Video: Popular Podcast Mocks People with Autism, Online Reactions

In a recent post on Facebook, Narine Manukyan, director of the Republican Rehabilitation Center, expressed her thoughts on a YouTube show titled "Mets Tema #3 | Narek Amirkhanyan, Tash Sarkisian, Van Grigoryan, Artur Chaparyan, Edo Hovsepyan." She stated, "This time I will try to hold myself back and not offend anyone, even though it would be fair, especially regarding the topic of flat humor, but okay: the boys included are mostly unfamiliar to me, except for Artash, whom I know from a distance as a member of KVN. If you know anyone, please tag them so they can read my comments; I would appreciate it. Autism is a complex issue, and those affected, along with their families, fight a HARSH battle every day, struggling to live their lives, especially in Armenia and our region. Now, by labeling and mocking these children, adults, and their families, you are representing individuals with these issues in the ugliest ways. Your flat humor is viewed by thousands, and unfortunately, against the backdrop of widespread degradation, it is considered funny, and you are unknowingly generating stereotypes against these people, complicating their already difficult lives. If we lived in a civilized country, I would obtain a quality rehabilitation center's funds through a lawsuit for defamation and create conditions for many children, but sadly, we have what we have. Be vigilant; there are plenty of people to mock in your field, among those few of you. Disability is not a subject of ridicule; it is extreme ignorance," she wrote.

Journalists Lika Tumanyan and Narine Ghalechyan also commented on the show. Lika Tumanyan wrote on her Facebook page, "Some people made fun of individuals with autism in a certain podcast. After receiving public backlash, one of them has apologized in a comment. Now, the apology will only be acceptable if the authors remove that episode, edit out the offensive parts, and re-upload it to YouTube. That would be perceived as genuine acknowledgment of their mistakes and rectification. Who needs that apology if the episode stays as it is..."

Narine Ghalechyan also made a post on Facebook, attaching a video: "How is it possible to present a person living with autism as messy and misunderstood? To insult a person who stammers and use ‘autist’ as an offensive term? These are adults, some of whom are well-known public figures. I personally really like at least two of them and follow their work. I am deeply disappointed. Since yesterday, mothers of children living with autism are overwhelmed with difficult emotions, writing, complaining, and expressing their discontent. At the very least, publicly apologize to these individuals, as you have also offended their children. At least edit that part out. All together, apologize briefly and acknowledge your mistakes, offering encouragement and support to those living with autism. Life is not easy for them; often, living is very difficult and complicated in this society. How can you be so insensitive? You are individuals with a huge audience; do you even realize how the relatives of people living with autism feel right now?"