Adam Jasinski Speaks About Autism

Big Brother Season Nine Winner Discusses His Controversial Remark

Apr 30, 2008

Adam Jasinski, the winner of Big Brother season nine, discusses a comment he made about autistic children that he worked with at the United Autism Foundation in Florida.

Adam Jasinski was voted as the winner of Big Brother season nine on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Early in season nine, Jasinski made the following controversial comment: “…so the retards can get it together and get their hair done.” This statement was made about a group of autistic children that Jasinski worked with at the United Autism Foundation (UNIAF).

The use of the word “retards” created an uproar in the autism community. Contestants of Big Brother are completely shut off from any outside information so Jasinski was completely unaware of the effect that his statement had. In an email interview conducted on April 29, 2008, Jasinski speaks out about the controversy.

Now that you are out of the house, and exposed to the various media outlets again, what do you know of the controversy surrounding the statement you made regarding the autistic children that you worked with prior to entering the competition?

To be quite honest with you, I haven't really read any newspapers or been on the internet since getting out of the Big Brother house. I am still trying to adjust to the outside world, enjoying my family and a little downtime in between media interviews. I have been briefed about the controversy, but don't really know all the details. I'm sure once I am able to get home and my schedule settles down, I will be able to get a full comprehension of all that has taken place.

Some sites have speculated that perhaps you might be on the autism spectrum yourself. What are your thoughts on this speculation?

Now that you are aware of what has been going on outside of the house, do you still plan to donate $100,000 to an autism charity, either UNIAF or another?

Helping children is important to me today, just as it was when I went into the house. Once I get home, I will definitely evaluate the entire situation and figure out the best game plan.

Do you feel that you can take your statement and turn it from a negative moment into something positive to help raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders?

I really didn't have any malicious intent with my comment. Hopefully once I return home, this can all be sorted out.

If you were given the ability to take back that one statement, would you and why/why not?

I really didn't have any malicious intent with my comment so I would definitely take it back.

Would you like to add any additional comments, either a statement to those in the autism community or to your fans and supporters?

At the time of the interview, Jasinski had only been outside of the house less than 48 hours so was not completely aware of the depth of the situation and had not yet spoken with Olaf Hampel, the head of the United Autism Foundation (UNIAF) which employed Jasinski.

The copyright of the article Adam Jasinski Speaks About Autism in Autism/Asperger's Syndrome is owned by Melissa Hincha-Ownby. Permission to republish Adam Jasinski Speaks About Autism in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Apr 30, 2008 1:06 PM

Guest :

Since he didn't realize that he shouldn't be saying the "r" word in the first place, I doubt that he will be able to "get a full comprehension of what has taken place" now that he is out of the house. I still hold CBS accountable for airing that comment. They come off as having wanted to create a controversy. It's hard enough to raise a child with autism. We don't need that kind of "publicity."

Apr 30, 2008 1:06 PM

Angela England :

I haven't had access to TV in awhile so I missed this entire controversy but this was very interesting to me. As a frequent "Open-mouth-insert-foot" type of person myself I wonder if this was just a case of stupidity + ignorance = Whoops! I'm glad that he clarified his intentions were not malicious and I think it just serves to highlight how much education there still is for the general public. Do you feel incidences like this, and Heather from America's Next Top Model, have been helpful for educating the general public?