Savage Defends Remarks Questioning Autism

Talk Show Host: I Was Trying To "Awaken" Parents To Over-Diagnosis By "Greedy" MDs, Drug Cos.

(CBS/ AP)  Right-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.

Some parents of autistic children have called for Savage's firing after he described autism as a racket last week. "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.

Savage 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 offered no apology in a message posted Monday on his Web site. He said greedy doctors and drug companies were creating a "national panic" by over-diagnosing autism, a mental disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate.

Savage's Web message reads: "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.'

"Just as some drug companies have over-diagnosed '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 over-diagnosing autism, for which there is no definitive medical diagnosis!
Many children are being victimized by being diagnosed with an 'illness' which may not exist, in all cases. Just a few weeks ago doctors recommended dangerous anti-cholesterol drugs for children as young as 2 years of age! Without any scientific studies on the possible dangers of such drugs on children, corrupt doctors made this controversial, unscientific recommendation.

"Increasingly, our children are being used as profit centers by a greedy, corrupt medical/pharmaceutical establishment. As the brother of a severely disabled person who suffered and died in a New York 'snake-pit' of a 'mental hospital,' I know first-hand what true disability is.

"To permit greedy doctors to include children in medical categories which may not be appropriate is a crime against that child and their family. Let the truly autistic be treated. Let the falsely diagnosed be free."

The government estimates about one-in-150 children have some form of autism. But many experts believe these unsociable behaviors were just about as common 30 or 40 years ago and that the increase is mostly caused by a surge in special education services and a corresponding shift in diagnoses.

Wendy Fournier of the National Autism Association, a parents' advocacy group, said she was invited to speak Monday on Savage's three-hour program by Savage's boss, Mark Masters of Talk Radio Network, which syndicates the show across the country. A spokeswoman from Talk Radio Network did not immediately return a call for comment.

Fournier called Savage's comments "way, way, way over the line and cruel."

"I'm hoping to make him see the reality of what these kids are facing," she said. "You can't fix it by telling a kid to shut up. It's like telling a kid with cancer to stop being sick."

Evelyn Ain, whose 8-year-old son has been diagnosed with autism, said she had never heard of Savage and couldn't believe what she had heard when she first listened to the remarks. She organized a demonstration Monday outside New York's WOR-AM, which broadcasts Savage.

"That isn't just freedom of speech, it is hateful speech when you say 99 percent of children with autism are brats," she said. "I'll tell you, I wish I had a brat."

One demonstrator, Lynn Filosa, who has an autistic child, told CBS News, "They didn't ask for this to happen. For somebody to come out and literally call them names on a nationally-sundicated radio station is appalling."

Savage, with more than 8 million listeners a week, is talk radio's third most popular personality behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, according to Talkers magazine. He's made a living off bold, outrageous statements: His brief MSNBC show was canceled after he told a caller he should "get AIDS and die, you pig."

Peter Bell, executive vice president of national advocacy group Autism Speaks, said he isn't aware of any big controversy about overdiagnosis of autism. He said Savage's remarks, effectively blaming parents, reflect an outdated point of view.

"He's an entertainer, he does these things for attention," Bell said. "I think we should, to the best we can, ignore it."

Still, later this week, autism advocates are expected to call for a boycott of the stations that carry Savage's show, says CBS News correspondent Meg Oliver. She adds that two sponsors have pulled their ads, but savage insists he won't apologize.

[pr_boxer]

When a guy has a PhD in nutritional ethnomedicine like Savage does that is proof he really knows all about autism..... actually you''d think that he''d learned enough in grad school to realize that you need some data before spouting off about something so serious as autism.

Cal-Berkely should be ashamed of giving this nut case a PhD.

[pr_boxer]

I think Savage may be going through male menopause,what else would explain such an outrageous out burst?

