Michael Savage's Radio Rant: Autism Is Caused By Wimpy Dads?!?
Friday July 18, 2008
The blogosphere is a-buzz over the outrageous comments made about autism by conservative radio personality Michael Savage. While the comments are patently ridiculous, they do seem to have hit not one but several nerves. Here's a bit from his rant:
"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. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot.' "Of course, Savage didn't quit after dissing the autism community; instead he went on to anger every minority group in America:
"[W]hy was there an asthma epidemic amongst minority children? Because I'll tell you why: The children got extra welfare if they were disabled, and they got extra help in school. It was a money racket. Everyone went in and was told [fake cough], 'When the nurse looks at you, you go [fake cough], "I don't know, the dust got me." ' See, everyone had asthma from the minority community."Think Savage's words are worthy of a response? If so, what should he be hearing? Share your thoughts!
Comments
Apology … http://autismparents.net/michael-savage-autism-apology/
Your statement is very ignorant. When you have facts to back it up then come out with your statements. Until then shut the hell up!
Lorel – I’m not sure I understand who you’re angry at. I am citing Mr. Savage, not supporting his positions! in fact, I can’t imagine anyone could possibly support his positions.
Lisa (autism guide)
this wouldn’t be the first to stir the pot in this manner and it wont be the last. they do this to annoy certain groups of people, stir those ratings a little by all who get angry at such things and personally? I don’t fall for it or give them the satisfaction of my time or efforts. anyone who listens to all that is not a person willing to understand autism or asthma, they’re going to believe what they want to believe anyway, and in the end, the show will still go on and so will we.
I think Mr. Savage will be more understanding when autism arrives in his family. It’s only a matter of time.
Autism Guide, Thank you for spreading this story; I had not heard about it.
anna
He obviously has no idea what autism is. This is an attempt to make a controversial remark about a topic prominent in the news in order to get attention for his show.
That being said, he is correct that children (with and without autism) in the United States today are often lacking consistent discipline from their parents. Kids are treated as if they are great all of the time and never do anything wrong. The lack of a father’s involvement is an increasing problem as well. I don’t know what the solution is.
AspieMama
http://aspiemama.blogspot.com/
my son spoke… my son got shots…my son stopped speaking…
Doctors told me it was autism… They told me there was no hope…
I started a Defeat Autism Now protocol and my son said his first words in six years… “Hi Daddy” for father’s day
If it looks like a duck… walks like a duck…quacks like a duck…
Then guess what it is a ….
Smoking is safe….Smoking is healthy… we should all smoke… Right?
It has been said that America is a hopeful nation. We believe in answers. We were the first to fly. We made it to the moon. One group is fighting to bring children out of autism and has some results. The other wants to leave them there and has their results.
I have hope that the government, the medical establishment, the education system, the legal system, the insurance system, our religious community, the press, and our American (world) citizens will come to the aid of my son and all the others robbed of their voice.
Maybe I am a wimpy Dad but come walk in my shoes for a week and see how wimpy you are Mr. Savage. Still Married after 22 years, 2 heart attacks, and a non-verbal autistic son.
http://www.ageofautism.com
Mr. Savage:
Alas, you deserve the Nobel Prize! You have found the cure for autism: a smack upside the head accompanied by derogatory name calling! Duh! It’s so simple! Why didn’t we millions of parents and doctors think of that??? I’ll get right to your method! Oh, and when social services comes knocking on my door to take my kids away, I trust that you’ll be willing to take them in my absence and cure them, since you’re such an expert and have figured out the cause of 99% of the cases of autism!!
Nothing more than a shock jock wanting/trying to make $300 million off it like Howard Stern.
Why does anyone of intelligence listen to their rants of ignorance, hatred, and finger-pointing?
I am not surprised by his comments. I have listened to his show before, and it seems like he is always attacking someone.
It is just our turn now.
Does anyone really think any INTELLIGENT person will believe what he has to say???
It is the beginning of the end of Mr. Savage!!
I think we should hit him where it counts–his advertisers. I listened to his show on Friday so I could get the list of sponsors, as much as I didn’t want to hear his voice at all after hearing him pick on children with autism. I posted the list of Friday’s advertisers on my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z_8bvg1zU
I find these comments very offensive. As a parent of an autistic child, we see every day the struggles and the uncertainty of my son’s future. Spend one day with us and then tell me about your great plan.I have never listened to your show and I wouldn’t waste my time. Thank God that you do not have a child with autism, I am sure that child’s future would be in serious jeopardy.
It is sad what some people will do for ratings.
Michael Savage is irresponsible and unintelligent. He deserves no further comment. Poor man . . . .
I don’t understand the connection people give immunization and autism. I have had them all and am just fine. Though I don’t condone Michael Savage’s assessment of autism, I do agree that these parents are looking for a bad guy instead of understanding its just a genetic abnormality.
Well Mr Savage let me say this. You have called them brats and told them to stop acting like a Moron? Hmm What about you as you seem to be very uneducated. One should only speak when they have studied and experienced children with Autism. Do you have a Medical Degree? Probably not as your public speaking skills stink. You chose helpless children to pick on. You are a bully!! Yes YOU!!! I have a autistic son and I deal with the trials of this each day and he is no brat he sees this world differently than us but out of him he does and has not ever judged by race, creed, color or disability and has the most caring heart. You could learn a lot from the autistic child. You teach ignorance and verbal bullying. Were you abused and have underlying issues you need to deal with? If so get help that is what the psychiatrist is for you need it. This arrogance of yours is an embarrassment for your employer and all of us that have been touched by Autism. Go look up and find how many famous people have Autism and by the way when done feel embarassed when you read the names.
