Autism United Demanding Apology On Adam’s “Retards” Comment
February 18th, 2008 Scandals,Last week’s comments from Big Brother 9 houseguest Adam caused quite a stir on this site and the waves didn’t stop there. Autism United has been requesting an official apology over Adam’s statement since last Tuesday to no avail, as reported by Associated Press:
John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United, says his group has been trying to speak with CBS executives since the show aired last Tuesday.
On the show, a contestant named Adam, who said he works for an autism foundation, said he would spend his winnings on a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities “so retards can get it together and get their hair done.” The Web site for the show describes him as a 29-year-old public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, Fla.His remark shocked his partner, Sheila, who replied, “Don’t call them that.”
Adam responded by saying, “Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?”
CBS has yet to respond to the request.
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22 Responses to “Autism United Demanding Apology On Adam’s “Retards” Comment”
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February 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am
If Adam doesn’t get booted out of BB9 for this horrible comments, he should be unceremoniously fired from his job. He’s absolutely disgusting and an embarassment.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Finally, someone with a big voice taking the reins–Autism United!! My husband and I raised our autistic son during a time when autism was a very unfamiliar term. Now it is a disablility well-known and affecting more children each year. I really think CBS needs to acknowledge this. I have watched many programs on your network, including Oprah, trying to educate people on the subject of autism. Adam’s hurtful comments have offended families across America who deal with autism daily. This needs to be handled, and he needs to be made aware of what he has done!
February 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I am a parent of a son with autism. We experience stares and hurtful responses to my son when we’re in public from people like Adam. CBS should have the decency to take some kind of stand against this extremely degrading and dismissive comment right now, and stop waiting to see the level of public outcry. I fear that someday my son will be alone and harmed by some person(s) with the disdain for people who are different like my son. I know parents of children with autism whose children have been humiliated in school bathrooms and hallways, and could not defend themselves.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
My son no longer lives at home. He is in a group home 25 miles from us. We visit him twice weekly and take him in the community. We still get stared at, but it’s the comments that come from those stares. Rosemary, I agree with your comments. CBS needs to take a stand, and make Adam accountable for his statements.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
If CBS does not take a stand on this issue they are making a very big mistake. My daughter spends a lot of time working one on one with these kids and she would never, ever say anything even vaguely close to what he did. If he thought he was being “cool” he is wrong. Wake up CBS people have options and your not the only station in town. People who care will write to the shows sponsors and demand action.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:36 am
I have a 9 year old daughter with Down Syndrome and Autism. I was astounded at Adam’s remarks since he supposedly works with Autistic kids. I have been trying for the last 9 years of my daughter’s life to educate people that I meet, who use the unfortunate term, “retard”, that doing so is hurtful. It is a term from the 60’s and before that is negative. Until people start thinking about the words they use, this world will continue to be in chaos. I hope this Adam at the very least is fired from his job.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
CBS will not take a stand until forced to, lets help them out. Write any and all sponsors for CBS and let them know how you feel and that they too should take a stand with you in support of handicap people all over the world. Speaking of all over the world, how do we as American’s look to other countries when we won’t even defend our innocent with voices that cannot be heard? Write your letters to CBS, they are not listening, sit and wait on this like the fence sitters at CBS are doing and see what happens. Or you can take a stand against this and let their sponsors know how you feel by asking them to support you.
February 21st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
My son is Autistic and I am waiting for CBS to stand up and take responsability for the horrible remark made by Adam. I live with and work with special needs children, and I would not call them anything but just that; special needs children. Where does he come off?? I am infuriated that he has been allowed to continue in the house and that he isn’t even aware of what his comment has stirred up outside the house! I hope that the families of the children he works with heard his remark and push for him to be let go from his job!
February 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I can not believe that CBS has owned up to their mistake and apologize. Their statement that Sheila confronted Adam was their apology. Nope not yet CBS. Does your initials CBS mean can be stupid?!!!!
I have a child that is on the autism spectrum and let me tell you not only have we received nasty stares but comments as well.
I had one lady tell me one day that he just needed a good swat on !” My comment back was, “well you don’t look like a rude b—- but you are!”. You could have knocked her over with a feather.
I am still not watching nor is my family until CBS makes an apology. I have emailed them and they read it one time asking them for the apology, the next time I emailed asking if they thought just because Sheila confronted him that was their idea of an apology? They delated it, I know this because I get read receipts or unread.
CBS shame on you, Shame on you producers/supporters of BB.
But more importantly Adam shame on you. YOu lied to CBS you don’t directly work with our children, you are calling for donations for a foundation that has some questionable behavior.
Adam I pray to God that you don’t win but if you do please buy an Island where all the ppl that feel like you do can live. You deserve each other more than you know.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Once again we see how coporate profits and ratings take precidence over the feelings and emotions of others. CBS has lost me as a viewer of this program and quite possibly of their network. Many people are affilicted with Autism ,including my son. Hollywood and the networks continue to make millions on the back of afflictions like this while allowing brazen and hurtful comments to go unpunished. What a difference between CBS and Fox ,while Adam was speaking his evil Fox was talking about nascar and how they are donating money to “Autism Speaks” and How fighting Autism is part of the ongoing Charity work they do. Good for them…Shame on CBS
March 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Adam is the retard. He should know that Autsic kids are not stupid by working with them. They are smart. I have a son who has Autism and he is NOT a retard. Makes you wonder about some of the people working with our children.
