Nickelodeon to Air News Program on Kids and Autism
The program looks to be well worth recording - especially for teachers, parents and others who need to explain autism to children. It's great to hear kids talking about the issue from their own perspective, both as siblings and as individuals on the autism spectrum.
Once again, we can thank Autism Speaks and Viacom for presenting this program... Which means that Autism Speaks is the one and only organization referenced on the Nickelodeon website "for more information."
It's wonderful to have the program aired, and to have mainstream attention focused on autism and people on the autism spectrum. But I can't help but worry about the process by which Autism Speaks is rapidly becoming THE media spokesorganization for a community of millions (if you include parents, siblings, therapists, teachers and others directly involved in the lives of people with autism).
Comments
Given that Autism Speaks does not necessarily promote the most “positive” view of autism, I find it disturbing that their message is one of the only ones getting out. They seemed to have hi-jacked the talk show circuit as well, so people are only being given access to their small group of families and not being introduced to any other REAL families living with autism!
I’m okay with most of Autism Speaks. They have worked very hard and are very committed to getting help — especially for those almost forgotten people struggling with kids with the biggest disabilities. I guess you could put a positive spin on living in a war zone, but looking at the problems and trying to get support to improve things seem better to me!
Truthfully, I think it’s wonderful that an organization is finally taking a stand and making themselves heard. If not for Autism Speaks how much longer would most people be in the dark?
I thought the show was efficiently well covered and was hoping to get a copy of the DVD for educational purposes. It was short enough to keep kids attention and help them learn a little more about a few different perspectives of autism
JUST FYI…I contacted Nick News and they are sending me a free copy of this show on DVD to utilize for educational purposes. They were very quick to respond and very helpful. I will be using it in conjunction with readings of my kid’s book A IS FOR AUTISM, F IS FOR FRIEND. I can’t wait to have the DVD in my hands!! I like it’s short kid-friendly version.
Current Autistic adults were one time Autistic children. I don’t know if the ratio of 1 in 166 has changed I have a sneaking suspicion that it hasn’t. I work with Asperger’s children and know that sometime in the distant future, they will attend a job interview, an interview given by a trained corporate person who has been taught that the most important aspect in choosing a reliable employee is “Eye Contact” What a pity they are not trained to look beyond that and see the amazing benefits to their organization the candidate could be. They would employ determined and stay-on task kind of people, providing these interviewers are taught to look deeper than just “Eye Contact”