How This Works

I know a wonderful couple, who when their children were grown, adopted two autistic children whose parents chose to abandon them. Matt, the adoptive father once told me they were his greatest gift. They loved him truly and made him smile every day. They were warm loving little children whom made him feel special. The children are grown now and I know they still are a loving, happy family.
posted by Karen on 1/13/08 9:49: AM

What an absolutely beautiful child!! And what a disgrace to know that the insurance companies in our country don't care enough to cover the therapy for children like your little girl. I hope we can help wake them up!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
posted by Deborah Whiite on 1/13/08 9:42: AM

Your daughter is just beautiful! My heart goes out to you and your family because of the struggles you face in dealing with her autism. Jenny McCarthy has been an outstanding spokesperson for this cause, bringing national attention to it. Hopefully our government will move in the right direction so that these innocent children have a chance to lead full lives.
posted by Amy on 1/13/08 9:25: AM

God Bless all those parents who struggle each day to help their children and get the best help possible. It shouldn't be this hard. Hopefully soon it won't be.
posted by Marianne on 1/13/08 9:19: AM

The Medical Director of an HMO I used to work for has a son with autism and educated his employees alot on this dilemma. My cousin's son has autism. There are many opinions and some scientific evidence suggesting environmental poisoning of the mother through to the fetus appears to be a major cause. The use "Teflon" coatings in pans which emit certain chemicals as it breaks down over time is one named such culprit. Autism with so many medical chronic conditions facing children and adults needs to be covered from diagnostic testing through the extensive rehabilitative phases including inpatient care, if required. It will take a major act of Congress to mandate and has to be on the Federal Level. With many political choices for President this year and many Senate seats up for grabs as well, it is important to ask the candidates and incumbents where they stand on instituting universal healthcare and if 100% coverage for treatment of Autism is part of that package. In addition what additional funding for research and development to enhance early diagnosis and cure. Hopefully research will also aid in the prevention of this dreaded disease.
posted by Barbara on 1/13/08 9:17: AM

thank you for sharing the message. I am a schoolteacher and have a student with a brother who is autistic. I will spread the word. God Bless
posted by Fran on 1/13/08 9:06: AM

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