March 6th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Ok..Sheila..how is calling him a retard any better than him calling our kids retards? It has to stop somewhere, doesn’t it?
April 24th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I have been a Big Brother fan from the beginning, but if CBS allows Adam to walk away from this a winner after what he said about autistic children…. I’m done with them.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
CBS does not need to apologize for Adams remark. The apology should come from Adam himself on every TV Show “LIVE.”
Personally, I think that Adam has a form of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I also want to advise everyone not to donate your money to any of these big Autism Causes. The over-head to pay for their director’s and staff is ridiculous.
For the last 21 years I have belonged to my local Chapter for Autism. My daughter and I received help, support and all for a small monthly charge of $25.00. This $25.00 helps to cover the costs of meetings, activities such as picnics, Christmas parties, dances for the teenage kids etc. Also covered the cost of our monthly newsletter. Find a local chapter and you will not be disappointed.
More importantly, make sure that you get your child into early education. My daughter who will be 20 years old this July 2008, has been in Special education since she was 2 1/2 years old. When she was 5 years old she was diagnosed with Autism by a well known Pediatric Neurologist. My daughter is a true person with Autism. She does not have a Autism-spectrum diagnosis but I know many child and adults who have this type of the disorder.
My daughter could not have a normal conversation with others until she was 9 years old, and she never would have this ability if it were not for the years of special education. Those special education dispatch therapists, OT/PT therapists were fantastic. GOD BLESS THEM.
As I stated earlier my daughter will be 29 years old in July of 2008. She will be graduating with her high school class and is going on to college in a program for Special education children. Not only am I proud of her, so are her teachers, her peers at her high school but more importantly SHE IS PROUD OF HERSELF!!
Would I consider her her to be cured of Autism. Absolutely not. You cannot cure a child that is born with a neurological disorder. What you can do for your child with Autism is get early education, speech therapy, OT/PT at your schools. Work with your school and continue at home what the teachers are teaching them in school. Doing this will give your child the ability to become a viable adult in society. It will give them the chance in life they deserve.
In my opinion there is too much money being spent on how to cure Autism, which cannot be cured, and not enough money spent so that all these children have the best education and teachers in all cities of the United States.
God Bless everyone. Especially all the other parents and child who have Autism. And Adam apoligize oon LIVE TV.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Was my email aproved? Thanks
April 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I have a 19 year old daughter with true Autism,& not the autism-spectrum type that has been a standard diagnosis since the 1990’s. I agree with everyone’s opinion that Adam’s using the “retard” term was unforgivable. However,the person I feel who should publicly apologize on LIVE TV is Adam himself,not CBS.
After watching Adam all these weeks, I feel Adam maybe a person has a form of the Autism-spectrum disorder.
My opinion is based on almost 21 years of helping children and adults who are challenged everyday with either true Autism or a autism spectrum diagnosis.
Finally, if anyone wants to contribute to an Autism charity do not go to these big Autism sites, find a Local Chapter in your own area. The big charities have a lot of overheard that is being paid to directors etc. Your local chapters have less overhead and you will receive more parent to partent support, activies for your child to participate in and also networking for so you are able to get the best for your child and the adult child.
Parent’s please do not delude yourself that Autism is curible. It is not. Autism is neurological disorder & CANNOT be cured. Children with Autism can be taught but you can never change born with disorder. Those who say there child was cured of autism never had autism. Parents do not wait for a “cure”! Parent’s education yourselves about Autism, and get your child into an Autism school program. Read one of the seven books by Temple Grandin. She is an adult with Autism. I have attended her talks, however I do not know if she still public speaking now.
God Bless you.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
This is a LIVE reality show.. CBS should not be accounted for someone elses actions. THEY can’t figure out what contestants are going to say and not say. THE comment is on ADAM not NO ONE else. Give me a break. IF you agree to watch the show then you agree to watch REAL LIFE situations.. WE can only learn from ADAM’S mistakes. I do think he said that out of being nervous and trying to fit in some where. I think in reality he is a good natured kid. HE didn’t mean what he said. HE works with the disabled ,as far as I am concerned that is way more then I am or anyone else is doing. Take your energy to some other level and not to the negative feed back everyone is giving ADAM.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I agree with kbrad… Adam does show signs of behaviors on the autism spectrum…I think everyone is making a huge deal over his shockingly rude and ignorant remark, but let’s not start blaming CBS. If they bleeped everything out, OMG there would be nothing for us to be upset and shocked over, and we BB viewers are looking for just that kind of stimulation. Pulllleeezzzz don’t say you are watching for the intellectual strategizing alone! I say he said it to look cool (stupid move) and I also say he probably has little control over some of his behaviors.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Wow… all of you people must be perfect then. Never saying anything bad I guess. Give the guy a break and stop being so petty. He said something he shouldn’t have and I’m sure he regrets it. Everyone makes mistakes.
However… who edits the show? Who controls what gets aired on TV and what doesn’t get aired?
CBS.
So, gee… maybe if they decided to not air that clip (and basically screw over someones credibility) then all of you wouldn’t be running your mouths.