Michael Savage's Autism Remarks

Another media figure has gotten himself into trouble over something he said on the air. Only this time it was not about race. Fiery radio talk show host Michael Savage has apparently insulted children with autism as well as their parents.

Michael Savage has labeled children with autism "brats" as well as "idiots" and "morons." Michael Savage went on to suggest the autism was a racket designed to get public assistance.

Children's advocates are outraged at Michael Savage's remarks. There have been calls for Michael Savage to apologize and retract his remarks. There have been calls to boycott stations that carry The Savage Nation show and calls for Michael Savage's firing.

The Autism Society of America released the following statement in response to Savage's remarks, "We are dismayed that these grossly inaccurate remarks would be aired in any platform, much less on a nationally syndicated show. We will continue to work with families, people with autism and the broader public to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders."

The Autism Society of America defines autism as, "a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism..."

The Autism Society goes on to point out the following signs of autism in children which, if caught early, can be treated:

"Lack of or delay in spoken language

"Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)

"Little or no eye contact

"Lack of interest in peer relationships

"Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play

"Persistent fixation on parts of objects"

There is no known cause of autism, but researchers agree that children with autism have an abnormality of brain structure and function. There also seems to be a genetic component to autism as well as possible environmental triggers. Autism affects 1 in 150 children in the United States.