Sometimes we treat animals or certain types of people like they are lesser than ourselves because we don't understand them. They don't communicate with us in the manner that we recognize. But there is much about the world we do not know and many types of intelligences. ~ Noa
At the age of two, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking. Doctors predicted that she would never intellectually develop beyond the abilities of a small child. Although she made some progress after years of intensive behavioral and communication therapy, Carly remained largely unreachable. Then, at the age of ten, she had a breakthrough.
While working with her devoted therapists Howie and Barb, Carly reached over to their laptop and typed in "HELP TEETH HURT," much to everyone's astonishment. This was the beginning of Carly's journey toward self-realization.
Here, Carly answers some questions about Autism:
My son has Asperger's (a form of autism with far less of the physical stuff and overwhelm like Carly). We experienced the horror of parents hearing a diagnosis that their precious child won't have a normal life. Happily, Patrick is so close to normal now at 22 that I have to watch out not to put excessive demands on him. You never stop wanting your child to have a "normal" life but the facts are the facts and you can't change them. I just want him to be happy-that's all. When he was little, I worried I wouldn't love him but I couldn't love him more. He's smart, imaginative, always funny and positive and very connected and loving with his family. All things I feared he might not grow up to be. I thank G.O.D. for him. I wept for Carly when she first began to type. I love it when you get that insight that lets you see someone is just a normal person inside. It makes life so much better. I remember when I started to see Patrick inside his body and idiosyncrasies and get to know him.
Thanks for sharing your story, Brian. Although your son is grown, I feel compelled to share what I know about a possible cure for Autism.
Jenny McCarthy, comedienne and spouse to Jim Carey, wrote a book about how she cured her son's autism with a cleansing diet. She also has a website that offers hope and support for the afflicted and those who love them.
Best wishes.