How This Works

Touching Video-Profound Message
posted by Ann on 4/26/08 6:50: AM

I work with children with special needs in our school division and one of the most important things I have learned is that if you know one child with any special needs in the spectrum of Autism you know ONE child with Autism. I think thats whats so special and wonderful about children with Autism, that they are originals, they are interesting, they are humans and they are very unique! We should all be so lucky as to know people like that! This is a beautiful and touching video of your daughter, she is absolutely beautiful! God bless you & your family and I wish you all the best!
posted by Renee on 4/25/08 7:43: PM

Nice that some with ASPERGERS have found the positive in their condition, but please know that Aspergers and AUTISM are NOTHING ALIKE! You being able to express yourself is something someone with true, severe Autism could never do. Don't judge, just be grateful you have Aperger's instead of SEVERE AUTISM!
posted by To Bobby Joe-PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF on 4/25/08 4:02: PM

Thanks for this. It has helped me a lot. I work at a camp over the summer and last year my camper had autism and this helped me a lot.
posted by morgan on 4/25/08 6:00: AM

I worked in a school district for 15 years and saw and got to know several children who had autism. They were the most loving kids you would ever want to be around. I do hope that this helps them in some way.
posted by Pat Stockslager on 4/25/08 4:48: AM

Everyone needs not to judge but to love, you never know until you walk in someone else's shoes what their life is. For all those keep pushing and keep fighting to help everyone with autism and those whom are not born yet.......
posted by terry on 4/25/08 4:12: AM

This video is beautiful and everyone should watch it, your daighter is adorable and I wish you the best of luck in the future. I would like to thank Bobby Joe for sharing your thoughts on your autism experience. I am so glad, and proud that you have accepted this and made it into a very positive and amazing way of living your life...however it is not that easy for everyone. I work at a camp for children and adults with a handicap and have seem many people with autism. I know that it is a very frustrating problem to deal with for the person with autism, and for the family. I dont mean to insult you in any way, Bobby joe, but i just want to say that although autism is a good experience for you it is not so good for most people in the spectrum. I have worked with many people who have had problems at school and would do anything to be able to cure there autism. I really look up to you for turning autism into such a postive thing but i just wanted to make a statement that it is not so postive for everyone else. Thank you for being such an inspiration to all autistic people, i wish they all could have the same attitude you have...its just harder for other to think that way.
posted by mary on 4/24/08 9:22: PM

I have an autistic nephew that for many years his autism was hard to deal with for many in my family. Thankfully he has been able to make progress and the effort of awarness has helped many in my family to finally uderstand his disabilities. If we continue to make our voices heard and make others aware only good thing can happen. I truely am blessed to have my nephew in my life and treasure his progress and I am proud to of the courage of so many others dealing and willing to share their stories. May God look down upon you all and bless each and everyone with his love.
posted by Steve on 4/24/08 7:28: PM

give big Nascar does.
posted by Jan Wilson on 4/24/08 2:43: PM

I want to respond to the comments from Bobby Joe, who has autism/aspergers. Thank you for the courage to speak out and ask to be treated first and foremost as a HUMAN BEING. I believe that you are a person who is created in the image of God and who is deeply loved by God. In addition, as a part of the whole human family, you are an important person. I have three sons. One of them, Matthew (age 16), has autism. I find that he does best when we treat him as a person and include him in everything we do as a family. Matthew's name means "gift of God" and he has truly been a gift of God to our family. He has taught us many things about ourselves and taught us how to be better, more loving, more patient people. He has taught us to accept people for who they are, as they are, without conditions. This is not to deny that we have had very difficult times in trying to be good parents for Matthew, in trying to understand how autism impacts him, etc. At the end of the day, though, Bobby Joe, you are right on. Keep speaking your truth to the world. Feel free to call me if you ever want to talk about any of these issues. You can call me at my office: 303-398-6207. I work as a chaplain at The Denver Hospice in Denver, Colorado. Thanks to all who love and support people with autism/aspergers and their families. Many blessings and heartfelt thanks. Kevin Clark
posted by Kevin Clark on 4/24/08 11:21: AM