Although not causal, there is a positive correlation between immunizations and pervasive developmental disorders. Just because one person has had all immunizations and is fine, doesn’t mean everyone will fare as well. Do we all react the same to exposure? Obviously not.
Michael is acting like an idiot, where was his father?
I have Aspergers…one of the softer syndromes on the autistic spectrum. My father did,indeed, do what you suggest. It did not work? Why? Because autism is, in some cases, moderately controlled by psycho pharmaceuticals…but no cure has been found. It is neurological that effects the behavioral and not the other way around in this case.
So sir, in the words of Dear Ashley, quit bein’ an idiot
I think he is very wrong in all that can be said for this man. My daughter has asthma, and by the way it is inherited.(I can trace it back in my family at least for over 100 years.) She also was diagnosed with Autism a 18 months ago. So if he wants to pick on both of these subjects I do take it very personally. Get a life if that is all you can find to talk about!
I would like Mr. Savage to make that same comment about autism to me, in a room. Just him and me, I will show him what a wimpy father would do!
He has no idea what anger I have inside of myself in dealing with a government that has destroyed a generation of children including mine and continues to lie about it. Yes Mr. Savage, you wouldn’t come out of that room alive – that I promise you!!
Savage is finished. The irony is, he has no difficulty talking, and it has proved to be his undoing. Pretty funny, no?
Most of you need to relax. Savage didnt say that autism doesnt exist, he said that many are diagnosed or treated like they do have it when they do not. My nephew has autism, but these comments dont “offend” me. There is a thing called free speech in this country and some of you have forgotten that, or it becomes–free speech until it offends me and then i sue…or whine until the man(or woman) is fired. Then we can all feel better knowing we are one step closer to losing OUR right to have an opinion.
Aspbergers/Autism is another money racket. I have an X wife who is always after free money and in writing she says that all the 5 kids and herself have autism and asthma. This is despite them having bachelor of science honors at 20 years of age, pilots, etc.etc.etc. All the kids need is a strap on their bare ass.
The governor of Tokyo is just like Savage. He supports ‘Boot-camp’ style correction facilities for Autistic kids. He even supports the institution that killed a kid by what they call ‘Discipline’. They claim they can reform Autistic brain by ‘making the brain stem tougher’. How ignorant is that? They still belive what they learned 30~40 years ago, that autistic kids are just not raised right or grew up watching TV all the time. Those people are the ones who would provoke autistic kids and claim ‘they are out of hand.’
Mr Savage,
I would like to inform you that my daughter has a form of Autism. I would also like to say that, as a former Marine, who was raised by a Marine, I personally do not consider myself a “Wimpy Dad” as you so eliquently phrased it. Quite frankly, it disgusts me that I actually protected your right to speak like this when I was active military. I could go on, but, I really don’t think you are worth the effort.
Mr. Savage has never looked into the crying eyes of a child wanting so bad to tell you why they are crying while trying not to break down and cry yourself. Or longed to hear the words mom or dad. There is not a thing in this world that “some people” don’t use to try to get extra money. That is no reason for him to say we should beat our kids or call them names. Mr. Savage you must have been the cool kid in school that never got picked on and are so selfish you can’t even understand the meaning of caring for another. I hope someone slapps you up side the head and calls you a moron today. I sure would love to.
Michael Savage deserves no words… Everyone is so concerned about his remarks but fuel the fire by commenting on his ridiculous and unprofessional behavior. My 9 year-old autistic daughter could teach him some manners. My compassion goes out to Michael Savage, just as there is no cure for Autism…. there seems to be no cure for ignorance as well.
I agree that Mr. Savage has a right to free speech, but we have a right to respond to articulate the best values of our society, and I think contacting the advertisers is a great way to do this. An apology at the end of the day would be a good idea on his part, too.
What a sad, sad man……so much ignorance, and so much hate in his heart.
Well, he has been fully exposed now – and he’ll have to deal with it.
Well. Talk about taking my breath away. Maybe it’s that asthma epidemic… Except I’m not a minority, I never was on welfare, and no one benefits from my asthma. Wimpy dads? My husband also has autism (Asperger’s) and is far from wimpy. He is the one who tries the most to correct behaviours by stern action and discipline. Nothing severe, of course, because it doesn’t work.
What would help Mr. Savage is education. He should go to a local school and observe the kids at work, and see the teachers and aides who are working to help these kids learn. I am outraged and angry, but just as I do when I get it from strangers on the street, I would rather educate them to my kids’ condition than lash out with yet more hatred and respond in anger. If we don’t smother the anger, it only flares up like a wildfire. This is how wars are started, this is how people get shot. But, on the other hand, if Imus gets kicked off the air because of a poorly used reference to African-American women, what about hate language protection for our autistic kids? If he’d called kids in wheelchairs with cerebal palsy or spina bifuda “cripples” and claimed they were faking, would not the Americans With Disabilities people be all over that? Why aren’t they there for our kids? Let’s work to educate him.
