How This Works

Heartbreaking to realize a beautiful, wonderful child must suffer silently. In a country where the majority eat too much and have too much, we should be able to solve this problem.
posted by Doris on 2/26/08 5:06: AM

How heartbreaking to see those with out help. My daughter was diagnosed at 24 months. She received 20 hours of therapy and is an example of how important early intervention is. I pray for all the families who struggle with insurance companies and what is the next step. Bravo to all your hard work. Prayers to the children with out words- may we help them.
posted by Nuala on 2/26/08 5:03: AM

We too have a son who is autistic and we were told in 1999 to consider an institution for Joey as he would never have friends, never speak, never know love.... He is 11 yrs and because of the love, patience and determination to help him he inspired in all who met him he is a 5th grader and loved by the community at large. I know of the insurance difficulties, the education difficulties, the day to day ups and downs but every single one is worth it. Joey has 2 older sisters who would fight for him at the drop of a hat. I just wish the strangers were as kind.
posted by Ashley & Wade Pewitt on 2/26/08 4:48: AM

I am the father of a beautiful 14 year old daughter, Katherine, who is autistic. Hands down she's the most precious little girl in the world. Hopefully, someday, a cure can be found
posted by Lew Fram on 2/26/08 4:21: AM

Has anyone sent this to any of our Great Leaders of this country ? I too have a grandchild that is autistic. Maybe if enough people foreward this to our government leaders like I have, We might get some attension
posted by Bob on 2/26/08 1:28: AM

I am autistic. I was diagnosed with Aspergers as an adult. It's unfortunate that there aren't enough resources for people with autism. Autism speaks isn't helping any. None of the money they get goes directly to helping people with autism. If you don't believe me, here is a video going through autism speaks 2006 tax return showing what they spent their money on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwF56b2nfaI As far as your daughter being unable to speak goes. It comes down to teaching her ways of communicating that don't use verbal speech. I read an article on teaching autistic kids sign language. You might want to learn sign language and teach it to your daughter. Your daughter IS capable of communication, she just need to communicate in ways other than verbal speech.
posted by Jennifer on 2/25/08 11:54: PM

yOUR VIDEO IS BEAUTIFUL AND i BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL CHILD DESPITE THE AUTISM. I AM A SPECAIL ED AIDE WHO WORKS WITH 8 AUTISTIC CHILDREN EVERYDAY. tHEY ARE SO AMAZING AND INTELLEGENT AND ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT FROM EACHOTHER. i LOVE THEM AND LEARN FROM THEM MYSELF. kEEP UP THE FIGHT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND ALL THE INTERVENTION YOU CAN GET IS VERY HELPFUL TO THESE CHILDREN. GOD BLESS
posted by HIEDI on 2/25/08 9:26: PM

I HAVE A 20 YEAR OLD SON THAT IS GETTING TESTED FOR ASPERGERS... WE HAVE KNOW FOR MANY YEARS THAT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT BUT IT ALWAYS CAME DOWN TO ( OH IT IS ADHD) WHEN A CHILD IS 5 YEARS OLD SITTING IN A CONER BANGING HIS HEAD BEGGING YOU TO MAKE HIM NORMAL LIKE ALL THE OTHER KIDS IS MORE THAN ADHD... AND TODAY AS A 20 YEAR OLD MAN HE STILL ASKS ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM... AND THE OTHER DAY I FINALLY GOT TO TELL HIM THAT WE MIGHT KNOW... MY HEART HAS BEEN BROKEN ALL THESE YEARS AND NOW WE MAY HAVE AN ANSWER..ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY IS PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP THEY DEPEND ON US AND SOME DAY WE CAN HELP THEM LIVE A ( NORMAL ) LIFE...TO ALL THE PARENTS OUT THERE MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU..STAY STRONG THEY ARE SO WORTH IT...
posted by DONNA on 2/25/08 8:59: PM

My son (Christian) has autism. He is now 9 yo. What gets thru every day is knowing in heaven -he will be talking our ears off! God bless all the other autisic parents in the world.
posted by Barbara on 2/25/08 6:57: PM

Thanks for this thoughtful video of what needs to happen. I hope that each and every family is looking at biomedical interventions along with intensive behavioral intervention.
posted by karen on 2/25/08 6:47: PM

My grandson Erik is on the Autism Spectrum. He is now 3 1/2 and is very bright knowing all his colors and numbers, and the states and the planets, but he can't ask for the simplest things. What a joy it will be when he does. Nanci
posted by Nanci Larson on 2/25/08 6:06: PM

View #2351843 and still going up. For the cure that will come, and the help available now, we go on. Good luck Mr. Ondrasik. We're rooting for you.
posted by Tomasik Family on 2/25/08 6:00: PM

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL STORY AND IT TOUCHES ALL ARE HEARTS. ESPECIALLY, BECAUSE MY ADORABLE GRANDSON NOLAN KELLEY ALSO HAS AUTISM! GRANDMA MARSHA @ GRANDPA FRED PLEASE EVERYONE DO SOMETHING TO HELP!
posted by marsha farnan on 2/25/08 5:38: PM

excellent. well done.
posted by jenna on 2/25/08 4:22: PM

I believe and have hope that we can cause them to pass the laws to get the coverage that children need. Someone once said to me, " one small voice is not heard but together we are loud and cannot be ignored!"
posted by JoyAnne Orapallo on 2/25/08 3:55: PM

FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU! THAT WAS SO TOUCHING, I HAVE A 3YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS DIAGNOSED IN DECEMBER 07'....RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING THROUGH ALL THE THERAPYS AND MULTIPLE CLINICAL VISITS..I LOVE MY SON VERY MUCH..HE IS MY FIRST AND MY ONLY! AND I THANK GOD FOR HIM EVERYDAY..I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO ALL PARENTS WHO ARE EXPERICING THIS SITUATION, STAY STRONG, ALWAYS KNOW THAT GOD IS THERE WITH YOU!
posted by SHAVATAY P. on 2/25/08 3:54: PM

They say that there is no cure for Autism. I really hope and pray that one day in the near future there will be a cure. I pray for all those children who have it and also for their parents as it is just as hard on them. God Bless All Of You
posted by Nelda Basone on 2/25/08 3:40: PM

I was touched by the video. I reinforces my belief that the world is in need of God Jehovah changing it for the better. It is only through his intervention , that we will have a time as the bible promises that "no resident will say I am sick" The world will be a safe place to live and there will be no diseases like Autism to affect our most precious children..Jehovah Let your kingdom come and your will take place as in heaven...I pray
posted by Terry Jones on 2/25/08 3:18: PM

how cute
posted by myra johnson on 2/25/08 1:09: PM

I am a speech therapist in Early Intervention. I have seen 3 year old children who are autistic and non-verbal flourish and enter a typical Kindergarten, speaking, playing and working, needing only minimal support. All because they received therapy from ages 3-6. I am lucky to live in a state where services are provided for children like this. Our goal in PA now, is to make parents aware and get them involved. Good luck and God Bless. They are always in my prayers.
posted by Liz on 2/25/08 11:09: AM