Denis Leary: Autistic Kids Are 'Just Stupid'

Comedian's caustic book says disorder is all in parents' heads

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2008 11:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Denis Leary is not a sensitive man. His new book, Why We Suck, seems bound to offend people, the New York Post reports, particularly autistic people. Leary asserts that autism is booming because parents “want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically,” so they run to psychologists. “I don’t give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you,” Leary writes, “yer kid is NOT autistic. He’s just stupid.”

The Autism Society of America said Leary’s remarks were “ridiculous” and “reflect the same misconceptions of autism… held 50 years ago.” Of course, Leary’s book is no gentler with any other targets. Of Heather Mills he speculates Paul McCartney "figured the fake leg would come in handy for smuggling marijuana," while Dr. Phil's oft-cited "personal Ground Zero" drew the comic's hopes that "two large speeding planes will crash into the side of your insipid hairless head."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (4)]

Denis Leary arrives at the fourth annual Fashion Rocks concert at Radio City Music Hall, presented by Conde Nast Media Group, New York, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)

Denis Leary arrives at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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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. - Denis Leary

She must have given great [bleep]. Plus, he's a big pothead so he probably figured the fake leg would come in handy for smuggling marijuana. - Denis Leary on Heather Mills

If she had changed her campaign motto from 'Blah Blah Something Change' to 'Vote for Me or Your Wife Won't [Bleep] You,' she would have had the election wrapped up. - Denis Leary on Hillary Clinton

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. - Denis Leary

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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Denis Leary: Autistic Kids Are 'Just Stupid'