CNN & Autism

[ntsammy5]

CNN.Com is running a special feature this morning on autism.

For those interested in seeing it here's a link to one of the stories. They have several articles in the feature and are running a poll. Thought some people here might be interested.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/04/01/autism.jeffs.story/index.html

 

[ecki]

I've been watching CNN all morning, but I just had to turn it off. Kayla got her autism diagnosis 10 months ago, it was around this time last year I knew something wasn't right. I thought that I had adjusted to this diagnosis by now, but they just showed the video glossary from Autism Speaks and now I can't stop crying. I remember watching those videos a couple months after Kayla got her diagnosis, just wanting to confirm to myself (still in denial) that she did have autism. In EVERY one of those videos Kayla was EXACTLY like the Autism example. So seeing them again just brought a rush of emotions that I thought I had gotten over.

 

[Coach81]

My wife and I are very lucky. Our 10 year old son is very highly functional. Watching videos of other autistic children that are not very functional is very hard to watch.

We pray for every parent that has been touched by autism.

 

[ecki]

My wife and I are very lucky. Our 10 year old son is very highly functional. Watching videos of other autistic children that are not very functional is very hard to watch.

That's interesting. There's always seems to be a big debate in the Autism community (and in the Down syndrome community and probably in every other disability for that matter). When they show only high functioning kids, those who have lower function kids scream "That's not MY reality." And when they show low functioning kids, other scream "Showing kids like that doesn't show their potential and scares new parents."

 

[tparbs]

I thought that I had adjusted to this diagnosis by now, but they just showed the video glossary from Autism Speaks and now I can't stop crying.

Every parent of an autistic child knows exactly what you're feeling. Hang in there, girl!

I remember crying my eyes out while online going down the list of symptoms and saying outloud, "Jared...........Jared............Jared...." as I went down the list. It's devasting.

But you're gonna be fine. Just do all you can for your child. You are her advocate and find the programs in your area that help her. Join the autism community and befriend other moms with autistic kids.

Big hugz!!!!!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

My ds is 16 and I still find these shows hard to watch although I still do when I hear about them just in case there is some new information on research or treatments you never know when they will come out with something new. Linda