On April 2, Autism World Awareness Day, CNN is planning a full day of autism coverage. You heard it right: a full day. To gather content for such a massive undertaking, CNN and Dr. Sanjay Gupta are soliciting public input in the form of stories and questions. Here's what it says on the CNN site:
It's your turn to have some of your own questions answered. CNN is planning a comprehensive day of coverage in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that at least 1 in 150 children are affected in the United States.Will you lend your voice to this undertaking? If so, what will you say? And... how do you feel about an entire day of CNN coverage on the topic of autism?In a report called, the "Myths of Autism" we hope to dispel any misperceptions about the disorder and the people who live with it. We also want to be very clear that there is still a great deal the scientific community has yet to learn about autism and its related disorders.
Here are some ideas that we hope to address:
Do you think that there are prevailing myths related to autism? What are they? What questions do you need answered?
- Every autistic person has savant abilities in some area such as Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. Eg: math or memorization
- Thimerosal in vaccines is the main cause for autism.
- Autistic adults will never be able to live on their own. They will always need assisted living care.
Does autism touch your life? Tell us your story here: Autism iReport
Thanks for posting this! I think that this is a great opportunity to raise awareness, and would like to ask some questions. However, all I see is a place for you to upload videos, photos, or audio files. Here is what it says:
“Are you or is someone you love living with autism? We want to hear your story. How does this condition affect your life, as well your family’s? Share what life is like on a typical day. Turn on your camera and record video of yourself speaking about your experiences, and give us a glimpse of your daily routine. Have you found any unexpected silver linings? Send photos and videos that help tell the story of what it’s like to have autism.”
Did I miss something, or is this the only thing they’re looking for? Anyone else have any luck! Thanks!
Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed. of http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
Hmm… I checked the links, and that’s all that’s offered from the CNN site. Yet they do specifically ask for stories and questions. If anyone can help with this issue, it’d be much appreciated!
Lisa
it appears you have to become a member- click the link Autism iReport and you need to create an ireport account. the default title comes up Living With Autism and it seems to appear sending video’s and files is maybe something they want. I’d guess you could add text than upload.
I get it. They want you to upload a story so write it in word or something, then upload it to the site.
This is just fantastic! A whole day of much needed information to parents just finding out the diagnosis of their child (I’ll never forget that day); to parents who aren’t aware yet that their child might be affected by autism and will realize after your full day coverage and to parents like me who deal with autism every day. Not only do parents have to learn about autism and how to adjust your life around it but so do the siblings of these children and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. This is an important topic that should be addressed at some point in your coverage. We are very lucky to have an older son who has the patience of a saint with his little brother who is constantly repeating the same thing over and over to his brother – whether it be about a new tv show coming on and what time it will start or it’s a new song he’s heard and plays over and over. This would be a great topic to touch on – siblings of children affected with autism.
I can’t wait to watch the full day coverage.
I think that is wonderful CNN is hosting a day just for autism. Great!
This is great. I hope they don’t hold the debate on JUST vaccines. I hope they do send a positive message of hope to parents facing the possibity of a child(ren) with autism.
What a great idea to have a whole day committed to Autism Awareness!!! My wife and I live everyday with Autism as my oldest son 10 has been diagnosed. Our biggest issue is finding out that after being told by a specialist that the neuropsych test was covered (it wasn’t)she billed US for $2300.00 and now it is in collections.
Autism needs such an awareness program and I am sure this channelw ould bring all the mileage it needs. THEY ARE CAPABLE OF LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AND THIS NEEDS TO BE EMPHASISED>
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A PARENT:
I would love to share this to tell people that they can be made independent. My son is 22 yrs now, independent in most respects, working for the past 2 yrs in his da’s office, learning accounting, passed 10th in NOS.
I conduct parent empowerment progams to motivate and empower parents of childrenw ith autism. I ahve documented a one hr movie titled “Journey towards success” the first copy of which was received by President APJ Abdul KAlam last year.
I would be glad to share my experiences for the benefit of other parents, tell them nothing is impossible and also to create awareness.
You could visit my blog at
http://blogs.jambav.com/ramamani/
I would appreciate your giving me an opportunity to give a proper picture of autism to the world we live in.
RAmamani RAvi
Chennai
94440 36273
Should Julius have Chemo to treat his stomach illness related to Autism???????
My five year old sons name is Julius. He was diagnosed with Autism when he was three. I would like to say I have been on a mission since the day I found out Julius had Autism.
No one in the media ever talks about the illness that goes with Autism. That is why I’m asking for your help. To get the awareness out about the illness that goes with autism. My son has lesions on his small bowel treatment is chemo. Julius stomach illness is very severe. His Doctors are telling me more and more children with Autism are being diagnosed with Lesions in there Small intestines like Julius. What is happening to our children? We need help, the Doctors that are working with my son need help. They have patient after patient with all these symptoms and are not getting any support. My son not only deals with all the neurological symptoms of Autism, but the illness as well. Financially we are completely drained with all his medical bills. You can see Julius story go to. I hope you will consider this as part of your day about Autism. Please, Please consider talking about the illness that goes hand and hand with Autism. This is a big peace that has been missing in the media.
I would like to leave questions or even a story, but can I remain anonymous to the public if I register?
With a severely autistic newphew and a new premie grandchild awaiting vaccination, we are nervous and anxious about autism. Will the CNN program also address the fact that kids now get up to 32 – 36 doses of vaccines and that my now adult children received only about 10 when they were little? Are you looking into over vaccinating and too much, too soon, and too many vaccines too close together. And now they’re pushing the flu vaccine which usually still involves mercury. Could it be that we are totaling overdoing this in this country, and many infants systems just can not absorb so much so fast so early in life.
We are learning that our 4 year old son might have autism, so we were looking forward to CNN’s programing on April 2. We watched a few hours of this yesterday, and what a disappointment it was! Every report of an autistic child was so flowery. Happy background music played, cute children laughing, and delighted parents talking ever so nicely to their autistic children and driving them 1-1/2 hours to school each way with a big smile on their faces. Is that how it really is?! Why did CNN feel that they couldn’t show us the pain autism causes on the family and some video of autistic children acting autisic for longer than 15 seconds? I saw a several minutes of YouTube video the other night that showed what autism really is without the sappy music and without all the happy endings that CNN portrayed. Why did CNN feel that they needed to tie each story with a big colorful ribbon? And thank you, Jenny McCarthy, for swearing on Larry King Live. Real classy.
I think this is a wonderful idea. Autism touches so many lives. Yes there are success stories, information, and help for our children.
i have a simple question: can autism be caused by lack of micro-nutrients to a child’s developing brain? microwaves kill micro-nutrients which is why you shouldn’t ever ever ever microwave formula or breast milk, but busy expectant-mothers in a hurry microwave their own food, with out a thought to what it does — and don’t give me that ‘but it doesn’t kill that many nutrients’ — if it didn’t formula wouldn’t have that warning.
we want to blame vaccinations and I’m sure there is a link in a small number of cases but ‘bad’ vaccinations cannot explain the rising number of cases of autism and its cousins: add/adhd