In episode 2 of “Big Brother 9” which aired on CBS on Feb 13, contestant Adam Jasinski referred to people with autism as “retards” and justified his statement by saying that he worked for an autism organization. Mr. Jasinski works for the United Autism Foundation of Florida , which has no affiliation with Autism Speaks. As an organization committed to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders and to diminishing the stigma and misunderstanding that has surrounded autism in the past, Autism Speaks condemns hateful language of this nature. We must continue to move forward to foster greater understanding of autism and other disabilities.