Comments on: David Kirby, Autism, and New Jersey

By: Joseph Mele

Joseph Mele — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:00:46 +0000

Thanks from Kev the NT who is the autistic conscience and understands who speaks correctly and who doesn’t.

The man who never had to endure a day of abuse and judgement.

By: Kev

Kev — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:55:15 +0000

“Those three nasty words heard round the world”

Rest assured Mr Kirby, 99.9% of the world neither know about nor care about Don Imus being sacked. 99.9% of the international autism community don’t know who Don Imus is.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:24:22 +0000

This NY Times essay analyzes why Imus' comment was not so funny.

By: stop faux trophy wives husbands

stop faux trophy wives husbands — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:02:30 +0000

Thanks kirbystynx for that link. Um, wow, from that you can see that it was just building and building for corporate to can him. It’s very unsettling how much Imus & Company thought they could get away with. Are they skinheads or something? I’m serious, I don’t know, but that’s what they sound like.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:24:07 +0000

Being the mother of a 9 year old with autism and living in Pennsylvania we were seriously considering a move to a warmer client right before our son was diagnosed. Upon his diagnosis we were told to stay in PA for this state is one of the better states (preceeded by NY and NJ) for services. In reality all though services here are great, and getting better with the passage of autism services outside of the MH/MR offices and soon to be passed legislation that would FORCE private insurance comapanies to pick up their fair share of costs, it is pretty sad to think how bad services are in other states.

We are one of the lucky parents. Services started for my son within 5 months diagnosis, mainly as a result I wrote to then Govenor Tom Ridge after waiting for 3 months with nothing happening. I also believe that our “luck” is a direct result of my attitude of “not settling for second best” where he was concerned. To some extent we make our own “luck”. Most people who encounter me know I will fight whatever war I must in order for our son to have what he needs. Take no prisoners attitude has paid off 1000 fold for us.

By: landonsmom

landonsmom — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:19:00 +0000

I live in Indiana, and are rates are 1 in 74…..and I don’t think anyone is moving here with their autistic kids to get services, our services, resources, and supports are virtually non-existent, but I do think parents move to New Jersey to get the education for their autistic children that rivals most states….we have considered moving ourselves.

I don’t know how Mr. Kirby knows that Don Imus speaks for thousands of parents of autistic children or that he is the one true friend autistics have….has he taken an official poll?

I can tell you this, he doesn’t speak for me and he is not my friend! Nothing he has supposedly done for autistic children has helped my son and I wouldn’t want people to think that someone who makes remarks like he did so carelessly speaks for me or for my son.

I would much rather have an ‘unknown’ speak for the autistic world, parents and children alike, who represents the community with an objective view with no slant one way or the other.

By: kirbystynx

kirbystynx — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:17:50 +0000

Imus has a long history of racist/sexist bullying remarks. It wasn’t his “three little words” that toppled his career, it was also the thousands of other slurs, and yes they were just as bad. For what ever reason, this one just hit an especially raw nerve.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200703070009

There’s more. He’s made plenty of snide comments about gays, but here’s Mr. Gay Rights David (in a closet now) Kirby sticking up for Imus.

Kirby was told when his book came out that he was abusive to atuistic adults and their rights, and he has made it quite clear that he intends to abuse autistic adults, his goal of bashing the CDC is foremost in his mind. Devil take the hindmost.

What do you bet the SAFE MINDS gang pays him by the word for everthing he gets on to Huffington Post?

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:51:46 +0000

I have to wonder if the services elsewhere were the same as in NJ, what would the prevalence rate be—-more like in NJ’s?

By: livsparents

livsparents — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:44:51 +0000

“Of course, I am totally biased. I support research into a possible mercury-autism link. And Don Imus had me on his show three times to discuss it. The first time I appeared, in April, 2005, my book on the subject went from a 5-digit ranking on Amazon to a one-digit ranking, in the time it took me to drive home from MSNBC to Brooklyn.”

Oh, it’s so nice for Mr Kirby to voice his TRUE lamentation.

What is 1 in 60 in NJ will soon work out to 1 in 60 in the nation.

We as a group will be able to replace the voice of Don Imus…

By: Joeymom

Joeymom — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:26:17 +0000

Of course, the reason there are so many autistic kids in NJ is because people move there to get services. We’ve even seriosuly considered it ourselves. Delaware is apparently another good destination. It’s not about being born there.