How This Works

When my son was 19 months old I realized that there was something wrong. I spoke with the pediatrician and she said I think your son is Autisic. I went home and cried. that night I sat up on my bed and said I won't let this take over him. I called several people got the right therapists, then he went to a wonderful school. He can now communicate with me to tell me he wants to eat and drink and etc. I believe if you get the help early and fight for what your child deserves things do change. Please lets get the help for our kids they need it.
posted by Dawn on 9/14/08 6:29: AM

To see more about Claudia and her progress, please visit changeherworld.org.
posted by Claudia's Parents Charlotte and Tony on 9/09/08 6:46: PM

Bless All Families Of Autism, And Bless Those Who See Life Through A Different Window, And Those Who Understand Their View!
posted by Kristine Gill on 9/09/08 12:38: PM

This is a great video about some very deserving children. I thank God every day that my kids didn't have to deal with such a tragic thing. I work with the elderly and am a Physical Therapy Assistant. This seems to be kind of what we deal with on a daily basis with their therapies and Medicare issues. Maybe if we all pass this on, these precious kiddos can get the therapy they all NEED and DESERVE.
posted by Dawn on 9/08/08 6:15: PM

The web site for Donna Gates is www.bodyecologydiet.com
posted by Caroline Alexander on 9/07/08 9:05: AM

May I respectfully recommend the work of Donna Gates author of the Body Ecology Diet and her nutritional program for children with Autisim. Her program is Body Ecology Diet Recovering Our Kids (BEDROK)
posted by Caroline Alexander on 9/07/08 9:04: AM

If interested in helping or learning more about Claudia's progress, please visit www.changeherworld.org
posted by Change Her World Initiative on 9/07/08 4:24: AM

The key to a successful intergration for autistic children is early intervention. Check with your local school for First Steps & Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs. NO child with special needs can be turned away! My autistic grandson is 14 now & not only speaks well, but initiates conversation.
posted by Donna on 9/06/08 9:13: PM

you know what i have a friend who's cousin has illness like yours i wish you will pray for her...
posted by triz_wong on 9/01/08 4:48: AM

My daughter was very attentive and on track with her milestones until she reached age two. My husband and I noticed her decline in activities she normally loved such as her baths and play time with other kids. She use to say words like mine, more, baby, Dada and so on. After she reached two one day we just never heard another word only noises she would make. Her eating almost came to a complete stop so her pediatrician put her on pediasure for children for nourishment. She lost all motor skills and coordination and stopped anything thing remotely close to walking, sitting up, crawling, roll over. She stopped growing and would not sleep. It was like watching her slip further away everyday. Finally after a year of specialist she was diagnosed with severe autism, she was three. Since then we have not looked back and learned to understand her all we could. We love her and she is the angel in our life. But more must be done to stop or find a cure. Over half the world has some form of Autism thank you for spreading the word and for your continued support in research for this cause. Huggs ~Ivyy
posted by Ivyy on 8/31/08 6:43: PM

My daughter, Leslie, was diagnosed at age 9 w/Rett Syndrome (now 30) which is considered to be on the low end of the autism spectrum. I've learned so much about the true meaning of life through our struggles. But, things need to be different for these children. They deserve a fighting chance and from the beginning of diagnosis, not years later. We don't do that w/other conditions - like diabetes, autism is no different. God Bless the children!
posted by Leslie's mom on 8/30/08 11:08: AM

Very moving and very true....I have a 12 1/2 year old boy who wasn't properly diagnosed until a year ago! I had to fight as well with his councilors(who are not properly trained for his type of disability) since he was 3, and he has SSI which gives you automatic Medicaid coverage by the state I live in, NY. LISTEN TO THIS: if you have this basic coverage, YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE CARE YOU ARE GIVEN WITHOUT CHOICE AND THEY WILL FIGHT YOU ON IT! I had to pay $650 out of pocket to get the right diagnosis and am currently looking for proper intensive care. So far, there is nothing and his doctor freaked out that I went to someone else. He is very tiny, and is on alot of meds for the ADHD part, which is necessary so he doesn't harm/kill himself unknowingly. He is mostly verbal, thank God, but still cannot understand the world around him. We are in a fight for his life, and I BEG ANYONE WHO CAN HELP TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY-PLEASE HELP THESE KIDS, THEY ARE PART OF OUR FUTURE TOO AND DO HAVE BRILLIANT MINDS. God Bless...
posted by Jenneen Schoonmaker on 8/25/08 5:35: AM

A very moving video. It seems that we need more legislation to help these children.
posted by Debbie on 8/24/08 5:51: PM

Start early intervention this is the only answer. Ask Jenny McCarthy.
posted by Cheryl on 8/24/08 12:20: PM

I work around autistic children. I am a paraeducator and absolutely love these kids. All though challenging, it is also very rewarding. I believe God blesses special people to parent these children. Consider yourself blessed and know more and more people are becoming aware and want to help. God Bless you all!
posted by cathy o on 8/21/08 9:06: AM

Laura and MJI: I do not know how severe your conditions are, so I cannot make any assumptions. However, I used to work for the state doing therapy for children with autism. Not all are as lucky as you. Not all can go to school with kids their age and eventually fit in. Not all can speak, or write, or communicate in any way...not even through nonverbal means. Some cases of autism are more severe, and I believe that the parents of these children are justified in their desire for a cure. They want their children to be able to function. In many cases, it is not an issue of "seeing the world differently". Their parents just want them to feed themselves, use the toilet on their own, communicate through ANY means, even learn their own name. Once again, I am glad to hear that there are individuals such as yourselves who are functioning wonderfully and do not want a "cure," but there are even more individuals out there who aren't so lucky. Please do not compare your cases to all.
posted by Sara Comish on 8/20/08 7:59: AM

Jean, electric shocks are not used in proper behavioral settings. therapies may include speech- if a child's speech is delayed or improper, physical- if a child is delayed in the ability to walk or crawl etc, and the list just goes on. The earlier therapy begins, the higher the chances are of a child being able to function better later on in life. I work with the autism population, and I love my kids to death, and would really give them my life. They have so much they can offer us if we are willing to give them the chance.
posted by Rachel Albert on 8/19/08 6:59: PM

1. Thanks for the video. 2. Exactly what therapies? I've heard of some pretty awful "behavior modification" techniques involving electric shock that are simply hideous. 3. Please make your "comments" page easier to read online. The ontrast between white and beige is not sharp enough to see easily. Thanks
posted by Jean Gerard on 8/17/08 9:45: AM

I have a son with Asperger's and I also struggle with Asperger's. I have found that this "disablity" can be a good thing for the world at times, because we don't go along with group think - we see things differently and don't feel pressure to conform to groups. This can be good if the group is going in the wrong direction - we can help steer it in the right direction. But, I have also learned that it is important that I and my son learn how to be more "normal" too. We can use our "otherness" to see things that others can't, but then we need to conform to the normal way of communicating so that we can be productive members, otherwise people don't understand us, so don't take us seriously. I and my son are very high-functioning. I cannot speak for those who are more profoundly affected.
posted by Heather on 8/15/08 9:31: PM

God bless the children
posted by Pieri Burton on 8/13/08 8:58: AM