Big Brother contestant Adam Jasinki—who achieved near-universal opprobrium in the autism community for calling autistic children “retards” on the show—-is one of the final two contestants to win the half a million dollar prize. Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer describes him as a “wide-eyed lug with Cherry Hill roots”—-that’s Cherry Hill in South Jersey—-who has “connived his controversial way” into possibly winning. If Jasinski wins, it’s a sad statement about what people will do for money and about people in general: Something a lot, lot less than brotherly love.

By now you’ve probably heard about the remarks by Adam Jasinski on CBS’ Big Brother reality TV show in which he referred to autistic children as “retards.” The offensiveness of Jasinski’s remark was all the greater because—-as he said—-he works as the is the PR Manager for the United Autism Foundation (UNIAF) (last September, I reported on UNIAF’s plans to build a dental hospital for autistic children) . Lowe’s has pulled ads from the show.
CBS, as a commenter notes, has still refused to issue an apology, and some questions have been raised about the validity of UNIAF: See this CBS4.com …read more

I shouldn’t even have to say that. Period.

Someone did, on CBS’ Big Brother TV show: Adam Jasinski, who is the PR Manager for the United Autism Foundation (UNIAF). Here’s a video clip in which Jasinski talks about taking autistic children to a hair salon for kids with special needs “so the retards can get it together and get their hair done.” A woman named Sheila confronts Jasinski about what he’s said.

“Can get it together”—–Jasinski’s use of the word “retards” is terrible as it is, but talking about kids “getting it together”: This is seriously troubling language.

My own son Charlie has …read more