Holly Robinson Peete: "Autism is Not a Good Punch Line"

Us Magazine - October 17, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
Story photo: Holly Robinson Peete: Us Magazine
Holly Robinson Peete has responded to controversial comic Denis Leary, who writes that autism is a joke in his new book, Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.

"I feel like like autism is just not a good punch line and Denis Leary should know better. It's not funny," Peete told Usmagazine.com at the High School Musical 3 premiere in L.A. on Thursday.

The issue is a personal one for Peete: her son Rodney, 10, has autism.

"It's not funny," Peete said. "I remember what Chris Rock said when Michael Richards had his issue saying the N word; he said the real problem was that he wasn't funny. To me, Leary is a funny guy but he
had a real big misstep with this one."

In the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, actress Jenny McCarthy says she helped her son Evan recover from autism.

See an adorable photo of Jenny McCarthy and her son, Evan.

The actress - who believes the MMR vaccine was to blame for her son's diagnosis - says a strict no wheat-and-dairy-free diet has changed her son from a quiet little boy who used to flail his arms around to a loving six-year-old.

"My son is doing well but he does still have autism," Peete told Us. He amazes me everyday how he breaks through. We are using hyperbaric oxygen therapy right now and it is just helping him so much. He is not recovered yet."

For more on the specific ways McCarthy helped her son recover from autism, pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.




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comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Morgan
    Sorry people, but vaccinations don't cause autism. In fact my dad told me that they took mercury out of vaccinations a long time ago. So Jenny's source is too outdated. I think that the real cause is genetics after all who actually knows about all of their family history. It wasn't diagnosed back then more easily. Keep researching Jenny!
    report abuseposted September 7, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
  • Ali
    it is your cousin ali krause and i did not know you had a son
    report abuseposted December 2, 2008 2:26 PM PST
  • Dawn
    Gwendolyn G, Let me guess.... you don't have a child with autism.
    report abuseposted November 24, 2008 11:27 AM PST
  • Gwendolyn G
    Jenny McCarthy is being an ignorant fool. The MMR vaccine is not the cause of autism. There have been numerous studies on the topic and there has been no conclusive evidence that it it the cause. It is dangerous to play with your child's health this way. It's not a playboy playmate's place to dispense medical advice. Autism has no cure unfortunately, so her claims I'
    report abuseposted October 22, 2008 1:05 PM PDT
  • Nikki
    That Sad
    report abuseposted October 20, 2008 6:45 AM PDT
  • butterfly g
    Sorry guys carrie has got a point the number of flu related deaths this year have risen substancially in children because parents choose not to vcaccinate their children the point of all this is to be aware not play with your child's life
    report abuseposted October 19, 2008 7:54 PM PDT
  • 1234
    I'm sorry for the intrusion, Jenny MCCarthy is not telling you not to vaccinate, she is telling you to change the vaccine schedule and be very aware. On changing diet, it works for some and not for others because perhaps your child does not have food allergies that need to be fixed. Gut issues are a common co-morbid of Autism. Google biomedical intervention or visit Jenny's site G
    report abuseposted October 19, 2008 10:53 AM PDT
  • Kecia
    I wanna know how Jenny cured her son from Autism when I have a 7 yr old Autistic son and see no cures anywhere in sight. I changed my son's diet and nothing worked. What is she doing that I cant?
    report abuseposted October 19, 2008 8:10 AM PDT
  • Kecia
    I wanna know how Jenny cured her son from Autism when I have a 7 yr old Autistic son and see no cures anywhere in sight. I changed my son's diet and nothing worked. What is she doing that I cant?
    report abuseposted October 19, 2008 8:10 AM PDT
  • Mark C
    I think Denis Leary should have been a bit more mindful about what he said/wrote in terms of autism. I think Holly Robinson Peete's reaction to his comments were very perceptive and dead on. Best wishes and God's blessings to her, her son and family.
    report abuseposted October 18, 2008 5:19 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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