Reply to Autism Speaks and GRASP Articles of Understanding

[momtoreezles]

THANK YOU for this video! It's great!

[Megatronmrs]

Yeh get in there m8 you can communicat it is just that ignorant people need to take the time to understand us and get a life and stop discriminating us.

[anniehuff]

o,wow,this lady is so brave!thank you for sticking up for autistic people everywhere.

[coolkiwidragon]

LOL

[cjayo123]

Thank you for helping me see inside your world and I love what I see. I work with children with Autism and I have always seen this light. I hope with more insite people will be able to change the way we approach Autism.

[Yetti0]

You and your cat are beautiful....

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

You are terrific, your videos are great and what you're doing for all us Autistic people and their families is better than Autism speaks can even hope to achieve!!! Great job and thank you!!!! You even teach me to understand myself more! I have Asperger's, I can speak but I don't make myself understood well, not always and I often get treated like a non-person but I thought it was because of my Russian accent. There's much xenophobia in this world and rejection of 'different'.

[nmste]

i guess it is easier to be stoic, than angry, but I am too much a realist, and I know many parents who have seen their kids regress , they were not born that way, and it is brain damage, but with treatment many children improve, there is alot of hope

[nmste]

politically correct rubbish,,, nonone said you have nothing to offer,,, but you are damaged, let's all just accept the fact that the human brain and species is degenerating because of pollution, and let's be politically correct and call it a "special gift", ha rubbish,,,,I am glad this woman has found a way to communicate, god bless her, but, let's get real, most of these people are HANDICAPPED, they're not genious savants, and most of them were not born that way, this is an epidemic

[Nihilive]

HUGE TITS

[rustupid171234]

I am a teacher of children with autism. I am particularly interested in working with children who don't speak. Can you help me learn how you learned to use a keyboard so I can help others.

Also, your sounds are beautiful- the video is a wonderful piece of art work. Thank you,

Gayle

[sollinkmaster]

my mother almost went half crazy but kept in there and beleived in the word of god and my brother is healing every day and know our faith in every parent must rely on god.

[thewolf86]

That cat is awesome

[guf74]

God Bless you, you have made a fantastic video to share!

Angie

Mommy to Ethan, Alex, and Megan

"Autism Speaks" for NOBODY!

[audesapere06]

Very stirring. I saw your response video to Autism Speaks on the web a year or so ago. Excellent. :)

[bugsyholly]

I work with people on the spectrum. I have often thought that it is horrible that neurotypical people often think that people with autism have nothing to offer the world. You have made a huge impact just by making this video! You may be labeled as a low functioning non speaking woman but to me you are extremely intelligent. You just don't communicate in what is considered a "normal" way, but your communication is far more sophisticated than man other neurotypical people I know!

[mrscurious16]

I beleive our children are born with autism my son is 10 years old and he is autistic. He hit nearly all his milestones apart from his speech but I just put that down to being a slow learner. However as time went on I began to notice little things that where different and quirky with him. I had a fall whilst being pregnant which left me very poorly and this is the only thing I can put down to the way Sam is cos every other thing I did the same as my other two boys and they are fine.

[Deadboy360]

I wasn't "born" wiv autism and I can tell u that many are and that some are not...

[mossimo689]

very easily understood, you are a great communicator of Autism and let me just thank you for taking the time to put this up...I have 2 boys on the spectrum and seeing your intelligence has given me great hope! God Bless you and be with you always, Melissa!

[mightysaxon]

indeed

[davidversusautism]

There are no such things as disabilities just possibilities.

[bigdaddysquirel]

I am christian, but DAMN! Is that a booy or a girl,

\

[alskdjfhgbrit]

Great Video...

It really shows that just because someone has the "label" of being autistic...that they are not mindless as some people perceive. It's sad, really sad. But this video is fantastic! Well done.

[charmedangels]

I have four children,two of them has a diagnosis have of Autism, My son is severe, he has core Autism, my daughter is moderate. I see both of them as very special people in life and people liken to them.