[mandylou4u]

I don''t agree that you should call kids names and tell them to get over something they may not be able to. He should have directed his anger at the pharmacutical companies, they are the one''s trying to make a buck off of unsuspecting people. The first thing I would do if someone told me my child was autistic would be to get another opinion first. That is a serious dissorder and the kids are given serious drugs to combat it. This guy seems to have a lot of anger on this issue, just direct it at the right people, the kids are just going along with what their parents do.

[ramos937]

Savage 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."''
---------------------------------------

Free speech is one thing but this is way over the top. This jerk needs to be taken off the air today if not sooner. He is a complete idiot.

[mandylou4u]

I agree, he should be angry and he has a wonderful platform for sharing his opinions. Why do people have to get upset and want the guys job? If you don''t want to hear that on the radio, turn it off or don''t listen to the program. He has the right to say anything he wants, whether we all agree with it or not. Taking his job for this is the wrong thing to do. Everybody is gonna say something you don''t want to hear sometime in your day, you can''t fire everybody! We can''t keep taking away people''s rights, those people at his radio station were using there right to protest, does that make them just as bad as him for expressing his rights?

[talkingham]

From what I''ve seen of Savage, he''s probably autistic himself as his mental tantrums indicate. His audience is primarily "tards" just like Limbaugh and Sean. Let him say what he wants, he''s preaching to his choir.

Wish though that he had an autistic child so the jerk would know the difference between bratish behavior and a spectrum disorder. Autism runs the gamut from incredibly weird savants with bizarre mental skills to completely withdrawn individuals. By the way autism doesn''t end with puberty, it''s a lifelong disorder so it''s not all about brats either, these kids grow up, and the more you can help them when they are young the less we will have to pay for them in the future.

I don''t doubt though that the healthcare system and big drug companies especially cash-in on this, it''s true of all medicine in big drug company US and by no means limited to psych cases. Ooooops, forgot to take my statins!!

[morganbarber]

Savage is the ultimate egomaniac and will never admit he is wrong. An apology is out of the question. If he loses his job, he''d prefer that over confessing a mistake. If it costs him millions in lost revenue, thats OK with him. Nobody is going tell him what to do, by God.

[mandylou4u]

It''s true, he obviously hasn''t spent any time with an autistic child, there is a difference in this and being bratty.

[excoachken]

Savage, the most aptly named B.S. merchant on the right wing controlled radio waves, is just too stupid to warrant the time of a response. But, perhaps, instead of insulting him I should show pity. Michael, at least autistic kids keep trying to "do the right thing" whereas you display your shortcomings, ironically, in the most obviously negative ways.

[kenhamlett]

What Savage says is correct in essence. I do have a differing view as to the cause of many cases of autism. The single biggest problem is that the parents ignore the children in infancy and the children are harmed from lack of development opportunities. Then we have the doctors trying to make a fast buck playing on the guilt of the parents. Guilt works but the parents still want to pass the buck so they throw the kids into medical care which is not especially medical and is not really care. It is simply an industry.
When the doctors get involved it is simply money. When shrinks are involved it becomes an entrapment scheme to keep the kids in turmoil for life. They LOVE to entrap children before they can think for themselves.
Since my space is short for a reply I will simply point out that the definition of autism has changed so much that simply being shy might qualify a kid for victimization.
Thus Savage is correct but we simply differ on a few details. The parents are generally wrong, the kids are victims and the medical pros are con artists. That is the situation in a nutshell.
Parents take care of your own kids and quit trying to ignore your responsibility. Only a few of you have real problems. Most are manufactured situations.
That is my opinion. Tell me how I am wrong.

[pat1967-2009]

Savage frequently fails to properly apply first principles and the rules of logic in his arguments. When called on it, he launches into ad hominem attacks calling his opponents names and saying other choice things. I gave up listening to him a long time ago.

[papabc]

I tend to agree with Savage on 80% of what he says. Sometimes he is a little far out there but then he makes me think.

Savage mentioned awhile back that he thought so Autism was cause by the modern day meds or shots. There are a lot more Autism cases now than ever before. I think he is right and the medical community and government are covering it up.

Sometime we use a medical condition as an excuse for bad beheavior.

