Denis Leary Explains His Autism-Slamming Remarks

Wednesday excerpts of Denis Leary's book were published in which the comedian mocks the diagnosis of autism. "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."

Since the release he has tried to explain.

Leary suggests that those critics obviously haven't read the book. "Or if they have," the Emmy-nominated actor said in a statement, "they missed the sections I thought made my feelings about autism very clear: that I not only support the current rational approaches to the diagnoses and treatment of real autism but have witnessed it firsthand while watching very dear old friends raise a functioning autistic child."...

"The point of the chapter is not that autism doesn't exist--it obviously does--and I have nothing but admiration and respect for parents dealing with the issue, including the ones I know," Leary continued in the statement he released today.

"The bulk of the chapter deals with grown men who are either self-diagnosing themselves with low-level offshoots of the disease or wishing they could as a way to explain their failed careers and troublesome progeny.

The book is called "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid"

Comments

[MNmommy]

wbarley See Profile I'm a Fan of wbarley I'm a fan of this user permalink

Now seriously, as a parent of any autistic child I was a bit miffed by the previous report. I was actually more offended by someone's stupid comment about Special Ed. The fact is, Denis Leary is dang funny and if you're easily offended then I suggest you don't listen to anything he says. Maybe we should actually read the book, or failing that how about the chapter in question before making a judgement? It's not like he popped a cork like Michael Savage, who is a total wanker.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:00 PM on 10/16/2008

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The waiting to read the actual chapter was where I was yesterday when I saw the original reference to this. His follow up actually makes a bit of sense, though many times when children are diagnosed, the symptoms are recognized in other family members, sometimes adults. Anyway, I'll not pass judgment until I read the chapter for myself.

[Village]

I have never liked him. Still don't.

[Chuckwheat]

"Rescue Me" is hot!

[wm1066]

Making fun of any disease is not funny and it always bomerangs back on the author.

[ellezeebub]

Good on you Mr. Leary for explaining. It was necessary. The way I read it yesterday, and the response to whether you were going to make people mad (it'll sell more books), was pretty uncool.

[PeepingTom]

What Leary just said is the same thing in a story that was in the New York Times Health section, oh, about a month or so ago. That story suggested that mothers are unwittingly too wiling to label their kids as autistic, because then people won't think they are bad moms in anyway, and will sympathize with the kids.

Why is it ok for the Times to write about it, but not for Leary to restate it?

[dtrobert]

Answer: It's not OK for the Times to write this. And Leary didn't get this from the Times. He's a wingnut, so he most likely got it from his buddy Michael Savage.

[Hazelnut]

I doubt if the New York Times labeled the kids as "stupid" and "morons".

[YeahDonkey]

The reason he is not funny anymore is because the guy he stoled his entire career from is dead and no longer writing comedy for Mr Leary to steal. Hey Dennis, George Carlin just died, Im sure he's got all sorts of good stuff for you to take and call your own.

[VoteforPedro]

We libs can be so catty.

[luckyoldson]

Can you say: "Book Sales?"

Bullshit.

[RuffNReddy]

Why is he in a dress?

[Mattie]

he looks better than Madonna does in her costume for her concert tour!

[michael d]

Your apology still doesn't explain why you're not funny.

[YellerDawg]

I don't get him, either, but he seems to realize what a big, stinking pile of doodoo he has stepped in.

[musselmanm]

Don't care what Timothy Leary's kid wrote. He has said enough for me.
Na-na-na-na goodbye!

[wm1066]

Umm.. his dad wasn't Timothy Leary, its John Leary an auto mechanic.

[initforlife]

dennis leary has sold out and now that his mouth has gotten him into trouble by revealing who he is- he needs to take a minute to explain to everyone what he meant by it.

Like so many- once they get to the podium they sell out because the money is so good. Who in the hell cares what this arsehat has to say anyway- he is about as relevant as madonna or anyone else in the spotlight. No one is talking the truth so why should he be any different!

Hate hate hate.

Its so sad- but now maybe people will start thinking for themselves rather than wait for celebrities, politicians and religious idiots to tell them what to think.

Now, excuse me- I have to go to the airport and pick up my Malwai baby!

[PartyPartyParty]

I haven't heard Temple Granding complaining about Leary.

http://www.templegrandin.com/

If Temple has a problem with what he's saying, I'll listen to her.

[dtrobert]

Temple, although an important figure in the AS/ASD community, is not the ultimate authority. We all speak for ourselves. When Savage went on a rampage making exactly the same claims that Leary has, the entire ASD community went up in arms. The only reason you don't see as much of a fuss made this time around is because, simply put, *Denis Leary is a washed out, inconsequential person*. Doesn't mean what he says should be allowed to stay on the record uncontested.

[PartyPartyParty]

I read the Michael Savage screed, and I read Leary's chapter. I perceived two completely different attitudes. I thought that Savage categorically denied that autism is real.
Leary is not denying that autism is real. He is satirizing the people who latch on to whatever syndrome they think is fashionable.
And since I've read Temple and listened to interviews with her, I will let her be my authority.

[Zofomofo]

Attention!! Breaking News!!!

Denis Leary is a comedian.

If is not funny to you, don't listen.

If you don't like what he is saying, don't treat him like he's running for office or some media moralist.

[luckyoldson]

Zofombo - So you think his comments regarding autism were meant to be "funny?"

[Furby]

Eggad! Well at least you can spell. I'll give you that much. Now, show me you can read too, and get back up there and read the article will ya. Don't comment if you don't read. It will make you look like someone who completely skipped over the article and decided to comment anyway. We all know how silly that would be.

[kconwaycole]

why is he wearing a gown and dangling earrings in the picture? what did I miss?

[Zofomofo]

he is a comedian?

[Mattie]

who mocks learning disabled people, wow that's funny!

[WriterGuy]

Wow - sounds like most of the posters here haven't bothered to read Leary's book . . . or even the brief article that explains how his comment, taken out of context, is a complete reversal of what he actually believes.

Lighten up on the guy. The book is satire.

[dtrobert]

BS. The quote was NOT taken out of context, he's attempting, desperately, to spin it by making a claim that if he can't see the disability, it doesn't exist (And it's just being used by parents to justify their laziness or their kids' idiocy). It's just as moronic, and just as despicable (if not more, because it makes him the ultimate expert on what constitutes a *real* disability).

Leary is an idiot, period. He does NOT know what he's talking about.