I do believe people as special as my children and others, have something very special to offer to the world.They unique.Thats in my expierance.

Thanks for sharing this video.

[jlaskie03]

I have an 8 year old autistic son. I've also noticed that when he is near pets, his affectionate side comes out. That is why they have organizations now such as CHAMPS autism assistance dogs for children on the spectrum as well as other special needs children. This is a free program for children with a medical diagnosis of autism.

[igloo54]

I noticed that your hands relaxed when the cat was nearby. I wonder if a similar pet would help my family member suffering autism. The got it from immunization shots.

[silentmiaow]

It depends on whether they're a cat person or not, I'd imagine.

[shadowtitus]

I'd like to be able to readily speak in such an eloquent way as you can. Your videos are satifisfying for any intelligent mind to observe; The ones who share verbal offenses I think are lacking themselves. Having the Tendency to behave in such a way is in itself, unintelligeable. Thank You. :)

[Jerkku42]

Word!

[bugsyholly]

I work for the Autism Society of North Carolina, and I work one on one, 24/7 care, with people of all ages with autism. I can say from first hand experience that autism is not a disease, it is a gift!

[Uaxis]

Do you wanna have autism?

[AstralDreamer18]

My son is autistic and I wouldn't change him for the world. In fact he isn't autistic to me! He has wonderful qualities, if only people could get past their first impressions! That was a lovely moment with your cat at the end. I do the same thing with my cats.

[mightysaxon]

Autism is dreadful, nothing to celebrate or rejoice in.

[Anjis]

I beg to differ. Every life deserves to be celebrated. My daughter has severe autism, and most of the difficulties we experience are due to ignorance, society, and medical incompetance.

We need to create a more autism friendly society.

[Uaxis]

In my belief, ppl with disabilities bring others down. It lowers the spirits of others, and so ppl prefer to push them to the side. Not saying that that's a proper action.

[sigendymion]

Well then, thankfully you are the only "ppl" here and not a person like the rest of us.

[bugsyholly]

Have you ever worked with people with "disabilities"? If you had you would understand that they raise people's spirits more often than lowering them.

[Uaxis]

True. Life isn't about intelligence, it's about succeeding, earning, and accomplishing your goals that you made through FREE WILL of your own. People with autism are quite incapable of controlling their own free will and aspirations. They're severely limited.

[mossimo689]

Oh really, unable to control free will? Limited or severely limited many autistic children and adults are very able to control free will and do so in such a way that they help others understand how to apreciate what life brings forth and not what should be handed to them...take care to understand what you are writing and you just may be a great advocate of Autism Awareness!

[purplemutantas]

What do you base that opinion on? I am autistic and it's not dreadful.

[leoleponge]

I loved how you and your cat shared that moment of affection, so sweet.

You are a beautiful person!!!

[woodnic]

Wow ...Great video of self advocacy and talking from the heart.But as Autism comes in many forms your views are only yours and not every Autistic persons view.Keep up the good work.

[silentmiaow]

Forms of autism and political views on autism are two separate issues. Never confuse them. Two people can have the same views and two totally different kinds of autism, or very different views and the same kind of autism. We are people just like everyone else and that means that our views are formed by a heck of a lot more than what kind of autism we have. To suggest otherwise says a lot about assumptions of our capabilities.

[RcRiderKnightNoob]

fatso

[j2test]

I'm fat too .. but who cares about it? ..... why don't you just say that as a suggestion to lower the fat and not in an offensive manner?

what a NOOB you are!

[autismspeaksforRiley]

thankyou- my son is autistic- and quite frankly i am sick of seeing people attaching sad songs to autism on this site- my son is beautiful and i embrace his autism- it makes him special and who he is. I love him so i love his autism. i also agree about the autism speaks video. kudos

[woodnic]

If your sick of people putting music to autism on this sight why do you keep coming here?Not everyone see's Autism like you and thats why it is so complex.I embrace our child with autism but some people choose to add songs with meaning to them and so what if its a sad song.If it makes them feel better then thats ok with me.This video is one Autistic persons views and might not reflect everyone.I have heard many different views from teens with autism and its as complex as the disorder itself.

