Celebrities Have Autistic Kids Too!

Jenny McCarthy


Actress Jenny McCarthy, who has written several humorous books on pregnancy, motherhood, and moving on, tackles a more serious topic with her next tome - her son Evan Joseph, 4 1/2, battles autism. Her latest book, Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism, will be out on September 6th. Jenny describes it as 'a heartbreaking story about a serious health issue.'

Jenny, who runs IndigoMoms.com, is of the belief that Evan is a 'crystal child,' and she herself is an 'adult indigo.' This belief suggests that 'indigo/crystal phenomenon is the next step in our evolution as a human species.' Proponents also suggest that many indigo and crystal children are wrongly diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, and autism. Starchild has more information, for those interested.

Jenny says that, 'Evan is sensitive to air and water, he’s that hypersensitive,' so she's had to adjust her parenting. You can read an essay on the indigo/crystal belief that she wrote in 2006 for Children of The New Earth magazine by clicking here.

Tony Braxton

Songstress Toni Braxton appeared on The View today in her new role as a spokesperson to raise awareness for children diagnosed with autism. It is a subject that hit very close to home, since Toni Braxton's own youngest son, Diezel, 3, was diagnosed with autism in September 2006.

"He wasn't developing like his brother was," said Braxton about the little red flags that clued her in that something was amiss with her youngest child when compared to his 5-year-old brother, Denim.

"I know you're not supposed to compare," Toni added, "but things were drastically different."

Braxton said she heard all kinds of excuses from pediatricians and doctors as she sought help to find out what was wrong with her little boy. Toni heard everything from "Oh, he's just a little delayed" to a diagnosis of verbal apraxia to hearing problems.

"We had his hearing checked twice," Braxton said, indicating that it was fine. "All different kinds of doctors were brought in...We never got an answer and I just felt something was wrong," Toni continued.

Eventually Toni and her husband received a shocking blow when Braxton tried to enroll Diezel in school. "When I got to Vegas," Toni said, "I put him in school with his brother - a private school there - but they said, 'He shouldn't be here.'"

It was the dean of the school, in fact, that told Toni to come pick up her son because he wasn't ready to attend that particular school. As for the reasons why, Toni explained: "His behavior, speech, compliance...a little bit of everything."

The popular love song crooner described her first emotions: "I didn't know what to think. You mean there's something wrong with my child?" Braxton asked herself. Then she was given a card to an organization called Child Find in Las Vegas, who eventually diagnosed Diezel with autism.

It was at this point, when Toni began describing her son's "red flag" behaviors - such as his refusal to make eye contact, limited speech, his need to always sit on the left and use a specific red plate and designated fork - that Braxton broke down in tears and covered her face and apologized.

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Down Syndrome Facts Of Life

Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality and probably the most common genetic condition, occurs in approximately one in every eight hundred to one thousand live births or accounts for approximately 5-6 per cent of intellectual retardation. Although, most students with Down's Syndrome are between the mild to moderate range of mental retardation.

Initially, Down's Syndrome was given the label of 'Mongolism' due to the physical characteristics of the disorder. A student with Down's Syndrome is usually quite recognizable due to characteristics like a smaller overall stature, flat facial profile, thick epicanthal folds in the corners of their eyes, protruding tongues which is due to their smaller oral cavity and muscle hypotonia - low muscle tone.

What is autism?

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Be in control you are the parent

Here are some key points for parents with special needs children

• Be patient
• Treat your child like any other child without a disability
  
• Don't underestimate/you are in control!
  
• Let your child be independent on certain task that you know he/she is capable of doing
• keep practicing with them on fine motor skills ex. zipping coat, coloring, buttoning jacket etc
• Take your child out into the community(movies, malls, grocery store, and the library) this is a great way to help your child enhance his social skills.
  
• Discipline is very important even though your child has a disability they should know right from wrong.