By the way, there’s no way to email him from his website. What a wuss. Talk about a wimp. I hope his kids don’t end up autistic–he’s apparently not able to take as well as he gives. ;0
How pathetic and sad to attack those with disabilities, especially innocent children who are already the victims of autism. When our children go to school and aren’t accepted, we can thank nasty, uneducated, and inexcusable comments like this. We can’t allow discrimination and hate to continue. We need to get him off the air and let his sponsors know how we feel. It’s a disgrace and an insult to us all.
When Savage says how his father treated him then it is little wonder he has turned into a bully too.
Some people have said here that no intelligent perwson will believe what Savage says. I don’t believe that even Savage believes what he says.
He is just being a typical shock jock that’s all.
Short of (still further) legal action agains the man or the company he works for, the very least that we can do is formally contact our local radio stations that dispense such poison over our local airwaves, whereever they may be. That’s the action I’ve taken .. and I encourage all of you to do the same. If enough people speak out locally, at least ‘Savage Nation’ will be heard by fewer and fewer disbelieving ears ..
Everyone in the world needs to spend one weekend with a family faced with autism. Attitudes definitely would change. There’s no experience like walking in our shoes.
Sometimes it seems we families walk alone in the autism world, but comments such as those made by Michael Savage, drive us together – not to our knees.
Personally, our family and friends have come a long way since my son was born in 1969. Although his condition was originally diagnosed as BD (Brain Damaged)and not recognized until 1999 as Asperger Syndrome, our family some how did the right things in helping him become the best he could be. It was not easy, traveling alone as we did for many years, but education is power – and we intend to keep sharing our knowledge with everyone we know.
Spread the word that autism is real! The push must go on to – Educate! Educate! Educate!
he made this same rant about 6 or 7 years ago when he was on CNN I think. the autism community had him off the air in about 4 days.
Here is the link to the radio station that Mr. Savage works for.. I used misc and then programming director.. Under order number used 000. It is a direct way to allow us to be heard. His link bounces back suprise……
http://www.TalkRadioNetwork.com/contactus
Mr. Savage’s idea is not original. I know a 60-year-old man with Aspergers whose father beat him for stubbornness until he finally started to speak at 5. Father was very proud of himself. It didn’t seem to help the man much.
Mr. Savage please forgive me for not really knowing who you are. I don’t really listen to a lot of radio or watch t.v. I just want to say today my eyes filled with tears for you. I don’t think you should resign, or apologize, and although I don’t agree with you there are many people that truly believe the way you do. Whatever you went through as a child I hurt for you and just know that until you let go of that pain you won’t be in the moment that you’re in. I’m not a pshychologist, I’m just a woman, just everyday people. I don’t have riches on earth or even a bank account for that matter. What I have is light feet and I walk through every moment with those feet and I wish for you the same very very soon.
This man is obviously ignorant and stupid. He needs to be educated before running his mouth. I am horrified that such a comment could be made about wimpy fathers. I have been married for 17yrs my son is 15 and he has been an incredible gift to all that know him. Hopefully one day when he becomes a surgeon he will have the honor of displaying his skills and empathy on Mr. Savage.
As a special educator with several children with autism in my class, I would like Mr. Savage to spend one day in my class and see what children with autism are really like.
With people like that influencing the country, espousing blame the victim is it any wonder you do not have nationalised health system. When are Americans going to realise that the rest of the world looks upon the US as worse than third world mainly because the US could afford such a system but then you have got the likes of this man, blindly and senselessly making excuses for a system that sees people going bankrupt to meet their medical obligations. Such attitudes are merely a reflection of the system most US citizens endure and go to war for. Shame!
If you any of you pundunts were half as smart as Savage then you would be able to know that he was refering to most of the cases being a mis-diagnoses. I don’t think he honestly believes that no one has autism. He is right, alot the little kids just need the snot knocked out of them. I know I did.
Just spend a weekend with me, and see a sweet, charming, loving little boy all of a sudden melt down for “no apparent” reason. Call me wimpy if you like…
I’ve always said that I could handle my son’s autism (low-functioning, self-injurious)far better than I could the reaction of the outside world. When I was first shuttling my son around to therapists, doctors, ARDs, etc one mom berated me for all the ‘privileges’ my son had that were taking away money from other kids like hers. I told her I’d gladly trade the ‘privileges’ for a normal child & would she care to trade? We also had to skip visits to the park because my son would start smashing his head whenever I told him it was time to leave, leading soccer moms to stare. One even stood behind my car, taking down my license plate (I figured if Child Protective Services took him away, it would be like “The Ransom of Red Chief” & they’d be calling me after 2-3 days to pick him up).
Savage is aptly named as he devours the weak & helpless. Don’t waste time waiting for insincere apologies which will only prolong his exposure. He doesn’t care about ‘walking in our shoes’ for even a day–just making waves to roil the waters. Hit him quietly where it matters most: corporate sponsors. Parents shop, too & they’re not gonna patronize a business that sponsors such crap.
I quess someone was not loved enough at home so he feels he has to pray on people who cannot defend themselfs. What a loser. I would like for him to spend the day with an autistic child and then tell me that it is that his daddy was not tough enough. These are loving children who do not have a voice how dare he think it is ok to pick on someone who cannot pick back.
Well what comments do you expect from someone who is not an authority on anything he speaks about. He is obviously not a trained journalist,MD,Sociologist, does not do his research and is not a parent of a child with autism and yes Mr. savage there is such a phenomena called the autistic spectrum, which indicates range. How do I know? because I am not only a parent of a child in the high functioning, Asperger range of this disorder, I am also an Emmy winning journalist and yes Mr. Savage I continue to do my homework…so I can speak about it!!!