[silentmiaow]

Who said anything about music?

[micksmom2]

I agree. I am rather fed up with the depressing music people attach to some of their vids. My son is autistic and it's *not* a depressing situation.

[MindForge83]

correction to hartigan 5 reply: I was diag. w/aspergers (High-Fuctioning Autism).

[CoolNASCARGuy]

RIGHT ON!!!!!!

[BelfastBornNBred]

Must be his wife.

[ImagesImagination]

Great communication! If you could write a book for us who live with an autistic child to understand that their is a mind that thinks and loves inside, but can not vocalize it. Your cat seems to calm your stimming - he/she must give you a good energy.

[LucyShy]

Thank you for telling me that.

[youtoo07]

I'm just curious if you live alone . And your cat is precious.

[DethMachineEngage]

type this in youtube search

AUTISM - Bush Vetoes Ban On Mercury In Vaccines!

Why we have Autism.........

[hartiganfive]

silentmiaow have you ever been interested in holistic treatments?

[silentmiaow]

For what?

[hartiganfive]

decreasing the symptoms of autism. I have an 8 year old boy that has been on the most incredible supplement for 1 year now and the results are unbelievable. We just got back from Orlando, FL attending a special needs event sharing our story with parents.

[Thomasmollo]

Hi hartiganfive,

I have a child with what they tell me is PDD or Autism Light as I call it. He is High Functioning at least he seems to be at 2 1/2 Yrs old. I am very into the natural approach and the use of supplements.

May I ask what you are using ?? I've been giving my son a supplement called "Mother Nature's Miracle" with good success. What is your secret ?

~Thank You Thomas

[MindForge83]

It sounds like your son is possibly high-functioning. Supplements cannot alter neurosynaptic pathways in the brain. If such were true, we could take pills to enhance IQs. Autism is not a disease to be treated: I'm HDD was diag. just a few wks ago (age 23), and I have bachelors in english lit (salutatorian). Your son has immense potential. Looking at it as a problem is insulting. Please, look at your child as simply living in an alternate sphere of consciousness.

[MindForge83]

holistic, you mean the dinosaurs of 9th c. pseudoscience? It is a scheme, you should know better. And to silentmiaow: profound thoughts, indeed. The classifications of high vs. low should be restricted to diagnostic doggerel, and no basis in the social labeling of individuals.

[technoturtle]

Nice. The end is so cute!

[larrysofast]

I've seen a couple of videos of yours and it really has opened my eyes to well open my eyes, to be open as to how I identify human beings, how I look at intelligence, and interaction with the world as I know it or as whoever knows it. Really it has just made me think keeping in mind the world that I percieve of somebody other than myself. Keep spreading your message our eyes need to be opened.

[sticksbass]

hi, would silentmiaow please give me her beliefs about autism? are you born w. it, is it caused by traumatic events, what is autism; being locked up in ones self too uncomfortable to communicate in the verbal way or is it any more than that? thanks.

[silentmiaow]

It's a neurological thing, you're usually born with it, it creates a different set of perceptions, thinking, and responses to the environment, with both good and bad results and everything in between. The different forms that can take are too complicated to explain in a YouTube comment.

[sticksbass]

do you know of a good book on autism? thank you for responding.

[silentmiaow]

"Sharing Our Wisdom," "Women From Another Planet," and "Autism and the Myth of the Person Alone" all give multiple perspectives from several autistic people in each book.

[sticksbass]

thanks for the book recomendations. you say people are 'usually' born w. autism. do you mean to imply autism can also be caused by enviornment?

[silentmiaow]

I mean some people seem to get it after a very early head injury or illness or something like that. "Environment" is a broad and useless term.

