Peete Family Strikes Back at Radio Host's Autism Comments

Public comments by talk radio host Michael Savage which labeled children with autism "brats," "morons" and "idiots" has drawn the ire of actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former professional football player Rodney Peete. In a statement issued yesterday, the couple — who have a 10-year-old son, Rodney Jr. (R.J.), with autism — said they "find it shocking that the individuals who name call and pass judgment on families like ours, have had zero experience with the disorder or its effects on a child and his/her family." The statement adds that Michael’s comments are "irresponsible, insulting and painful to our children and furthers the backlash they face every day." Says the couple,

In the African-American community many children go undiagnosed until the ‘window’ of opportunity for treatment has been slammed shut. They are diagnosed on average 2-4 years later than other more affluent subsets of society. The American Academy of Pediatrics recent and long overdue decision to encourage pediatricians to have every child tested for autism by the age of two may help these children get a diagnosis and treatment, which needs to come early, hard and fast.

For Savage to portray this important mandate negatively is malicious and misguided. We have seen our son beat the odds because he had an early diagnosis and access to treatment. We continue to work every day to help other families provide the same opportunity to their children.

R.J. has a twin sister, Ryan Elizabeth, 10; Holly, 43, and Rodney, 42, are also parents to sons Robinson James, 5 ½ and Roman, 3.

Source: OK!; Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage.            

Comments

And the lovely thing about all of this (sarcasm) is the guy will get even more attention then he could have ever hoped for. Fire him? Yeah, like that hasn’t worked out well for Don Imus etc. Hey, maybe it will bring more attention to the cause like one mother said this morning on ABC, but why must this always be the way things are done before anyone gets up in arms about it? Why can’t we get just as mad before as opposed to later when some jerk gets more focus than the issue!

- MaríaM2 on July 22nd, 2008

I don’t understand why anyone would pay any attention to someone who spouts off about something they admit they know *nothing* about.

Michael Savage is an ignorant radio host whose job it is to stir people up and get ratings.

Kind of reminds me when Tom Cruise decided he knew how to treat post-partum depression better than a physician and lambasted women who seek treatment.

Who in their right mind would take an actor’s (or radio host’s) advice on a medical or psychological condition?

- Janna on July 22nd, 2008

This guy is going to cause a s#*t-storm with these comments. I would love to know what personal knowledge he is basing these theories on. I would venture to guess that he’s never been around an autistic child or made any real efforts to understand them. It would appear he’s only making these contraversial statements to gain publicity for himself…

- *Lulu* on July 22nd, 2008

Sadly, many people feel this way about Autistic children. Both my niece and nephew are on the spectrum and my sister has encountered this problem often. Even my father has called the kids spoiled brats who need a good spanking.

- m on July 22nd, 2008

I have heard comments about how kids “nowadays” just are acting out and autism is just an excuse. People dont realise how much our environment these last 2 generations has affected the world, and how pollutants in the air, hormones in our foods, chemicals our everday households, drugs buildups in our bodies have affected in masse children born in just the last 15yrs. Its amazing how those who claim to be so smart can say things, and be so willingly ignorant.

- MaríaM2 on July 22nd, 2008

Everyone has their own opinion the only problem is that this guy is on the radio so millions of people heard it but everyday regular people say the same things he does. I work as a volunteer with autistic kids and there have been times when I come in I hear stories that are out of this world, like parents who are upset that their child isn’t
autistic, that their child actually has a behavior problem and they can’t blame it on something.

- Mel on July 22nd, 2008

“In the African-American community many children go undiagnosed until the ‘window’ of opportunity for treatment has been slammed shut. They are diagnosed on average 2-4 years later than other more affluent subsets of society.”

Is this statement accurate? If so, why?

I have a very big issue with people who play the “race” card. African-American children cannot possibly be the only ones who face this situation…

- Tracy on July 22nd, 2008

Actually, Tracy, Holly isn’t playing the “race card” at all. Perhaps you should try doing some research on the topic yourself before you accuse her of as much. There have been numerous studies which show that African American children are diagnosed later in life than other children, and with early intervention so crucial to the outcome of a diagnosis, it’s a problem that is in dire need of being addressed.

For more information, read this article:

http://www.autismconcepts.com/africanamericans.shtml

- Joy on July 22nd, 2008

Tracy, actually I am fairly sure it is accurate. There are large mental health disparities in the African-American/Black community as compared to the White/Caucasian community. Part of that is money (mental health treatment is expensive, unless you live in a community with sliding-scale, community health care, which a fair # of states don’t offer), part of it is cultural. Different cultures (and culture is not necessarily defined by race) view mental health issues in different ways, and when I did research at two mental health centers, one that catered to low-income families who happened to be mostly AA/B and one that was in a more affluent and more W neighborhood, there were definitely stigmas. We did not have a large Hispanic/Latino population, but I would not be surprised if the same disparities were present in that community as were in the AA/B community. Also, one of the things we found in our study was that AA/B students were more likely to be diagnosed as having a behavioral disorder than W children were, who tended to be diagnosed with problems caused by an imbalance in chemicals. This meant that stereotypes were playing into diagnoses. Finally, seeing as the Robinson-Peetes’ are running a foundation, I doubt they would be just spouting statistics that came from nowhere.