Thank you so much......for caring!
posted by Mary Ann on 4/24/08 10:10: AM

I have a boy 3 years old. we thought he had autism because he presented some characteristics, but after some evaluations the doctor told us it was only speech delay, any way my point is that even my son is not autistic I know the feeling like a parent, to do not know what to do, how to help him. So my support is for the parents of this lovely kids, they work so hard, the double than any other regular parent.
posted by Carola on 4/24/08 10:09: AM

THANK YOU
posted by Jeffrey J. Remington on 4/24/08 4:21: AM

and I've noticed that it seems no one, other then Jenna, reacted to my message. They're still saying we need to find a cure and saying they want it to stop...Guess they just don't understand. Mary the basic symptoms of Autism are: it being HARDER to read people, it being HARDER to communicate clearly, it being HARDER to make real friends. Basically everything that has to do with socializeing. (I put emphasis on the HARDER because, from what I've seen, it seems people think its impossible)
posted by Bobby Joe on 4/23/08 10:02: PM

Guys, please stop saying you need to find a "cure" I'm happy with my autism. I understand many of your daughters/sons/nephews/brothers have problems, but don't speak for everyone and say "lets wipe out this 'disease'!" Don't generalize. And I'd really like to hear autistic people speak themselves instead of all these people that pity them. I've had/have many of the problems you brought up, Jenna, and they've frusturated me aswell. I've been unable to read people, communicate, be understood, make real friends instead of friendly acquantices, and I'm still working on allot of them, but that doesn't mean I want your pity. Because for a long time I was the one everyone felt sorry before. Saying "Oh you understand this because of your aspergers" or "this is you're aspergers ruining you" and I HATED it. Everyone's pity makes many feel less then human. Like you can't do things on your own. Fortunatly, I've closely observed and analyzed people who have the skills I lack and have been able to fit in better. And I didnt have intensive therapy or anyones help. That's why I'm trying to oppose allot of what people are naively saying. But as an autistic person I understand your brother’s problems and I wish him the best of luck. If he needs someone to talk to about his aspergers I would be more than happy to. It would probably help both of us. I guarantee you talking to him (like he’s a normal person and you’re not worried about him) will help him more then anything.
posted by Bobby Joe on 4/23/08 9:53: PM

My son Zack is 12 (13 in a couple of weeks) he is mid-high functioning autistic. He was not diagnosed until he was 3yrs old. (I was a parent that was told to wait and see what happens) He now is doing very well for his age, he can even talk though he cannot convey thoughts very well. He has been in theropy since he was 3, then it was easier to get help because there were not that many cases, I think only 1 in 10,000 (boy has it increased!). These days it is so hard to get what these children need. There is no cure, so these children need help! Everyone who helps is greatly appreciated.
posted by Sarah on 4/23/08 8:14: AM

This is a wonderful way of trying to help Autism. I am 12. I have a 21 year old brother with a type of Autism. I love him to death hoping that some day he will be able to say "I love you, too!" And say it by himself, without us having to tell him to say it, and I want him to say it to me, and mean it. I keep saying to myself, "It's ok, he's going to get cured any year now." But I have to think, it's too late. But it's not too late for the future Autistic kids. I did a fund-raiser at my school last year. We raised $4,???. I raised it for an orphanage of disabled kids in Bosnia. I hope that everyone will send this to anyone that is willing to help, and I will keep watching this until there's a cure. Please help, for my brother's sake, and all of the other present and future Autistic kids.
posted by Christi on 4/22/08 8:27: PM

Every little bit helps!
posted by Jill on 4/22/08 11:46: AM

AUTISM
posted by brandi on 4/22/08 9:44: AM

Anything to help!
posted by Jennifer Winters on 4/21/08 8:15: PM