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Michael Savage spoke of autism that made national headlines. On his nationally syndicated radio show, Michael Savage claimed that autism is "[a] fraud, a racket. ... I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is."
Two of my worlds have collided - Talk radio, in which I have made my living... and autism, which has had a profound and lasting impact on my family. Please give me a minute and a half of your time and listen to Michael Savage on Autism.
For those of you who don't follow talk radio, Michael Savage is a nationally syndicated radical host who has made his living trying to offend as many people as possible, and now autism and autistic children. He considers himself a conservative, but honestly, to call him conservative is to give real conservatives a bad name. Savage largely exists to hurt people. A protest will be held in New York today, as parents of children with autism picket WOR radio in New York and demand that Savage be pulled from the air. I sympathize with those well-intentioned folks, but I think they are making a mistake.
The Michael Savages of the talk world thrive on controversy. It is the fuel that keeps their shows alive, and the spark that prompts more listeners to tune in and see what outrageous garbage will spew from their pie holes next. If Savage is pulled from this station today, he'll be on two new stations tomorrow.
No, this is yet another lesson that we learned in kindergarten that still applies today. If everyone just ignored Michael Savage, he would eventually go away. Or better yet - have a good chuckle at his expense. Imagine Savage walking a mile in your shoes - as the parent of an autistic child himself or someone suffering from autism.
The belly laugh that that thought produces may just get this parent through the day.
Source: Reported by Life On The Beach Blog jematthews2.blogspot.com/
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Comments
#1 there is no drug for autism
there is no reason for doctors to misdiagnose children as having autism...it doesn't benefit drug companies or anyone else. there is no drug protocol for autism. I advise anyone who wants to see cutting edge research on autistic spectrum disorders to look up the MIND Institute at the University of California at Davis medical school. I hate to see autism get thrown into the same pot as ADD and/or depression, which are much less serious than autism and also are comparatively very easy to treat and live with.
#2 autism confused with adhd
I can understand your reaction. I would have reacted the same way except for an experience I recently had. By the way, I am an adult survivor of aspergers. Anyway, some lady with a website, who calls herself a child advocate and claims to have a masters degree, has gone on a rampage publishing all kinds of nonsense on her site claiming that asperger's doesn't exist and is being used by educators as a way of labeling kids and even trying force drugs on them! As we all should know, there is no drug for asperger's or any kind of autism, but that fact doesn't seem to register with her. I went back and forth and round and round with her trying to educate her on the facts about autistic spectrum disorders, but she didn't want to know. Her identity as a web personage in the child protection field is so fragile that she cannot be challenged...she is married to her misconceptions and is spreading her pseudo-science to America's poorly educated and easily led parents. My point is, if you encounter people who confuse asperger's with add/adhd, don't be so surprised. It may well be on the way to becoming the next great American ignoramus-ism, just like confusing schizophrenia with multiple personality disorder. Of course they are completely different things, but using the terms interchangeably has become part of the American popular culture. I pray that won't happen with ASD and ADD, but if people like this woman have their way, it will.
#3 Jenny McCarthy's response to Savage's remarks
Jenny, alongside the many others who have had their lives impacted by autism, was appalled by the statement. What would she like to happen? “I think a great way for an apology is to be sat down and educated about it,” Jenny said. “I’d love to just quietly [sit down with him and] educate him on the facts. It was clear he doesn’t know anything about autism”
#4 Confusion
I don't know why was he using word - autism - . What he is talking about is ADD/ADHD which is being often misdiagnosed. If you understand this - there is no scandal or need for anyone to be upset. Autism is very serious illness and these kids need a lot of attention and care.
Sometimes "brats" are being "diagnosed" by irresponsible parents and teacher as ADHD just to try to make themselves life easier and put the kids "asleep" with ADHD medicine which will destroy kids life.
#5 Answer to Confusion
You are confused. What the hell are you talking about? Savage attacked autistic children not children with ADD/ADHD. What is wrong with you? This evil son of a bitch needs to be pushed off the air permanently and anyone who attacks our children needs to be dealt with in such a manor. Are you kidding me? Anyone who purchase a product advertised on any of the radio stations he is on is complicit. JCA
#6 Michael Savage on Autism
Michael Savage showed his ignorance, plain and simple. The man has no REAL knowledge on kids who are diagnoised under the Autism Spectrum.
I work in a school for kids on the spectrum. I'd like to see him tell a child, who can not speak, to act like a man . He needs to come and spend some time in this population of HUMAN Beings before he places a generalized statement on a truely debilitatiing disorder.
I hope to God he never has children or grandchildren that have a mental disorder.
Its not an act!!!!!!!!! and trust me, Im a teachers aide/job coach and I do not make much money helping these kids fit into OUR world. or help them to deal with people who show so much ignorance and intolerance for things they do not understand. I feel sorry for him being such a closed minded egotistical person.
#7 Autisim/ add/adhd/Depression
If you LISTENED to what Michael Savage had to say about Autism & ADD/ADHD etc...you would know that he did NOT say ALL children diagonised with these idorders were brats.....he said that many children in this country are MIS DIAGNOSED with austiim & add/adhd & depression - That many dr's are in kahootz with the drug companies for the money - also schools get extra dollars for every child on physotrophic med's like ritalin etc... as well as people on welfare or government assistance who have a child on these medications......Simply stated - TOO many children are being mis-diagnosed for the sake of the MONEY. If your child is diagnosed - GET A SECOND OPINION ! DOn't medicate your child if it is NOT necessary !
#8 Re: Autisim/ add/adhd/Depression
No he didnt say "all' but he did say 99 percent and thats pretty much all.
#9 Doctor Savage is a real American
Most people have only heard the excerpt that Media Matters wants you to hear. If you take the time to listen to the whole show or read his book (Healing Children Naturally), you would realize that he is speaking out against the doctors and drug companies pushing their poisons. Dr. Savage is a Real American who cares about the future of our country. Not once does anyone mention the the fact that he has spent time and money on the defence of American soldiers on trial for killing terrorisists in Iraq (look in to this story). Before you pass judgment on this man get the real facts, not just what the liberal media wants you to hear.
#10 autism
Michael Savage was abused in childhood, that is why he's a hate monster. Come on Michael admit it, your impotent! Your so angry at the world you can see straight. Shame on you, your pathetic! Never again will I think about you, and I pray the world follows. Your a sorry excuse of a human being.