Your displayed ignorance on something as sensitive as this is appalling and I will support any initiative regarding your terminatio
I was visiting my mom and was forced to listen to Michael Savage his tirades often bitter and they bored me.
I have always wondered how people thinking hitting and or yelling at child teaches a child not to hit and yell. It’s not good parenting or good discipline for any child.
While I do believe autism is misdiagnosed in massive numbers many of these children do have other disabilities it’s just the label that’s wrong, the therapy is essentially the same.
I haven’t commented on this thread before, but it so often sets me thinking that I couldn’t resist now, especially since Savage’s comments appeared.
Long story short, my daughter (age 10) has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. To be honest, our sons (age 13 and 7) fit the criteria as well, but so far they haven’t had the social struggles that our beautiful girl has (she was kicked out of Brownies, basically, because she was “weird” and “didn’t pick up on social cues”… as egregious an offense for her in 2006 as it was for me in 1976).
If our children are “tarred” with the Asperger’s label, then they’ve earned it from their parents: a happily married (17 years!)academic couple (my husband, a tenured professor, is a 4th-generation Yale graduate; I hold a Ph.D from a major university and am an established freelance writer, an award-winning fiction writer, and one of About.com’s “Guides”).
My first response to Mr. Savage’s inane commentary was, “Well, at least they’re blaming fathers as well as mothers for autism.” Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyone familiar with Asperger’s knows the history of specious rationales that go along with it. I’m sick and tired of hearing the “bad parenting” excuses.
My second thought: “Mr. Savage sounds like an Aspie in denial.” That’s kinder than thinking he’s just saying this bullshit for the ratings.
But damn it, people need to realize that autism expresses itself on multiple levels-and it absolutely is NOT on any level the result of neglectful parenting (although it may well be related to parental “genius” genes). Educated parents of children with autism and Asperger’s understand that these very talented, special children need set routines, constant interaction, and social advocacy, especially in public school situations. “Highly functioning” Aspies, like myself and our children, are fortunate enough to be able to “catch up” to social expectations as we mature … but the maturation rate isn’t the same as other people’s, and the advantage of the “autism” diagnosis is that at least it alerts teachers to the need to shelter mainstreamed autistic kids as much as possible (allowing them, as my 7th grade son’s teachers do, to complete work after school that they can’t finish in class because of distractions and stepping up to prevent bullying).
Mr. Savage doesn’t deserve a direct response because that’s exactly what he is seeking: responses to establish his position in his media. For those of us raising autistic and Asperger’s children, there’s a better response. Let’s write about the joy of living with these talented individuals. Let’s hallmark those special moments of perception, sharp and delightful humor, and elevated artistic achievement that they’re capable of. And let’s make damned sure that our society finally begins to recognize that there is no gift without sacrifice, and that our children are the beautiful, gifted people that they are at the price of possessing expected “social” skills. Not everyone has to be a social butterfly. I’ve learned recently that my biological ancestors (I’m adopted) were highly articulate, “shy”, respected in their communities, extremely well-read, gracious hosts … yet rarely left the “safe” environment of their family homesteads … what shall I call them? Autistic? Asperger’s? Agoraphobic? Abused by their “wimp” fathers or mothers? With this same pattern of abuse happening for generations, and then again with my adoptive parents who never knew the biological ones? Get real.
Creativity, genius, and social ineptitude is in the wiring. Too bad that for Aspies this has been labeled as a “syndrome” rather than as a God-given gift.
End of rant. But Mr. Savage, should you choose to share your real name rather than pseudonym with us, I’ll do the same!
Ead’s Mom
Well i hope that dumb ass will think different when he has a child or grandchild with problems.. dumb people they are every where.
I would like to invite Mr.Savage to visit my son’s class at school. Please come and join us for storytime, art,singing, “Dance Fever”, gym, mass,library,lunchtime, and a speech therapy class. Perhaps a spot of occupational therapy, followed by a toilet-training lesson, trying some “new” foods, and then a ride home on the bus…….yes, that would fill a day for Mr.Savage. Then he could go to his job, and when asked by a listener, “What did you do today?”, he might actually engage his brain BEFORE opening his mouth, and be quite surprised when he hears himself answer his listeners.I truly hope that he gets to “experience” autism in some way, as it humbles you TOTALLY, and it does indeed make you a better person,and changes your life FOREVER…that’s my prayer for Mr.Savage.
Savage has been smoking too much of the herbs he pushes. (He wrote a book about medical herbs. God only knows what its about. I certainly won’t be purchasing any crap from this monster.)
His digestive system is reversed so whatever he says should be flushed down the toilet.
I used to listen to this guy, he is getting more and more bizarre in his attacks. He has attacked gays, Muslims, children with Autism, and many other groups. I wonder if he might have Asperger’s syndrome himself. Listen to his show. He is very anti-social. Practically no one in the media will talk to him. Every day on his show he speaks of going out to dinner by himself, even though he supposedly has a wife. He hates any break in his routine, he is reclusive, does not like to travel, etc. He has kids. He should say his prayers that his grandchildren do not get an autism spectrum disorder. Also, how does a 2 year old put on an act. You can usually tell if a child has it by the age of 2. What an idiot.