Had a kid in my youth group that was suppose to be hyper active with no meds. The mom and dad allowed him to get away with way too much because of his "CONDITION". I clamped down on all three very quickly as other kids were being hurt. The boy either settled down or he was out. Guess what, the kid wanted to be there and settled down.

[rondo71]

I wish the pharmaceutical companies were trying to cash in on Autism. There is no medication so far. Hopefully the new genetic studies will lead to a medicine. Instead we have charlatans like the nut job in N.Carolina that claims he cured his son of autism with chelation,and he was also trying to sell a gas pills on the side for the preacher in Texas. These people are touting everything from fish oil to oxygen treament to magic chelation creme and their supplements are not regulated and they have no proof, but they have my money thanks to the false hope they sell to people like my ex. Savage is a sensationalist and he went over the top on this but he is right on point a lot of the time and at least somebody can get on the radio and tee off on the lazy silver spoon snobs that are running down this country.

I wish people in this country would wake up and realize the vast amount of fraud that is perpetuated by the fear mongers in this country.

[Syndicate]

Savage is wrong on this one. I have met brats and I have met autistic children. It is very clear when a child is a brat and when their is something wrong with the wiring. parents of small children should be very cautious when their child develops a fever. Fevers can cause the bad wiring.

[leftyintexas]

Savage is the typical right wing nut those fellowers are ALL losers...just like he is.

[wdrussell1]

When they go out of their way to create hate radio, that is what they get, hate radio.

[bobnjersey]

[Savage, with more than 8 million listeners a week, is talk radio''s third most popular personality behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, according to Talkers magazine. He''s made a living off bold, outrageous statements: His brief MSNBC show was canceled after he told a caller he should "get AIDS and die, you pig." ]

i think michael savage should be on prime time ... on weekends ... and during the day while all the stay home moms are able to watch ... just so everyone can see what passes for the number three conservative commentator ... and get a good image of their insidious world view.

[deceler8]

A lot of these kids will wish later in life that they had been disciplined rather than coddled...the stigma of being classified as autistic will follow them the rest of their lives.

Where are the mean Catholic nuns when you need them ?

[steeepe]

Amazing to think that the three most popular radio personalities don''t care about facts, only their own narrow ideology. Just goes to show that we live in an ignorant society that is probably becoming increasingly stupid because we''ve been convinced that being an "intellectual" is bad and elitist. I guess it''s a shame that the country''s founders weren''t a bunch of morons.

[talkingham]

Well Tidds, we know that Sean, Pappa Bear O''Reilly and other "conservative" talking heads never take anything out of context. What''s good for the geese is also good for the ganders.

Sounds like Savage''s "knowledge" of autism nowhere near "in context."

[bobnjersey]

[They don''''t create hate they just tell you the truth and you think it is hate (he11)]
[Posted by dmw1167 at 12:16 PM : Jul 22, 2008]

they tell you what you want to hear ... it''s what you already believe ... and you happily welcome it as truth ... which simply supports and re-inforces your existing belief.

[misssuzq]

What if he is right and some children have been mis-diagnosed because it was easier than digging further into the problem?

I know I would be getting another opinion to be positively certain.

I know he is crass, but if this outburst of his corrects a doctor''s error, and they DO make them, then I applaud him for it.

[sociald63]

attn leftyintexas - i agree ... he is a complete idiot

[lloydbest1]

"It''s called Freedom of Speech. I realize its a concept that liberals are afraid of, but take a deep breathe and get over it." Posted by jerr111 at 11:01 AM : Jul 22, 2008

"Freedom of speech" does NOT mean mouthing off irresponsibly. "Freedom of speech" does NOT mean saying any d@mn thing you please. "Freedom of speech" does NOT mean one can shock or insult arbritarily with no thought to consequence. And "freedom of speech" does NOT give one the right to spout off opinions one knows to be inflammatory about a subject with little or no knowledge or experience in it.
What Mikey did was the equivalent of bellowing "fire" in a crowded theater. Yes! it is that serious. How many parents of Autistic kids will actually believe Savage''s ****''n''bull assesment and simply break out the belt, closed fist, or tire iron; try to whip their children into shape and end up killing or crippling them in the process?
Mike Savage''s irresponsible blathering not only exposes him to the liability of losing his job but also the possibility of massive lawsuits (see scenario above) and even criminal proceedings.
Yeah, kids act out - and if they step over the line should have their toes cut off (figuratively, folks!). But claiming a disorder that is well documented and as real as they come as equivalent "fraud" and deliberate misbehavior is setting up a tragedy that is waiting to happen.

