Comments on: A New Autism Treatment

By: Not a Fairy Tale and Not a Tragedy: Autistic Adults

Not a Fairy Tale and Not a Tragedy: Autistic Adults — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:32 +0000

[...] answer to my last question, I hope with respect and as the real human being that Charlie, alert to others, and no curious boy in a fairy [...]

By: Just the Experience, Please

Just the Experience, Please — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:19:31 +0000

[...] mom and dad made a point of telling me how much they liked the CNN special on autism, Finding Amanda that aired last Monday (and was supposed to be re-aired Friday night, but got pre-empted by live [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:55:57 +0000

My mom and dad really liked it—-they liked that it was about “what it’s like to be autistic”; about every day things.

By: M'sDad

M'sDad — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:38:21 +0000

Thanks, Kristina – I’ll set my VCR!

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:38:42 +0000

I understand that Friday will be a repeat, but more complete—with more footage (it’s twice as long, from 10pm – 12midnight).

By: M'sDad

M'sDad — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:10:54 +0000

I missed the show; does anyone know if the story from yesterday evening will be repeated (or made available on YouTube), and/or what Friday’s follow-up is meant to be?

Thanks to Amanda, DJ, and all the other brave folks involved with this story.

By: jypsy

jypsy — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:10:34 +0000

Alex really enjoyed watching DJ (he has seen the first CNN show on Amanda more than once). I had been talking to him about FC lately since Jonathon wrote this FC post. His only comment to me though was “Wow! Indoor trampoline!” — I think he’d like to go & visit you guys Ralph….
At one point, DJ had an expression on his face, a sort of half smile, that reminded me more of Alex than any facial expression I’ve ever seen on anyone. I look forward to watching it again as well as Friday’s followup.

By: Ralph Savarese

Ralph Savarese — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:32:01 +0000

Let me offer some context for my son’s remark–I don’t want to demean you, Mr. Doherty, but I do want to take you to task for your tone. This was a boy who was abandoned, beaten horrifically, and sexually abused (tortured really). He worked like crazy to trust the world again, to allow us to help him learn how to read, and then to point, and then to type. He’s overcome his profound mental retardation label; he’s starting to feel ok about himself. When he was raped, his attacker told him over and over again during the act, “You’re fucking freaky.” I remember the time he told me on father’s day, “Dad, thanks for not thinking I’m freaky.” This is what DJ means when he says, “Treated with respect.” But as another commentator noted, it’s not simply about respect (though that’s a perfect starting point); it’s about, at least for some kids, medicine; OT, sensory integration, literacy training. You name it. –Ralph Savarese

By: Autismville

Autismville — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:39:38 +0000

Respect … value … these should be first and foremost on the autism treatment list.

Ironically, if DJ’s autism had gone “untreated” by his devoted parents, he would possibly not be able to communicate his desire for respect…

Once again, it’s not an either/or situation…

By: tracey

tracey — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:32:44 +0000

Beth…you said it…this is all very complicated.

Kristina…that’s is one of my many worries. Respect in priceless, but so deserved.

Another Voice…thank you…said perfectly.