Savage, as usual, has a smarmy way of describing what is at least sometimes a medical reality: Doctors seem to overdiagnose and overprescribe drugs. I know nothing about autism, but the first time I heard that nearly 1% of all kids have autism, I was skeptical. That’s just being honest. I really dislike Michael Savage. He epitomizes what’s wrong with conservatives and conservative talk radio. Shrill, loud, and often hateful. But I’ve honestly seen too many people taking medication for “depression” when what they really have is a lousy marriage or a lousy job. And I’ve seen way too many kids given Ritalin simply because they’re “hyperactive.” In a lot of those cases, they’re just being kids! There is nothing wrong with them, just parents who haven’t set clear boundaries.
Ok, here’s the rub with this whole situation: I keep reading comments on different news sites about this Savage ordeal. People seem to be attempting to make this into a liberal vs. conservative issue. Or they are pulling other so-called “diseases du jour” into the debate, such as ADD/ADHD or Bipolar disorder. As a special education teacher of children with autism, and someone who is well educated as to the official criteria for the diagnosis of these disabilities, I am well aware that there are cases of misdiagnosis out there…this is true of any disorder or illness. Not all doctors are good doctors, period. This small incidence, however, does not negate the fact that true cases of all these disorders exist and affect students, families, and caregivers. The medical community is not wildly over-diagnosing autism; rather, as our knowledge of autism grows, we are better able to determine true cases. Regardless of one’s reputation as a “shock jock” or one’s politics, it is demeaning and insulting to individuals with autism and other developmental/learning disabilities, as well as their families and teachers, to refer to them as “idiot”(s) or suggest that the disability is somehow based on bad or neglectful parenting. This is simply untrue, bottom line, and it belies the ignorance of anyone who agrees. I am a supporter of freedom of speech, and I understand that Savage’s comments are protected and legal, but I’m just not sure why anyone would want to ruin their public reputation for the sake of malicious comments against children, which are in no way fact-based. Furthermore, I sympathize with his brother’s struggles with mental illness, but this does not make him an authority on developmental disabilities, which are an entirely different category of disorders. All this man has done is won himself much negative attention from a very dedicated and determined group of advocates who will not back down in the face of adversity when it comes to those they love and support. I know many children and adults with autism, and I wouldn’t trade the laughter, love, and wisdom I have gained from them in a million years. Dear Mr. Savage, have fun watching your career go down the proverbial drain.
Savage- “It was a money racket”
I must have missed the loads of money coming in from the government to help care for my son with Autism, Asthma, Celiac Disease and life threatening allergies. I should double check my mailbox, maybe it got mixed up with all the medical bills.
DSMGeorge- “Alot of little kids need the snot knocked out of them”
Wow…you and Savage are quite the sociopath’s. Beating small children? How do you expect to TEACH children appropriate behavior if their models are adults that come swinging and wielding everytime life gets too hard for them. Please take time to look up the definition of discipline.
As for the “Wimpy Dad’s”- I have met many wonderful, caring, supportive, patient and strong Dads to children with autism out there. My husband is one of them. You guys are amazing. If only there were more Dads like you out there, there wouldn’t be any Michael Weiner’s and DSMGeorge’s. Keep being so awesome, your kids are blessed to have you.
The funny thing is, this sad excuse for a human being sits in a chair all day, thinking of things to say to get a rise out of unconscious america…here’s the kicker, he gets paid for it. If anyone else were to say anything like that at their jobs, they’d be holding a pink slip almost immediately. Why does he get special priveliges? What an a**hole. This guy doesn’t have kids, right? I bet not…
Perfect example of an arrogent American that sets the tone for the world to see. I’m sure his fans are the 20% that don’t care or become aware of their surrondings. Very sad to see someone so uneducated in this country. Even worse to see that he is making so much money with so little effort.
Maybe we should all pitch in to help Michael learn and open his mind to the world his lives in.
Remember there is only ONE reality!!!!
This guy has to be the biggest buffoon on the planet. First of all, I’m a father of a 3 year old with Autism. I’m with my son everyday. 2nd of all I’m a veteran of the United States military, wimpy men? While he’s on his fat ass in a radio station, guys like me were off defending his right to stay stupid things. Mike…if you ever check these things, I hope you realize you’re probably about to loose your job. Next time you pick on people with a disorder, maybe read up on it a bit, make sure it’s not the biggest disorder affecting children in the country….ass. People headhunting you over your comments are justified, and not like the Soviet Union at all. I know it must be hard to imagine from your nice little studio in this great country. But they kill people for stupid stuff they say in other countries. Good riddance.
Tell the Son of a Bitch Moron to come and spend two hours with my poor daughter and her autistic son. He should research his facts before he opens his bigot mouth. A petition should be issued to drum him off the air permanently. The poison he is spitting out is outragious.
This says it all…
“Dick, just plain old DICK!”
