How This Works

Our friends sued the school district in Redlands/San Bernardino, California, and won. Under the terms of the settlement, the school district was required to provide intensive, 8-hour-a-day therapy for several years. My friends' daughter is now 12 years old, participates in regular school, plays an instrument, and is almost indistinguishable from any other 12-year-old.
posted by Kim Godard on 12/31/07 3:16: PM

I've known many autistic people and this video is very touching. I live in a recreational facility for studets with disabilities. Members of the Easter Seals organization. As a person in a wheelchair, I understand how insurance ignores issues such as these instead of helping out right away. I'll spread the word about this video. Feel free to contact me by email to tell me your thoughts. I'm also on Myspace.
posted by Robert Sagartz on 12/31/07 1:24: PM

There are currently two young children in my family, they are 2nd cousins to each other and both 5 year old boys. I'm seeing a lot of improvement in my nephew...On a daily basis I am a Special Needs School Bus Driver...I've been educated by books but more so by the parents and children affected by Autism...the range is so large...children from 3 to 24 are in my care...keep loving them...show them kindness and compassion, I really believe that deep inside they are retaining even though they cannot tell us....I wish you all many Blessings in the coming New year and always...Donna in Michigan...
posted by Donna on 12/31/07 1:11: PM

I love your video. Please tell me you have heard of Relationship Development Therapy. RDI I am beginning a second program with them. Please see www.rdiconnect.com I know all of our children are different but I believe this helped me. Thanks and blessing to you and your family. The Dodds Family
posted by Dodds Family on 12/31/07 12:58: PM

Very poignent & powerful -- I'm touched, moved & inspired by this message. As for true awareness, it starts with EDUCATING OURSELVES about what babies need...not just automatically listening to what "doctors say" they need. Ex: shots, do YOU KNOW what is IN them??? And do YOU BELIEVE it is appropriate to give shots (designed to prevent adult diseases) to newborn babies, when their little bodies just endured the stressful birthing process??? or even 16mos later??? DO SOME RESEARCH about shots & vaccinations before you allow doctors to give them to your baby. There is hope for Autism/Asperger's (or any health issue), if we are willing to look outside the box of "traditional medicine". Talk to someone in alternative health...holisitic methods have made great strides :)
posted by D Kemp on 12/31/07 10:04: AM

What a beautiful girl! Thank you for taking the time to be advocates, as well as loving parents.
posted by Heather on 12/31/07 10:03: AM

My prayers are with the families of children with autism and the children themselves. I work with these children every day and love them. I see their struggles daily and hope one day they can emerge from a world that is often isolated. Keep the faith. These children's families are the heroes of their lives.
posted by Tara Kirkpatrick on 12/31/07 12:44: AM

Thank you so much Charlotte and everyone who helped put this together to raise awareness and funding for research. As the parent of a 2 1/2 year old daughter with autism, it is hard on the spirit to be told that there is no cure and no promises of recovery even with the intensive therapy she is going through. It is my dream that my daughter and all of these other beautiful little children affected by Autism will one day be able to lead a normal childhood. All of you parents who have a child with autism know that your child loves you and needs you even though they can't tell you. Don't give up! There are many people praying for you, your child and a cure!
posted by Todd on 12/30/07 7:22: PM

bEST TO ALL OF YOU!!
posted by Mary Thompson on 12/30/07 6:27: PM

DEFINITELY CHECK INTO SERVICES PROVIDED BY YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM/PDD 8 YEARS AGO. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE CHANGES HE'S GONE THROUGH. EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR ALL THE THERAPIES THEIR CHILD NEEDS BUT DEPENDING ON YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AT THE AGE OF THREE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL HAS TO TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY. ALL OF HIS TREATMENT HAS BEEN THROUGH OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL AND HE IS DOING WONDERFUL. IT ALSO HELPS TO HAVE A GOOD NEUROLOGIST & TO TREAT YOUR CHILD AS NORMALLY AS CAN BE, JUST AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER CHILD. I HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST. PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THE JOURNEY OF AUTISM IS LIKE PREPARING FOR A TRIP TO PARIS BUT ENDING UP IN HOLLAND. IT CAN BE JUST AS BEAUTIFUL IF NOT MORE YOU JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES AND ADAPT TO IT -- LEARN THE NEW LANGUAGE.
posted by WENDY on 12/30/07 5:12: PM

