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Autism Breakthrough: Girl's Writings Explain Her Feelings

abcnews.go.com — Carly Fleischman has severe autism and is unable to speak a word. But thanks to years of expensive and intensive therapy, this 13-year-old has made a remarkable breakthrough... (Also, check out the very moving video linked in the article.)

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  • benpattersonca, on 02/20/2008, -4/+108So encouraging - I spend time with autistic kids on a semi-frequent basis, and its breakthroughs like this that makes the tough days worth it.
    • Mootabolife, on 02/20/2008, -1/+20Knowing a lot of special education teachers, autism is very interesting. Against popular beliefe, autistic children aren't anti-social. They just have trouble distinguishing people from all the other elements they experience. They have trouble filtering out common distractions like normal people do.
      • bitterbug, on 02/20/2008, -0/+6I've read about autistic kids who would hear the sound of fabric rustling when you walk as though it were a jet engines roar to us, or any sudden change in light or touch sensation being overwhelmingly painful. I can understand why those kids would have a difficult time communicating verbally. How would they filter out the useful information from the noise?

        It's interesting that they've made a breakthrough that might help them understand the mechanical aspects of autism better.
    • noseeme, on 02/20/2008, -22/+3D'AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. (heart)
    • DroogInPhoenix, on 02/20/2008, -24/+5Spending time with autistic kids, I bet most digg users probably remind you of them.
    • reflect23, on 02/20/2008, -7/+2You shouldn't disrepect autistic kids like that...
    • Clumber, on 02/20/2008, -4/+71About 20 years ago, I worked for a new (then) program that sought to help severely autistic adults live semi-independent lives. Apartments in "regular" complexes were rented, and staff were assigned one-on-one with most of the residents 24 hours a day. My charge was so severely autistic that she had nearly zero language skills aside from occasionally mimicking things that her non-autistic older brothers had said to her. For instance, let's call her Susan, she would suddenly yell out something like, "Susan you are going to be in so much trouble now!" or "No Susan! You can't have any coffee!". Occasionally she would cry out, or even more rare - laugh. I was pretty bran-spankin' newly out of college and pretty full of myself and thinking that I could help open the world for her some. Some may be surprised that the biggest obstacle to this was not Susan, but her parents, and to a lesser extent, the policies and rules of the program and the state. Her parents tended to treat all of us in the program as babysitters, not skilled assitants whose real boss was Susan (sorta... via the program...).
      In my 2 years with her, I started to teach her sign language - which she took to very readily, despite her parents telling me it was a waste of time and they didn't want me to teach her because it was dangerous. (??) I also - with my own limited funds - bought her a paint set and brushes, and some big sheets of art paper. She loved this, and would spend a lot of her time (even when I was not on shift) very intensely painting. I recall one afternoon vividly to this day. She was painting and choosing colors very carefully, and totally intense about it - nothing else existed in her world. Then suddenly (everything about her was sudden. :-) ) she ripped the paper off the pad and pushed it at me while staring hard into my eyes - which was rare in itself. In a quieter voice than I had ever heard her use, she sais, "No Susan, you can't go to the merry go round." I asked her, "Sue, is this a painting of the merry go round?" and she SLAMMED HER HAND on the table and yelled YES! and then started hitting herself hard enough to bruise.To me, this felt like a big breakthrough for my charge, and I was really excited. Her parents forbid any of us from letting her paint again. At the time Susan was about 24 iirc. She begged all of us daily for the paints. It broke my heart, and was the straw on the camel for me... I found a new job and abandoned Susan to staff who didn't care as much about her, but instead would just do what her parents insisted was "all that can be expected of our Susan". The director of our program always backed the parents no matter what.
      I think about her often, and reading this article is a fresh stabbing sensation in my soul. When I dropped by to pick up my last check (having not seen Susan for about 3 weeks) she apparently heard my car and then _broke the front door to her apartment off its hinges_ to come running and find me in the parking lot, where she clung to my legs yelling over and over, "Tracy gonna' take you away from this place. Tracy going to take you away..." and then crying. This is the only time I know of that anyone heard her speak fully in context. My heart is still broken by this, 20 years later, and now I no longer work in a people field as it was too hard on me. I work with computers now - and I never ever go home worrying about the zeros and ones. :-)
      I am so glad to read that others are stronger than I was, and are fighting through the preconceived ***** notions that *anyone* has a permanent upper limit. Fight on.
      • omnivector, on 02/20/2008, -1/+19Superb story, thank you for sharing it
      • UbIwerks, on 02/21/2008, -1/+8Congrats to you, Clumber! Your selflessness is an inspiration! Seriously, it takes an incredible person to go through that many obstacles! Thank you!
      • Spoomeister, on 02/21/2008, -1/+9Tears in my eyes, no joke. That was heartbreaking.
        Good on you. And good luck to her.
      • brad3378, on 02/21/2008, -1/+7I've been a very active member of Digg for over 2 years and this is the first comment I've ever read that got me choked up.
        Thanks
      • DharmaTurtle, on 02/22/2008, -0/+1Thank you from the rest of us.
    • Vigilo, on 02/21/2008, -7/+1"Take the loving vaccines"
    • NoStoppingUs, on 02/21/2008, -2/+1to those of us actually in the special ed field (i used to be), this is nothing new. i've worked with many children with autism, as well as adults who can communicate given the right tools.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitated_communica ...
    • JulyZerg, on 02/21/2008, -1/+0I completely agree. This is excellent news
  • pingwax, on 02/20/2008, -3/+94Its hard to imagine a person living 13 years of their life unable to express their thoughts to anyone, largely because most people assumed she had no thoughts to express. Its incredible that she was able to find her voice. It would be fascinating to talk with her and try to understand her challenges.
    • Audacitor, on 02/20/2008, -2/+65Are you trying to say it'd be awesome if she started a blog?
      • MikeCP, on 02/20/2008, -2/+43If she did, I would be a daily reader.
        Great story. Autism is mind blowing to me.
        • whahaa, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4as would i. hopefully someone will suggest the idea to her, if she hasn't thought of it already.
      • Mootabolife, on 02/20/2008, -23/+4Hard to imagine? Look at the majority of digg users.
        • saisumimen, on 02/20/2008, -2/+15Oh, FFS.
        • juicebag, on 02/21/2008, -0/+4Oh, the irony. The point of this article was that an autistic person can also be an intelligent, articulate person.
      • juicebag, on 02/21/2008, -1/+1That would be awesome.
    • trackerbishop, on 02/20/2008, -9/+1But is she smarter than a 5th grader?
  • vroom101, on 02/20/2008, -2/+50The excellent and encouraging article on one page: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4311223

