Celebrity autism: Holly Robinson Peete | Autism PDD

Holly Robinson Peete was on 21 Jump Street and her father was Gordon on Sesame Street. Her oldest boy has autism. Celebrity baby blog has lots of good pictures and quotes from Holly and her husband, football player Rodney Peete:

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2007/05/rodney_and_holl.html

She's also profiled in Essence magazine. Here's the part about autism:

<quote>

Rodney, Jr., was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Next to her father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, Holly says, learning that her son has autism was the most devastating moment of her life. Her husband and mother resisted the diagnosis until Holly gave them both an ultimatum: Get on board with seeking treatment for Rodney, Jr., or get gone. “I was going to leave my husband and divorce my mom,” she says emphatically. “I knew we had to roll up our sleeves and not go into denial. With autism, early intervention is important. We had to get those therapies going.” Her family quickly came around, and Rodney, Jr., is now a personable boy in the process of being mainstreamed at school. But the experience of raising an autistic child has been painfully educational for Holly.

“You really find out who your friends are,” she says. “When your kid is struggling at 4, being disruptive, and he stops getting invited to parties and play dates, it hurts.” Holly admits she went through her own period of denial and grief, though not for long. “I had this moment when Rod was in this school where many of the kids were much more severely affected than he was—he was like the poster boy,” she recalls. “That’s when I thought, This could be so much worse.”

Source: http://www.essence.com/essence/lifestyle/voices/0,16109,1606 557,00.html

THANK you onlinedizzy for putting your thoughts in a very "nice & diplomatic" letter about Val Gill.

Again, sometimes educators who are supposed to know how best to educate the special needs child NEVER really see the other side of the story, that is from the parents point of view....

Awaiting future updates on any reaction from Val Gill herself...

I hear you, When Nick was first dx the dr told us to be prepared for a life long disability. Lately I have been thinking (3 years later) that I need to save more money for collage. Or even dare I say a wedding.

inspiring story!!

That was a great story. In the article in People she said that celebrity Jenny McCarthy also has an autistic son who is about 5-6 years old. If more celebs would talk openly about it what a difference it would make in autism awareness!!

love the article,thanks! I was realy shocked the other day. The Principal from my kids autism specialist school. Western Autistic School (Melbourne Australia) received a Queens Birthday Award for outstanding services to Autism and Aspergers. In Australia we have a long weekend for the Queens Birthday and people get awards for service to the community. I was shocked because in her interview she said how people with autism do not form attachments to other people. That basically all they care about are their interests. This coming from a woman who repeatedly says her school is cutting edge. Its like enough with the stereo types lady! Liz

I thought that line of thinking went out the window a long time ago. Have parents of autistic children contacted the media to refute what she said?

Sigh.

The article from Celebrity Baby Blog is actually the People Magazine article from the June 4th issue. It was really interesting.

It made me mad to read that the so-called expert who diagnosed him said he would never say "I love you" unprompted or run and greet his Mommy at the door. The "expert" was wrong.

My son is also a lovey guy, and I wish that the myth of autistics being emotionally indifferent would die! Even those kids who have trouble expressing their love verbally, or who have tactile defensiveness and trouble with hugging, are still capable of love.

Hi I just watched the video on your link. I don't think I like the whole your acting autistic thing either. It could make the child feel ashamed of themselves. Liz While it's inspiring to hear her talk about autism and to see the success in RJ. I don't agree with all of her tactics. If anyone wants to hear this interview she did on Good Day Live, you will see why. Link

It is pretty long so if you don't want to hear it, I understand. She talks about how they are open about autism in their family. I think that's great. However, she says that when RJ shows signs that he is autistic, she taunts him by saying stop acting autistic. Or she will ask him, How are you acting? and his reply will be in a sad voice, "Autistic." I don't agree with this because it's as if she is making fun of him because he is different. I also don't think that this is productive for his young mind. He could feel rejected and become withdrawn because of her taunting and we all know that that could lead to self harm, suicide, or even harming others. It just doesn't sit right with me.

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Ok this is what I sent in to our newspaper. Liz

Firstly I would like to congratulate Val Gill on being awarded a Public Service Medal in The Queens Birthday Honours for outstanding service in the field of autism spectrum disorder. The world needs more people like Val and Victoria needs more schools like Western Autistic School for children with an ASD. My 2 children have made such wonderful progress at the school.

Though I am puzzled by Val's comment that people with autism dont form attachments with other people. Is this a misquote perhaps? My children both have autism(both very affected) and display obvious attachments to family and friends. My son grieved when his beloved Papa died several years ago and offers me a "sueeze" when he sees that I am upset about something. My daughter runs up and hugs people she knows and is excited when they come to visit. Yes they focus on particular interests a lot. but this does not preclude relationships with others. These relationships may not always be expressed in the same way because of language delays and poor social skills but they are there and very meaningful.

I just don't want parents of children newly diagnosed with autism to give up hope, to despair that their child will never show that they love them. This is such an outdated stereo type of autism for the 21st century. Early Intervention(if only there was more of it), autism specific programs, and the work of people like Val Gill and many others who go unheralded, make possible extroadinary progress for our children with autism.Children who can grow up to be loving responsive adults. We just have to open our hearts and minds to that which is different. Yours respectfully ...

I am going to write a letter myself. LizBump...just to maintain interest...and maybe fish for follow-up "action" on the Aussie "community service" recipient !!
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