What's it like to have a sibling with autism? VIDEO + my daughter replies

What's it like to have a sibling with autism?

I watched a video with a similar title today, and, well. I did okay. Head nodding, yup, agreeing, and then: tears. Watch it and see why...

The AOL video is titled: 'These Kids Share What It's Really Like to Have a Sibling With Autism.'

What I loved about it this video was that it was so raw and honest.

You can watch the video in full HERE.

Well... I asked someone who has a sibling with autism... my daughter's twin brother. My son, Rafael. My daughter, Estella.

Here is what Estella said:

"It's like, hard, because he's different, and he does different things.

He, like, doesn't have the same emotions as us.

He has different choices, at a different level in life.

He's a reality person, too. So, he see things in a different way.

But there is also the screaming and drama.

The tantrums - they are noisy, and ten times as crazy as normal people.

I feel sad how he has to put up with things that are hard.

Sometimes he gets all the special treatment at school - like cooking, and excursions.

Sometimes he gets all the treatment like that at home, too.

We always have to agree with him, to make sure he doesn't have a tantrum

[Do you worry for him in future?]

Yes, because when he is in the real world with lots of hard things that are challenging, maybe his tantrums will get worse when he gets older

Because the older you get, the more you get serious, all the time.

He will meet new people, and they may not know he has autism.

[Do you feel that you care for him more because he has autism?]

Yes. I want to teach him all there is to learn. I want to teach him about trying more things, to act like a normal person.

I think Raf is kinda different and kinda normal at the same time."

So there you have it. Parents of kids with autism - you will be able to relate.

From the video, some quotes:

“Not having a typical sibling relationship.”

“The struggle of going through his adulthood is something that’s not only going to impact myself but my future wife and my kids.”

“Not getting enough attention from your parents.”

I carry a lot of guilt just trying to live my own life.

“The frustration is just something you have to swallow.”

But ultimately, they all agree that they have learned a lot from their autistic sibling:

“My brother has taught me to accept people for who they are.”

“To have a deeper purpose in life.”

“That differences are ok.”

“A person’s a person no matter what.”

Dog tries to calm owner's Aspergers meltdown: VIDEO

This just posted, about go viral video is something to watch, to help understand what Aspergers can be like.

Says the description:

This is what having aspergers is like. Please no negative comments this really happened and it's not easy to open myself and share what it's like on a daily basis. This is what's considered a meltdown. Yes Samson is alerting. I trained him to alert to depressive episodes and self harm not both but he alerted. It appears the response is late but it's actually supposed to be as I'm coming out of the meltdown as I tend to have a panic attack after.

Dogs used as a calming therapy for kids with autism has been known to soothe and help a child down.

In fact, if you look closely (make the video bigger on your screen) you can see the dog's collar says: 'Service Dogs.'

Parents of kids with autism know only TOO well what an 'autism tantrum' (as I refer to it, with my husband) looks like.

To onlookers, it looks like one of these things:

- bad parenting

- a spoilt child

- an uncontrollable child

- lax parenting rules in a household

- giving in to a rude child

It is NONE of the above.

We should know - our seven year old son has a mild autism diagnosis, and while he doesn't self-harm, his tantrums can be EPIC. And I do mean, EPIC (caps, bold intended).

If you were an onlooker you would not know where to look, what to do, and you could make one of the judgements, above.

Let the above video be a marker for you - all is not as it seems.

Don't worry - I was a judge-y parent just like you once… until I had a (beautiful, adorable, loving) child with autism.

Subtle Signs of Autism 0-7 years old: VIDEO

In honour of World Autism Awareness Day, here is a video I found called:

'Sublte (sic) Signs of Autism 0-7 years old'. 

People often ask me these questions about my son (Rafael, age 7):
- How did you first know your son had autism?
- What were the signs? How did he act which told you he had autism?- At what age was he diagnosed?
- How has he progressed over time?
- How is he doing at school now? (my son is in year 2)

While every child 'on the spectrum' is different, this video gives some good insight into the profession a child with autism can make.

Says the video description:

"This video shows the subtle signs of autism from one child as he ages and his tremendous growth from years of therapy."

Watch and tell me what you think (and light it up blue today for our beautiful kids with autism and Aspergers:

'A Different Brilliant': Aspect Autism - VIDEO

(As appeared on sister blog page 'Josie's Juice'). If this post had a 'like' button, I'd hit it a million times over. If only just for the fantastically brilliant header just above.

Aspect has released a positive awareness campaign on its Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages called, 'a different brilliant.' The campaign includes a centrepiece film and microsite (www.adifferentbrilliant.org.au), which celebrates our differences by introducing viewers to seven quirky real-life characters on the autism spectrum in a beautifull shot, positive and inspiring montage. 

