Michael Savage Autism

July 16, 2008: Conservative talk show host Michael Savage described children suffering from autism as "brats" on his radio show. Savage implied such children were not suffering from an illness but "in 99% of the cases, [Autism involves] a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out." Savage announced that on July 28, 2008, he would turn his three-hour show over to callers who disagreed with him and wanted to share their opinions on the issue.¹

Fast Facts

1. Parents of autistic children protested outside Savage's radio station²
2. Radio Station WOP published a statement saying that Savage does not speak for them³
3. Savage published an unapologetic statement on his website⁴

Savage Statement

"My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community's attempt to label too many children or adults as "autistic." Just as some drug companies have overdiagnosed "ADD" and "ADHD" to peddle dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age, this cartel of doctors and drug companies is now creating a national panic by overdiagnosing "autism" for which there is no definitive medical diagnosis!"⁵

Michael Savage Facts

1. Born: March 31, 1942
2. Birth name: Michael Weiner
3. Birthplace: The Bronx, New York
4. Radio show: The Savage Nation syndicated on over 400 stations in the U.S.
5. Author of four New York Times bestsellers
6. Wrote more than 17 books on natural medicine under name Michael Weiner
7. 1980: Became a conservative

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