Autism in TV Land
March 27, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The word is that Oprah is looking for local Chicago parents of autistic children to appear on her show (go here for details). I guess it is about time that autism made an appearance on Oprah’s show: So far this year autism was featured on The View; on MTV; on Extreme Home Makeover; and, last Sunday, on Larry King. And, back in April 2005, Daniel Tammet, author of Born on a Blue Day, was on David Letterman.
What could be next?
Well…………..
I do live in New Jersey and, as I drive on the Pulaski Skyway every day on my way to work, I pass over certain parts of Hudson County that feature prominently in The Sopranos—if you are familiar with the opening credits of the show, I see that Paul Bunyan statue holding the carpet twice a day—and New Jersey does have the highest prevalence rate (1 in 94) of autism in the country……. autism has become a topic for Jersey politics………………
You don’t like it?
Fuhgeddaboutit.
Interestingly enough, Tony Sirico who plays Paulie Walnuts on the Sopranos appeared at the “Night of Too Many Stars” An Overbooked Benefit for Autism. He has a grandaughter who is autistic.
Interesting……….
Hi,
I am happy that autism is featuring on Oprahs’. This sure will give enough publicity for the cause in Ireland. Not all kids get the recommended ABA schooling which has been proven effective. We people did’nt get speech and language therapy until very recently, ie after 2.5 years. I feel very disadvantaged, because of the lost time and oppurtunity for my daughter. The few schools that have ABA structure are in the three cities and not extended throughtout the country due to lack of funding and qualified people. I think this programme will open the eyes of the policy makers to allocate more budget for autism which has become a fast growing developmental disorder in the young.
Well my HFA son Nick was born in Flemington, NJ. I had seen Daniel on the weekend edition of GMA and did not know about Letterman. I have his book, but yet to find time to read so many books.
Amazon kindle is looking better all the time to keep me organized and paper less and less cluttered.