How This Works

I do not know anyone with autism, but your video brought me to tears. I don't think you should have to know somebody to do something. I am going to visit autismspeaks to see what I can do. I wish you and your family all the strength in the world.
posted by Ben on 4/20/07 7:53: AM

Kristin. I also have 3 boys. My oldest, 8, was diagnosed with PDD in the form of a severe speech delay. His twin brothers, now 6, are HF autistic. My boys have done so well with therapies provided by the public school system. I have traveled your road and shed your tears. Ours boys will stand stong as long as we love them and have faith in them. Stay strong - Lisa
posted by Lisa on 4/20/07 7:08: AM

beautifull child and glow..i will think and help pray for the smiles to stay and happy long fullfilling lives.. they deserve it!! all my thought chris
posted by chris on 4/19/07 10:32: PM

kristin- they are beautiful young boys, i also have a 4 yr. old whose on the spectrum he works so hard each and every day to make the progress. Just love them up!! we have to yell it from the rooftops so the word gets out and I think we are doing a GREAT job!!!
posted by jen on 4/19/07 5:59: PM

Thank you all so much for the comments! We love to read them and to hear of other's experiences with autism. All 3 of our boys are on the spectrum. Our oldest son has Tourette's syndrome and our middle son will be getting evaluated for Asperger's syndrome in a few weeks. Nathan is now 3.5 and was officially diagnosed with severe autism in February '07. We had an idea for a while before that, but got the ball rolling in November to have him evaluated. He now attends an all-day special-ed preschool year-round where he received behavioral therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. Thank God for our great school system! In December he was only saying 2 words consistently. In the 3 months he has been in school he now says over 75 words and has a few signs he uses as well. His eye contact has improved leaps and bounds and he doesn't seem so in himself as he did only a few short months ago. It is VERY hard work, but he makes it all worthwhile. We have great hope that we will recover him from his diagnosis, but even if we don't we love him for who he is. He is a very special little boy and we love him more and more each day. Even on the hardest days we have to just remember what we are fighting for. Our prayers to all the other families who are dealing with this. Thank you all for spreading the word and helping us to make the world more aware. Kristin
posted by Kristin Fileger on 4/19/07 5:26: PM

We have two son's on the spectrum. We love seeing your pictures and seeing others who are fighting the fight too. Thank you for doing this! We were very moved!
posted by Selcho Family on 4/19/07 4:54: PM

thank you thank you thank you...what a beautiful testimony of love!
posted by A & A's grandma maureen on 4/19/07 1:29: PM

What an awsome video,The worst is the not knowing,We are teaching a little boy in preschool that is suspected to have Autism, The picture of you holding the childs face in order to make him look at you really brought me into what we are going through, I wish you and yours all of God's Blessings First Class Preschool Halifax, Nova Scotia
posted by Betty-Jean Chamberlain on 4/19/07 1:25: PM

What an awsome video,The worst is the not knowing,We are teaching a little boy in preschool that is suspected to have Autism, The picture of you holding the childs face in order to make him look at you really brought me into what we are going through, I wish you and yours all of God's Blessings First Class Preschool Halifax, Nova Scotia
posted by Betty-Jean Chamberlain on 4/19/07 1:25: PM

What an awsome video,The worst is the not knowing,We are teaching a little boy in preschool that is suspected to have Autism, The picture of you holding the childs face in order to make him look at you really brought me into what we are going through, I wish you and yours all of God's Blessings First Class Preschool Halifax, Nova Scotia
posted by Betty-Jean Chamberlain on 4/19/07 1:25: PM

What an awsome video,The worst is the not knowing,We are teaching a little boy in preschool that is suspected to have Autism, The picture of you holding the childs face in order to make him look at you really brought me into what we are going through, I wish you and yours all of God's Blessings First Class Preschool Halifax, Nova Scotia
posted by Betty-Jean Chamberlain on 4/19/07 1:25: PM

What an awsome video,The worst is the not knowing,We are teaching a little boy in preschool that is suspected to have Autism, The picture of you holding the childs face in order to make him look at you really brought me into what we are going through, I wish you and yours all of God's Blessings First Class Preschool Halifax, Nova Scotia
posted by Betty-Jean Chamberlain on 4/19/07 1:25: PM

Just beautiful Kristin. The boys are gorgeous. Love Jen
posted by Jen Graham on 4/19/07 11:07: AM

What a gorgeous family. The boys look so loved. Never give up on your fight against Autism...even when it feels like you are not getting anywhere...fight harder that day. That may be the day something changes for you. Trust me, I know, it happened for us. Our second son was diagnosed with Autism. Families with Autism NEED families like yours. Make a difference, scream it out loud...let the world hear us...But always remember...Life is good. It keeps getting better.........Enjoy the kids.........
posted by Janis on 4/19/07 10:21: AM

Thank you for having the strength to bring this to the forefront. For my son who also has Muscular Dystrophy, ASD has been like a chameleon, sometimes it stares you in the face and other times it's impossible to see. Outsiders, often times family in denial, interpret this to be either his problem or mine alone.
posted by Lori on 4/19/07 9:09: AM

You picked the most appropriate song to play with your video. This is for the fight for Autism. Keep fighting, keeping praying and most of all, KEEP LOVING!!!
posted by Mary A Whiting on 4/19/07 8:29: AM

I hate autism and that keeps me fighting it. I see this video and I cry.
posted by Wendy on 4/19/07 6:56: AM

It's about time we began to understand this disorder both as friends and family, and as professionals. Thanks for sharing your journey.
posted by Pamela on 4/19/07 5:25: AM

I got your video from your husband through IMVU. I must say, u did really good to make this Kirstin. Altho I'm young, i can perfectly understand how it is to live with an autistic son. I've worked in a day-care and I had a boy with autism (and a handicap) under my surveillance. It is hard sometimes, i admit, but u know u get the love for the hard work u put in it. They shouldnt be treatened like they are not normal. See him as your little special boy. Cuz thats what he is, lovely but special. Take good care, also for your other boys. A big hug and kisses, Evi
posted by Evi (Valdarias) on 4/19/07 3:29: AM

Great video, Kristin!
posted by Nina on 4/18/07 8:15: PM