Thank you again ParrotHead never even hurd of this film and i am quite a film boff, but I will now hunt down the film so I can watch it. Not that you may know but is the lady who plays the main role the same lady who play Juliet in romeo and Juliet?????

Once I find the film I'll let you know

Claire Danes. Yes I believe so. She has been in a lot of films since an early age and does one of her best roles even in "Temple". Hope you enjoy it.

Here's the daily bump for this thread.

Anyone ever wonder why a puzzle piece is the symbol for Autism. This should explain....

Good morrning. I was looking for some autism links this morning and came across this. Sorry but It did make me well up. for all the mums and dads In the world who live through this every day.
and if you know someone who this applies to send it to them and show them they are thought about.

Before I Go To Sleep…

Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy don't you weep.

I want to whisper something before I go to sleep.

I know that when I cam here I looked perfect in every way.

And you were so proud, Daddy; when you held me on that day.

And Mommy, when you kissed me and wrapped me up so tight,

I knew that I belonged here and everything was right.

But then I stopped talking and began to slip away,

I saw your worried faces as you knelt by me to pray.

And Daddy, I always notice how you wipe away a tear,

When you watch the other children as they run and laugh and cheer.

I may not be able to tell you how much I love you so,

Or even show you how I feel and what I really know.

But when you hold me, Mommy, at night when all is still,

I feel the love you have for me and I know that all is well.

And Daddy, when you take me to the park to run and play

I know that you still love me thought the words I cannot say.

I want to tell you something before I go to sleep.

I may be sort of dirrect and you may not understand,

I know that I am not that little hild that you and Daddy planned.

But I love you both so very much and I know you love me too,

And if I could only speak my heart, you would feel my love for you.

I know the future is unknown and you will always have to be,

The ones who love and listen and take good care of me.

I know that you are frightened and you shed so many tears,

And if I could I'd wipe them dry and take away your fears.

So Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy please don't weep.

I want to say…I love you both, before I go to sleep.

Written by Sally Meyer 2000

Thanks LouLou! Here's another for today.

Daily bump

Thread bump....

Daily bump...

We have some friends that have three great kids, two of which are twins. As a matter of fact, all three kids were born with in a 12 month period (pretty incredible). One of the twins has been diagnosed with Autism. It was sad to hear that news but when I see them I realize how great a family they have. They always put a smile on my grumpy face

I've been slacking in my daily bumps... It's still April and its still Autism Awareness Month.

For anyone that is interested, I have found an amazing blog that is full of stories, encouragement and raw truth about dealing with Autism on a daily basis.

www.bubblesmakehimsmile.com

Remember, if this is not something you have to do personally, you know somebody that does. Feel free to give them a word of encouragement. Tell them they're doing great job. Offer a hand... Anything really.

If you do deal with this on a daily basis, you're not off the hook. Take two minutes and write a little note to that "special" teacher to thank them for their efforts.

And here's my quote for the day...

People with AUTISM... do not lie, do not judge, do not play mind games. Maybe we can learn something from them.

Daily bump...

I got this in my inbox this morning, thought I would share this with you.

Young Adults With Autism Can Thrive In High-Tech Jobs
by LAUREN SILVERMAN

The job hunt is complicated enough for most high school and college graduates — and even tougher for the growing number of young people on the autism spectrum. Despite the obstacles that people with autism face trying to find work, there's a natural landing place: the tech industry.

Amelia Schabel graduated from high school five years ago. She had good grades and enrolled in community college. But it was too stressful. After less than a month she was back at home, doing nothing.

"I did go to a community college for a semester, but that definitely was not for me," she says.

Schabel has Asperger's syndrome, a disorder on the "high functioning" end of the autism spectrum.

According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 88 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder. For people like Schabel, attending college and interacting socially can be tough.

"I can look someone in the eye and talk to them," she says, "but if someone treats me in a way I don't think I deserve to be treated, I'm not going to react well. I may lash out, I may not speak to them, I may just glare."