    From the article: ". . . I asked Carly to come to my work to talk to speech pathologists and other therapists about autism," said Nash [speech pathologist Barbara Nash]. "What would you like to tell them? She wrote, 'I would tell them never to give up on the children that they work with.' That kind of summed it up."
  • JPBimmer, on 02/20/2008, -2/+58"It is hard to be autistic because no one understands me. People look at me and assume I am dumb because I can't talk or I act differently than them. I think people get scared with things that look or seem different than them."

    Amazing story. Amazing little girl.
    • Audacitor, on 02/20/2008, -1/+25I wouldn't call her little anymore.
      • Waterrat, on 02/21/2008, -1/+3Agreed...And I also just hate it how they always drag out that stupid word:"Inspiration" when they talk about people with disabilities...These folks don't want to be an inspiration,they want to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • TwineHornet, on 02/20/2008, -2/+31She must feel trapped inside herself, I would go crazy. I'm glad she was able to get out at least through the computer, now people know that there is an intelligent person in there that you can act normal and talk normal with. This is very encouraging to other parents--and to autistic people out there trying to find their voice!
  • jcm267, on 02/20/2008, -3/+19Ask her a question right here:

    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4311562&page ...
  • yohnstoppable, on 02/20/2008, -76/+6I'd hit it while eating Flutie Flakes
    • radink360, on 02/20/2008, -6/+14Do the authorities know that you are a kid toucher?
      • alk509, on 02/20/2008, -4/+1C'mon, cut the kid a break: he's clearly 13 himself.
    • Mikhail101, on 02/20/2008, -17/+4***** you *****, if you right infront of me I would seriously kick your ass.

