Denis Leary Slams Autism As A Joke

DENIS Leary should brace himself for hate mail from the parents of kids diagnosed with autism.

In his new book, "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid," the joke-slinging "Rescue Me" star writes about the brain disorder:

"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."

The Autism Society of America responded: "For Mr. Leary to suggest that families or doctors conspire to falsely diagnose autism is ridiculous . . . [His] remarks reflect the same misconceptions of autism being caused by bad or unemotional parenting that were held over 50 years ago."

Keep reading

-plus-

In November's Vanity Fair, in a Q&A, Leary calls it his "favorite chapter":

Another chapter is titled "Autism Shamautism."
Which is my favorite chapter.

I see vigilante autism woman Jenny McCarthy picketing your book tour.
Great. That would be really good for me. It will help sell more books.

Comments

[ellezeebub]

I never went out of my way to see anything Leary did, but I never disliked the guy.

Why didn't this he-man blame Down's Syndrome on the parents? It's as controllable a birth defect as autism. And sorry if calling mental retardation a birth defect is offensive, but although a lot of kids are high functioning with autism, a lot are not.

Just really sad Leary. I will go out of my way to avoid anything you do from now on out.

[anise8]

wow is right. I wish that my son's autism was the result of my bad parenting, then I could rest easy at night. I could then stop wondering whether he'll not have to live in a group home or maybe someday attend college. I wish that it was the doctors trying to make a buck off of my laziness. Just like Leary wishes he had a soul.
My son was born 2 months early (no vaccinations - though we are now starting them VERY slowly). remember an ultrasound test before he was born where the doctor pointed out the many loops his brain had and that it may be an indication of something yet to manifest. The signs of autism were not obvious until he was 2 years old - thank goodness for the Montessori system, they also noticed what I had and assisted in finding an outside resource for testing. He is 10 now and is just learning to read - we are jumping for joy here because of his progress in the Saint Paul school system and his amazing teachers. I adore him and honestly he is a most excellent child who can tell you anything and everything about Komodo Dragons and Star Wars. :D

[andvoodoo2]

Good luck with your child. He sounds like he is lucky to have you as a parent. Leary is a jerk and he will never make a nickle off of me.

[sharri]

This article does not address why Leary has chosen autism to hit hard. There has to be some personal experience with it.
Shoot me if you like, but there is some validity to what he says. I have seen children diagnose d with several disorders over my 54 years that have turned out to be wrong. There are maladies of the day that get over diagnosed,or mis-diagnosed. This is a terrible shame for the families and the children. It gives a false sense of exoneration for what the parent sees as a flaw in their child's lack of living up to their expectation.
Autism is real. But the diagnosis should not be treated as a catchall.

[corysadvocate]

To sharri , we never knew what was wrong with our child until he was diagnosed. After he was and we researched it all made sense.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Mr. Leary,

would you care to share with the public where you received your certification in Psychology? Psychiatry(M.D.)? Neurology?

No?

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[azwebdiva]

Whoa...computer says...no!

[truthyguy]

The only favorable thing that can be said about Leary is he has a full head of hair. Unfortunately there is nothing underneath it resembling a working brain.

[Loisebby]

Why is this news? For the most part its true. The parents at my school are pissed off thier kids can't split atoms yet! And there 7!!!!! If anything this is simply away to sell more books and promote Rescue Me. Smart move...

[yellowdogmom]

I agree that unfortunately the more attention he gets from this, the more books he'll sell. What I don't understand is what the parents at your school have to do with autism and DL's comments about autism being true. ???

[andvoodoo2]

Read the more than 8 pages of comments. 90% of them say they'll never watch Leary in anything again.

[IowaGirl]

Like all comedians, Denis is only truly funny when he's remarking on things he knows something about. On South Boston and his lameass friends growing up, he's hysterical. Clearly, you wouldn't go to him for funny on anything related to women's issues or children with behavioral and psychological disorders.

I'm disappointed he thinks autism is funny. It shows a woeful lack of education and sensitivity. Irish Catholic men have often got this bullying tendency, which of course is a way of saying "F you." Why they need to say this is best left to the psychologists.

[JohnKeogh]

Well, this Irish Catholic - actual Irish, too, as opposed to Leary's diluted and wishful kind - must be deficient in the alleged "bullying tendency" gene the rest of my people possess. Which is a pity - it might have come in useful during the seven years I had to fight for the educational resources my autistic teenage son so badly needs.

[justdo3043]

i find that funny

[YouDisgustMe]

wow....

[AntonBursch]

I had a co-worker who told me that she is autistic. I have a 36 year old brother who was diagnosed with autism when he was 3-4 years old before it was a fad... let me explain this to people... if you can tell me that you are autistic, then you are not autistic.

[ellezeebub]

Huh. I am surprised then that you are not better informed. Like angstall said, there are very good books out there by Temple Grandin, who is absolutely autistic. Granted, she says she learned to communicate "like a tape recorder," but your statement is simply not true.

[corysadvocate]

OH SO NOT TRUE! MY child is and asks me mommy am i autistic and what does it mean. I tell him the lord made him and autism means he is very very special!! watch it antonbursch

[newpotusplease]

I love Denis Leary-- I think he privately thinks autism is a real and serious disease. He has helped to rebuild fire stations in New Orleans and has helped firefighters everywhere. He is doing this as a PR thing or just to be .... the way he is.

Also, I think there are a few of us who look at some of the folks who support Sarah Palin cause their kids are autistic and her child has Down Syndrome and these folks actually think that Palin can and would relate to their issues- they have become some sort of pro McCain/Palin weird blend of Stockholm syndrome meets Stepford victim hybrid.

Also, their are some parents who are using Autism as a diagnosis that fits as a crutch cause they don't want to address other issues- that is a fact of almost every disease- and unfortunately is true of autism in SOME cases. But overall, I think there is something environmental that is causes an increase in autism and it is very real and those families need help in treating it.

[Swerinjer2]

The only thing funny about autism is the shape of their heads. Shame on you Denis.

[YouDisgustMe]

huh?

[GalaxieGal]

It's funny that it's the same shape as yours.

[Protoguy]

You're probably thinking of Down's Syndrome

[Tulka2]

In the future, we will understand autism has symptoms that present at different levels. Some people are so lacking in empathy that they are quite unable to interact socially. Other people, like Mr. Leary, seem quite normal until they open their mouth and then the lack of empathy is astonishing.

[iPolitics]

He's a comedian.

They should be held to any rules of etiquette.