How This Works

My heart goes out to Claudia and her family. We need to find ways to get medical funding for developmental disabilities.
posted by Helen Hoover on 12/24/07 8:22: AM

This video really touched my heart. I will pass this along to everyone I know.
posted by Kathyrn Garcia on 12/24/07 8:15: AM

MUch help is needed for this cause as the numbers are growing rapidly and affecting everyone.
posted by Christine on 12/24/07 7:56: AM

May God Bless you and your loved ones as you await a cure. It can happen if we BELIEVE! Keep this going!
posted by Pansy on 12/24/07 7:12: AM

I Hope your girl find the cure that she need.
posted by Juan Abdalah on 12/24/07 6:56: AM

That was very touching and you are in my prayers. I am an aide for special needs children and I LOVE IT!
posted by Sandy on 12/24/07 6:13: AM

I cried when I heard this beautiful song and saw your beautiful daughters face!! I pray for your family and admire you for the awareness you are bringing to the world! Thank you for sharing Claudia with us! God Bless you!!
posted by Jill Stanski on 12/24/07 5:42: AM

How heartbreaking that every child isn't granted the opportunity to reach their potential as a birthright. Thank you so much for helping with the awareness! I'll be passing this along. Wishing you and your precious daughter many blessings!
posted by Lee on 12/23/07 9:46: PM

Thank you for sharing your lovely video. Our dear sweet granddaughter, Rachel, who just turned 3 years old was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder earlier this year and she too does not speak her wants or needs; but the joy she puts in our hearts with her smiles and laughter helps us beleive that Early Intervention is key to Autism. We have had help from several agencies this year and there is so much resources out there to help families. Rachel will be starting pre-school in a ASD classroom in January at a local public school. Please keep the faith and do not let anyone tell you that you have to wait. "Think Autism. Think Cure."
posted by GramRose on 12/23/07 8:34: PM

Thank you for sharing your lovely video. Our dear sweet granddaughter, Rachel, who just turned 3 years old was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder earlier this year and she too does not speak her wantss or needs; but the joy she puts in our hearts with her smiles and laughter helps us beleive that Early Intervention is key to Austism. We have had help from several agencies this year and there is so much resources out there to help families. Rachel will be starting pre-school in a ASD classroom in January at a local public school. Please keep the faith and do not let anyone tell you that you have to wait. "Think Austism. Think Cure."
posted by GramRose on 12/23/07 8:31: PM

We have been profoundly impacted by Autism. We continue to pray for a cure and a society that will support families who struggle daily with this life.
posted by Jillian Anderson on 12/23/07 2:01: PM

This is a beautiful way to ask for help through hope. I hope that everyone who reads this is touched just as I have been and helps in the fight for Autism Rights. Every family, every affected child, man and woman should be afforded the right to proper therapy and treatment of Autism.
posted by Robin on 12/23/07 12:06: PM

A cure is not out of reach. My little sister was diagnosed with moderate to severe Autism when she was two and a half years old. She went a different route and tried integrative manual therapy. Now she is a freshman in college and majoring in telecommunications in the hopes of becoming an animator. She communicates perfectly, understands emotional cues around her and enjoys things any normal 19-year-old would. She has a driver's license; she has a patent on a toy she created back in high school; she loves video games; and she works for both our local pharmacy as a cashier and for a theater company whenever she's home on break. Those meeting her now would never know the hard road she traveled growing up and the countless treatments tried. Actually, NOBODY knows when they meet her now, and they are completely shocked when it is later mentioned. Integrative manual therapy worked for my younger sister's Autism.
posted by Jennifer Kain on 12/23/07 10:49: AM

I will pass the word! We all hope for a cure!
posted by Jackie on 12/23/07 10:23: AM

I work with a child with autism as a line therapist. Early intensive therapy is key: I want the kind of world where there is NO waiting for a child/family to receive therapy. For all those who's lives are touched by and for those who work with children with autism: Many blessings to you all - I feel better just knowing that we are all in this fight together.
posted by Jessica on 12/23/07 8:22: AM

My son was diagnosed Autism mild-moderate high functioning at the age of 3.5yrs. We started his ABA therapy 3 days after his 4th birthday. He had a 10 word vocabulary. Today he is 13yrs old. He is a "typical" 13yr old. Except that his is on the Honor Roll, advanced Algebra and Science, plays trombone and soccer and is a Star Rank Boy Scout. Early intense therapy is the key. Please help more children get these wonderful results !
posted by Lynn on 12/23/07 7:49: AM

As the preschool teacher of an autisic child, my heart goes out to all of us trying to make a difference and a change in the lives of these young souls! The video says it all. My prayers and blessings go out to all who impacted by this and trying to make sense of it all.
posted by Heidi on 12/23/07 7:38: AM

I have a nephew w/autism. Thank you for raising awareness. Every time I see my nephew, I see a creation from God that makes us stop and take a look at what is really important in life. That child is so special because of who he is.
posted by Tracy on 12/23/07 6:10: AM

Your daughter is beautiful & I am crying as I watched this! As a parent with a 12yo HFA/AS child, a 10yo child that outgrew his mod-ASD DX and a subsequent normal non-vaccinated child, I'm so thankful for Five for Fighting for this. I'll keep passing it along! Keep fighting-we will win one day!
posted by Lori on 12/22/07 6:50: PM

I am a social worker with a previous caseload of children with developmental disabilities. I know funding is limited, but parents can make all the difference in managing their child's care. Also, as a parent with a child with medical needs, I am advising all parents to get involved, ask questions, demand answers. Find ways to fund research for Autism.
posted by Cindy Allen on 12/22/07 3:43: PM