Monday, February 21, 2005

Media Coverage at Last

I have watched the first NBC segments on "Autism: The Hidden Epidemic?" on the Today Show and on MSNBC, and I am very encouraged that autism issues are finally getting some publicity.

The three segments I saw were informative and the statement that I heard loud and clear in all of them was that "1 in 166 children are affected by ASD disorders." At the end of the MSNBC report, one anchor turned to the other and commented how surprised she was that the numbers were that high. The other anchor agreed and stated that he was also very surprised to learn that many people were affected.

It's wonderful that an entire week is being devoted to autism, and that the current issue of Newsweek has autism as it cover story. I hope that this will inspire more people to fund research efforts towards learning more about the causes and effective treatments for autism.

If you missed the coverage, you can go to www.msnbc.com or to www.autismspeaks.org for information.

Thanks for so many of you who are writing me. Together, we do have a voice!



posted by K. Langston @ 12:24:00 PM   4 comments

4 Comments:

I just wanted to say hey. We don't watch much television in our household, but a friend forwarded the MSNBC link to me. Our five year-old son was recently diagnosed with PPD-NOS (a process I started nearly two years ago with the school district, our insurance company, and the specialists in the area who all have ridiculously long waiting lists). Anyhow, it's nice to find out we're not alone.

Cheers,
Sharyn

p.s. I blog about our little man at www.massdistraction.org/weblog/

By Blogger Sharyn Morrow, at 2/21/2005 02:51:00 PM  

Hi Kelly Rach here,

Wow...that's really, really terrific! The support group of mother's who share this pain with you is such an important thing to have. We really need each other.
Hang in there and give Alec a big hug from his aunt "Gigi".

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/22/2005 10:00:00 AM  

Hi kelly,
I just wanted to tell you about my son Wally, who was also diagnosed at 2 with PDD-NOS, Autism, ADHD at 2. He is now almost 12. He is terrific. Many people tell me they would never know he had any issues. He is a very well-behaved, happy boy. My only advise to all the parents of newly diagnosed children....get as much help and therapy as soon as you can and your child will get better every day. Please remember that Autism will only get better, not worse and no one ever died from Autism.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/22/2005 03:41:00 PM  

I was so happy to read what you had to say about Alec. It sounds like you and I could be good friends. Our son Garrett now 3 1/2 was diagnosed with Autism a year ago and our just turning 2 yr. old son Ryan is being tested in 2 wks. for Autism (we see many familiar signs). I just sent the Today Show a note thanking them for the Autism coverage! In the note I added that our boys have not been vaccinated, God made them this way for a very special reason and we can't wait to see what that will be. Then I read the same thing in your message. Progress has been wonderful, but I still have many moments throughout the day where I say (ok maybe yell) Lord help me and help me now.(-: Thank you for your sight. I havn't been into blogging yet, as I do not get much computer time, it is Garrett's "specialty". "Mommy's time" on the computer causes too many tantrums and the time is not worth that. Thank you again! I look forward to reading what God is further doing in your lives.

Twila

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/24/2005 12:22:00 AM  

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