      You are also reported.
      • FlyingSpaghetti, on 02/20/2008, -3/+22Calling all cars. Calling all cars. The Digg police are currently en route.
        • VinceNoir, on 02/20/2008, -13/+1You're reported too now. Congrats asshat.
      • crapmatic, on 02/20/2008, -1/+9You mean the "Web Sheriff" is on the way?
        • VinceNoir, on 02/20/2008, -11/+2That's another report for you too... You will feel the pain of my wrath.
    • noseeme, on 02/20/2008, -24/+4I'd hit it... With a ***** Greyhound bus!!!
    • pands, on 02/20/2008, -4/+3Flutie Flakes? that's not even a good joke..
      • VinceNoir, on 02/20/2008, -2/+3So true.
      • yohnstoppable, on 02/20/2008, -2/+6The profits from Flutie Flakes support kids with autism, smart guy (Doug Flutie's son was autistic). So I'd be supporting autistic children, thus canceling out my horrible act of molestation.
        • MacEnvy, on 02/21/2008, -1/+7Dugg for unique logic.
        • Akaricloud, on 02/21/2008, -2/+2if more people put as much thought into their comments as yours we'd spend hours trying to find the laff. Stick with poop jokes and 1 liners. I dugg you though, made me lol
  • blinki, on 02/20/2008, -6/+11as plasmalemma said, this is by no means an isolated thing, nor is it even noteworthy as a "breakthrough". That said, it doesn't take away from the amount of effort on the young woman's part to learn our language and communicate with us. dugg.
    • nepawoods, on 02/20/2008, -0/+9"nor is it even noteworthy as a "breakthrough"."

      True, but you'll be misunderstood for saying it. The bottom line is that there is a huge degree of variability in what is given the single label "autism" - that it may not even be a single thing, certainly not with a single cause, and certainly not all cases respond in the same way. There are countless different breakthroughs for individuals with autism, but so far none for all.
      • oldhick, on 02/20/2008, -0/+6Actually, there is no single definition of autism. In fact many medical journals are fearful of over diagnosis. I'm proud of this girls journey to discover how to communicate, but I think this sheds very little light on autism.
      • leighbeadon, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4it seems to me that if autism isn't clearly defined, this is EXACTLY the sort of thing that sheds light on it – every breakthrough of this nature sheds light by helping us distinguish the differences between cases that all get called "autism" and maybe eventually having a deeper understanding of the factors at work behind them.
  • Olga1311, on 02/20/2008, -2/+10Very moving. Stories like this make you appreciate whatever abilities we've been given and admire people who get through without them.
  • BESTenemy, on 02/20/2008, -24/+6So, Anonymous, we finally meet!
  • EvoPsy, on 02/20/2008, -5/+43No jokes here. This is a great story.
    • bonedead, on 02/21/2008, -0/+2Funny thing is... Before this story I never differentiated between Autistic and Retarded people, but now, I know they're not the same thing. LOLZ
  • radink360, on 02/20/2008, -5/+27This is amazing and scary all at the same time. It's got to be horrible for someone to locked inside with a normal mind but can't control the shell. sad.
  • Mikhail101, on 02/20/2008, -6/+8Therapy is amazing, i worked with an autistic kid and sometimes i cannot feel sad as he is just vacant and keeps to himself. But now he actually gives eye contact and acts more human each time i see him its amazing.
  • IXxGho5txXI, on 02/20/2008, -5/+7thats truly amazing...it was such a moving story when i saw it last night.
  • msdluv, on 02/20/2008, -2/+7This story is so awesome that it gives me chills. Wow.
  • Innisskillin, on 02/20/2008, -23/+7If I was her I would type..."To make me better I need all the weed and chocolate cake you can buy for me. It is the only way! Hurry!"
  • luxxu, on 02/20/2008, -2/+23before anyone says facilitated communication, tammy's mother has made it very clear that it's not.
    • nepawoods, on 02/20/2008, -2/+6Still, details are sketchy. The whole "facilitated communication" fiasco is cause for skepticism.
      • brad3378, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1My brother is Autistic.......And although I can't speak for everybody with Autism, it definitely works for him.
        • Logicexe, on 02/21/2008, -2/+1I'm sorry but it's not working for him. What happens during facilitated communication is that the facilitator is actually doing the communicating through the ideomotor effect. It's the same mechanism that drives dowsers and giggly school girls playing Ouija board. It's totally unconscious so even the facilitator honestly believes that the person with autism is actually communicating.

          Search for "Ideomotor effect" and "Applied Kinesiology" on wikipedia to get more info.
          • brad3378, on 02/26/2008, -0/+1you obviously know more about my brother than I do.
      • RobotBuddha, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1It's sad, but that's the exact same reaction I have to any popular story about autism and communication. It's amazing that facilitated communication is still hitting both the media and families. Especially to the high extent, it should be less than 1% of stories now. But it still manages to get a lot of positive play.
    • Logicexe, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4That's the first thing I though about when reading the headline. Once I read the article I changed my mind since if it was an article about facilitated communication they would have mentioned it as a "new" autism therapy or something like that.

