Comments on: A Voice to Listen To http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:04:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nathan Sawyer http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-563476 Nathan Sawyer Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:42:21 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-563476 Charlene is my sister, her love of music is the most genuine love one can have. She tends to express plenty of emotion to those she is comfortable with, but with music, she will express that same emotion with everyone. I know that there are all levels of autism, I would have to say that Charlene is really high functioning. She balances her own check book and graduated high school with the same credits that were required by all of us. I do not agree with all of the remarks that the news reporter made. My sister has fought tooth and nail to detach herself from friends and family while growing up. I don't know if it was my persistant mother or the fact that she was one of five children that helped her (or forced her) to interact with a lot of people and in turn forced her to express herself. We are all very proud of her and steal every chance we get to brag about her to anyone who will listen to us. We love you Charlens and we miss you. See you at Christmas!! Charlene is my sister, her love of music is the most genuine love one can have. She tends to express plenty of emotion to those she is comfortable with, but with music, she will express that same emotion with everyone. I know that there are all levels of autism, I would have to say that Charlene is really high functioning. She balances her own check book and graduated high school with the same credits that were required by all of us. I do not agree with all of the remarks that the news reporter made.
My sister has fought tooth and nail to detach herself from friends and family while growing up. I don’t know if it was my persistant mother or the fact that she was one of five children that helped her (or forced her) to interact with a lot of people and in turn forced her to express herself. We are all very proud of her and steal every chance we get to brag about her to anyone who will listen to us. We love you Charlens and we miss you. See you at Christmas!!

]]> By: Phil Schwarz http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-558101 Phil Schwarz Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:38:31 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-558101 I agree with Mayfly. I think Charlene is wrong about "most autistic people". It probably comes from absorbing too much of what the literature says we're *supposed* to be like. Amanda Baggs has written about this (eloquently, as usual). And I sure hope it's *Charlene*, not just Fredda Monroe, who wants to "market" Charlene! I agree with Mayfly. I think Charlene is wrong about “most autistic people”. It probably comes from absorbing too much of what the literature says we’re *supposed* to be like. Amanda Baggs has written about this (eloquently, as usual).

And I sure hope it’s *Charlene*, not just Fredda Monroe, who wants to “market” Charlene!

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-559110 Kristina Chew, PhD Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:50:14 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-559110 @Marla, We always have some song or other being heard around here---I just ordered a Beatles songbook, so we can play some of those songs on the piano. @mayfly, I wonder if Sawyer's statement would have been more noted if it had not been said by her---by someone without autism? And, happily, Charlie's smile appears much more quickly after a tough moment than it used to..... @Marla,
We always have some song or other being heard around here—I just ordered a Beatles songbook, so we can play some of those songs on the piano.

@mayfly,
I wonder if Sawyer’s statement would have been more noted if it had not been said by her—by someone without autism?

And, happily, Charlie’s smile appears much more quickly after a tough moment than it used to…..

]]> By: mayfly http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-564917 mayfly Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:17:15 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-564917 “Most autistic people can’t feel or express emotion,” Charlene says. “I do.” I'm surprised no one took offense at this. Perhaps I'm being too basic, but I understand a simple smile as a better communication of happiness than the grandest piece of music. My daughter cannot play "Chopsticks", but she can brighten any room with her smiles. “Most autistic people can’t feel or express emotion,” Charlene says. “I do.”

I’m surprised no one took offense at this. Perhaps I’m being too basic, but I understand a simple smile as a better communication of happiness than the grandest piece of music.

My daughter cannot play “Chopsticks”, but she can brighten any room with her smiles.

]]> By: Marla http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-564908 Marla Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:32:05 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-564908 Music sure is a special and wonderful way to communicate. When M was younger and did not talk as much she would often be able to get her words out better through singing. She also understood us better if we would sing certain requests. It was always very interesting to me. Like Charlie, Maizie has a great love of music. Music sure is a special and wonderful way to communicate. When M was younger and did not talk as much she would often be able to get her words out better through singing. She also understood us better if we would sing certain requests. It was always very interesting to me. Like Charlie, Maizie has a great love of music.

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-564898 Kristina Chew, PhD Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:47:39 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-564898 @Jason, Hi---I still need to hear that broadcast, will this weekend. The Big Brothers/Big Sisters idea is great! Have you talked to anyone about getting it started? @Jason, Hi—I still need to hear that broadcast, will this weekend.

The Big Brothers/Big Sisters idea is great! Have you talked to anyone about getting it started?

]]> By: Jason R. http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-voice-to-listen-to/comment-page-1/#comment-564895 Jason R. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:31:43 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/a-voice-to-listen-to/#comment-564895 Kristina, Have you heard my friend's intro to his NPR show? His show will start airing on this station in NYC on December 5th. My friend and I want others to show positive perspectives on Autism Spectrum Disorders as well. I want to have a Big Brothers/Big Sisters for Adults who are Autistic for Younger Children who are Autistic to help them get through life easier. I think it would be great. What do you think? Jason Kristina,

Have you heard my friend’s intro to his NPR show?

His show will start airing on this station in NYC on December 5th.

My friend and I want others to show positive perspectives on Autism Spectrum Disorders as well.

I want to have a Big Brothers/Big Sisters for Adults who are Autistic for Younger Children who are Autistic to help them get through life easier.

I think it would be great.

What do you think?

Jason

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