How This Works

I can only hope that our children can finally receive the help that they so desparately need. I fear what will happen to my son when I am gone if I can't help him become independant before I die. This video touches me and I am thankful for the effort put into it!
posted by Kristi from Indiana on 1/15/08 10:12: AM

My autistic son Jacob would love watching this video, he smiles when he sees young "punkins". The best luck to Claudia, she brings good karma to the world....
posted by Karl on 1/15/08 9:56: AM

Incredibly moving. Would help to provide people with some suggestion on how people can support efforts and funding for care and the elimination of this terrible disease, e.g. What helps? write your congressman? What charity organizations to donate to? What else can people do?
posted by Lisa Stocks on 1/15/08 9:53: AM

beautiful....good luck on your journey with Claudia.
posted by Lin on 1/15/08 9:52: AM

Thank you Five for Fighting for helping to give Claudia and all the other precious children a voice! God Bless all the families dealing with this insidious disease
posted by Laurel on 1/15/08 9:51: AM

This was absolutly moving. I have a 4 year old son, whom, I know deep down (inside) has some form of autism. Like you, we have also been told to wait. I read everything I can on Autism and will continue to push until our doctors listen to us. God Bless.
posted by Stacey on 1/15/08 9:51: AM

We have friends with an autistic son who sought help at the Treatment Centers of America in western Mass. The center was founded by the parents of an autistic son who were told to just institutionalize him. They wrote a book which became a movie called "Son Rise". While the program is expensive I believe they offer grants. There is hope out there and so many very dedicated people trying to make a difference. Keep faith and remember she has chosen you for this tremendous task. G-d Bless.
posted by Eileen on 1/15/08 9:48: AM

This was so awesome and very thankful that my daughter sent this, so I can forward it so it will keep going and going....God be with you and your beautiful family.
posted by Karen Browning on 1/15/08 9:41: AM

My son is about to turn 7 in April. He was diagnosed at 3 and we hit the therapies, diet, vitamin trail. Nothing was covered by insurance and my father stepped in to help. $30,000 per year was spent. Owen is now baffling experts who say he is not autistic. Get help as soon as you can... you can beat this!
posted by Anna on 1/15/08 9:40: AM

This is truly a great thing my brother's in music are doing to help. I have a nephew with autism and a son with severe CP. It is time we all do something to help those. Those who teach us so much about ourselves! -Dj Almighty
posted by Dj Almighty, Chicago on 1/15/08 9:39: AM

Here are my prayers to all of the families and wishing all of the help you need. Bless you!
posted by Joyce Wilson on 1/15/08 9:38: AM

As a former special education teacher and the grandmother of two boys on the autistic spectrum, I wholeheartedly endorse any effort to put the awareness of this "epidemic" in the forefront of the minds of legislators. Something needs to be done NOW!
posted by Phyllis on 1/15/08 9:38: AM

Beautiful video! I grew up with a cousin with autism. God Bless you and your family!
posted by Theresa on 1/15/08 9:38: AM

RIGHT ON! THANK GOD THAT THIS IS FINALLY COMING TO LIGHT! OUR KIDS NEED HELP SO BADLY. I AM BLESSED THAT MY SON IS NOT QUITE AS SEVERE AND AS I SEE HIM GROW AND FIGHT HIS WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL I AM AMAZED AT HOW FAR HE HAS COME AND HOW FAR I KNOW THAT HE WILL GO. I PRAY THAT THIS WILL HELP THOSE WHO TRUELY NEED IT NOW!
posted by karen on 1/15/08 9:26: AM

God Bless every one of you that has special needs child. God has given them to only us because we se the "true" person. I work w/ special needs children, some autistic, my prayers go out to you.
posted by Ginger on 1/15/08 9:19: AM

Thank you so much for your voice! Our son developed autism after a bout of bacterial meningitis at 14 mo. But like most children wasn't diagnosed until after the age of 3. We live in a small county and there are no services. He has been mainstreamed into the public school and they do what they can, but like most children with autism they need more intense help. He is so full of love and you can tell he wants more than anything to fit in and play with the other kids buts gets frustated and sad when they don't understand or make fun of him. He was even beat up once last year on the playground while trying to fit in. If we could even just get people to understand and teach thier children to be tolorent and not judge. That would be a huge help. My prayers are with all the families who strugle on a daily basis with this.
posted by Shannon on 1/15/08 9:15: AM

God Bless You and keep fighting...
posted by Rhonda on 1/15/08 9:15: AM

Thank you so much for this. Both of my sons are autistic and we are one of the lucky ones. Our insurance company covers private therapy but it is billed over $4000 a month for a few hours of therapy. If we had to pay for this out of pocket we would likely be bankrupt. NO family should have to wait for services and no family should have to be told their child's needs aren't covered by their insurance policy. Early intervention is key to helping both the child and our society for the long-term. Thank you for raising awareness of autism.
posted by Laura on 1/15/08 9:11: AM

My son Matthew turns 15 this weekend. It's hard to believe it was 12 years ago we found out he was Autistic. Back then it was still so new. We were blessed with great programs in our town and each place we live to help him. For those parents of young children, there should always be hope. Today we talk about high school graduation, learners permits, and college. His world is not as big as sisters, but each new discovery is just as rewarding!
posted by Heather on 1/15/08 9:08: AM

FRANK FARINO IS THE BEST TEACHER OF AUTISM IN THIS AREA.
posted by Patricia A. Borens on 1/15/08 9:07: AM