James O'Keefe Fails Again
Donna Summer Dies
Rodney Peete was on top of the world working as a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. But then he had a so-called "come to Jesus moment'' when he learned that his then-three-year-old son R.J. had autism, a developmental disability that causes significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.
He was grief-stricken. But he and his wife, actress, author, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete, fought hard to overcome the challenge. He retells his poignant story in 'Not My Boy: A Father, A Son, and One Family's Journey with Autism.' He writes how the family pulled together to seek help for R.J. to help manage the disorder. He also writes how he and his wife became closer as a result of the diagnosis. The timely release of the book helps puts a name and face on the sometimes baffling disorder and comes just in time for World Autism Awareness Day, which kicks off today, April 2 and National Autism Awareness Month, which began yesterday, April 1.
"I am writing this book because when I got my wake-up call and my son received his diagnosis, there was no Father's Guide or Dad's Secret to battling autism to help me on this long, hard, emotional and sometimes terrifying road,'' Peete writes. "This book is about the incredible journey I, and other fathers, are experiencing with our sons. It is about days of darkness and tears to scoring goals in a playoff soccer game. It's about a father's incredible love for his son and the willingness to do whatever it takes to keep him moving forward. Eight years after the dreadful diagnosis, I am writing this book to let every father know that your dreams for you and your son can still be a reality."
Autism knows no bounds. It affects tens of millions of people worldwide, according to the World Autism Awareness Day Web site. In the U.S more people are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) than ever before. The disorders cut across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than in girls and an average of 1 in 110 children have an ASD, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Peetes have long served as spokesmen for autism. They run the HollyRod4Kids Foundation to help children with autism gain access to affordable treatments and therapies. Additionally, Holly Robinson Peete and her 11-year-old daughter, Ryan Elizabeth, who happens to be R.J.'s twin, recently released 'My Brother Charlie,' a children's book about a girl's twin bother who is diagnosed with autism. The tale, published by Scholastic, mirrors the life of the Peetes.
"My daughter and I cherish the opportunity to partner with Scholastic to introduce our family's journey through autism with 'My Brother Charlie,' " Holly Robinson Peete said in a news release. "Children with autism are often misunderstood. Our hope is that this book will help families embrace and accept these exceptional people."
Comments: (63)
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By: Michele on 4/02/2010 8:12PM
The "in" diagnosis? There has to be a corner in Hell reserved ESPECIALLY for anyone who could make such a callous and shallow statement.
My daughter is nearly 20 years old and has severe autism. She cannot speak or dress herself. She hasn't any toileting skills. At the age of 14, she developed epilepsy on top of everything else and deteriorated even farther.
For many individuals with autism, the symptoms get WORSE with age, not better. My daughter can't communicate her needs or even let us know that she's hurting. All she can do is scream or hit herself in frustration. She is trapped inside a world of torment and lonliness.
The stress and devestation autism has on the average family is beyond measure. God forgive you, Lori, for your disgusting comment.
And remember this: 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism. The odds are very good that one day, either you. a member of your family or someone close to you will have a child who also received the "in" diagnosis. Chew on that for awhile.
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By: Laura M on 4/02/2010 9:24PM
Lori,
Thank you for your explanation. Risky business to try sarcasm in a written forum! Sorry you were mis understood.
You are correct there are a lot of doctors that misdiagnose. Only a multi-disciplinary evaluation by a team should be trusted. Not just one doctor.
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By: cs on 4/04/2010 11:15AM
Lori. I am the mother of a child with severe autism. I think your comment was rather supportive for those of us with children on the more severe end of the spectrum. I understand what you were saying. Just yesterday my husband and I saw to boys playing in the park. One was fussy and whiny but quite verbal. They appeared to be both normal, typically developing boys. I commented to my husband that the one who was upset did not relate well to his peers and had difficulty dealing with emotions in a socially acceptable manner. I see an autism diagnosis in his future... That is what was meant by an "in" diagnosis.
I have another daughter on the spectrum, and I refused to allow any medical record to list the dx codes of any spectrum disorder. Why? Because she has a sibling with severe autism. My daughter's issues can be addressed without applying a label that has become rather diluted.
I feel I get the most criticism from other parents of children with ASD - not from those in the general population. The spectrum is so broad that judgment is easily passed on regarding approach to therapies, diets and medications. It appears it is the parents of children within the spectrum that do not truly understand autism. They know the autism of their own circumstance and not what is dealt with across the spectrum.
And as for the quaterbacks with autistic kids - that cilearly illustrates what I am saying. Flutie's experience with autism is very far from that of Marino's. And I don't think either one would tall the other what to do.
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