Michael Savage is an arrogant asshole
I have to say I’m a little disappointed in this author’s irresponsible reporting. She only portrayed an excerpt of his verbiage. If you actually researched exactly what Michael was trying to get across, you’d hear a different story. It was to make people aware that the Autism diagnosis is being handed out to easily. I have to agree with him (not the words he used to make his point). My son was diagnosed with PPD-NOS last year when he was 2. I never agreed with the diagnosis. Now that’s he’s 3, he only seems to be language delayed due to developmental Apraxia. There’s a big difference between Autism and Apraxia. I think doctors and the healthcare community are giving this diagnosis all too frequently. Because my son’s verbal language isn’t up to speed, he uses hand gestures when he’s imagining and playing or trying to communicate something. His occupational therapist (who I really don’t believe he needs to see) tells me he’s stimming. I know this isn’t true, but I chose not to argue with her b/c she’ll give me that “you’re in denial look”. My undergraduate degree is in Communication Disorders, so I’m not lacking knowledge. I just don’t want this label to stick with him, when it doesn’t apply to him. Additionally, they suggested he attend a preschool group with severly autisic children. I will be putting my foot down on that suggestion. He will attend the class with the mainstream group, which is more appropriate for his skill level. My son, also is able to spell many words and also do math problems (which he learned on his own), but no one seems to find that exceptional. So I do agree with Mr. Savage, but not the way he said it. Go view his website to get his side of the story, not the media, who like to portray bits of what was said, so they can make news.
Lynn – clearly what Michael Savage says on his website and what he said on the air are very different things.
I don’t think many people would argue that some children are incorrectly diagnosed – of course they are. Of course some docs are in business to make a buck off parents. Of course some parents are hoping to make a buck off the system.
But Savage’s initial statement was that 99% of children with autism are brats whose fathers just haven’t told them to cut the act. That’s a very, very different statement indeed!
Parents’ anger is against the statements made on the air. Not against the statement on the web. Very different statements; very different purposes; very different response.
Lisa (autism guide)
Michael who????? I have traveled to 36 countries and every state in the union and “barely” even heard of this guy. Good thing, because when I first heard “SOMEBODY” made these comments, I was worried it was a credible source and somehow thought that I may have missed the boat by not yelling autism out of my daughter. Unfortunately, when I discovered that a “NOBODY” made these comments, I quickly resorted back to the speech, occupational, physical and ABA therapy in attempt to help my daughter. I also saved money by canceling the gym membership I hastily purchased so I could become more of a man. So thanks for being a “nobody” Ms. Savage, you saved me from making major changes in our treatment plan.
From; Tanner’s Dad
my son spoke… my son got shots…my son stopped speaking…
Doctors told me it was autism… They told me there was no hope…
TD, it’s hard to imagine anyone who could read that….and not well-up with tears.
You’ve obviously had far more to deal with than most parents.
Yet, you also note that Tanner has actually begun speaking again…and I wish you would provide more detail on how much Tanner’s overall condition has improved, how long this improvement has taken, and to what you mostly attribute his improvement?
Not only might such information be helpful to other parents, but because of Tanner’s special situation, and the possible cause of his autism as you’ve described, in your own words — some may find it difficult to understand how you might still place the necessary degree of trust in the same medical community that may well have, whether neglectfully or inadvertently, originally caused Tanner’s problem.
Also, it’s easy to understand why you would be angered, were someone to make calloused remarks about your son, or his condition.
However, it also would appear that you were not listening to Mr. Savage, when the alleged remarks were made.
Because, what I actually heard him say, would hardly reflect upon your son’s case.
MS did not say that autism doesn’t exist.
What he did claim, in regard to the sudden rise in supposed cases, ( stats: 1 case out of every 150 children ) was that many of those cases have been misdiagnosed;
possibly, in numbers as high as 99%.
TD, you seem pretty assured that your son’s condition was the direct result of some harmful ingredient given him, by vaccination.
And, were you to make that same claim to Michael Savage, I very much doubt he’d argue the point.
Savage has a better than average understanding of health, proper nutrition, and common children’s maladies.
So, I would hope that you’d be willing to use a portion of that courage, and calm resolve that’s gotten you and Tanner this far — and try to work with the other voices out there, rather than against them.
TD, if Mr. Savage is totally wrong — I honestly believe that you could greatly enlighten him, with little more than those few heart-wrenching words of yours, quoted above.
Then too, if Mr. Savage is even partially correct –
would you not want to join him, and as many other loud voices you can find, in a combined effort to raise the public’s awareness…and perhaps, even save someone else’s child from undue harm?
Dear Sir oppps cockroach you need to be exterminated like all bullies and leaches on the good people of Canada and the USA that are fighting for the under dog OUR KIDS!!!
It is you we need to protect our kids from aswell as vaccines
It is unbelieveable that a grown man with the world at his microphone didn’t do. I hope in your case all of your children are healthy because you would have no clue as to where to begin if one was diagnosed with autism or how to change your own pants when you are left in a nursing home and told to stop being a moron. You have no idea what it is like to raise a child with autism and until you decide to address that issue maybe you should do the world a favor and stop adding more agony to those who truely care enough to know what autism is. Get a clue or a degree. Maybe you could come to my house for a week and see how far you get with your child rearing skills. grow up!!!!!!
Though he had no evidence behind what he said, and he really had no reason to, he’s a radio host! He’s going to say stuff like this! GET OVER IT. People say stuff like this all the time. Freedom of speech ring a bell? Ok, be mad, but come on. Just get over it.
Is there a petition to get this jerk off the air?? Air pollution is bad enough in this country without polluting it more with his ignorance. I also have an autistic son, Matthew, age 13. He was diagnosed a week before his third birthday. I have emailed the affiliates of the station he broadcasts from, but I have heard nothing. You are right. Let’s get some fire behind this. You all know, we are the only voice our children have in this world. If we don’t stand up for them, who will?? Please if anyone knows of a petition to get this man off the air let me know. I got a bunch of people all ready to sign. THank you!
