How This Works

I work with children with autism every day of my life and could never imagine choosing another path. These children are a blessing and a gift to everyone whose lives they touch. I have never been more challenged and never felt more rewarded by anything in life. These children and their families have an unparalleled strength. They are some of the most wonderful people I have crossed paths with. I am a better person having known each and every one of them.
posted by Tara on 1/12/08 9:36: AM

I have a Grandaughter who has been diagnosed with functioning autisim, although she did not come into my life untill she was 7 she has made a special place in my heart, thank you all for your efforts with austisim I will be one who will do what I can to help.
posted by Jackie B. on 1/12/08 9:30: AM

I have a 6 year old son who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (an Autism Spectrum Disorder) when he was 3 1/2. Thank you for this beautiful video! May the time come soon when people realize and understand the needs of our remarkable and loving children.
posted by Laura on 1/12/08 9:17: AM

My brother has an autistic daughter and she is very special. During our last visit to Disneyland, we were provided a special pass that allowed us to go first in line at every ride. This really helped to avoid frustration she would experience by not understanding about waiting in line and enhanced her joy in experiencing the Disney experience. May God Bless the Disney company for taking the extra step in bringing some joy to these special kids!
posted by Rob on 1/12/08 9:13: AM

AND THANK YOU
posted by kristin on 1/12/08 8:46: AM

MY NAME IS KRISTIN I LOIVE IN NY AND I HAVE AN AUTISTIC METALLY RETARTED 20 YEAR OLD BROTHER.AS WELL AS WATCH A 29 YEAR OLD AUTISTIC GIRL FOR TEN YEARS THROUGH A QUEENS BASED AGENYS NEW YORK FAMILIES FOR AUTISM.I LIVE WITH AUTISM IN MY LIFE EVERYDAY.AND I NEVER FEEL BAD FOR THESE SPEACIAL CHILDREN THAT GOD GIVES TO US. THEY ARE THE MOST BROGHT MOST SMART MOST BEAUFUL PPL GOD MAKES.AND WITH STUFF LIKE THIS VIDEO THE INTERNET TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE WE WILL FIGHT THIS RAGING BADDLE WITH AUTISM. KEEP EDUCATING EACH OTHER AND LETS NOT FORGET. AUTISM DOENT ONLY AFFECT THE CHILD WHO IS BORN WITH IT. BUT IT IS A LIFE LONG BATTLE FOR THE FAMILIES ALSO. ANYONE WHO LIVE IS NEW YORK AND WOULD LIKE IN INQUIRE ABOUT THE AGENCY I WORK FOR THERE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP ANYONE WHO NEEDS. NYFACE NEW YORK FAMILIES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN 718-641-3441
posted by kristin on 1/12/08 8:42: AM

Thank you for sharing your story. I pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that He continue to fill you with his Holy Sprit so you have strength and wisdom to fight this battle you have been assigned too.
posted by Steve on 1/12/08 8:10: AM

Beautiful video. I work w/ children with an Autism diagnosis... I agree that early intervention is key - Bravo!
posted by Sandi on 1/12/08 8:08: AM

I am so scared to see what happens in the future. I PRAY TO THE LORD THAT THERE WILL BE A CURE ONE DAY FOR THESE INNOCENT CHILDREN. Sometimes I ask my self why? Why does this have to happen to children. As a mother I know how it is to fear the worst and want to take the pain and suffering of your child away. Of course we don't want our little ones to suffer but there is a reason for everything. THAT IS SO HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT AT TIMES. My heart and prayers go out to all the children and parents who are going through this hard struggle right now. ALL I CAN SAY IS PRAY, PRAY, AND PRAY. He will listen and give you a answer. I am going to send this video to everyone I can. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU ALL!! Carly S.
posted by carly on 1/12/08 7:44: AM

I have an autistic son who is 40 years old now. Way back then nobody ever heard about Autism. I kne something was wrong with him by the age of 1year old. He would not like for us to hug him and of course never did start to talk. They gave me the run around, told me since he was a boy and the first child, he would be slow in his speach. Also they laughed at me because I was a new mother. I took him to so many places to be evaluated I can't count them, I did not give up. He was about 4 years old when we heard the fist time the word "Autism" There were no special programs in our city, so I had to take him to Nashville where they had a program. It took 5 years before we had a program for him in our town. Right now he is at a work shelter during the day. He has several jobs there and is doing quite well. He still is living in his own world and only on occations will talk to us in 3 word sentences. It has been a long road. He is still living at home. My heart goes out to you. Thank goodness we know more about autism today then way back then.
posted by Ingrid Thompson on 1/12/08 7:16: AM

My son, Jonathan, is 7. He was once severely affected by autism, but he has made so much progress with interventions! Do not wait!! There is so much you can do on your own. Floortime, an at home program by Dr. Greenspan helped us connect with our son emotionally. We are now doing RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) www.rdiconnect.com. I bought books, read them and applied what I could. Jonathan is now one of the most social boys I know! Though I did not hear him speak until he was 3.5, he now is fully conversational. He is bright and funny and has a tender heart. I have a web site I'd love for you to visit. It is www.cafepress.com/awetism. You can read more and see a picture of my son. God bless you and your little girl! Donna Cooper Mom to an AWEsome boy!
posted by Donna on 1/12/08 7:09: AM

Please look into the OPTION INSTITUTE in Massachusetts. They are an incredible place of support and healing for Autistic Children. My heart goes out to everyone!!
posted by Annika on 1/12/08 6:21: AM

i have a grandson that is autism he is nine years old, he was disnoges at the age of 4 , i support a like of disablees. i wish they had a stamp of autism to buy cause i would and it would be out there remind people its out there.
posted by stella adams on 1/12/08 5:50: AM