Seven real-life ASD heroes tell the story

The captivating short film captures the stories of seven unique individuals as told by them, their friends, families and communities:

CALLUM THE PUZZLE WHIZ. 14 year-old Callum is enthusiastic about puzzles and completes them in record time without looking at the finished image on the box. He represents the unique talent for sorting and visual problem solving some people on the spectrum possess.

CHELSEA THE DRESS-UP SUPERHERO. Like many girls her age, four year-old Chelsea loves pink, dressing-up, and playing with Barbies™. But thanks to her unique way of expressing herself, rather than dressing up as a fairy like all the other little girls going to a birthday party, she arrives in a self-designed superhero outfit. Those with highly sensitive nerve endings as part of their ASD often delight in specific fabrics and textures that are gentle and familiar to their touch.

SUPERMARKET SURVIVAL, NATHAN. For an ASD child with super-hearing powers, like seven year-old Nathan, supermarkets are a deafening cacophony of disharmonious sounds: buzzing fridges, in-store announcements, checkout noises and errant trolleys. A two-year old is shown sitting in a trolley with ear defenders as an example of how many children on the spectrum with auditory sensitivities, like Nathan, bravely tackle the experience.

SCHOOL BOYS AT HEART, BEN. We see 10 year-old Ben () at the school gates as other children come and go around him. Both he and his brother, Nathan (7) attended Aspect schools and have now successfully transitioned to the mainstream education system. The scene reminds us that people with autism don’t look any different – they could be any school friend or classmate; but take the time, and you’ll discover a different brilliant.

ALEXANDRA, THE DREAMER. Sometimes people on the autism spectrum have trouble with communication, social interaction and sensory overload. The story of 29 year-old Alexandra is told in a café scene. She gazes out the window while conversations happen around her, brilliantly finding a “safe place” in her own mind to block out the overwhelming nature of her surroundings, but eagerly joining in the conversation when a friend asks her a direct question.

ROBBIE, THE VISUAL ARTIST. Passionate photographer and business owner Robbie is in his early 20s. His story is told creatively via a class field trip montage. As others take similar shots to each other, Robbie sees the world through a different brilliant lens.

CAMERON THE WORKER. Cameron is in his 40s and an active member of the workforce. Aspect supports both Cameron and his employer via the Aspect Capable specialist employment service, which offers person-centred employment training and support to jobseekers with ASD, and their employers through coaching, mentoring, job preparation and training.

“So often wonderfully talented, brilliant people with autism spectrum disorder are overlooked by society as being odd, or quirky, or obsessive. With our a different brilliant campaign, we hope to inspire a wider understanding and respect for how people on the autism spectrum are just like you and me, in many ways, but with their own uniquely brilliant take on the world,” says Adrian Ford, CEO of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

The 'a different brilliant' short film was released to the public via social media today, on Thursday 13 November on the Aspect Facebook page facebook.com/AutismSpectrumAustralia, as well as via Twitter and LinkedIn.

The public is encouraged to ‘like’ and ‘share’ the 'a different brilliant' short film with the hashtag #adifferentbrilliant and include links to the a different brilliant microsite in any social media posts: www.adifferentbrilliant.org.au/

And so, I am doing my part, to honour my beautiful son Rafael, who is six, and (to borrow a line from one of the best films on the planet, and one of my fave flicks ever, 'Temple Grandin') "different, not less", here is this exceptional video:

Daryl Hannah on her Asperger's: The Big Interview - Dan Rather VIDEO

'THE BIG INTERVIEW' is a new series which features interviews with some of the most well-known talent from the entertainment industry.

Recently, Daryl Hannah opened up for the first time on her struggles with Asperger's Syndrome (a condition similar to autism).

In her first television interview about her affliction, she discusses how her family helped her deal with it when she was a child.

She also discusses her life with the late John F. Kennedy Jr.

"Daryl Hannah: The Big Interview" aired on US TV on June 23 on AXS TV.

Sensory Sensitivity In Autism: Viral Video

This viral video - created for the UK's National Autistic Society by Rattling Stick - is said to show what it's like for a child with autism and sensory sensitivity:

As a mother with a child with a mild autism diagnosis, I don't believe this is the way he necessarily sees the world because… I asked him.

Now, his speech is not developed enough where he can tell me if this is what he can and can't feel and see and hear, but I did show him the video and asked him: are you scared? Or do you like this? He said he liked it… and he wanted to watch it again!

While he was initially far more resistant to loud noises and it distressed him, now - with therapy and one and a half years of schooling - he is a different child.

And so, to be more accurate, sensory defensive people would relate to this - not every person with autism.


The National Autistic Society describes itself like this:

"We are the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism.

We want a world where all people living with autism get to lead the life they choose.

We will transform understanding of autism and make sure everyone living with autism gets the support they need."

What do you think of the video? Does it relate to your child? Or you?