Paula Pierce
Summerville, SC
Did any of you hear his follow-up show? He does has medical professionals who agree with him (whether you or I agree). He never claimed that all cases of autism are fake.
Instead of getting him off the air (change the channel), is there a discussion to be had among rational individuals leaving the emotion out. After all isn’t it about taking care of children?
Can anyone explain the increase in the number of autistic children. When I was a child it was 1 in 10,000+. Now it’s 1 in 150.
I love how people say get over it. My guess you dont no someone with such a disorder. Ive fought for 4 year to get some where with what was rong with my son i tried every thing i could think of untill one day the school that my sone went to told me i needed to put him somewhere that he would be tested out all the way well guess what my son has spergers adhd odd and temporal lobe epilepsy. he was gone for 4 months i seen him once a week. untill you have to deal with what some of us parent have to deal with you need to shut your mouth.you do no our story nor does he. god bless all the parents that have little angels…
I occasionally listen to M. Savage when in my automobile. I believe that although his word choices were “over the top”, the sum total of his words and his intent were taken out of context. If you listen entirely to his assertations, he stated that “autism, when it’s real is a tragedy for the child…” he then recounts a personal experience of a friend who’s child had a tic. When that child was taken to the doctor, the doctor told the parent that his child had autism (based upon the tic). The father didn’t mention to the child what the doctor relayed to him. The child outgrew the tic and develops normally. My point is, be careful what trigger words you respond too. There are a lot of folks out there aiming to manipulate situations for their own benefit. I remain diligent in advocating for my child regardless of what those with ill-intent have in mind.
It is very sad to know how ignorant people can be, but then again being the parents of an autistic child we have just about heard it all. No autistic person deserves to be offended in this manner. Autistic people are the most amazing people anyone can encounter. They face all sorts of obstacles including ill-informed individuals like Mr. Savage. You Mr. Savage, do not deserve the priviledge of speaking over our airways. I refuse to allow someone to make an assumption about the fathers of these autistic children. I am certain that most of these fathers envisioned themselves coaching their son’s little league but instead work like mad to provide every therapy available. I personally work three jobs just so that when my head hits the pillow at night I know that I did right by my son. We have also been blessed with four other children who are repulsed and saddened by your lack of respect and empathy. Go figure we are raising 5 decent and caring individuals without having to abuse them physically or emotionally. KUDOS TO US!!!!!!
i admit that michael savage’s passion drives him to be harsh (very) harsh, and hard hitting with his words. but that is how he fights the battles that the rest of us cant fight. he gets your attention and hopefully your willingness to do your part in making a change somehow to keep this country great.. and the tough, no nonsense, approach is ok when dealing with politics and moral issues.. but yes he should have made his point clearer, when using such strong and “offensive” language.. he’s not saying these kids dont exist at all.. he’s saying there arent as many real cases of autism as what doctors are diagnosing.. michael savage is not just some mean jerk who talks to hear himself speak (most of the time)… he actually knows what he is talking about. if you know anything about him or if you have ever followed his opinions on news coverages, current events and other issues most of the time, in the end he turns out to be right… michael savage has degrees in fields that regular doctors dont have.. he has written several books on the health of children.. he was wrong for saying it how he did.. but… this is being taken way out of context… if he would have made the statement as he meant it, and clearly understandable, then nothing would have ever been said.. do you really think he would be that stupid to blame children or parents for a real disability that the children really do have??? of course not… he’s mad at the percenage of people in our country that take advantage of any system whether it be welfare, doctors and pills, or whatever.. this is the kind of thing he fights against.. michael savage stands for the people who are hardworking, productive, patriotic citizens…and he stands against the leeches who bully the system.. whatever system… and now he is being condemned for it??? before you run him down you need to do your research on him and get all the facts about everything he said.. until then your just as judgemental as you think he is being!!!
As a parent of 6 children, one of which is a 4 year old boy with autism I was angry when I read Mike Savages coments about autism. Obviously he gets paid to get on the air and say things that make people angry. The response he posted on his website is almost as amusing as his on air comments. His comparison of autism and ADD is laughable. He made a valid point about ADD being over diagnosed and meds over perscribed, but with autism there are no wonder drugs, the drug companies have nothing to sell here and so they have no incentive to hype up the diagnosis.
What we have is a rapidly increasing number of children with autism, and we dont know why. Mike would have us bury our heads in the sand and say it just isn’t happening.
So what to do about Mike Savage? As the owner and pilot for an aerial advertising company in Reno Nevada I decided to have a little fun with this. I put together a banner that I towed behind my airplane that read “MY SON HAS AUTISM MIKE SAVAGE IS AN IDIOT” Before the flight my wife made calls to all the local TV and newspapers. The result was fantastic. In addition to all the people that saw the sign as I was flying it, the NBC news channel showed the flight on the 5, 6 and 11 o’clock news as well as on the morning news the following day. It was also covered in the newspaper. So all in all this Savage flap has had the silver lining of bringing some great exposure to Autism.