Thank you for this video. I have nothing to give but my heart felt tears which resulted in a heart felt prayer to God for healing for this little girl and that God make the of Autism history.
posted by Laverne on 1/12/08 5:31: AM

Love you Danielle <33
posted by Gina Locurcio on 1/12/08 12:05: AM

I have 3 children, one daughter and two sons. Both of my little guys have PDD and my youngest also shows asspects of Asperger's Syndrome.My oldest, is my daughter Kiera, she is a very healthy 9 year old,little girl. My 8 year old was not officially diagnosed until kindergarten, but had thankfully had speech, special ed, and occupational therapy, all through pre-school. I went against the "better judgement" of everyone around me, and had him evaluated when he was three, and not speeking. A parent,just knows. He was very "generically" labeled Developmentaly delayed, and it was enough to get him the services he needed. My 5 year old started to recieve early intervention at 10 months old. His delays were much more severe than his brother's, including not rolling over or sitting up by 10 months old. He was not officially diagnosed with his autism until he was 4. Although both my boys did not speak and had major sensory issues, on the surface, they seemed to present totally different syptoms. My older son Lorcan was the "model infant" in that he rarely cried, always smiled, and slept about 18 hours every single day until the age of almost 2. My son Aidan was just like him until he hit about 6 months old, and then our nightmare began. If he was touched, fed, heard a sound, or was aware that he was being looked at by anyone unfamiliar, he would scream and cry as if he was in physical agony. The crying could last a good few hours, and our lives were hell. That continued until he was 2-3, depending on the situation. Looking back, I can see that they were both reacting completely opposite, but to the same sensory inputs. Sounds that soothed my one son, were excrusiating to my other. The day we were given Lorcan's diagnosis, I thought my children's lives were doomed. I say children, because even though Aidan had not been diagnosed, just by talking to the neurologist, I knew almost instantly that Aidan was also Autistic. Thankfully, both my guys are high functioning, and I listened to myself when no one, I felt was listening to me. Autism affects everyone it comes in contact with. Every child who has it, every family who lives it, every stranger who does, or doesn't understand it. Everyone. Today is different. I no longer feel my children are "DOOMED". Today, I feel more than ever BLESSED. My boys are incredible little men, and the most loving little boys a mother could ask for. Early intervention WORKS. Every single day is WORK. I like to refer to each of our days as our DAILY ADVENTURE! This is the hand we have been dealt. We aren't folding, we're "all in" so to speak. If you see or think your child is not progressing, DO NOT WAIT AND SEE. HAVE YOUR CHILD EVALUATED. If we had waited for our pediatrician to say something, we may still not even know what AUTISM looks like. Every child is affected differently. There is HOPE, there is LIFE with autism. When my Aidan learned to walk, he was almost 2 and could not tolerate having his hands touched. Holding hands,was not an option.He also didn't speak. When he was three and a half, Aidan reached up and took my hand one day. A few days later... he said... I love you.
posted by Karen on 1/11/08 11:16: PM

Our church has a committee called "Belonging is a Religious Experience" which works to bring children who are differently abled into the religious education classes on Sunday. We have two young men with autism in our Senior Youth Group which meets on Sunday nights. They are great kids! They participate as they are able and they have taught much to all of us, youth and advisors. I am so grateful to have them in my life. (Our church is First Parish in Framingham, Unitarian Universalist.)
posted by Janice Knapp-Cordes on 1/11/08 10:01: PM

Today was a very trying day for me in dealing with my stepson who is autistic. Although I am not his biological mom, I have raised him since he was five and spent so much time trying to understand, observe him and help him ever since he was a little boy. His mother and father ignored his realities. He and I have been through so much including suicidal tendencies which is very common with these kids when they get older and daily struggles of simply getting to school on time (taking a shower in under an hour) and making it through a normal day. My boy is now 20. He still struggles just like when he was young. My best advice is to LISTEN to them! Talk to them. Their pain and their struggle is real. Thanks for the video. It reminded me to once again be patient on a day when I needed it more than I have in a very long time.
posted by Julie on 1/11/08 8:32: PM

I to have an autistic son who was also eating everything, learning to use the potty, talking everything a parent teaches. Everything was progressing well and BAM 18 months came and everything and I mean everything started regressing including the eating habits. I read in a book children start to regress when another sibling joins the family, so I chalked it up to that since I had another son eighteen months later. I let it go and let it go until one day my mother told me she believed my son to be autistic and I chalked it up to my mother trying to find fault with my child. The very next day my neighbor who is a teacher was observing Brian as she was talking to me and said I don't want to hurt your feelings but I think your son is showing characteristics of autism. Well to say the least I decided to have him evaluated and sure enough he was diagnosed with PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) another form of Autism. All I can say is watch the signs and don't assume. My son is highly functioning he can speak, write, read and learn in a regular school with the help of an aide. Thanks for the video it was great to see and read the comments. I really feel now that my husband and I are NOT alone in this.
posted by Cindy on 1/11/08 8:03: PM

Thank you to all who care, learn and share. My 5 year old nephew was diagnosed at age 2. While my brother has taken the steps to educate himself, and get Alex into the therapy he needs...life will simply just always be hard for him. I myself...can never stop crying. Here is my only nephew and as special as he already is...seeing his innocence makes him that much MORE loveable!!! To me, these children are lucky to see the world for the simplicity that it should be.
posted by Jessica on 1/11/08 7:57: PM