An Open Letter to the producers of Savage Nation

[Guest guest]

fyiDear friends:Below please find:A coalition letter signed by 15 highly diverse autism organizations and authors. GRASP (www.grasp.org) helped greatly in pulling this together and we thank Carley - their Executive Director and the other organizations who signed on. Feel free to circulate. Attached is the letter that AHA is sending directly..AN OPEN LETTER TO TALK RADIO NETWORK, PRODUCERS OF "SAVAGE NATION" WITH MICHAEL SAVAGEJuly 24, 2008Mark MastersChief Executive Officer Talk Radio NetworkP.O. Box 3755 Central Point, Oregon 97502Dear Mr. Masters:We are representatives of 15 diverse organizations and authors serving the autism world who have listened to the comments made by Talk Radio Network host, Savage on the July 16, 2008 episode of his program, "Savage Nation." As you probably well know, Mr. Savage angrily exclaimed "I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot.'"We understand the provocative nature of talk radio. We accept that the act of prodding often adds as a measure of accountability towards societal norms and the pressure of the status quo. However, we strongly feel that there are limits to how hurtful one should be allowed to be to people that are already challenged. We feel Mr. Savage's comments went painfully further than any comments we've yet seen towards the autism world from a mainstream media outlet. And in comparison to other sensitive topics, we feel Mr. Savage's comments went far further even than Mr. Don Imus' attack on the racial nature of the Rutgers women's basketball team two years ago. Not only was Mr. Savage spreading dangerously inaccurate information, but in the midst of the above quote, he made several pauses, wherein there was the chance to realize what he had done, and backtrack. But after each pause, Mr. Savage instead chose to hit harder, and deeper. Mr. Savage had another opportunity to apologize after the show was over. But once the uproar generated the united anger it had both in the public and in the media, Mr. Savage instead (as quoted in the New York Times, July 22, 2008) indicated that he "stood by his remarks and had no intention of apologizing to those advocates and parents who have called for his firing over the matter." Offering to discuss the issue again on a subsequent episode was woefully insulting on several fronts; such as control over who gets on, and increased listenership.Protests have already occurred at your WOR affiliate in New York City. And many of those protesting had been listeners of Mr. Savage's show in the past. Please understand that Mr. Savage's comments invalidated the hardships suffered by the millions of affected individuals and their families in this country. His words gave ammunition to those who watch from the side, with no personal connection to autism, who are tempted to give in to their worst side and demonize the autistic child for their behaviors, further marring the chances of that child gaining acceptance in the world. And in a horrifying flashback to the days of Bruno Bettelheim (a now-condemned child psychiatrist who perpetuated the myth back in the 1960s and 1970s that autism was caused by faulty mothering) his words threw much undeserved blame on families whose resources are inadequate enough, and whose struggles are often painful enough. With all due respect, we cannot let this issue drop.We know Mr. Savage signed a new contract with you in February, and that from a business standpoint, dramatic action would be difficult. We ask you to look inside your heart and do the right thing even still. Please discontinue any support, be it financial or as producers, from "Savage Nation," and show the world that the Talk Radio Network is responsible, even as it presses the buttons of the status quo and upholds notions of free speech.Sincerely, CarleyExecutive DirectorGRASP, the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, Inc.http://www.grasp.orgThe largest organization in the world of adults diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum.and electronically signed (alphabetically) byPat Schissel, President. Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA) Inc.. http://www.ahany.orgA large Long Island based parent and professional organization providing support and information for families, individuals and professionalsaffected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Lori S. SheryFounder and President, ASPEN (ASPerger syndrome Education Network, Inc.) www.ASPENnj.orgA national nonprofit organization providing support, information and advocacy to individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disordersDania Jekel, Executive DirectorAsperger's Association of New England www.aane.orging awareness, respect, acceptance and support of individuals with AS and their families since 1995. Sharisa Joy Kochmeister / PresidentAutcom (Autism National Committee) http://www.autcom.org/Dedicated to Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism AutismSpeaks www.autismspeaks.orgIt's time to listen. Lois Rosenwald / Co-DirectorThe Connecticut Autism Spectrum Resource Center. http://www.ct-asrc.org/ Connecticut's largest parents and professionals organization. P. McManmon Ed.D., Executive DirectorCollege Internship Program. www.collegeinternshipprogram.com A postsecondary comprehensive college and careers program for students on the Autism Spectrum

J. Moreno, M.A., A.B.S. / President MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome. www.maapservices.orgA nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of more advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger syndrome,and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Baumann, MA,CASAC, DAPA, President and CEONYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc.) www.nyfac.orgParent support and the NYFAC Training Institute. Estee Klar-Wolfond / Founder/Executive DirectorTAAP (The Autism Acceptance Project) www.taaproject.com - Tapping into human potential and dignityJerry and Newport, Authors / Autism, Asperger's & Sexuality, and several others.Chantal Sicile-Kira, Author, Consultant, and Radio Show Host Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other books. http://chantalsicile-kira.com Stillman, Author of Demystifying the Autistic Experience, and The Autism Answer Book. www.williamstillman.comDonna , Author of Nobody Nowhere, Somebody Somewhere, and seven other books. http://www.donnawilliams.net