While not a Michael Savage fan in the least I do agree with his basic premise and am amazed at the level to which people in the US look so quickly for a simple answer to excuse the patience required to raise a child with discipline and to instill self discipline. While there are many kids with Autism one has to wonder why the number of those diagnosed with the disorder has increased so rapidly in the last few years. Autism used to be a disorder characterized by distant and mostly unresponsive children. It has a much broader scope nowadays and it is diagnosed “based on behavior, not cause or mechanism.” While vaccines may play a role in triggering genuine cases of Autism, one must wonder if those kids who are lumped in today and labeled Autistic but are hyper active while being communicative are genuinely Autistic. It is quite telling that the dramatic new numbers of 1 in 150 are troubling. It seems most likely that these were contrived and the diagnosis criteria expanded in order to get more attention to Autism and thereby gain more research dollars and expand the associated bureaucracies. What did we ever do back in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s when there were no behavior syndromes; how did we ever raise our kids? Hmmm…discipline and instilling personal responsibility, respect for elders and neighbors, the existence of absolutes, and reverence for natural law?
Mike Savage was exagerating to make a point that he believes there are many children diagnosed with autism that don’t have it. As much as this site exagerates how widespread and how sooner or latter every family will face autism. There are differnt points of view, you are free to express yours, Savage is free to express his. Who is right? Probably both of you are right to some degree.
Ed – you said “As much as this site exagerates how widespread and how sooner or latter every family will face autism.”
Not sure where you got that idea – I certainly do NOT intend to exaggerate the incidence of autism. As a matter of fact, I tend to agree with you and others that autism is often mis- and over-diagnosed.
BUT – I can’t imagine why anyone would suggest that overdiagnosis is a result of dads not whipping their boys into shape! Personally, I think it is a cultural phenomenon: we as a culture seem to want to define “typical” as being far, far narrower than it ever was. We also seem to expect all children to comfortably handle an increasingly overstructured world with no problem. Any child who has a tough time is labeled.
If I had my way, we’d have many more choices for education, job training, and employment available across the board. I’d change the way high school is taught, reinstate apprenticeships, and offer alternative school options for kids who don’t do well with sitting and learning verbally for 8 hours on end (and then spitting back content by filling in little bubbles!).
With all those changes, I’m betting we’d see a huge reduction in the number of kids with lables across the board!
Best,
Lisa (autism guide)
I am a parent of two children both whom have neurological disorders one being Autism.
Everyone does have a right to voice an opinion, but not when someone like Mr. Savage does it for publicity and certainly not when they are ill informed about the subject in hand and giving out false information to the public.
Savage isn’t the only talk show host blaming parents for autism:
ROY MASTERS BLAMES SCHOOLS AND PARENTS FOR AUTISM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga5j4MSlKdw&feature=related
My son has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS–a diagnosis that puts him on the Autism Spectrum. Getting that diagnosis and the subsequent treatment cost me several thousand dollars, alot of tears and alot of sleepless nights trying to figure out how to teach my son the things he’ll need to know to navigate our world–things that typical kids sort of absorb, but kids of Autism require a more conscious approach–a more time consuming and demandingly conscious approach.
So far I haven’t made any money off this afflication. It’s possible that somebody could try to coach their children to fake this, but that would require an acting job worthy of the Oscars. Also, it seems to me that because of the over-diagnosis that may have occured with ADD; healthcare providers are more conscious of not assigning this diagnosis without taking more care in their evaluation of the patient.
Wimpy Dads–how equal opportunity of Mr. Savage. Early on it was Cold or Aloof Mothers who were responsible for their children’s autism. Mr. Savage is a smart guy: he’s getting a ratings bump from this and that translates into more money. He doesn’t really have a grasp of the facts surrounding this. He does have a grasp about how to use hot button issues to make a buck.
You’re a very bad man Mr. Savage.
I totaly agree with this guy. Autism is a lable they slap on people when they don’t have anyother excuse. Parents can’t control their children so they call it autism and suddenly they aren’t bad parents anymore. TA DA!!
Annonymous, you state that you agree with this fool Mr Savage’s remarks about Autism,(I suppose it takes a fool to know a fool).What exactly do you know about Autism?
How would you feel if a child/or grandchild of yours was diagnosed with Autism? with your attitude lets hope and pray that this never happens.!!!!
Genuine autism is very real, but this “spectrum” stuff is generally an excuse to pathologize various things such as nonconformity and rudeness. Fro example, your kid is very rude to Aunt Amy. “Oh, my kid would never intentionally do that. It must be a social disability.” Yeah, right. Chances are 90 percent that you’re in denial and the rudeness is intentional. Even if it’s unintentional, in the vast majority of cases it doesn’t indicate a genetic brain deficiency.
Oh, your kid’s different. What a tragedy. We can’t have that, can we? Being different must indicate a hole in someone’s perception. It’s ridiculous that what passes for “autism” these days is making unintentionally tactless and inappropriate comments on a routine basis and wanting to talk about nuclear physics in a casual conversation. We don’t want people to learn something new if they don’t take an immediate interest in it, right? If their first instinct is to be bored by it, then the person talking should shut up, right? It’s good social skills to pander to averageness. (Sounding like a know-it-all is a different matter, but I still take issue with pathologizing it.)
Finally, yes, there is a place for telling a kid to “stop acting like a putz.” Kids should be allowed to have feelings, but they also need to be pushed a little bit. If they receive affection every time they act scared or hurt, then they’re going to do it more often and exaggerate it. Kids can’t tell the difference between affection administered out of fear of hurting their feelings and affection stemming from actual affectionate emotions on the adults’ part.
Vitamin D can prevent autism.
Its not a cure once the damage has been done.
Read at the VitaminDcouncil.com