[foxmulder33]

The less-than-a-man, Michael Savage, is a complete imbecile and loser. How anyone can listen to his drivel is beyond imagination.

[warm2holdsue]

I too am furious! I have a 23 yr old son with ADHD MENTAL DELAYS AND CP. Along with the AUTISM...What would he say about these DISORDERS?
I feel that he should have sole custody of a "child" with any of these for a year or more:
**Without having the GLORY of LIMO''S and others to help out in his absence,and FINANCES as LOW as someone with LOW INCOME would have etc..
Maybe, he should be BOTHERED by scheduling and taking this child to EACH specialist(s) 3-4 times a week,along with special schools..
Having to buy THOUSANDS of dollars worth of MEDICATIONS,giving medications,p/u at the drugstore,to name a few...oh yes,
Bothering with extra curricular activities,special summer camps, and of course,..
theres your JOB and HOUSEWORK!!!
Who will be BOTHERED THEN!!!

[papabc]

Savage in so a Republican or Democrat or Liberal. He is an independent and a person that wants to get us, those that listen, to think.

He does not expect you to accept everything he say but if your mind questions things as they are then that is good.

On Autism, just think. Way are there so many more young kids with Autism in the United State?. What is the route cause? Is it miss diagnosis, bad parenting or, something wrong with the medicines (shots and such) being given to the children between the ages of 1 and 3 yrs of age?

Why aren''t parent and the medical community questioning this? Why fire Savage for questioning the outbreak of Autism in America and the route causes?

[excoachken]

I think Savage is the result of the Bush "No Right Wing Lunatic Left Behind" program. He is an empty vessel that only a true bigot could listen to for more than 30 seconds. Hate covered with a poor Will Rogers imitation, still stinks of HATE!

[papabc]

Posted by MissSuZQ
What if he is right and some children have been mis-diagnosed because it was easier than digging further into the problem?

I know I would be getting another opinion to be positively certain.

I know he is crass, but if this outburst of his corrects a doctor''''s error, and they DO make them, then I applaud him for it.
-----------------------------------------------

I agree with you BUT even if you have that second and third opinion will you get the BOOK answer or real answer. Savage it also questioning these diagnosis as being a lazy medical community not doing the job and just accepting what the book says.

[amazedd]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[papabc]

Posted by excoachken
think Savage is the result of the Bush "No Right Wing Lunatic Left Behind" program. He is an empty vessel that only a true bigot could listen to for more than 30 seconds. Hate covered with a poor Will Rogers imitation, still stinks of HATE!
--------------------------------------------


Like many HS educated are today do you accept everything you are told and what is written today? Have you note be educated to question and ask why so many things are happening TODAY that did not exist even 15 years ago. Bad Food, High Gas, more diagnosis of Autism than ever before?

Savage so no lover of Bush, Obama, McCain or Clinton.

Get real and listen to him.

[ccdsswrkr08]

Mister Savage is a beacon of reason in our otherwise overly-sensative, mamby-pamby world.

This type of reaction proves just how much Mothers LOVE to hang on to their disease labels for their children, to keep sympathy rolling in for their children, and thus attention to themselves. For many of these women, having that label...being in that ''''club'''', is one of the most rewarding things life has ever given them.

I actually listened to Mr. Savages entire broadcast, and understood his message from the start. The proof that his observations are truthful, and neccessary, are right here in this blog!

