
You and Mr. Savage obviously have no clue about the process that goes into diagnosing someone with autism. By the time the diagnosis of a pervasive developmental disorder like autism is firmly established, the child has most likely seen a pediatrician, multiple therapists, a developmental pediatrician, a child psychiatrist and/or a neurologist. They undergo a battery of developmental assessments requiring extended face time with various clinicians. The whole process often takes months, sometimes a year or more.
This is not a diagnosis that's handed out like popcorn at a movie theater.
Knight,
I didn't say that's what I thought. That's simply what mr. savage said on LKL the other night.
again, the fact remains that if people don't like what he says, no matter how ignorant and intolerant, no one is forcing you to listen. Let it go.
I didn't listen to Mike Savage in the first place ... so not listening to him now would be rather pointless. Freedom of speech doesn't mean that we should "let it go" when someone makes blatantly vile and ignorant statements, Chris. Mr. Savage can say whatever the heck he wants, but I can say whatever the heck I want right back at him. THAT is freedom of speech.
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