Declare a day of mourning - boycott WOR Radio Studio

[xdipsomaniacx]

As autism
organizations and medical professionals alike voice their outrage at
inflammatory comments made by controversial talk radio host Michael
Savage, about most autistic children simply being "brats," the head of
the network that employs him appears to be taking measures to pull out
of a public relations tailspin.


Advocates are set to protest Michael Savage for calling autistic kids "morons.

"

"In
99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the
act out," Savage said on his radio program last Wednesday. He said:
"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, you idiot.

'"

Savage,
who in the past, has taken aim at the legitimacy of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral disorders, called
autism a "fraud" and a "racket" during his July 16 broadcast, adding
that "[i]n 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to
cut the act out.

"

In light of strong public reaction to his statements, Savage issued a statement, further explaining his comments.



"My
comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children
to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults
as 'autistic'," the statement read.



"Just
as some drug companies have overdiagnosed 'ADD' and 'ADHD' to peddle
dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age, this
cartel of doctors and drug companies is now creating a national panic
by overdiagnosing 'autism,' for which there is no definitive medical
diagnosis!"

In a response to ABC News' request for comment, Mark
Masters, the CEO of Talk Radio Network, sent the same statement that
had been posted on Savage's Web site.




The
statement has done little to blunt reactions to his strong comments,
which have forged an unlikely alliance between a number of autism
groups that claim doctors are overlooking the true causes of the
disorder, and autism researchers in the mainstream medical community.



"I
would say it is the lowest form of attention-seeking, and the best
response is silence," said Dr. Nancy Minshew, director of the Center
for Excellence in Autism Research (CeFAR) at the University of
Pittsburgh. "Tune out and his sponsors will turn him off. Declare a day
of mourning for those who suffer and a day of prayer for those who care
by not calling or responding.

"

"I
think we're seeing a trend within talk radio -- anger toward people
with autism," said Kim Stagliano, managing editor of the popular blog
Age of Autism. "As we learn more about autism, there seems to be an
acceptable level of tolerance within society, but within talk radio,
the sympathy has turned into scorn.

"

And
Rebecca Esteep, national manager of the autism advocacy group Talk
About Curing Autism (TACA) says Masters has e-mailed her organization
and invited them, along with the National Autism Association, to be
guests on Savage's show to "make amends with the autism community.

"

But it is unclear whether the autism community is ready to bury the hatchet.



"Michael
Savage is spectacularly uninformed about this major national health
crisis," Esteep said. "His comments were beyond insulting and are
tantamount to blaming parents for their child's cancer.



"Perhaps 99 percent of his listeners should stop tuning in.

"

Autism experts say Savage's statements threaten to alter the public's understanding of the disorder.



"It
is unfortunate that, just as the public is beginning to be better
informed about autism and related disorders, a prominent individual in
the media with a wide audience should spread misinformation," said
Katherine Loveland, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and
pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.
"Although it's his right to believe and to say what he wishes, his
statements should not go un-challenged by the medical, scientific and
advocacy communities.

"

But, while
those in the autism community overwhelmingly disagree with Savage's
viewpoint, there is as yet no consensus as to what action, if any,
should be taken.



"Mr. Savage is
obviously a complete ignoramus, who knows not the first thing about
autism," said Deborah Fein, autism researcher and professor of
psychology at the University of Connecticut. "However, I doubt he
believes what he said; he is obviously just trying to get media and
public attention, which he has succeeded in doing.

"

"The
less attention given to Mr. Savage, the better," agreed Marguerite
Kirst Colston, spokeswoman for the Autism Society of America.



But,
the nation's other major autism groups have suggested that a stronger
response is needed. In a statement issued today, the National Autism
Association said that representatives from the organization have agreed
to be on a panel on Savage's show to respond.



"We've
asked for an apology, a retraction, and a chance to get to our side on
this issue," the statement read. "We don't want to respond with an
attack, we want to educate him and his listeners.

"

The advocacy group Autism Speaks urged a response in the interest of further educating the public about the nature of autism.



"One
important goal of increasing awareness about autism is to foster a
greater level of acceptance and understanding of the very real and
significant challenges it poses to individuals with the disorder and
their families," read a statement issued today by Autism Speaks.
"[T]here are those who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion.
They deserve our pity, not our scorn.

[XSPECTRUMKAREN]

Jul. 22, 2008 at 8:19 AM

Wow! I only wish that is was that simple. He doesn't understand that we create more structure and spend more time trying to understand and deal with undesirable behaviors than the average parent. Maybe this will do some good if experts get out there and tell people about how hard parents, teachers and other support partners work to help these kids with their behavior!

[Mom2PunkRockers]

Jul. 22, 2008 at 8:48 AM

Nothing anyone says or does will change this total turds opinion. He is an asshole that wont beleive what we parents have to go though until HE HAS TO DEAL WITH IT HIMSELF. I hope that never happens though because Mr. Savage seems like the type of person that would have a disabled human euthanized like a sick dog. My son was so upset by what was said by Mr. Savage HE WROTE HIM A LETTER. Not bad for a 12 yr old Autistic kid! I sincerely hope that Mr. Savage is not only silenced , but he is sued for his comments. He deserves to fork out a generous amount of his money to autism related charities, then maybe his opinion will be different. Assholes like him only rethink things when it hits their wallet.