[betterworld1]

well, like for example, what about 'Sybol' who was raised by a very cruel mother. dont you think a situation as that can cause autism? or a child constantly ridiculed in school or perhaps living in a bad neiborhood?

[silentmiaow]

No, that wouldn't cause autism, that'd cause something else.

[NoemieArmstrong]

For the record, "Sybil" had dissociative identity disorder, or the old term is MPD. The Sybil book was never about an autistic person, and people with DID don't change into autistic people.

Abuse does not cause autism. That "your mother was bad and that's why you are like this" theory is obsolete psychology now.

[simplyimagineit]

you are a fantastic spokesperson for people with autism!

please keep on sharing your views they are very informative and helpful for those of us who are without autism labels.

[purplemutantas]

I would also recommend the book 'Songs of the gorilla nation'. It's a auto biography of a person with autism. She goes into great detail explaining her experience.

[jeeptogo]

We want to give all sides to autism and how people feel. Not just one side. Not just the CAN people or the "Yeah I have autism" people. Both sides are needed.

[Vickigran]

I am the mother of a 4 year old boy with Autism. He is the most wonderful, amazing, silly, adorable boy that I have ever known. He teaches me something new every day. He does not have much language. I just want to share his life and thoughts with him. He is a smart and great person and deserves the chance to be himself. Thank you for giving a voice to my child and others like him. You too are an amazing, smart and valuable person and I admire your courage in speaking your mind.

[momto2miracles]

Thank you so much for showing that regardless of what society may think all autitics are intellegnt and beautiful people if we just took the time to LISTEN to them!!

[JacobB103]

thats a big cat! sorry i had to breack the silence..lol

[mommyfieldmouse]

I've watched a few of your videos. Thank you for sharing your perspective. It's very interesting and informative.

[JaqueWebb]

Thank you! I have recently started working with children with autism, and it's been one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I'm learning that the eyes can speak even more than I had originally thought. It's a new experience for me in every way, I'm letting love, patience, and an open mind to new ways guide me, and I'm loving every moment of it. Again, thank you for speaking your mind, it helps people like me to overcome our misconceptions and ignorance. All the best! Jaque

[missy2j]

My kitty likes to bump my head too!

[mrwooloo]

Yea, dig in to that sensationalist whacko sister!

You are very smart, and you have raised a very good point.

[fr3thinker]

Thank you for making this video. Before yours most if not all videos i'd seen on here were on autism but where actually the Aspergher's type. Thank you for showing us something different.

[drmaier]

Thank you for making this video. Allison Singer was on Oprah the other day. I sent an e-mail stating that I thought it was wrong to attempt at "increasing autism awareness" with someone who wanted to kill her own daughter as the spokesperson. What are we really wanti9ng to tell the world about autism by giving them this perspective? I would like to do more, but I don't know where to start. The politics of all of this are overwhealming.

[mapnpg]

u have myspace

[151636]

You are very special. My daughter is 18 and autistic.

We love her very much. We also ask that people respect

you and all autistic people.

[cuteincuddlyheather]

I realy like all the stuff you said i had no idea that autisc people who dont talk would say some much you are so awsome

[acephallus24]

its true the way autistic children parents adults are treaten is horrible my daughter at 5 years old the school abused her i had to fight to have her transfored and its true constantly ppl with autism are treated like they are not there and like they can not be anything then what they are it wrong ive gone through this iv had ppl treat my child like a plague i know its ouyt there ppl are racsit against autism

[Jpmadore1]

Right on. My parents actually considered suing my elementary school for continually violating my I.E.P. and lying about it.

[AtticPhace]

I have autism.

but i am the most successful person in my family.

i have bad spelling and hand writing so i was always believed to be completely useless.

im a free lance music producer now :)

[pwkid]

you mustve been a magician or something whos spell backfired

[starrynightz]

I really like your videos.