It hurts to have your eyes opened to facts, to have your little bumper-stickers peeled off of your SUVs, to have even a smidgen of doubt that your child isnt so special after all!

God Bless Michael Savage! Long live the Savage Nation!


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Posted by DaVicar2 at 12:46 PM : Jul 22, 2008

Cheers!!

[phil_osopher]

His act is to be a big "***". He does it pretty well. Consider the source and the people who take him seriously. He and they are not worth the time or consideration of logical, sensitive people. I use him, Hannity, Limbaugh and others of their ilk to weed out undesirable people. If someone tells me they listen to and enjoy these hate mongers, I avoid him or her. At most, they seem to attract only about 30 million people...only 10% of the population. They are powerless wimps.

[ccdsswrkr08]

I too am furious! I have a 23 yr old son with ADHD MENTAL DELAYS AND CP. Along with the AUTISM...What would he say about these DISORDERS?
I feel that he should have sole custody of a "child" with any of these for a year or more:
**Without having the GLORY of LIMO''''S and others to help out in his absence,and FINANCES as LOW as someone with LOW INCOME would have etc..
Maybe, he should be BOTHERED by scheduling and taking this child to EACH specialist(s) 3-4 times a week,along with special schools..
Having to buy THOUSANDS of dollars worth of MEDICATIONS,giving medications,p/u at the drugstore,to name a few...oh yes,
Bothering with extra curricular activities,special summer camps, and of course,..
theres your JOB and HOUSEWORK!!!
Who will be BOTHERED THEN!!!


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Posted by warm2holdsue at 12:36 PM : Jul 22, 2008

He''s not saying that these disorders don''t exist. He is saying they are over diagnosed. There''s a difference. "mild" forms of autism are severely over diagnosed, along with ADD and ADHD. It''s easier to diagnose, and prescribe medication, then tell a parent to actually be a PARENT to their child these days. Take it from someone IN THE PROFESSION of human services.

[excoachken]

papabc: I donot follow anybody blindly, least of all a man who consistently "solves" problems by blaming someone else. As that great stateswoman, the Church Lady, said on many occassions, "How Convenient!" He is a blowhard, with no educational background to support his "theories", shooting from the hip, about topics as far from his limited knowledge range as the moon.

[ccdsswrkr08]

papabc: I donot follow anybody blindly, least of all a man who consistently "solves" problems by blaming someone else. As that great stateswoman, the Church Lady, said on many occassions, "How Convenient!" He is a blowhard, with no educational background to support his "theories", shooting from the hip, about topics as far from his limited knowledge range as the moon.


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Posted by excoachken at 01:03 PM : Jul 22, 2008

I do have the educational background...a Doctorate in Psychology. And I agree with him.

[ccdsswrkr08]

DaVicar2

you know what all this really stems from. Parents not wanting to believe THEY messed up some how. No No, it couldn''t be them being a bad parent, it MUST be something wrong with the kid! BAGghghghgh...sorry...minor melt down.

[donnie400]

I found myself a new mistress.. *dancing on the sofa*

[papabc]

To me, if we do not question what the Congress, Supreme Court, President, medical field, Govenor, state reps are saying and doing then we get what we do not question or want.

If nothing more than this, Savage and other talk show host get us to think. If that is too hard to do then a dictator can tell us what to say and think. We can be lead like blind sheep and be happy and stupid until we are put down.

[bobnjersey]

[If that is true, then with all of the liberals in this country why can''''t a liberal radio program stay on the air, is it because liberals don''''t believe what they say. Air America couldn''''t do it with all the backing they had]
[Posted by dmw1167 at 12:30 PM : Jul 22, 2008]

cause ''left thinkers'' don''t need a radio talk show personality telling them what to think. they think for themselves.

the real question to ask is: ''why do you suppose all the top radio show ''issue'' personalities are conservative?''

why do so many conservatives find it necessary to get reinforcement for what they think from a radio show personality?

why are nearly all of the remaining ''28 percenters'' (gwb supporters) authoritarian followers?

do all the conservative ''issue'' personalities serve as proxy authoritarian leaders for all the followers?

