Denis Leary and autism: Apology accepted, but not enough

After Denis Leary's apology for the comments he made about autistic children in his book, "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid," autism activists say they have called off a nationwide protest but say they want a percentage of the proceeds of his book to go to help children diagnosed with autism -- either that, or deletion of the offending chapter. That chapter contains the following comments:

"There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can't compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . . to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons. I don't give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you -- yer kid is NOT autistic. He's just stupid. Or lazy. Or both."

Autism United's statement today included the following:

"Autism United acknowledges Denis Leary for his belated apology for the harm done by his statements about people with autism and their families made in his recently published book, "Why We Suck."

"I feel that Denis' apology was enough," said comedian Mark Anthony Ramirez, a spokesman for Autism United and Gabby's Kids, and the father of a child diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. "But his claim that his comments were taken out of context is a veiled attempt to elicit more sales."

"As a parent of a child with autism, I feel he owes the autism community the money he is making for using what has quickly become an epidemic in our country as a cheap ploy to sell his book," said Ramirez. "He should donate a portion of his sales to assist children with autism."

Leary's comments offended many parents of children with autism. A blog by Lisa Jo Rudy asks if people aren't playing into Leary's hands by giving him publicity. "Today, Leary is front page news, and Jenny McCarthy is quoted as saying --in US Magazine-- 'Whoo! First of all, let me tell you, the autism community has received probably 10,000 e-mails [saying] "Go kill him! Go yell at him!" ' Go KILL him? Assuming that Jenny is telling even half the truth, there are tens of thousands of autism-related families out there thinking about Leary, writing about Leary, and caring about Leary to the point where they're actually writing letters to ask for his demise. Wow."

-- Rosie Mestel

Comments

[Thomas D. Taylor]

People interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorders can listen to free audio Autism Spectrum Podcasts issued by Midnight In Chicago at www.mic.mypodcast.com

[Mary Swanson]

I can't sing enough praises to Autism United for their courageous stand against Denis Leary's attempt to profit on the misfortune of children. Kuddos to Mark Anthony Rameriz! Having researched this topic a bit more, I see that Mark has a fundraisier coming up next week in the NYC area for autism, "Gabby's Kids". Comedians join Mark in this benefit performance giving of their time and talents to help in research for autism and to help educate people about autism. My heartfelt thanks to all who participate and donate to autism!

Mary
Minnesota

[Grace]

Please - clearly Jenny was just using some of her typical hyperbole as a way of saying that those people wanted her to go after Leary to make him either recant or regret - stop trying to turn it into something ridiculous.

[Adonya Wong]

I agree with Lisa Jo. The more we, parents, blog/comment about Leary, the more publicity he receives which means more book sales.

Considering this bit of info, Leary should donate a portion of his proceeds to autism as Mark Anthony suggested. :)

Adonya Wong
Author | Autism Activist | Blogger

www.throughtheeyesofautism.wordpress.com

[Sal]

Dennis never said anything bad against autistic children. Just that parents (some) are using that as an excuse for why their children are bad. He has every point. Autism is the ne A.D.D......"Oh, My kid is failing." "Maybe I can use A.D.D. as an excuse for my years of neglect."

[Matt]

If he is truly sorry, he should recall all of his existing books and remove any negative autism comments out of his book before they are put on the market.

[Lori]

I've always been a huge fan of Denis Leary, but I have to say, this is hugely disappointing. His comments this time stretch far beyond "shock humor"...they expose him as an unsensitive idiot, who clearly knows NOTHING about autism. I understand the huge, sweeping, general point he's making about those parents who, in fact, ARE looking for some sort of excuse for their child's behavior, low grades, etc...that is definitely a part of the parent community. But to try to lump AUTISM into that whole scene is just beyond ridiculous. Denis - please, at least know SOMETHING about what you're talking about before you sling these jokes - you undermine your own credibility and will soon be losing one of your #1 fans if you don't get your s--t together.

[Angelia]

First of all this book should be taken off store shelves. Denis Leary knows nothing about what goes into testing for kids to be put on the Autism Spectrum. It is days of tests by more than one idividual to even see if the child is on the spectrum. Not just a one time visit and look you have a label.

Sal: He never said anything about the kids huh? Not that they are dumb, lazy, or stupid? Yea you apparently did not read all the comments highlighted. As a mother of two on the scale, we work doubly hard to keep up to the No Child Left Behind Act in schools now. This act in itself has taken things you and I did in 3rd grade and is now being expected of Kindergarteners. And, bad behavior has NOTHING to do with Autism. My kids never throw tantrums especially in public. But, one didn't even talk till he was 4. He also could only communicate to me through one piece of sign language until that age. Did you know that the average 18 month old baby should know about 15 words? That is usually the first signs of Autism is the lack of ability to talk. Not throwing tantrums. You are just as ignorant as Leary and need to spend a day in a classroom where they assist and teach kids with Autism disorder. It isn't ADHD or ADD. Do you think we enjoy getting this diagnosis? Most of us mourned our children when we did? We were devastated. Again, research throughly what you are talking about before you stick your foot in your mouth with stupidity.

[sampath]

There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can't compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . .