Denis Leary Takes Aim At Autistic Children In New Book

Access Hollywood - October 15, 2008 12:28 PM PDT
Story photo: Denis Leary Takes Aim At Autistic Children In New BookAccess Hollywood

NEW YORK, New York -- Denis Leary has come under fire for comments he made in his new book, suggesting autism is nothing more than a parental excuse.

The New York Post published an excerpt from Leary's new book, "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid," in which the comedian takes aim at parents of autistic children.

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"There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-a** 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," Leary reportedly wrote. "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."

In response to the "Rescue Me" star's literary assertion, the Autism Society of America issued a statement to AccessHollywood.com.

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"Autism is a complex neruodevelopmental medical condition that requires early identification and lifelong treatment. For Mr. Leary to suggest that families or doctors conspire to falsely diagnose autism is ridiculous," the statement read. "Mr. Leary's remarks reflect the same misconceptions of autism being caused by bad or unemotional parenting that were held over 50 years ago, misconceptions that have been completely disproven by the scientific community"

It's possible Leary's comments could draw the ire of more than just the Autism Society of America. Several of his fellow celebrities are parents of autistic children, including Jenny McCarthy, Toni Braxton and Sylvester Stallone.

However, autistic kids weren't the only people Leary slammed in his book - he also took exception with the likes of Paul McCartney, Heather Mills, Hillary Clinton and Dr. Phil, among others, according to The Post.

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"[He says] such thick and exasperating things as, 'Everybody has their own personal Ground Zero.' Oh, really?" Leary writes of Dr. Phil. "Does that mean someday two large speeding planes will crash into the side of your insipid hairless head? Let's hope so."

When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for Leary was not immediately available for comment on the book.

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comments 1-10 of 77  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • JoAnne
    What an idiot. Obviously he has never met an autistic kid. He is uneducated and ignorant.
    report abuseposted July 31, 2009 10:59 AM PDT
  • JoAnne
    What an idiot. Obviously he has never met an autistic kid. He is uneducated and ignorant.
    report abuseposted July 31, 2009 10:59 AM PDT
  • Joanna
    I can't believe this guy!Who does he think he is?! Just cuz he's a celebrity he thinks he has some legality to tell us how to raise our kids, I wonder about His kids! I'm TIRED of being the "BLAME" for my kids' disabilities! It's a poor governmental excuse as far as I'm concerned to put the blame on parents for kids who have speci
    report abuseposted April 21, 2009 6:22 PM PDT
  • Vanessa C
    Pamzilla, I totally agree with you. My son is 15 and was diagnosed 3 years ago with PDD-NOS and mild mental retardation because his doctor couldn't look past the ADHD dx. Maybe Dennis Leary should hook up with Octo-Mom sense he knows so much about children. LOL
    report abuseposted February 20, 2009 6:20 AM PST
  • Pamzilla
    I am a mother to a child with autism and PDD-NOS. I would give my own life, for him to lead an independent life. What a total complete ass face for saying that these kids are lazy or stupid. He is damn lucky he lives an actors life or else it would be easy for me to kick his ass, straight up.
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 7:01 PM PST
  • Amasmomma05
    He is a tool! WTF does he know? I have lived with a child that has autism for 5 years now and it has nothing to do with how much I try teach him. And as far as being dumb, let me tell you, that because my son was diagnosed early and is receiving treatment, he now reads and knows more things academically than any other kid in his class which has normal peers as well.It seems like he's the d
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 5:49 PM PST
  • nicole
    WHAT AN IGNORANT JERK THIS GUY IS. I HAVE A FIVE YEAR OLD SON WITH AUTISM AND IT IS NOT AN EXCUSE ANY PARENT WOULD USE FOR THEIR CHILD. I AM HEATED OVER THIS. HOW CAN SOMEONE MAKE ANY COMMENT OR JUDGE ONE WHEN THEY HAVE NEVER WALKED IN THEIR SHOES. HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE A CHILD WITH AUTISM AND THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO THESE CHILDREN. SHAME ON HIM
    report abuseposted November 11, 2008 6:35 PM PST
  • Lily
    He is my favor. But I saw his profile on dating site ***** M i l l i o n a i r e R o m a n c e s . c o m **** last week. It is said he is in relationship with a young beautiful woman on that site now. ☆☆☆
    report abuseposted October 21, 2008 6:16 AM PDT
  • Dad and kids
    Who the hell thinks this guys funny anyway, he's out, he was never in and it shows with his bitter rhetoric about subjects he has no clue about. It's funny to watch a guy who's specializes in being funny who's not the damn least funny! He's one of those celebrities that got lucky and now he has all the answers about life and politics and socialism and parent
    report abuseposted October 18, 2008 3:50 PM PDT
  • ShellyK
    Obviously Mr. Leary (and soooo many others) are very misinformed about autism and all the disorders that fall under the autism spectrum. Like many, I have other children that are neurotypical (most would use the term "normal"). It just so happened that one ended up with autism. We work hard as a family to give her what she needs. My little girl has more intelligence, compass
    report abuseposted October 16, 2008 7:29 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 77  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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