How This Works

I agree with universal coverage. the problem is how to pay for it. We must pray(and pay) for our children, they are our future.
posted by MARILYN PITCHFORD on 2/24/08 12:43: PM

My son has autism. He is 7 and was diagnosed at 2 yrs old. Early Intervention is key. Children should NOT be made to wait...thank you for this beautiful video that brought tears to my eyes. Autism Awareness is NOT just the month of April....it is EVERY DAY! GOD BLESS.
posted by Shannon H. on 2/24/08 11:59: AM

I used to give therapy to Autistic children. It is a blessing to be able to help and understand them. Not everyone has the time to help. I would like to open my own center someday. But to the parents that live which these special children don't give up, NEVER!!! There is hope they will not be as perfect as we want them but we will help them overcome any challenges. The best thing that we could do with them is love them they are special in a very important way some of them don't have the ability to tell us what they want but we as the ones that love them always find a way. With all the love in the world and joy help them and every time you get fustrated just think how there could be someone the might not have you to help them.
posted by Maura on 2/24/08 11:18: AM

One of my best friends, Evy, has a son that has been recently diagnosed with autism. Please add my e-mail address to your distribution list and let me know how I am become a volunteer to help and raise awareness in honor or her son, Carmeli and the Mardo family. God bless you for reaching out to Five for Fighting and for putting together a beautiful montage of photos of your adorable daughter---best of luck! Rosalina
posted by Rosalina on 2/24/08 10:33: AM

I am the adopted Mom of an ll year old boy Nicolas in Montreal Canada.... He never asked to have this burden called Autism....but he is the most loving, caring, and he's my son and I love him to pieces, he makes me laugh he makes me cry he makes me worry..but most of all he loves me unconditonally..for that I am forever thankful.. Thank you for this warm, caring honest video... Love, A mother of an amazing Autisic Boy!!! Diane
posted by Diane Dupras on 2/24/08 8:37: AM

I could not read the message. Please tell me where to donate?
posted by cliff on 2/24/08 8:18: AM

Please don't think there is nothing you can do to help you little girl. I started the Signing Time DVDs when my son was around 28/29 months old. It opened a whole new world for him! Many people discouraged me from using sign language however the jargon and babble he was speaking wasn't helping us so by signing we were able to voice and sign a word at the same time. Within in a month he was up to 100 word or more he was speaking and signing over 2 dozen of them! It was as if something woke up in his mind. I'm not saying this will work for everyone but it can work. Tyrus is my fourth child and I was able to catch on quick that something was wrong. Please visit your local library, ours has the Signing Time DVDs to take out. Don't let people discourage you.
posted by Karen on 2/24/08 7:38: AM

This is a great way to get awareness out there. My son Brennen has pdd-nos. He is on the spectrum. He however is very high functioning. I to was told our insurance would not help with anything that has to do with autism. Brennen is in special pre school.He recieves ocupational therapy and speech thearpy. He is doing wonderful. Early Intervention is key. I have found that autism is very misunderstood. Brennen has tought me great life lessons. I love my little man. Thank you for spreading awareness.
posted by Jennifer on 2/24/08 7:30: AM

What a beautiful little girl! My 23 month old son was recently diagnosed and Early Intervention provides the necessary treatments! We were very lucky and I was able to get us into a research study - he is still on the waiting list for Children's Hospital Boston - if not for the study he would not be in treatment right now - it is going to be at least 5 more months before he gets into Children's {he's been on the wait list for 5 months} - I thank God every day for this study. I pray daily that all parents learn to ignore the "wait and see attitude" - I did and my son will benefit because I chose not to believe that he would "grow out of it". Dr's need to start listening to parents - after all we are the ones that see the changes first - they only see our children on visits - they need to take our concerns to heart and help us get testing and treatment. I am so glad to see that you are able to get some ABA for Claudia - it is so horrible that you have to pay and that your insurance company won't help you! There need to be changes! God bless you for fighting for your child - and for all of our children with this beautiful and powerful message! I love the song from Five for Fighting! I am e-mailing the link to every person in my address book! This message needs to be spread! God bless every family out there living with Autism!
posted by Debbi on 2/24/08 6:31: AM

You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we will spread the message and hope that every child with autism gets the care they so desperately need.
posted by Michelle from NC on 2/24/08 4:53: AM

This is beautiful. Very touching, just had my son tested. It is smarter to test with no symptoms before 2 then wait. Diet is everything too.
posted by Bethany on 2/23/08 8:58: PM

So special....worth fighting for!!!!!!
posted by Kim on 2/23/08 7:48: PM

Just bought this song on iTunes... it's soo touching! Everyone should buy this song... it's soooo worth it! I love Five for Fighting! Love this song... too!
posted by SUE on 2/23/08 5:14: PM

WOW! What a beautiful little soul, My prayers and support are with all of the children and families touched by autism. We are all God's children.
posted by PEGGY on 2/23/08 4:30: PM

I know four families that are fighting to get their children help for autism. I pray that our government forces the insurance companies to pay for the treatments that these children need.
posted by Mickie B on 2/23/08 3:39: PM

Important use of art forms. Best use of art forms, actually ~ raising awareness of suffering and challenging us to hope and act as a community.
posted by Patty on 2/23/08 3:37: PM

Very touching video. Well done.
posted by Ashley on 2/23/08 3:17: PM

My 4 year old son has high functioning autism. Very touching video, brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for doing this for my son and other children affected with autism.
posted by Kim on 2/23/08 3:05: PM

I work with autistic children in grades k & 1st. This was very touching, brought tears to my eyes, beautiful song.
posted by Jonni on 2/23/08 2:28: PM

Very touching and emotional for me to see. I wish our country would do more for the children than the illegals/prisoners etc...
posted by Nancy on 2/23/08 2:13: PM