Nationals senator under fire for "appalling and offensive" autism slur
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Autism advocates are seeking an apology from Nationals senator Barry O'Sullivan over an "appalling and offensive" autism slur.
Speaking about the growing pressure for a commission of inquiry into the banking sector, Nationals senator Barry O'Sullivan told the ABC's RN Breakfast on Monday that the banks "show an almost autistic disregard for prudential regulation and law and it's time for these people to have their day in court".
ABC journalist Peter Ryan tweeted that the broadcaster had received complaints about the senator's comment.
Autism Awareness Australia CEO and director Nicole Rogerson said the senator's choice of words was unacceptable.
"It was just appalling and offensive," Ms Rogerson tells SBS. "He clearly thought this was a very clever thing to say. The target was clearly the banks, not people with autism, but people people with autism just got thrown under the bus.
"Imagine you're a young person with autism, and you're in the car, and you heard that. He was explaining how ruthless the banks are, they don't have any empathy for human beings, they are inhuman - that was just equated to who you are. When you say things flippantly for a soundbite, somebody is behind that soundbite and words really matter."
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
It is Autism Acceptance Month
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman