"No Myths" Public Service Announcement

[livic45]

That's nice, still waiting for my son to behave a fraction as normal as those people. Taking care of my son is a hazardous occupation, a hazard I would not willingly endure for someone else, for any amount of money. He is an adult, and very strong. I do not know what will happen when I am too old to take care of him, if he doesn't learn more self control.

No, he is by no means a shell, in fact he has a great personality. When he is not violent.

[healthmusic]

I have Asperger's, which is a type of autism. I am a musician/singer/songwriter; wrote 4 autism awareness songs. I currently work full time at an auto parts manufacturer. I am an activist for autism awareness; healthcare crisis and ows.

Someone mentioned thimerosal, a mercury based preservative as a cause of autism. It is something to be concerned about, but not proved. Neither do I blame thimerosal in shots for my condition.

[prolelicious]

Thank you for this. I watched with my HFA nine year old son and he applauded you all. Thank you so much for providing role models for my son so that he can grow up strong, proud, determined and capable of achieving his dreams. We must never stop demanding our voices be heard. You can't stuff us in a bag and shut us up forever.

We're here, we're "weird", get used to it.

[BaltoLoneWoolf]

The user foresam is a hypocrite. He says that these people in this PSA are not autistic, yet he says that Ari Ne'eman is "full of thimerosal." That just goes to show you how big of a troll and a baby he is, and how he LOATHES autistics, LFA and HFA. What a bully. *scoffs*

[rrnewsteam]

Our news team was blessed with a young man diagnosed as AUTISTIC. He was the most incredible addition to our daily student news show - a program that had news crew members who were in other alphabet categories: EMH, EH, SLD - but none autistic. All of them were treasured by me, & excellent in their jobs. I retired at the end of the school year - 6/3/11 - and keep in touch with all of my kids to the best of our abilities. But all of them are so busy!! No matter what the diagnosis, they excel!

[EpiMasters]

As a parent of 2 beautiful autistic children, I have to thank you for putting this out there. My children deserve a future, and I really hope that people understand that an "Autism" diagnosis is not the end, but only the beginning of something special!

[TheBackOfTheBoat]

I find it really odd that you have an awareness movement splitting into different factions that spend money advertising against each other. So you might have different ideas on the best way to view autism; you still want the same basic thing, and that's for people with autism to live a better life. It's like that kid said; you both want to do the seem thing, just in different ways.

[electrogeek77]

I am totally for this. My Asperger's Syndrome has caused some roadblocks and nusances, but I as a person have gone through them or changed them into advantages.

[headfirst4halos00]

Watching this video gives me hope and inspiration. I can relate to it, especially the door. I sometimes feel that my "door" is shut, and I can have a difficult time opening it. With so many people who are willing to help me open this door I feel like I can make a difference. It's overwhelming and frustrating for me, and I'm sure for most of us to communicate and see the world as others want us to see it. May research for Autism continue and expand.

[sbr1970]

Interesting. Played it to my 8 year old lad (autism & dysprax)...he had a big smile on his face. I had to play it after the negative comments at the part as that part would have upset him). Very good video, well done.

[DalekHunter1994]

This video is deep.

[CaramellDansenNut]

This video gives me great hope. My half brother has severe Autism, he is only three but I still worry for how he will be able to live and support himself in his latter years. But when I saw this, I realized there is hope. Thank you, so much, for helping me see that there is a chance he will get top live a true, full life.

Rachel, age 15, Illinois. A loving Sister.

[gahana108]

Well, I for ONE, LOVE this video. Thank you to all your amazing auties/aspies. It's time to SHIFT the Paradigm on Autism. Oh, it's already happening. Blessings.

[AnElephantThatPaints]

Donna doesn't deserve a -6 rating. She is absolutely right. Health is important for everyone.

[DrWillmitch]

What a great video clip. Thank you to the wonderful people who created this!

Dr. Willmitch

[Raelara1]

I am autistic. If I don't have a job it is because people are so intolerant of my limitations that they make it impossible for me to work. But I have a wonderful life. I have a college degree, husband, I have two children, I am perfectly happy the way I am. I don't WANT a cure for autism. I want a cure for the ignorance and intolerance that cause problems for me in social situations and in the workplace. There is NOTHING wrong with me. I am different, I am autistic. DEAL WITH IT.

[shippox3]

thats deep from the heart peace

[abcstan]

Great video dont wait for the experts to find an answer, they dont understand the problem start looking for Answers today. Leonardo Da Vinci said seek and you will find.

Stan.

[misscalais]

Great PSA - about time really , only missing the ones like my boy who cant sit or stand still for a second and likes to be naked most of the time but I bet we can all understand how that couldnt be in a PSA LOL

[scr33tch]

great video. I'm autistic, i can do anything that i'm interested in, i just have no interest in socialising!

[1prouddemocrat]

Personally I have mixed sentiment. As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, I think that there should be a cure available for Autism, but I think that should be left to the individual. I think that BOTH extremes: those who think Autism is all bad and those who think Autism is all good have gone too far. What bothers me about this video is that Ari is generalizing about Autism saying "all people with Autism are like me". It's a really complex disorder and I think people should be aware of that.

[wiscsuzski]

"Ari is generalizing about Autism saying "all people with Autism are like me""

I didn't get that out of this psa. I saw male and female, young and older, verbal, and non-verbal. I think the point made with the variety of autistic people chosen is clear. This is a spectrum, and the people who are in it should be involved (to whatever extent possible) in organizations that claim to be about Autism.

[modernmariorc]

The point is to accept and encourage people with autism to lead productive and meaningful lives and be a part of society to the fullest extent.

[LthrnZack]

Beautiful, brilliant people :)

[CoolNASCARGuy]

Wonderful! 5/5 & Favorited!

[foresam]

Will somebody shoot this prick full of thimerosal so he finds out what autism is?

[jbcape26]

The message was great and the video done well. Autistic Living is right as most people with autism are not able to express themselves like this. I do not know if Ari is a sociopath but the video does depict higher functioning autistic like people. That does not matter since it gets the message out

[BumsenDK]

I think the point is that autism isnt ONLY non-verbal people. To underline the spectrum etc.

and there isnt reliable research stating how many are low functioning, since there isnt even a description of what low functioning is.

[jbcape26]

I agree that they are not but MOST are really. Some of these others might be on the autism spectrum with NON Verbal Learning disablities etc. I would say low functioning is when you IQ is low and you cannot take cxare of yourself

[BumsenDK]

Its not true. not a fact. its a myth that most people with autism are non verbal.

watch it again.

[jbcape26]

I do like this video however most autistic people (classic autism or autism due to syndromes) are developmentally disabled in many ways. I have a child who is now 22 years old and have seen many children. She has been in schools with higher to low functioning children and most could not be alone with out supervision. Those are the ones (like my daughter) that are the most needy as far as needing constant help. It is all about the severity of behaviors that stem from OCD type needs.

[EternalSaber]

People like me need to be herd. I am one of many who have Autism, but I can speak.

Autism is not a killer like cancer or HIV / Aids, so why does it need to be cured?

My Autism gives me many tallents that would be taken away if I were to be "cured".

Thank you so much for this video.

[annam20]

My child is not an epidemic, he has not destroyed my family, he is not at fault for a supposed 85% parental divorce rate and he has not financially ruined us.

He is an amazing wonderful little boy who happens to be on the Autism Spectrum. He deserves to be treated with dignity & respect.

We must stop the stereotyping & misconception's that are putting our children in danger.

We must stop restraint & seclusion in the public school system!

Thank you for this positive message!!!!

[Serge165]

exactly. Thanks for standing up not only for us, but for th eworld, I am Serge, a person on the spectrum. I have been given a new way to see the world I inhabit. Even though there are social troubles that go on, that's nothing comparied to the great Ability some of us have, the new ways everyone sees the world help it spin. * Serge reaches out a friendly hand to Annam20. Your son will shine someday, he may even be shining now.

[annam20]

This is wonderful, great job Ari! Many children will benefit from your advocacy.

[ilypants]

Nothing about us without us! :-)

[ischlopischlo]

1. Mr Ne'eman is obviously not a sociopath.

2. You think all his positive work is a conspiracy? Well no one can stop you from believing so.

3. While Ari, and most autists(citing the swedish autistic society, who, like you, like to separate LFA/HFA), are so called "high functioning", ASAN does not exclude "low functioning" autists, nor their opinions. I suggest you watch the whole clip before commenting.

[ischlopischlo]

You should drop all the garbage/bullying/discrediting, write something constructive. Defaming autists won't make people less ignorant, but constructive criticism will.

Unless, ofcourse, you're just here to troll....

[treitmaniac]

Ari isn't a sociopath

He doesn't sit in his mother's basement eating Doritos all day. (I know this, because he's a collge student at a school hundreds of miles from his fammily's house.)

[NZ1J]

Ask the people depicted in the video if they support themselves. Then, ask them if they've ever been on a date. If you're looking for answers about autism, these are not the people to ask. Instead, check with the educated and licensed professionals who've spent years studying autism. The idea that the professionals are wrong and the self advocates have the answers is nonsense.

[kmgcatcousin]

It should not be suggested that Auties know everything. Rather, they should have a say in what affects them. Is that so wrong?

[NZ1J]

And if the Auties say, "We're superior beings who have evolved beyond you neurotypicals. You are not to look for a cure for anyone. You also must spend about a million dollars on each of us over our lifetimes because we cannot support ourselves." That is so wrong. That is so very wrong. No one has the right to deny a cure to someone else. No one has a right to refuse a cure and instead cost society a million dollars. The only people who don't understand it are the auties.

[kmgcatcousin]

Those people who claim that we Auties are superior are ignorant, and thankfully, few and few inbetween. Very few of us are actually like that.

Don't judge a group of people by what a few say or do. We ask for the opportunity to support OURSELVES. Is that so wrong?

[NZ1J]

Ari Neeman does not support himself. He is not a college graduate. As far as I know, he has never worked. He is not creating opportunities for you to support yourself. He is attempting to halt the good work of others. He, and others such as Michelle Dawson and Michael Carley, claim to be the voice of auties who cannot speak. None of them are remotely qualified. Their autism, which is a disability, causes them to have these crazy thoughts. What opportunity do you need to support yourself?

[sugaree70]

Many people the same age as Ari Ne'eman do not yet support themselves--they are college students. Isn't Ari still enrolled at the University of Maryland?

[J0ltC0la]

@NZ1J Ha ha, Ari has the last laugh because now he's been appointed by President Obama to the National Council on Disability and was confirmed. Have you been appointed by any president to anything? Didn't think so.

[NZ1J]

@J0ltC0la I see that you ask questions that you believe you already have the answers to. In my view, if someone with a disability is to serve on the National Council on Disability, it should not be someone with a mental disability. Ari Ne'eman is probably the most inflexible person you'll ever meet. Now, tell me again about his last laugh. Does he have a girlfriend or a job? He is alone and his parents support him. I guess he's a role model for people who are unemployed and isolated.

[literalgirl]

This is fantastic!! I was incredibly moved by this PSA, and it's a message everyone needs to hear. I can't wait to show it to my 16-yr-old HFA son, who is coming home from the 3-day Coachella music festival tonight! (So much for being unable to enjoy life! Ha!)

[haizram]

This video is fantastic. More of this please.

[sharonf1000]

A very well made video. I hope it gets lots of views.

[wiscsuzski]

brilliant! Love it.

[Serge165]

Suzi, How are you? Any bananas lately, and yes, this video is TOP NOTCH. I thought of you when I was at an advocacy conference a month ago. I hope all is well. lots of love,

Sergekitty =^-^=

[djfmitv]

Out of everything I've seen, this has to be the best of the lot. I am very very impressesed and now inspired :)

Well done guys - Good effort all round :)

Dave Malins

The Aspie Pioneer of Herefordshire, United Kingdom

[djfmitv]

Out of everything I've seen, this has to be the best of the lot. I am very very impressesed and now inspired :)

Well done guys - Good effort all round :)

[dilletante2]

excellent. thanks for sharing :-)

[wiscsuzski]

john best junior is a big whiney baby.

[1210donna]

Totally with you. Although the percentage of people with severe gut, immune, metabolic disorders or with (often inherited) severe mood, anxiety, compulsive disorders complicating their autism need treatment for their health issues to be enjoy their lives as healthier autistic people - Donna Williams

[wiscsuzski]

same for everyone. health issues complicate our existence.

[Serge165]

You're right, Miss Donna. I am Serge, Eddy has probably mentioned me...we I fear are no longer friends, however. But, howa re you? and why did you get a negative 5? lol

[1210donna]

Because I'm fodder for cyber bullies ;-) I'm told they give me much free advertising. They certainly stalk me throughout the net. I can't fart on here without them seizing on it. Oh well.

[Nard4Reynard]

yayaya

[MikeZero98]

Fantastic. Just the right message.

Thank you!

[sarahzona13]

Excellent. Thank you so much or posting.

[royelstar]

I'm glad to see things like this come up after all the trash on the TV recently like Jim Carry & Jenny McCarthy's interview with Larry King.

[FieryWolfPrincess7]

I think this is a great and positive PSA. It's short and to the point, and it covers eveything.