Denis Leary Alienates Emersonians, Autistic, Everyone

Denis Leary joined the Michael Savage ranks when he wrote in an upcoming book (Why We Suck) that autism can be blamed on parents. The “Autism Schmautism" chapter (which Leary identified as his favorite in the book) includes this sentiment:

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, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks.

Some of Leary's fellow Emerson College alumni are incensed, calling it "offensive" and "disgusting" for Emerson to associate with Leary given this commentary. Emerson is widely known for its communication disorders programs, among the oldest in the country. The programs address a wide range of disorders, including autism. However, Emerson is perhaps even better known for its funny alumni: Denis Leary, Jay Leno, Steven Wright, and more. Is it okay to mock a real disorder for the sake of being "funny"?

Leary has been a prominent fundraiser for Emerson, which awarded the comedian an honorary doctorate in 2005. He is involved in many other charitable endeavors, including his own Leary Firefighters Foundation. Emersonians aren't the only ones disappointed in Leary, though: Autism Speaks and other organizations have condemned the statements as well. This certainly isn't the first time Leary has offended someone. Will it be the last?

Leary responded to the controversy over his remarks on autism as follows:

I thought [I] made my feelings about autism very clear: that I not only support the current rational approaches to the diagnoses and treatment of real autism but have witnessed it firsthand while watching very dear old friends raise a functioning autistic child... [My point is] not that autism doesn't exist--it obviously does--and I have nothing but admiration and respect for parents dealing with the issue, including the ones I know... The bulk of the chapter deals with grown men who are either self-diagnosing themselves with low-level offshoots of the disease or wishing they could as a way to explain their failed careers and troublesome progeny... Please give me the benefit of the doubt by reading all of what I wrote before attacking me.

However, in a Vanity Fair interview, Leary also notes (probably correctly) that any controversy over his autism remarks could help him "sell more books." Should Emerson cut off the Leary pipeline and/or revoke his doctorate? What do you think about Leary's remarks?

(Disclosure: This Bostonist works and studies at Emerson.)