How This Works

Well, most of the videos threatened to bring me to tears. This one succeded. The song was perfect, I have often thought that that song was describing my 16 year old son with Asperger's. Wouldn't it be grand if we could get VH1 or MTV to play some of these for about an hour...I wonder if anyone can make that happen?
posted by LisaE on 2/17/08 3:15: PM

daniel has accomplished so much,I'm so proud of him and his great family love Aunt Joanie
posted by joan aronowitz on 2/08/08 4:43: PM

I cried watching your video... I have a daughter with Aspergers and she too was misdiagnosed with ADD. Watching your son scratching himself was like seeing her... she loves animals and horses too. However, she was not diagnosed with this until she was a senior in highschool. She is now 19 and lives with my husband and I. She has a job but doesn't like it, she is so smart, but still needs supervision. I'm not sure where to get help. Thank you for sharing your video. May God bless you and your family.
posted by Heidi Campbell on 2/08/08 9:21: AM

No, your son is not alone. My son was always a bit "off" from a young age, but we couldn't figure out why. He taught himself to read by age 4, he was so smart. Lucky for us, they caught it in kindergarden. The guessed it was Asperger's but we had to get an official diagnosis. The first doctor wanted to slap the ADHD labe on him, but I knew that wasn't what was going on. The second doctor just kept telling me to observe him. We finally found one that listened. And a therapist that knew what she was doing, her brother has asperger's. We went from him being sent home from school due to violent outbursts last year, to the high honor roll this year with no dreaded phone calls from the school. My son just turned 11. It took us 5 years to find someone who understood and was able to help. So no, your son is not alone, and neither are you. -Lisa
posted by Lisa on 2/07/08 3:01: PM

My grandsons' name is James...he was diagnosed around age 3 with aspergers...to watch him struggle has been sad for all the family...there is some advice I would like to give any mother who has a child with aspergers...DO NOT SHUT YOUR MATE OUT!! Mothers tend to want to take over their child and to protect them...in doing this..they could possibly destroy their relationship with other family members... As difficult as the situation is...they need to always remember others feelings also..shutting your mate out and overiding their feelings could lead to disaster in the home...resentments accur that may go on for years...this is not fair to your child or any other member of the family..
posted by LBrackett on 2/06/08 10:40: AM

Wow! If ever there was a video that looked so my son-especially the part where he's trying to get of his clothes and standing by the tree waving his arms. I too started getting diagnoses of ADHD at 4, but I knew that was not it. Now they say Sensory Processing Disorder with Asperger's Tendencies. He been getting OT for about 2 1/2 years, which has helped tremendously. But it still does not make everyone else understand him. He is so precious and I don't really want him to be like everyone else I just want him to be HAPPY!
posted by April on 2/05/08 5:28: PM

My grandson has ADHD and I see the difference in him since he been on his medication. He is not the same happy bright eyed little boy, he use to be. He is above average in school,and I know the meds help him, but what a terrible disease this is for the person and their families. Best Wishes to James in his struggle with his disease. God Bless him and his family.
posted by Margaret on 2/05/08 12:06: PM

I could have put my son's name in place of James, except we did not find out until fall of 6th grade. God bless you and your family. Stay strong and help yourself so you can help you very special child.
posted by kelly on 2/04/08 6:01: PM

Great Job!! My 2 boys struggle with this odd disorder. There alot of these kids out there, lets keep fighting the battle....
posted by Susan Calderone on 2/04/08 5:26: PM

This video is beautiful. I see my son in every frame. he was diagnosed at 6 and we cannot seem to make the world understand him. Thank God for this site and everyone else who is fighting for these children.
posted by Violet on 2/04/08 3:05: PM

I loved the song for the melody...now I love the song because of the words. Thank you for sharing your child with us--I have a niece with aspergers. She, too, just wants to be 'normal'. Keep up the good work, and writing songs that touch the soul.
posted by christine on 2/04/08 9:58: AM

My grandson and I spent many hours in summer reading programs at two libraries. He was picking up reading, but not talking. The more I see on Autism, the clenched teeth in pictures, the arms that can't stay still, I see my grandson. Early intervention at school has helped him alot. He helps other classmates with their work, and in turn socializing is becoming much better. Beautiful video
posted by Agnes on 2/04/08 9:10: AM

Wow this is very touching everyone should come every day and start their morning out watching some of these videos! Mary K Adomeit
posted by geekymommas on 2/04/08 6:13: AM

Having 2 boys on the spectrum and another with ADHD I can't put into words how connected I feel with families that have children who struggle to fit in every day.
posted by Susan on 2/04/08 4:24: AM

Charlotte you did a wonderful job on this,and as someone who has known you since before James was born,you are an amazing person and mother and always have been. James I love you so much.
posted by Heather on 2/04/08 4:18: AM

That was so touching. Thanks for sharing. Brent
posted by Brent on 2/03/08 10:01: PM

What a great video. Don't you just love this site? I'm going to make my own video soon. I have 2 autistic kids and 1 ADHD - all boys. My son was also reading before Kdg and they thought it was Asperger's but I believe he's actually Hyperlexic (a type of PDD similar to Asperger's). The doctors don't know much about it so they just say he's PDD. James is very special and anyone who doesn't want to get to know him or sees something otherwise is missing out on a lot. I too get tired of hearing "he's so bright and he looks so normal." We must never give up hope and continue to educate others. Keep up the great work!
posted by Marian Ayres on 2/03/08 9:02: PM

Amazing video. It brought me to tears. Very touching. The song fit perfectly. I love the line "He taught himself to read while other kids were learning to read each other." I wish you & your family all of the best. I know it can be very difficult. I am a teacher and have had experience with autism. All I can say is try to celebrate your sons differences and the more you accept him for who he is so will everyone else. God Speed
posted by AnnMarie Ayerle on 2/03/08 7:19: PM

The video is very touching and I would like to know more about Autism....I am at a loss as to how it works....I am a nurse but mostly work with women.....However, I have grandchildren that are healthy....I need to be informed..
posted by Warena Youmans on 2/03/08 6:10: PM

as i watch this, i feel like i could be watching my own son, justin' life. so much of your story with your son is just like our own--i am sure so many of us feel this way. you are not alone as is he!-lauren
posted by lauren on 2/03/08 5:03: PM