[smcowe]

This may truly be an overdiagnosed illness, but if that''s the case lets blame those doing the diagnosing. The MD''s. It''s sad, cruel, and ignorant to call out and demean the children like the school playground bully. The problems these families face are real and their lives are impacted dramatically on a daily basis.

Ignorance, prejudice, and over the top comments won''t get these children the help they need to make their lives fullfilling and meaningful.


He should be fired for his hateful attitude.

[vnveteran72]

Just another Festering Pustule of Rancid Diseased Reich Wing Fungus, like Limpdickkk, Hannity, and O''LIElly. I pray that soon our Nation gets a large dose of Antibiotic Rule of Law and some Constitutional Pain Killers to restore our health.
Our Founding Fathers would weep in despair at what''s been done to their Creation.
Desperate Times call for Drastic Measures.

[steeepe]

posted by steeepe,
Amazing to think that the three most popular radio personalities don''''''''t care about facts.

Who''''s facts yours and your source, or their source.
Posted by dmw1167 at 01:19 PM

That''s the point: facts are not liberal or conservative. Opinions can differ, but the facts don''t. Check what the recognized experts think about something, then think for yourself. Climate scientists understand climate better than the average joe on the street, and psychiatrists understand autism better than Savage.

[priva1]

Doesn''t anyone think it''s strange that the rise of ADHD and Autism diagnoses coincides with the decline of the spanking??

I have a lot of empathy for folks dealing with these kinds of bonafide problems. And I don''t know the true reason for the increase in these diagnoses. However, I do know that there are a lot of parents out there that are too lazy, busy, or daft to properly discipline their kids.

[gclefboogie]

Michael Savage is a subversive, paranoid, malcontent.
He can be brilliant at times but his basic personality is as stated. As he would say - in my estimation. I can''t see how he made it through Jamaica High w/o getting his *** kicked every other day. MICHAEL - retire already!

[papabc]

From many comments that I see here:

Lets fire and censor anybody we do not agree with or that make us feel uncomfortable. We would have to question beliefs and have hurt feeling is we are wrong.

[ephd]

you know what all this really stems from. Parents not wanting to believe THEY messed up some how. No No, it couldn''''t be them being a bad parent, it MUST be something wrong with the kid!

Posted by ccdsswrkr08 at 01:08 PM : Jul 22, 2008

Sir,
I, too, have a doctorate in (clinical) psychology and absolutely disagree with your post. It is reminiscent of the "refrigerator mother" or "schizophreniogenic mother" claims of years past. If you are truly a psychologist, I hope that your comment referred to those children whose parents wish to lable them, and not to children with real pervasive developmental disorders (e.g., autism) which are in no way due to bad parenting (although this surely does not help!).

To others, I listened to Michael Savage, and your comments about your child having autism and not being "a brat" do not contradict his thesis. Savage acknowledged that Autism exists and that these children are not purposly misbehaving, but rather have a serious illness. He was referring to those who are misdiagnosed due to the pharmeceutical companies who come to medical clinics and give out huge amounts of free gifts that, I believe, are designed to create a mindset/bias in which providers are more likely to diagnose mental disorders without careful adherence to the DSM-IV, ICD-10, or some other scientific paradigm./

[ephd]

The only problem with savage, in my opinion, and a big problem, is that his comments may dissaude the parents of truly autisitc children from obtaining help. What is worse in this case, Dr. ccdsswrkr08, false positives of false negatives

[ccdsswrkr08]

===I do have the educational background...a Doctorate in Psychology. And I agree with him.===
Posted by ccdsswrkr08

You agree that autism doesn''''t exist? I think they need to board-review your PhD.



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Posted by rafterman1 at 01:31 PM : Jul 22, 2008

you didn''t read my earlier post. I said that he''s not saying it doesn''t exist, he''s saying that it''s over diagnosed...which I agree with.

[ephd]

typo, meant "what is worse, false positives or false negatives?