[twingles003]

pls have respect for those with autism..i have 2 children with the disability..dont be anal about it..thank you

[hannahb4154]

do not listen to any negative comments you are wonderful, the people who have posted negative comments have nothing better to do and are ugly people go get a life.

[marajade619]

that is one HUGE FUCKING CAT!!!!

[javsmom]

love to you silentmiaow...

[yeamea2007]

Have some respect for her to the people making bad commets. Plus I have autism myself. I understand her completey. I have to deal with it...Although I had MANY years of trying to control myself to a point where no one can tell I have autism..We are just as normal as anyone else on this planet. Silentmiaow I wish we had communcaiton with each other. =)- Your fellow autistic person

[otalison]

Very good point Silentmiaow. You write very well. And as for the negative comments, its youtube, conspiracy theories and mean people are the norm.

[dianalmichaels]

Your video not only explained so many questions I have had regarding my grandson`s autistic behavior but it also touched my heart..Thank you..Diana

[hotscotricky]

im a practioner for the national autistic society and i must say that this video has amazed me. and as for the negative comments posted on here, fingersjones if you had any idea about autism then u would understand the hand movements, its a visual stimuli commonly called flapping. look it up before commenting!!!!

[KuraiGaka]

You work in the national autistic society? Like, the one in the UK? Coolness. Thanks a lot for giving me a dignified life.

[jmerridew124]

some people leaving comments on these vids about autism are pathetic and need to stop considering how 'funny' an autistic or disabled child might be. I was diagnosed with autism at the age of 20 months and you pathetic scum have no idea how difficult it is to deal with simple tasks of daily life that come naturally to you.

[jmbirk]

I'm not sure how thoroughly I can relate to truly autistic people. I have PDD-NOS and thus am a high-funtioning autistic. I have very measurable IQ (very very high at that), however I suffer from a total feeling of detachment from human society, feeling as though any interaction with other human beings that I have is no different from viewing a third person narrative about my own life. I see "myself" having conversation and have little aspects of my real self in it.

[KuraiGaka]

I feel human interaction is very overrated. Of course, I like having friends but there is line between being with your freinds and appreciating a solitary moment. I spent a lot of my life alone but curiously, I wasn't suffering one bit. The kids in my neighborhood were annoying little scumbags anyways. I sort of "sculpted" my art talents through my autism in a way.

[nucleardogmeat]

Good God, the robots are looking more and more like us! Soon they'll be able to communicate with their mouths instead of elaborate hand movements, though I doubt the robot voice will ever be improved. The human-robot war is nigh!

[fingersjones]

i find the non-repetitive hand movements make me scepticle ...

[silentmiaow]

Skeptical of what? That's how my hands move.

[mapnpg]

hugs

[Marihani]

Your hands are elegant. I got so fascinated watching them dance at one point, I totally missed what you were saying! Haha!

What a beautiful cat! Reminds me of the cat I left behind in Norway with my brother. He's doing great, but I miss him.

[javsmom]

i find it elegant as well, when my son does it we call it tai chi :)

[pinkstocking]

I got lost watching your hands too.

[ensrifraff]

High and low functioning are generalizations that help people understand the many different forms of autism out there. Most NTs can't be bothered to specify Asperger/Kanner/PDD-NOS and verbal levels etc. I wouldn't take too much offense.

[silentmiaow]

When they're used as political distinctions, it's important to challenge them.

[ensrifraff]

Fair enough.

[KathyInKY]

Terrific video, silentmiaow!!! You raise a very good point. My 4yo son is a verbal autistic who often says "inappropriate" things and displays "inappropriate" behavior. Sooooooo many people are all too concerned with with what they see and what they hear to understand that there's a wonderful human being standing in front of them. Amazing!

Hugs!

[MrsPri]

Dear silentmiaow,

Thank you for the insight into your life, you are a very brave person and no doubt a delightful one too.

