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.

Michael Bublé's message to 6 year old fan with autism

Super cute video by the super cute Michael Bublé  for a super cute fan… who has severe autism.

Says the YouTube description:

"Griffin is a 6 year old boy with severe Autism who lives in Calgary, AB. He has a passion for music, and has acquired an incredible love for Mr. Buble. He asks for 'Michael Buble' throughout the day, and his therapists use Mr. Buble's videos as rewards for good work."

University of Sydney study: no link between vaccination and autism

This.

The idea that vaccines were linked to autism took hold in 1998 when British gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield published a paper that hypothesised that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could lead to the condition.

The paper has since been discredited and his research was found to be fraudulent.

In 2011, pharmaceutical scientist Dr Dennis Flaherty called Wakefield’s findings “the most damaging medical hoax of the last 100 years”.

This taken from an article in news.com.au.

And now, this article reports on settling that annoying, very damaging argument to rest. It starts:

Many parents feel immunisation is unnatural and there are prevalent fears about a link between vaccination and autism.

A new report led by the University of Sydney appears to have settled the argument.

A review of available data from around the world has found that there is no link between vaccination and the development of autism or autism spectrum disorders.

The study examined seven sets of data involving more than 1.25 million children and concluded that there was no evidence to support a relationship between common vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough and the development of autism.

The paper’s senior author, Associate Professor Guy Eslick from the Sydney Medical School, said he was inspired to look into the issue after watching some documentaries on the medical debate.

“I thought, surely someone has put this data together. I searched; there was nothing,” Prof Eslick said.

To read more, click here.

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.

'World Autism Awareness Day' 2014

It's 'World Autism Awareness Day' today!

In Australia, you will see participation in 'Light It Up Blue' - a global campaign that sees thousands of iconic landmarks, cities and towns around the world turn blue on April 2 to recognise World Autism Awareness Day.

The campaign highlights the pressing need for greater public education and awareness of autism in our community.

This Australian organisation is proud to have initiated and hosted Australia’s participation in this campaign for the past three years and this year their aim is to see all of Australia go blue on April 2.

Do your bit by wearing blue today - it'll be a nod to those around you who you know love someone with autism.

Visit www.lightitupblue.com.au for more info one how you can get involved

Want to know more about autism?

Watch this.

And this:

And this.

What does this day mean to me? Just knowing that you know about it, and that you support me and my son… that's enough. That, and knowing that some days, it's bloody hard. No sympathy required. Just knowing that if you see someone in a supermarket having a meltdown, down assume, don't judge… just be understanding. THAT'S autism awareness for me. And for my son.