I don’t think the DJ should be fired, b/c I don’t see that changing anything, but I think his station should require him to do volunteer work with Autistic children and spend time with their families so he can get a reality check.

- MB on July 22nd, 2008

as the mom of a son and daughter on opposite ends of the autism spectrum I find his comments so mean and hateful. He tried to spin it after the fact but he obviously has never had personal experience with someone on the autism spectrum. I wish my kids were just brats like he said but sadly my kids will face mountains their entire lives.

My daughter has the most severe form of autism called Rett Syndrome. She will never talk, cant use her hands well, has feeding problems and seizures. She will never be able to live on her own and will require 24 hour a day care for the rest of her life.

My son had such extreme anxiety as a toddler that we couldnt leave our house. He is medicated now and is doing really well but only time will tell what his future holds.

I wish Michael Savage could walk a day in my shoes.

- carrie on July 22nd, 2008

Tracy, If I told you that African American women are twice as likely to die from breast cancer than their white counterparts eventhough the disease is more prevelant in white women, would I be playing the race card?

I think it is pretty much common knowledge that there are racial disparities within the medical community and what African Americans and other minorities have access too. If there weren’t the AMA would not have apologized publicly a week and a half ago to black physicians for excluding them from the organiztion in an effort to bring attention to racial disparities in health care. I don’t personally know what goes into screening a child for autism, but I’m sure it isn’t just a visit to the clinic.

I’m sure Holly has done her research, she was pointing out that universal screening for this disease will help everyone that includes African-American children who would more likely be put in special education classes when exhibiting “bad/unruly” behavior, then getting the intervention needed early on.

There are still a lot of racial disparities in many facets of life across this country and unfortunately blacks are usually at the bottom of those spectrums.Pointing them out doesn’t necessarily mean one is race baiting or play the race card.

- dee on July 22nd, 2008

i have never heard of this man being from the uk. But my life as a mother of a 8 year old son who as a form of autism, makes me feel sorry for the guy. I feel god only choose families that can deal with the day to day experinces of a child with autism and this person will never understand, i hope that he feels bad for saying what he said about these children but i doubt he will be sorry as he has his five minutes of fame. When it should be on helping these children and the people that care for them. i will not lower myself to call this person as i will be just like him, all i will say is that my son is nothing like what this man said that children with autism are he is a very polite very happy and very well behaved for his condition.

- Carrie Ingham on July 22nd, 2008

I agree with MB. It’s more a class issue than a race issue and access to good medical care. Middle and upper class blacks get as good medical care as middle and upper class whites. As far as Savage is concerned, the guy is a world-class jerk.

- Judy on July 22nd, 2008

Judy, just to clarify what I said, while I do think class may be a bigger issue than race, I still believe that race/ethnicity is an issue because of cultural beliefs and outside stereotypes.

- MB on July 22nd, 2008

Yes, Judy, I agree to a certain extent that access to quality medical care (both physical and mental) has more to do with economic status than race, but it is a sad reality that in this country there is a markedly higher percentage of blacks who have less access to this kind of care than whites. I’m not here to debate the reasons for this disparity, but it comments like Tracy’s really irk me. It bugs me when people frivolously play the race card, but it’s equally irritates me when completely valid issues like the one Holly Robinson Peete speaks of are dismissed. What bothers me is that I have a feeling this poster has done little to no research on this issue, and IMO it’s never wise to accuse someone of overreacting when you don’t know much of anything about it.

That said, Michael Savage is a tool and his comments regarding autistic children are just as offensive as Don Imus’, if not more, but I’m not holding my breath for any kind of apology. I’m sure his employers are loving the publicity.

- Erica on July 22nd, 2008

I’ve noticed that on the message boards I frequent, some users are essentially writing off all kids/teens with autism spectrum disorders (especially those with Asperger’s) as fakes who are just using a diagnosis as an excuse for being–to put it rather bluntly–”losers” who are looking for attention and pity or just an excuse to continue behaving in a certain way.

Like many of you have said, the pContent-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
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- M on July 22nd, 2008

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.

- marla on July 22nd, 2008

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?

- nosoupforyou on July 22nd, 2008

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.

- S.E. on July 22nd, 2008

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”.

- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack on July 22nd, 2008

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!

- DLR on July 22nd, 2008

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.

- Kat on July 22nd, 2008

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)

- Christina on July 23rd, 2008

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.

- Anais on July 25th, 2008

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.

- HappyJoyJoy on July 26th, 2008

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.

- Lisa on July 28th, 2008