Kat…I understand where you are coming from…I too, have a very tall 7 year old who has SID and is in the process of being diagnosed as maybe having asperger’s as well. Even his older sisters are impatient with him because they expect him to act “older” because of his size. My 16 year old daughter is 5′ tall, and my son is 4′5″ and just turned 7…so he almost seems like he’s at her level in some ways. He also speaks rather intelligently, but then he does and says things that are interpreted by others as “weird”. When he was little, my in-laws used to tell us to “quit coddling” him and “just let him cry” when he was having a hard time coping in a new situation of some kind…that always made me SO angry. They didn’t understand that his brain didn’t function the same way as other people’s and he NEEDED the extra comfort to help him cope. Anyway, that radio host is just ignorant, unintelligent and completely uninformed, and his measley opinion doesn’t matter one iota in my world.

I have two sons with autism and I heard the comments from Michael Savage and I immediately thought “who cares?” I got so upset about that dip actress who called parents like me parasites and why? Cause we are trained in this country to look for offenses and focus on them. Instead I think I’ll focus on my children and things I actually have control over and not about what some celebrity says. Then again without people being easily offended, no one would have anything to say on these comment boards and we’d have a lot less lawsuits in the world. What a shame that would be.

I fully believe autism is the “diagnosis du jour” (a phrase I came up with all on my own, and didn’t like hearing him say), and many parents want to use that as an excuse for behavioural problems, just like ADD and ADHD were over-diagnosed in the 90s. But that doesn’t mean that children with autism should be attacked like that. However, this is a (theoretically) free country and what he did wasn’t illegal, just completely inappropriate.

S.E. wrote – “but he has experienced the pain of loving and losing someone who is disabled.”

I wonder how he would feel if someone said those exact same things about his brain-damaged brother? Called his brother “a moron” and “an idiot”? Told his brother to “stop acting like a putz” and to “act like a man”?

One might think having an experience like his would help him be more compassionate towards others. Sadly, it does not seem that is true.

(He’s not that famous in Detroit, his show doesn’t garner enough ratings to move him out of the after-midnight timeslot)

As a mom whose son has aspergers and is also in the 98th percentile, I have to deal every day with scrutiny. He can sometimes seem so much older than he is, if only by his appearance, but then can sometimes act as though he is much younger, simply depending on his mood and his day. I’m lucky that he does not act out as severely as some other kids with his same level of asperger’s, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t normal kids, too.

I think it’s crucial to impress that we do NOT spoil our children. We parents of children with these special needs work hard to discipline each child going by THEM… if they are acting like a 6yr old or 4yr old, get down and talk to them as you would a child that age. If they are acting older, you can work with them the way you would with someone older.

But I do NOT need to have my son called stupid, a brat, etc. because sometimes he’s had a long day and it is just one of those days that he’s been in a funk all day (we all have those days), and I have to pull him into my lap and rock my 4′10″ 8.5yr old.

I’ve literally been told that my son needs his A** kicked.

It’s people like this DJ who perpetuate the myths and judgemental attitudes that we, in the 21st century, should be beyond.

I read about Savage’s comments in the news. He doesn’t just attack children with disabilities, but has also verbally attacked same-gender couples and non-Caucasians. Naturally every time he does something like that, a big flap comes up, the guy gets tons of attention, and disturbingly enough tons of support, and yet the guy doesn’t get fired. Why? Why does he get the privilege to spew his bile on the airwaves? His bosses should be ashamed of themselves to continue Savage’s employment!

The race card? Wow. Do yourself a favor and take a sociology class if you really call acknowledgment of disparity on race and class lines playing “the race card”.

I don’t think he is looking for his 5 minutes as he is quite famous already. My husband is a political consultant and has been in his company many times as have I. I know that what he said was wrong, both my husband and I agree with that. But I do know that he has dealt with family tragedy. When his brother was young doctors told his family that he suffered from brain damage and he spent his whole life in a hospital dying at the age of 20. I’m not trying to defend him because he was 100% wrong but he has experienced the pain of loving and losing someone who is disabled.

I am a social worker who provides/coordinates services for children with developmental disabilities that include autism.

Is this man insane? Has he ever met anyone with autism or PDD?

i am so incensed by his ignorant remarks. one could argue, well, don’t listen to it, it’s his opinion, etc. but the problem is that something like 8 million people listen to this quack spew nonsense and my fear is that even if a small percentage tow this ridiculous line of thinking, that it will make my son’s life and the lives of all those other autistic kids harder. trust me, they have enough challenges.

what we need, other than a cure, is tolerance and acceptance and an attempt at understanding how incredibly painful and challenging being the parent of an autistic child is. it is filled with joy and powerful love too, but i would like this wretched human being to join me for a day.

i am furious and will write his show, his sponsors, etc., in hopes that he is forced to open his eyes and although completely unrealistic, shut his foul mouth.