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I have been teaching children with autism for the last three years. I understand the joys and frustrations common to the disorder. You're right that early intervention is key. Studies show how crucial it is for treatment to begin before age 5-the key years for language development. I wish the greatest of for your family.
posted by Sean Arnold on 1/04/08 4:57: AM

I truely beleive early intervention is the key! Fight for any help you can get. I was told because my child didn't have physical needs there was no help availible to him. You need to fight. and unfortunatly it is going to be everyone you meet, schools, doctors, insurance companies and state programs. Fight for your child and get several oppinions, then do what YOU think is best for your child.
posted by CB on 1/04/08 4:10: AM

Moving. An acquaintance of mine had to have her son institutionalized about a year ago. She couldn't communicate with him, couldn't control his destructive ways. He had gotten too big for her to handle. He may have harmed himself or someone else. It was, and is, a sad sad thing to see happen to this boy who I allowed to talk me into sneaking into the cemetery the back way, with a 16 passenger Housing Authority van, and remembered it every time he got back into that van. Autistic children can be reached, even if it's something that could get us into trouble. We just have to try much, much harder for these kids.
posted by Avis on 1/03/08 8:55: PM

Ihave a good friend whos 9yr old son has autism. He is the most loving little boy and through therapy ans special classes, he is able to talk to us using sign language. She is also teaching him how to read so that he will one day be able to talk to us using a computer. Good luck to everyone! Stay strong.
posted by cd on 1/03/08 8:39: PM

This was sweet. I totally would love to help with this, but I am only twelve years old. I am so glad that Five afor Fighting is doing this. I have a friend, Eric, who is autistic, but he has a mild case. It is still sad to see those kind of people in the world. I would help any day if I was asked.
posted by Ryan on 1/03/08 7:55: PM

God Bless these children! A good friend of mine's son has been diagnosed with Autism...God Bless them all.
posted by Tiffany on 1/03/08 6:55: PM

What a beautiful child. Best wishes to you and your family as you venture through life and work toward research for a cure.
posted by Megan on 1/03/08 6:41: PM

Intensive Early Intervention is critical. Help push for changes to make intervention available for everyone.
posted by Kim on 1/03/08 5:12: PM

this has touched our hearts , for we to have a beautifl girl who has autism!!! thank you ! pamela & randy macksey
posted by pamela macksey on 1/03/08 5:01: PM

My son is autistic, now 24 years old and a beautiful innocent. Like all autistic kids he has one ability that far surpases any normal ability of you or I. He can watch a car speed by the house and write down the plate # of the car AND draw a perfect picture of not only the car but the DRIVER as well!!As proud as I am of his ability I would much rather see a cure found for this disease!! sincerly, James Gray
posted by James Gray on 1/03/08 2:30: PM

I have met many children with Autism and that are all beautiful souls- we need to help them.
posted by kim on 1/03/08 2:12: PM

what a beautiful video, i also was moved to tears. i pray for all of these children, they are so special. god bless all of you that are involved in these kiddo's live's you to are special.
posted by mona on 1/03/08 1:56: PM

What a beautiful video- I was brought to tears that our country does not do more for our children. We are suppose to be the most powerful nation and we have our children suffering and slipping away. I definately feel your pain, and we need to do something to change our healthcare. You have a beautiful daughter- take it one day at a time.
posted by Sheri M. on 1/03/08 12:55: PM

outstanding...thank you!
posted by andrew salisbury on 1/03/08 11:28: AM

This video was so moving it brought tears to my eyes. My son was diagnosed with autism at age 3. He is now approaching 7 years old and he has come a long way. He is very mild and always wanting to learn more. We have recently changed his diet to casein-free, gluten-free foods and he is talking so much more. There is hope that one day the word autism will not exist in our vocabulary. I love my son more and more every day no matter what. He has taught me so many things.
posted by Yvonne on 1/03/08 10:33: AM

Such a beautiful child. It is such a shame that people are not more aware of what autism entails; causes, treatments, education, etc. It takes a special type of person to parent an autistic child, and I praise God that those parents are willing, and able, to step up and do what is necessary to see that their special child is cared for and loved!
posted by John Northcutt on 1/03/08 10:32: AM

this has sincerely touched my heart in the best way you can possibly imagine! I am a Special Ed(Autism)Teacher and Respite Worker(Autism). I have worked with these children for 4 years now and I was recently accepted after an 8 year wait for an opportunity with Port Authority Police. Hence, I had left because I realized that these children are where my heart is. I hope that someday there will be a cure for Autism, every type, even if it means I am out of a job.
posted by Melissa Olesky on 1/03/08 10:25: AM

A beautiful video with stunning music. Thank you for your message. However, you need to look for alternative methods. The "intensive therapy" you talk about will involve drugs, often steroids, and ultimately will not improve the condition of your child, or any child, for that matter. If you research, you will find that the rising incidence of autism is being created by the shots given to the kids. These shots are forced on us by doctors. I avoided them because I live in California and can claim religious immunity (don't totally understand that, but that's California for you. At any rate, read Robert S. Mendelssohn on the subject of innoculations and go to Mark Hyman's website for nutritional cures. You can also find out about assists from your local Dianetics Center. ALso read Kevin Trudeau's books about traditional medical methods. Our children can be saved, but only by our own hands. We've trusted the medicos long enough.
posted by Sisu on 1/03/08 7:35: AM

What a beautiful child.
posted by Lisa Spear on 1/03/08 5:34: AM

There's know words that can describe how I felt when I saw this video. My heart goes out to these children and their families.....God Bless Them
posted by Donna Martelli on 1/03/08 5:33: AM