How This Works

Thank you for sharing this video. As a mother of a 5 year old child named Anderson that has a genetic syndrome and microcephaly, he was dalso diagnosed with Autism at age 4 due to the "waiting lists." I am fighting for early intervention and spending money on therapy at home. It is tough, but I have seen progress in only 6 months. Please know that you are not alone and that there are others fighting this fight. We were given these special children for a reason. I too love my 1 in 150. Amy
posted by Amy on 1/13/08 8:46: AM

Beautiful! My heart and thoughts go out to those of you managing life with autism. You are not alone no matter how you feel.
posted by lizz on 1/13/08 8:43: AM

Thank you for a moving and informational video and song speaking for so many children and families. As the mother of 2 beautiful autistic children, it brought tears to my eyes.
posted by randlyn on 1/13/08 8:43: AM

my fist daughter was diagnosed frank breech in her last term. it took me 4 hours to drive the usuall 15 min. drive from the hospital. this felt like i was going to doe. i will definatly foward this all ovewr
posted by paul danko on 1/13/08 8:41: AM

i liked it so much i played it 20 times.. great song.. THIS will be the first time i ever fowarded something. its worth peoples trouble.. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gdamitpauly autism is an avoidable disease. every one needs to get involved., thank you for posting this
posted by paul danko on 1/13/08 8:38: AM

Sad but true. An amazing video. It is time that we all get angry. The Insurance companies bottom line depends on who and what is covered. Where do there profits go? And the pharmacutical companies, if they would donate the enormous amount of money they spend on advertising, to the children and less fortunate this would be a healthier country.
posted by Karen on 1/13/08 8:34: AM

I have a son with autism. He was not officially diagnosed until he was 3 and a half. However, at his 18 month vaccinations the health unit did a developmental screening and he did not pass. I had no idea until then that there was anything wrong as he was my first child. Thankfully we have a Child Development Centre snd he started therapy 2 months later, at 20 months old. I am so greatful that he was able to have the early intervention and therapy. He overcame so much and now functions at a level where most people would not know he has autism unless they knew specifically what to look for. Your daughter is beautiful. Keep fighting.
posted by Lauren on 1/13/08 8:23: AM

My first son (8) has a form of dyslexia and my second son (6) has a sensory intergration disorder, SID. Neither of which is covered by insurance. We spent every dime and max'ed all of our credit cards to get my first son the therapy he needed. He is doing quite well with reading now thanks to that therapy. However, the more than $20k it took to correct this difficulty has left us close to bankruptcy. It wasn't until atfer our first son went through therapy that we found out our second son had SID. We now have no means to provide treatment for him or to put him in the specialized school that would provide the proper environment and therapy he needs to be successful. This e-mail comes at a most interesting time for me. Last night my little guy told me he hated his life, that all the kids make fun of him at school, and that the other kids have surrounded him on the play ground and tackled him. If insurance would actually pay for his therapy, maybe that little guy wouldn't have to hate his life...
posted by Kelly on 1/13/08 8:03: AM

Early intervention is essential!I have worked with a contract agency that provides services for the autistic child.It can be a long and frustrating process for the parents to get services.DON'T WAIT!RESEARCH AND WORK WITH YOUR CHILD UNTIL YOU CAN GET SERVICES.THERE ARE TECHNIQUES TO WORK ON THE SKILLS THAT MUST BE REMEDIATED.DONT EVER GIVE UP ON THEM!
posted by Joyce on 1/13/08 7:57: AM

My family knows some of the struggles. When you see no light at the end of the tunnel, Look a little deeper. Sometimes little things like this video can help just a little. Cause you see all these comments and realize that people do care.
posted by Daniel Birk on 1/13/08 7:47: AM

My son is Dyslexic and we had to take the wheel and make it happen for us. Schools and doctors said wait he'll catch up. We as parents knew something was different with him than our other childen. It has cost us thousands of dollars not covered by insurance but, now we are getting him the help he needs. Slow improvement one day at a time. You are doing the right thing the more pepole know about what our children suffer the more that will empower us all. God Bless you and your family.
posted by Ann on 1/13/08 7:25: AM

I WAS VERY TOUCHED WITH THIS VIDEO. I HAVE A NIECE WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM..SHE HAS BEEN IN EARLY INTERVENTION IS NOW 5 AND IS BEING MAINSTREAMED IN KINDERGARTEN..SPEAKING AND IS TOILET TRAINED..REMARKABLE STRIDES ARE BEING MADE...YOU MUST FIGHT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE....THE RISE IN AUTISM IS ASTROMINICAL...MANY OF MY FRIENDS, HAVE A NEICE, NEPHEW OR GRANDCHILD, OR FRIEND WHO HAS AUTISM...
posted by camille on 1/13/08 7:22: AM

My son is almost 9 and it took almost 4 years for him to speak. It was six years before he was diagnosed and I was told boys were slower than girls. I knew when he was born, he was different. That sinking, aching feeling never went away until I got him diagnosed. Early intervention is very important. Families need to be heard. Our families need compassion, understanding, and patience. God Bless us all!!
posted by Joy on 1/13/08 7:01: AM

As a mother of an 8 year son and aunt to a 3 1/2 year old niece with autism, you video hit so close to us. Thank you for sharing with the world just a hint of what the parents' thoughts are with their children. We need to forward this to every politician, every person in Hollywood, and every scientist that we can think of because that's what it takes. For a disorder that has been around for a long time, we are just now starting to take note that we do have an epidemic on our hands. Keep being loud, it's our only chance. President of the Autism Project of Southern OHIO.
posted by Wendy on 1/13/08 6:32: AM

My big sister's son has asbergers he is the smartest kid tho I really hope that they find a way to help him deal with every day life better I love him so much
posted by Heather on 1/13/08 6:24: AM

My son has Asperger's. He was diagnosed at age 8 and was shuttled immediately from the general classroom where he struggled, but succeeded academically, to an inclusive class where he learned behaviors we have spent 10 years trying to correct. What a wonderful video! No, Claudia does not need to wait 2 years....
posted by zee on 1/13/08 6:10: AM

That was a great video. I have a friend who has a daughter who is not only deaf and epileptic, but she is also autistic. It is a shame that all she can do is squeal and scream. She has a hard time learning because of this. I think there is so much more insurance companies can do, but because they only want to make money and not help people, they make children suffer most and that is where I would draw the line! You can count me in on this fight!
posted by Trish McGarry on 1/13/08 5:36: AM

God bless all that open their hearts to share what they are going through and to those that continue to extend help. My heart goes with you.
posted by carmen on 1/13/08 5:10: AM

This video clip was sent to me by a co-worker that knew that I had a daughter that was Autistic. My daughter is no longer with me but I really get what these parents are saying and trying to do. I kept waiting like the doctors told me and my daughter was not diagnosed until she was 4 years old. Everyday it was a constant fight and a battle with the insurance companines and the schools to get them to understand that intensive therapy was a requirement and not an option. It got to the point that I was that parent that they hated to see coming because I would no longer take no for an answer. My prayer for this family is for GOD to give them the staying power and strength to endure and demand what is rightfully theirs until the end. I am proud and honored that you shared your story with me! God Bless you and your family.
posted by Lorraine on 1/12/08 10:41: PM

Strength and persistance will get you recognized. Go to the top and fight until your your state and our country hears you! This needs to be addressed......keep strong!
posted by suzie on 1/12/08 8:05: PM