Radio Host Angers Parents of Autistic Children

PlusRadio Host Angers Parents of Autistic ChildrenRadio Host Angers Parents of Autistic ChildrenThe Associated PressRight-wing radio talk show host Michael Savage, who described 99 percent of children with autism as brats, said Monday he was trying to 'boldly awaken' parents to his view that many people are being wrongly diagnosed. (July 21)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:Dateline: New York][Notes:NATS up "Fire Michael Savage!"] [Notes:Vid NYC protests, pics Savage]Conservative radio host Michael Savage is once again fueling outrage. [Notes:SOT: "You know what autism is? I tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out."] [Notes:Pics savage]That's what his more than eight million listeners heard last week.He's calling it .... 'the illness du jour' [Notes:"This is hateful speech, and we don't allow hateful speech in this country.]But Savage says his comments have been taken out of context. [Notes:Savage sot: My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical communities attempt to label too many parents and children or adults as autistic."]But some advocates for autistic children are outraged. [Notes:John Gilmore, Autism United: "As the father of an 8-year-old son with autism he can't speak, and I assure you that you can call him any name you could possibly think of for days and I don't think that would make him speak any faster."] [Notes:Vid NYC protests, logo Talk Radio Network]And they're urging Talk Radio Network ... which syndicates the show nationwide ...To fire Savage. [Notes:Evelyn Ain, 8-year-old-son has autism: "We don't want people walking around thinking that autism is a small brat runing around not listening to the parents because it's so far from it."] [Notes:Pics of Savage]Savage says that's not what he meant ... He says he wanted to alert parents to his view that many people are being wrongly diagnosed. [Notes:Savage: "There are other conditions that mimick autism such as having a very high IQ or simply being late in talking , and yet these characteristics are the characteristics of these situations put that child on the checklists for autism which will often invite a false diagnosis."] [Notes:File vid children]The government says the increase in autism is mostly caused by a surge in special education services ..and a corresponding shift in diagnoses.They estimate about one in a hundred-fifty children have some form of the disorder. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****)

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News & Politics

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• savage
• autism
• radio
• host
• angers
• autistic
• children

[WJJ1968]

I see so many parents of autistic children who are older. 40 is the new 30 , 50 is the new 40 etc. but as a man of 42 I wouldn't want to have biological kids just because of the risk.

[maurice4598]

I have autism and dislexia, and it was hard to come over a difficult disability! Especially in elementary school, because it's hard to figure out a simple problem like reading, spelling and etc! Please give hope to others who have autism and other disabilities!

[CharlieTeague]

Atleast his name matches his character.

[ppods]

I grew up with a brother with autism. If only it would have been so easy to tell him to act like a man.

Burn in hell savage.

[lenniesam]

@Amills11 i think your right

[Amills11]

I think if he would have changed his comment from autism to ADD or ADHD than he would have been right.

[SuperTregs]

lol "we don't allow hateful speech in this country", does that bitch she think she lives in communist Russia? its called freedom of speech.

[harrydA10]

the truth being said in this country is something more and more ppl dont do and if you do everyone gets outraged about it

[harrydA10]

he does not hate muslims homosexuals and children with autism. to say that is just ignorant. he is just not afraid to say the truth like most everyone in this country is. muslims could be the only thing you make an argument for and he hates the radical ones and he hates the people that defend them cause idiots defend radical muslims cause they think it looks so nice to defend muslims and they are scared not to. the truth is they never got along with there nighbors and never will.

[harrydA10]

@hawkermustang he was being sarcastic about the 99%



[doodlebuggy15]

Basically he is also saying just like others that I hear at school are retards and that people that have high IQ are "Normal" well we are normal to us for having Asperger's like I have or just autism! Thank you to those parents who are trying to fix it!