This little girls is an angel. My thoughts and prayers are with all families affected by autism.
posted by Debbie on 12/30/07 4:49: PM

I will pass this and keep you all in my prayers.
posted by cyndi on 12/30/07 3:07: PM

God will prevail. I will pray. She is an angel. Trust
posted by ann marie arseneault on 12/30/07 2:50: PM

I just wanted to say to any parent out there that feels like their child will never be "normal" PLEASE don't listen to all the Doctors. Don't give up hope, the specialists aren't always right. I nanny for a family whose son was diagnosed with what they called full blown Autism. We were basically told to not expect anything from him - he will never be "normal". He was placed in a full-time special pre-school at the age of three. That school year was the hardest year for all of us involved. He went to school from 9-3 Monday-Friday and was frequently exhausted. He had tantrums everyday at drop off and pick up. We thought about if this was really best for him and I have to say that thanks to his mother never giving up on him and the amazing teacher he had that year saved his life. He is an awesome little boy and you wouldn't know that he had a diagnosis if you met him. Well, I'm overjoyed to say that over the years he has turned major milestones and surpassed everyone's expectation of him. He is now a healthy happy six year old who is in a regular intergrated kindergarten classroom. This is a case that screams about what you can accomplish with a lot of Early Intervention, various therapies and a mother that wouldn't give up on her son. I strongly recommend that if you think there might be something wrong with your child, get help as soon as possible. If one doctor brushes you off with a wait and see diagnosis, seek the help of another doctor or specialist immediately. It can be stressful and break your spirit at times but have hope and never give up pushing for what is right for your child. You'll be amazed at the results. Good Luck to All!
posted by Carole on 12/30/07 11:20: AM

I supervise a team of Rehab specialist, so I see firsthand many overwhelmed parents who are struggling to get help for their beautiful children. Early Intervention in the state of Illinois provides funding but at 3 years old, they are transferred to the school district, which most times is not capable of providing the type or intensity of services needed. I have seen miraculous progress from children who cannot communicate at all to children who are able to function within their families and communities. Awesome video. I hope it helps. cm
posted by Carla on 12/30/07 9:50: AM

Early intervention means everything. My Nephew was diagnosed when he was two and a half. My Sister had him started with intensive training/therapy right away. Today he is a well functioning 17 year old boy, who plays on the schools Lacrosse team and is fully integrated in school. He only is one year behind his twin Sister. He is kind and fun. You would be hard pressed to know that there is something "different" about him! Good Luck and stay strong!
posted by Leslie on 12/30/07 9:29: AM

This video does make a person ATLEASE tear up. She is a beautiful little girl who deserves everything that is out there available. I have autistic twins, 9 years old, and it has been quite a challenge. They have had a ton of outside therapy but because they were lucky to have grandparents who were able to help. The services are amazing and worth their weight in gold. There has been a huge change in my kids. I will keep her in my prayers. Thank you for sharing.
posted by Laurie Nelson on 12/30/07 8:09: AM

Please, God, Bless and Heal These Precious Children.
posted by Kimberlée Anne-Marie Elisabeth on 12/30/07 7:23: AM

Our dear Family share's Juan Carlos for the past 26 yrs. Back then it was a label of retardation in my Country of Puerto Rico, till his mother relocated to USA. Genetics discover Fragile X Syndrome on her 3 children been more severe on Juan Carlos. Then he is 10 yrs. We have never hear him, but gives lots of hugs and that compensates a lot. When we see the advances in Medicine today we wish so much we had them back then. We do not loose hope that he will talk to us one day.
posted by Maria Isabel on 12/30/07 6:50: AM

I have a 5-year-old son who was also diagnosed with autism when he was only 2 years old. He is my youngest of my 3 boys, he is my third prince. He had gone through therapy for 1 year & it did help a lot. Now, my husband & I have become his teacher/therapist. But his older brothers play a big part in his development also, they are actually the real "teachers" here. His vocabulary has improved greatly & he can actually communicate now. Yes, we must not give up. It will take a lot of patience but we will get there, slowly but surely.
posted by Hazel on 12/30/07 4:52: AM