Vaccines Don't Cause Autism: Healthcare Triage #12

This. A VERY comprehensive video on the NON link of vaccines and autism. Must watch and share:

The video description for this video - uploaded in January 2014 - says:

"There is almost no topic in health and health policy that immediately polarizes people more than the idea that vaccines cause autism. Even though the original big paper on this topic came out at the end of the last century, the anger this causes is still raw and potent. But there is a very, very large amount of research showing that vaccines and autism are unrelated. Please, watch the video before you jump down my throat."

Carly Fleischmann: 'Autistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence' - VIDEO

A friend of mine alerted me to this amazing video the other day. I am sure I have watched it before, when I was new to the autism journey. But this time, it had an even greater impact. It has more meaning now. I understand what milestones mean, more than ever.

Watch as Carly Fleischmann finds her voice:

Carly describes herself like this on her web page:

"My name is Carly Fleischmann and as long as I can remember I’ve been diagnosed with autism.

I am not able to talk out of my mouth, however I have found another way to communicate by spelling on my computer. (and yes that is me typing on the computer by myself)

I used to think I was the only kid with autism who communicates by spelling but last year I met a group of kids that communicate the same way. In fact some are even faster at typing then I am.

Last year a story about my life was shown on ABC news, CNN and CTV here in Canada.

After my story was played I kept on getting lots of emails from moms, dads, kids and people from different countries asking me all sorts of questions about autism. I think people get a lot of their information from so-called experts but I think what happens is that experts can’t give an explanation to certain questions. How can you explain something you have not lived or if you don’t know what it’s like to have it? If a horse is sick, you don’t ask a fish what’s wrong with the horse. You go right to the horse’s mouth."

You can follow Carly on Facebook here.

'The Real Housewives of New Jersey': Jacqueline Laurita's son says "I love you"

Okay, yeah.

I like reality TV.

I am, I will admit, maybe a little over it of late. Like, say, 18% less satisfied than usual.

And that defintely goes for my affection for 'The Real Housewives' franchise.

However! Sometimes, a clip from the show may surprise me with an actual message beyond demonstrating privileged lives and/or living beyond your means.

Like this beautiful clip from the current season of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey', which features cast member Jacqueline Laurita's young son - and the first time he says 'I love you' to his mother in a very long time (he has regressed - he has said those precious words in the past).

It is touching and sweet and reminds parents of neurotypical kids why parents of kids with autism rejoice SO much in the little things. It tears me up every single time.

Watch the clip here.

What has your child with autism done recently that makes you jump for joy?

Carly's Café: Carly Fleischmann's View Of Autism

This experience is viewed through the eyes of Carly Fleischmann, a 17 year old girl living with non-verbal autism.

It's based on an excerpt from the book 'Carly's Voice: Breaking through Autism', and it explores how - for someone with autism - a simple act like going for a coffee can descend into chaos.

'Carly's Café' was developed as an interactive video that allows the user to experience autism from the inside out.

Visit http://www.carlyscafe.com/ to enjoy the full experience.

UPDATED: 

Carly's Café has just been announced as silver medal winner at the Cannes Lion Festival with this film.

'My Name Is David' - Autism Viral Video. Watch.

'My Name Is David' is a powerfully simple animated short film from one of the animators of 'Robot Chicken', Matt Manning, for the Autism Speaks site.

It depicts a young student's speech to his fellow classmates about his autism.

The short film features the actual words and voice of the author of the speech - 14 year old David Shapiro Sharif.

David's speech does an exceptional job in not only educating kids and adults about autism [in my opinion, educating adults of school-aged kids is just as important], it also gives a voice to millions of autistic kids around the world. I love it.

Watch. And share:

How wonderful was that? If you don't have an autistic child, did you come away feeling like you know much more about autism?

And if you do have an autistic child, don't you feel somehow validated on their behalf?

For more on Autism Speaks, click here.

Joshua and Sarah Littman: "Q&A" from StoryCorps

My friend showed me this recently...

This is what I love about being open about your child's autism diagnosis... friends are always on the lookout for links and news and articles. It's wonderful.

Watch and be moved by this actual conversation between a mother and her son, who has an Asperger's diagnosis.

Joshua Littman, a 12-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome, interviews his mother, Sarah. Joshua's unique questions and Sarah's beautiful, unguarded answers demonstrate a beautiful relationship - and makes you so happy to be a parent of a special needs child, or otherwise.

Wasn't that wonderful to watch?

Oh, and if you're wondering about the different accents between mother and son, here's why:

"Hi - this is Josh's Mom. The reason is that he was born in the UK and I'm American. Even though he moved here, he kept his accent. It is apparently more common with children with Aspergers. These days (he's now 19) people think he is Canadian or sometimes Australian, which he finds really amusing."

What kind of conversations do you have with your child with autism?