Anyone know autism?

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Permalink Reply by Lori on April 30, 2008 at 7:46pm

Don't tell anyone this or it may tarnish my reputation of being mean! I did many years of volunteer work with primarily autistic children, and then also children who were mentally delayed and a summer program (R.O.P.E.S.) which was for children from abusive homes.

I've personally found that children with Autism and Asperger's are extremely fascinating. I don't mean that in an insulting way, like they are means for entertainment for anything. I mean they are so unique it almost leaves me feeling quite bored with myself.

From my own experience, I would recommend reading a novel called "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon. While it's not true, and certainly not a memoir - it's very accurate and written by someone who did extensive work with children with Autism. The story is written from the Point-of-View of a child with Autism and goes into the small 'quirks' many people usually blow off. I had many moments where I was reading it and thought "Ah hah! That's why he/she reacted that way".

Not only is it a good book to read, but it gives people a chance to get as close to being in-the-mind of someone with Autism as it would be possible for most people. It goes into great detail about many things; hyper/hypo-sensitivity, obsessive/compulsive behavior, 'bizarre' (to us) likes/dislikes, math, and other things.

As a small warning, once you hit the middle of the book you may cry - so apologies in advance for that. I was quite shocked when it got me!

Anyway, it's been so long since I've done any work in that realm of things I'd be of no use to you. But wanted to point out that book brought back a lot of memories and also had a few light going off moments.

Good look with your final. :)

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on May 1, 2008 at 12:38am

Hi! A friend of mine did a presentation on autism last week in class. I've got all her references. Let me know if you want me to copy & paste them right here for you.
I have no idea if they would have the specific info you are looking for, but they might!

I'm not posting the references now cuz being a student myself, I totally understand that more research might be exactly what ya don't want :)

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Permalink Reply by Brian F on May 1, 2008 at 9:09am

Here are a few links you might find interesting:

DEADLY IMMUNITY
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. investigates the government cover-up of a mercury/autism scandal
Jun 20, 2005
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity
(Argues that mercury is the cause of autism)


A SPECTRUM OF DISPUTES
By PAUL T. SHATTUCK and MAUREEN DURKIN
June 11, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/11/opinion/11shattuck.html?_r=1&...
(Argues that there is no epidemic; the increase can be explained by shifts in diagnostic criteria. (the New York Times seems consistently skeptical of a mercury connection))

PARALLEL PLAY
A lifetime of restless isolation explained.
by Tim Page
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/20/070820fa_fact_page
(A wonderful personal memoir of growing up with Asperber’s)

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Permalink Reply by cally on May 1, 2008 at 12:26pm

My dd has autism (aka VACCINE DAMAGE)--how's that for controversial??? We've been working to recover her since she was 3.5 and she is now pretty darn close. She will be 11 in 3 weeks. I've done MOST of the controversial treatments, clearly with success. We just started classical homeopathy with her 2 weeks ago and that's proving to be an interesting ride as well. Feel free to contact me...I've got lots o' info.

Cally

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Permalink Reply by 123RAWgirl on May 1, 2008 at 3:29pm

Yes, Sunshine from rawtism.com.
Her son is. She's a great source for info!!!

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Permalink Reply by Crazy Sexy Life on May 1, 2008 at 5:52pm

Awesome book by Jenny McCarthy about her son's autism, and the "alternative" therapies she used with great success:

Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism

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Permalink Reply by Iffat on May 1, 2008 at 7:16pm

I also think Jenny McCarthy's book is a great resource and good info. It really gives a eye-opening experience of the roller-coaster ride after the vaccine's damage.
Jenny has appeared on Oprah and Larry King Live ...please search for Jenny's interviews on www.oprah.com and Larry king live web sites. I highly recommend watching them.

The following sites are also great info.

http://www.know-vaccines.org/autism.html
http://www.thinktwice.com/
http://www.generationrescue.org/

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on May 1, 2008 at 9:03pm

I read this! It was so insightful...I've been trying to find some way to contact her, but I've come up clean!

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