Although symptoms and their severity vary widely, the majority of young adults with autism spectrum disorder won't make it to college and won't get a job after they graduate. This year alone, 50,000 adolescents with autism will turn 18.

A Tech Mecca For Young Adults With Autism

Gary Moore wants to make the transition into the workforce easier for young adults on the autism spectrum. Moore, along with his partner Dan Selic, founded the nonPareil Institute in Plano, Texas. It's a combination training program and software company for young adults on the autism spectrum.

Schabel, now 23, is one of more than 100 students at nonPareil, training in everything from software programming and digital design to 3-D modeling. She's studying visual art and working on a children's book. Two-dozen young adults with autism work as employees there.

Moore's son, Andrew, is a junior in high school and on the autism spectrum. Moore says he used to stay up at night worrying about what would happen to Andrew after graduation.

"Although [Andrew] can't tie his shoes or buckle his belt to do a lot of things independently, he can do technology," Moore says. "He's a digital native."

For people like Andrew Moore and Amelia Schabel, high-tech jobs can be a perfect fit. Dr. Patricia Evans, a neurologist at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, says people on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum often have an amazing ability to hyper-focus on a task.

"They may really flourish at engineering-type tasks or computer design, where their interaction with people is somewhat limited," Evans says.

White-Collar Careers

One Fortune 500 company that has begun hiring people with intellectual disabilities in North Texas is Alliance Data. Jim Pierce, vice president of Corporate Administration, says "this is an untapped labor market." He has hired a dozen people with intellectual disabilities.

"We've got this one guy, for example; his productivity is three times as productive as the person doing his job who did not have cognitive disabilities before him. And his error rate is 2 percent. He is 98 percent accurate. He's a phenomenal worker," Pierce says.

Pierce thinks it won't be long before more companies realize they're missing out on a hiring opportunity. In the meantime, nonPareil is trying to keep up with growing demand for training and jobs in Texas. It's looking to build more campuses in Fort Worth, and eventually in Silicon Valley, Calif.

A very inspiring story.

Thanks Marty! Anyway you can post a link to the story? I'd like to share it elsewhere.

Since your post is so substantive, I'll post something a little lighter today. It's a quote that applies to everyone, making it even more applicable for this thread ...

Here is the link to the story. It has quite a few responses from people that have commented on that story. Very enlightening, as is this thread!

click.et.npr.org/?qs=5e943cf599c4af6dd34...86e02aa409172172de69

Here is another link on how animals can help people with autism and within that article are some side links to other articles on helping people with autism.

click.et.npr.org/?qs=5e943cf599c4af6dd34...de0cdd823b904386e14a

Autistim a handicap? Prepare to be blown away!

At age two, Jake Barnett was diagnosed with autism and his future was unclear. Now at age 13, Jake is a college sophomore and a math and science prodigy. Jake says his autism is key to his success.



I found this among many videos of "special" kids.
Very charming. Very humbling. Very special.

Daily bump...

What I find interesting is that we are all different, yet all the same, in different ways and because you/me/they are different from you...me and they are not equal?
Math? We are not different, we are the same.
Humanity? We are different, yet, we are the same.

Do the math.

As the month comes to a close, please remember those that need your support and acceptance. By support, I do not necessarily mean a financial donation (Autism Society of America is a wonderful cause if you're feeling generous www.autism-society.org). I mean realize a kind word of encouragement, a little patience or just a little understanding can make a world of difference. Thank you all for showing a little patience with me and my constant posts over the last month and a special thank you to all of you the have contributed to this little show of "awareness". Again, if you and yours are lucky enough to not be touched by Autism, remember those that are. For those that do have Autism in your life, fight the good fight and know you do not stand alone.


“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid”
-Einstein.

My half-sister is diagnosed with autism and after my parents got divorced I have know idea what has happened to her or what will happen to her haven't seen her since 2006

Trone187 wrote: My half-sister is diagnosed with autism and after my parents got divorced I have know idea what has happened to her or what will happen to her haven't seen her since 2006

I hope you can soon see her