How This Works

Thank you for helping to raise awareness and attempting to make a difference in all of these children's and their family's lives. Our govt and health care system are shameful.
posted by Roberta Mann on 12/16/07 9:06: PM

My son, Timmy, at the age of 2 yr. was just diagnosed last month as mild to moderate, although, we were suspicious when he was 15 months. He is making language and sensory progress due to the Dairy and Gluten Free diet and supplements. We are fighting with the state to receive appropriate (25 hrs.) early intervention ABA therapy and may have to take the state to court. We will continue to try everything to keep him from slipping back into his autistic world and pull him out of the "window." It is now up to 1 out of 77 boys born each year will be diagnosed. This will most likely be what I call the "generation autism." We need to do something now!!!!!!
posted by Timmy's Mommy on 12/16/07 11:12: AM

I have a 33 year old daughter that was not diagnosed with anything other than "develpmently delayed". She had speech and language help at age 2.5 which helped me to understand her needs and wants...she had a very difficult time socially in school, not acedemically as her IQ is normal. She finished high school and junior college, all without any realy friendships other than me..We are still best friends. She has had boyfriends, but they were all short lived. My adult friends have been wonderful about befriending her.She has been fired more times than I can remember. We cry and try to understand, but it is so hard. Then about 2 years ago her shrink finally gave her condition and circumstances a name."ASPERGERS SYNDROME, which is in the Autism spectrem. That diagnosis in itself told me so much about her..and we did get some help with a drug called "Concerta" which has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!!( and of course it is very expensive...$ 179 per month, which is NOT covered by insurance) She was always high functioning, this had given her a sense of normalcy! She even has a boyfriend now!! I think I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop each and every day, but the feeling is less intense. early intervention is imperative until the cause becomes known!! It is a constant struggle, but i cherish every moment with her. My best to you all who are struggling!
posted by Barbara on 12/16/07 8:00: AM

Thank you for this video. I am an ABA early intervention therapist in NYC and see the increase in the number of babies being diagnosed. My heart breaks for the families that I work with everyday. I only wish I could take away the pain that the parents/families endure on a daily basis. Please continue to spread the word on autism.
posted by Tisha on 12/16/07 7:16: AM

Thanks for such a touching and informative video. It is very educational for those of us who don't deal with autism on a regular basis. WHEN IS THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY GOING TO WAKE UP?? They 'require' vaccinations that harm children and then the insurance company (that PAID for the vaccine) won't cover the therapy? This makes no sense! These drug manufacturers need to be held accountable for these horrendous consequences!! WHEN IS THE FDA GOING TO STOP THESE MONEY HUNGRY COMPANIES AND REALIZE THAT THESE VACCINES ARE NOT 'HELPING' OUR CHILDREN!
posted by Erin--kentucky on 12/16/07 5:35: AM

Thanks for the Video. My son is 6 with moderate/severe autism. We do everything possible to get him help, and sometimes it feels as though the Government, health care, and the schools are doing everything they can to fight us. Even though the stress level is through the roof, my wife and I will never give up. It's good to know someone,(Or by all the postings, a lot of someones!) are in the fight with us and maybe someday these voices will make the difference. P.S. RESEARCH VACCINES BEFORE GIVING THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN.
posted by Joe on 12/16/07 12:06: AM

The children of today are our future for tomorrow...we need to fight to give them more than a fighting chance at the best life possible!!
posted by Ilene D on 12/15/07 9:01: PM

My four year old son was diagnosed with autism by the school child psychologist. Unfortunately not all my family members support us in helping my child, they blame my husband and I for not "giving him what he needed" in his mental development when he was a baby.
posted by Diane on 12/15/07 7:07: PM

keep standing tall!! all my famlie prays for you!!!!!!!
posted by taylor heitz on 12/15/07 4:48: PM

When i was in high school i baby sitted an adorable 4 year old girl. Her cerebral cortex wasn't developed correctly and her face was a bit disfigured but none the less she was such a beautiful and smart girl. She knew her abcs by a year and can read on a first grade level she is about 6 now smart as ever. Still beautiful... Thank you for this guys!!
posted by amethyst on 12/15/07 4:48: PM

For parents and professionals, www.autismspeaks.org has a video side by side comparison of typical vs. autism behaviors. This is a wonderful tool. I have a 13yo Aspie, (who is doing great). Last year he had a girlfriend. Thanks to group social therapy at U of I which my insurance cover 20 sessions a year. It's a weekly group. My youngest is 4 and has been diagnosed with autism since he was 18 months. I knew the signs. I knew the contacts to be made. EI is fantastic!, but I know I've done a lot on my end to make it happen. I also have a fabulous husband who might not be able to pronounce aspergers, but has more than enough love he's willing to give to make up for it. We work hard for our family. I know the road gets rougher, ei is easy compared to middle school and high school. The school system is completely lost and helpless when it comes to these kids. To all of us who work for our kids no matter what the challenges - cheers. To all of us who see the sunshine and enjoy our kids no matter what the challenges - amen. Peace be with you.
posted by Bonnie on 12/15/07 12:53: PM

A good start is to go back to when this wasn't an issue with infants and see what we were doing back then. Such as vaccines.... Know what you are giving your child. It's not enough to understand it's for Polio, or Chicken Pox, but to know what is in the vaccine.
posted by Darrin on 12/15/07 12:19: PM

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILIES TOUCHED BY THIS, AND THE RESEARCHERS TO HELP FIND A CURE.
posted by DEBBIE on 12/15/07 11:55: AM

my mother works with children with autism and it's so hard to see what these kids go through. i hope one day everything we do will be enough to stop this thing. thank you guys so much.
posted by bree on 12/15/07 8:25: AM

This is absolutely beautiful. My brother is two years older than I am, and he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at a young age as well. This is absolutely touching, and I'm so proud of everything parents and families go through.
posted by megz on 12/15/07 7:45: AM

beautifully put. i have a son with autism and he is my entire world. ive been very fortunate to get him into an early intervention program and he has made progress because of that. i do agree that private insurances should be REQUIRED to cover therapies.
posted by heather marie on 12/15/07 7:01: AM

I have two great granddaughters with autism and Riley Hospital has been a godsend as theoldest has so greatly improved that she will be able to start regular school. I cannot praise the hospital enough Keep up thegood work
posted by Great Gramdmother on 12/15/07 4:20: AM

God Bless any person born with this...they should be medically covered for all things necessary, shame on our government for not helping with these costs. Instead our govt insists on helping people who are not even legal citizens...they should be ashamed
posted by j on 12/15/07 12:18: AM

As a teacher, this is really good to watch to see how, although it is a challenge to teach parts of specch and fractions to all kids, some kids are succeeding right before our eyes by simply accomplishments and understanding.
posted by Cindy Anne Monroe on 12/14/07 8:54: PM

Beautiful and Moving.. A Very, Very powerful message. To the Local, State & to the top… make a difference get involved.
posted by Carl on 12/14/07 7:51: PM