My daughter is 4 years old, non verbal, flickers her fingers in front of her face and rocks to and fro. I often wonder how she'll be when she's an adult and maybe she'll be like you, and that's fine with me. Because, you look like you are enjoying yourself, and you look very capable.

God bless.

[silentmiaow]

For anyone who has trouble hearing the voice on these things (or any voice at all -- I wish more people captioned their videos myself), I've finally found a way to caption my videos, and there's now a captioned version on YouTube. (I'm going to also caption my other video, and then caption all my videos from now on.) Just thought I'd let you know.

[BiomedDad]

Amanda, seeing videos like yours gives me hope that my child may have a very fine mind waiting to get out and express itself. I hope more people will watch and listen. That, however, does not mean that I shouldn't try to cure her of these communication and sensory-processing deficits.

[ensrifraff]

The deficits are likely permanent though many nonverbal autistic children do learn to speak at an older age. The good news is she can learn to communicate the way silentmiaow does.

[liebejill]

My son is young. He doesn't have the words to express what he wants so I do my honest best to try to be his voice. I don't want to change HIM, not at all! I want to give him less stress and his own voice to tell us what he wants.

[liebejill]

I see "high vs.low" functioning really meaning how society can communicate with people with autism, not the other way around.

[philcommander]

fantastic video. you destroy the misconceptions that people have when they see others that do not act/look like them. i come in contact with some who have 'severe autism' and you can see that though they have no speech and have obvious difficulties with expression they DO communicate. its just not in the usual way. its scary to think how many brilliant minds arent able to express themselves. thank god you can!

[KevLeitch]

Thank you for the time you spent on this.

[christschool]

I agree. Functioning level is a social construct and has no place. Functioning levels are used to divide and place one group with power over another group. We are all high functioning and we are all low functioning. I would hope that GRASP would distance itself from the goals of Autism Speaks and especially the likes of someone such as Alison Singer.

[christschool]

I would also like to add that GRASP needs to be inclusive of non-verbal autistics, it's despicable that they haven't reached out to include the voices of the non-verbal community. I read Carley's letter and was disappointed with him giving any type of legitimacy to Autism Speaks. However, I hope this is an opportunity to open more "doors". But, I fear not.

[ralphss]

Yes powerful, succinct. Thank you.

[dinahkcm]

I notice that seaparamol has numerous furious and disgusted comments posted on his Youtube page...

[willnflorida]

thanks for the post, much appreciated.

[seaparamol]

Why don't they just drown people like this at birth.

[ensrifraff]

And the irony is they say we lack empathy.

[inquisitor911]

Everyone deserves the right to life, no matter what their disability.

[KuraiGaka]

Why don't I just drown people like you, hatemonger?

[minus5]

i'll drown your ass bitch!

[KuraiGaka]

Ooh, I'm sooo scared of a little autistic hating rat like yourself. Incase you are stupid (when clearly, you are), that was sarcasm.

Drown my ass? You're gonna dunk my arse into water? will that work? You idiot.

[B1ackHayabusa]

You a big fan of Hitler? Just curious, seeing as how he too thought people with cognitive disabilities should be eradicated.

your unreasonable intolerance is a mental disorder.

[KuraiGaka]

You're talking to that bastard, seaparamol- right?

[elmadore]

You SOB! Don't you have any respect for human beings whatsoever? I am autistic, and I for one am glad that he has found a way to communicate. Just because somebody can't speak, that doesn't mean they have the right to be killed! Imagine if you were like hin; would you want somebody saying you should be killed to you?

[pwkid]

LOL shes a she.

[MistyEyes347]

Why don't you put a gun to your head and pull the trigger u selfish, sentimental worm?

[kassiane]

This deserves repeating. Over and over and over.

If only people would listen when autistics, in all their presentations, DO speak, in all our ways.

Parents, professionals, professional pitymongers, are you listening?

[autismdiva]

Ditto what Bartholomew Cubbins said. That cat is beautiful and has excellent timing, too.

[BartholomewCubbins]

Powerful. Thank you for sharing this.