20/20 Report on an autistic boy

[IGoGrRoar]

I'm 15, my autistic brother is 13, my sister is 6.

My brother has severe autism, he can't talk...and other things I'm too embarrassed to say.

My parents got divorced when I was in the 5th grade...

lol, I will hunt anyone down to even gives my brother a funny look.

I'm the only person who understands my brother...

but she's so lucky he isn't severe, she's such a great person though(:

[RedSonash]

wow at least her brother can talk, isn't way older than her, way taller than her and way more aggressive. A lot more.... My autistic bro is worse than her's

[CaptainJellico1701d]

she is a good sis she loves him more then anything good for her

[rockypc24]

i have a freind named josh this happens to him but hes my best freind and me and him have soo much in common and we talk alot hes one of the smartest person i know so that goes to show even if they are different they are cable of any thing

[viridianstar]

What an amazing sister.

[Northeastern292]

I have a very unique reaction to this movie. I have high functioning autism (Asperger's syndrome) and I am an older sibling. I do understand where's she's coming from, on both sides. I give that girl a hell of a lot of credit.

[H0tkebab]

I have aspergers, and my younger brother has low functioning autism.

I get along with my little bro, life is good.

[zoeytito9999]

omg! My little bro has Autism!!!!!!

Take the child OFF whatever is seeming to make them go insane, my mum took my lil bro OFF of milk, and he acted so different! I dont remember what else she did, but she did MANY things, and he seems SO NORMAL!!!!! Do some research like my mom did for HOURS and HOURS!<3 my mum, miss her, life changing.. <3 my lil bro! and i was really sad to hear when they couldn't do much of anything on weekends.

[ILuvZacEfron18]

i totally understand her issues with the word "retard"

[edwardsgirl18]

At least her brother can talk... mine can't

[edwardsgirl18]

WOAH - this is so weird! I have an autistic brother, he's fourteen and I'm sixteen..

[kgaccount]

This is really beautiful, but this does not represent all sides of spectrum. There are children with autism who smash their fists into their heads, bite pieces of flesh from their arms, throw feces and dash into traffic. That's the reality of some people's autism and I'm real tired of not seeing this side portrated in the media, especially movies that seem to glorify high functioning autistics.... this is a beautiful sibiling realtionship and I"m happy for them, but it's not our autism reality

[ccook100]

You are right--it doesn't represent all sides of the spectrum but finding the key to unlocking the specific side of each autistic's personality is why parents and professionals keep working...horse therapy, singing, signing, so many things can be tried to open the window to the soul of each individual. They are all in there somewhere.

[NKKPPAS]

@kgaccount you know your situation is extreme and I give you that much, but everyones autism reality is going to be different, as far as quote "high functioning" it isn't all that it's made out to be either. They too, smash there fists into their head, bite flesh from their arms, and dart into traffic, the only difference is people don't seem to get that, they talk and appear to be intellegent. To hell with whether or not they can use that for functional purposes.

[kgaccount]

@NKKPPAS Yes, that's true. My son, while he appears very low functioning, has a lot in common with HF autistics, in that, they too suffer from extreme frustration and impulsive behavoirs that are not easily understood by others....

[NKKPPAS]

@kgaccount for what it's worth, I think you are extremely dedicated to your son in this situation, and not alot of people could do what you do everyday. You are doing an awesome job, and Jamey is so lucky to have such wonderful parents! I've seen some of your videos, and I especially like the one with the puppies, to see your son's smile, and face light up! Those moments are certainly ones to treasure! My prayer's are with you and your family.

[elizagame1]

i am surrounded by children/youth/adults with special needs all the time because my family lives in a residential school community for children with special needs. in my house are 8 special needs students all with different 'syndromes' and needs. but we still manage to go on outings almost every weekend...

[keebler2rk]

Fantastic young lady, reminds me very much of my own daughter, These kids do really have to grow up way too fast.

[ReviewrOfGames]

This reminds me of a teenager I saw at a movie, here's the story.

I went to go see Ice age 3 with my lil' brother, and this 15 year old I think, he came up and sat right next to me and said "hi!" his mom, not to be racist was black and so ws he. His mom said, something like "Granger, come over here weetie." He said "no! I wanna sit with my new friends" and my mom said, "thats ok he can sit here." So his mom came over and said he was autistic. It was sad because he acted like an 8 year old. :(

[ReviewrOfGames]

I can't finish this.. Its too sad. :(

[markrobinault]

My niece, Audra, is autistic, but I don't believe her mother really understands what autism really is. When she acts out in a grocery store, she is often yelled at as though she were a normal little girl. I just wish I could do something to educate her on what autism really is.

[castaway]

I don't like how she talks to him like he is stupid

[brandnewbandit]

she does; it's a tendency of relatives of the developmentally disabled to treat them differently... and it's terribly detrimental. my younger brother is on the autism spectrum and has been, i believe, hindered because of my parents incessant babying. i've always treated him as though he were "normal" which has resulted in his own admission that he knowingly manipulates them by crying and throwing tantrums. had my parents not pitied him for 18 years, he'd be far more independent today.

[NKKPPAS]

castaway, it's called talking to him, at his actual developmental level, not treating him like he's stupid.

[castaway]

Autistic people need to be treated with respect

[NKKPPAS]

castaway. I agree with you, but even my son who is just seven, I can't always reach him at that level, because he essentially, functions at three-four. Many timed I've softened my tone, and used very short prompts, other wise he doesn't always get it. She obviously loves her brother very much.

[castaway]

I think it's because the sounds are hard to properly interpret.

[UrbaniteLN14]

We need more people like her who truly understand autism and know people who are on the spectrum.

[sarbothedestroyer]

So sweet!!

[my1life]

My daughter who volunteers for Sibshops in Charlotte, NC just shared this story with me. I thank her for bringing me into her world and that of the types of families she works with. Melissa and Brandon are truly inspirational.

[zacharybearboy]

Wow!!! What a wonderful young lady. So articulate, sincere,caring, selfless,and brave. She is old beyond her years. What a wonderful world we would live in if we had more "Melissa's"

I am the mother of a boy with aspergers syndrome, and as far as her patience and understanding.... she could teach me a thing or two.

[cuchulain55]

Though i dont condone name calling in any form for what ever and I completely feel for this boy and his sister. I still cannot condoen anyform of hitting no matter what with anyone. And by the way I also hate the word retard in any sense for whoever no matter what. There are nop retards.

[shellocain]

I beg your pardon, but I think you missed the point. This is a beautiful, wonderful girl, and until you have walked a mile in her shoes- I would not simply look for negativity.

[cuchulain55]

noo i completely agree and feel for her he si a wonderful boy as a s well and i wish them both the best..Æ=