      Still though, it's quite an amazing accomplishment. Just goes to show that autism can vary to a huge degree and that you cannot judge an autistic person's mental ability as easily as previously believed. Of course, she could also just be a remarkable exception, lets hope not.
    • tomee, on 02/20/2008, -4/+6I really hate to say this, because this seems to give people hope and seems so wonderful and everything, but I don't believe a word of it. There have been so many cases where autistic people suddenly communicated, and every time it was some kind of facilitated communication, which as many have pointed out is baloney.

      To really convince me, the ONLY thing they would have to do is show her typing a sentence by herself with no help. Instead they showed her typing single keys with her hair in front of her wrist, and then had the speech synthesis software read out finished sentences.

      I'm afraid there's simply nothing there but wishful thinking.
  • senatorpjt, on 02/20/2008, -19/+1How expensive was this therapy? It doesn't say. And, will she be able to do anything worthwhile other than express feelings?
    • Zaxcomp, on 02/20/2008, -1/+10Utilitarianism. Gross.
    • nepawoods, on 02/20/2008, -2/+2Why do you ask?
    • pands, on 02/20/2008, -2/+6She'll get laser eyes at the $60,000 mark, telekinesis at $200,000.
    • Ashuleh, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2What do you mean "worthwhile" other than teaching the community that there is more to autism than uncontrollable movements and noises? This is a big thing, this therapy shows how we have progressed with therapy and her ability to communicate with us is much more worthwhile for her everyday that she lives.
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I'll guess you don't know much about autism, rather than you're just looking to argue. It's cool, not many people know the specifics of autism. My 15 year old brother is autistic and CAN speak, however CANNOT express his feelings. This is the biggest problem that autistics face, and why it's considered a social and developmental disorder - it causes social misunderstandings which leads to public and sometimes physical fights or "tantrums". In a normal child's development, preparing them for adulthood includes expressing their needs, both emotional and physical.

      In terms of the cost of therapy, my brother's costs $250 PER WEEK. Not to mention the costs of having a one-on-one aid in school and later sending him to a school specializing in developmental and social disorders, which ranges in the $100,000's per year. Luckily our county in MD is a leader in special education, and has a policy where if they are unable to accommodate a student with traditional means, they will pay to put the child in an appropriate environment. The county we moved OUT of preferred to spend $500,000 on a team of lawyers to argue the case AGAINST giving my brother the proper environment, which would have cost them less than $30,000 for one year.

      To directly answer your last question, for this young lady, there is NO WAY she could function in society i.e. hold down a job, use the Internet to pay bills, or communicate her needs if it weren't for this breakthrough. Now she can easily work and earn her own paycheck, rather than relying on her family or YOUR tax dollars. Maybe that'll make you happy.
    • senatorpjt, on 02/20/2008, -6/+2I guess there is an infinite supply of money, but there are things that people are actually dying from for lack of it, rather than being able to talk about their feelings.
      • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6Again, it would cost far MORE money to support her for her entire life (her family's money and our taxes) than it would be to invest some in therapy so that she can live the rest of her life providing for herself. And then she can pay taxes to help all the dying people. The economics are fascinating.
      • elementop, on 02/20/2008, -1/+4You're right. Maybe we should just euthanize everyone who does not meet some arbitrary criteria of "normal" rather than spend money trying to find a way to give them a life.
        If nothing else, this remarkable young lady is forcing people to recognize that autistic people are, first and foremost, human beings
    • 007kz, on 02/20/2008, -1/+3"Do anything worthwhile"? She freaking made a breakthrough in Autism, smart one. That's more worthwhile than the majority of "normal" human beings could do in their lifetime.
  • blurrie, on 02/20/2008, -4/+6this is so amazing
  • sfacets, on 02/20/2008, -13/+8She should switch to a Mac, that text to voice is awful.
    • MeHow, on 02/21/2008, -0/+2Who the ***** cares man? She can finally talk and thats what is important...
  • pahool, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8There are lots of similar stories to be found here:

    http://www.neurodiversity.com/
  • alceria, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8I'm curious to know how she learned to read and write, I would imagine that being autistic she might not have had the same lessons as normal kids, and she would have been unable to ask questions. It's amazing she was able to finally break through her silence.
    • karolisonline, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2from age 4 she had special therapist who has been working with her
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -1/+7We used a system of flashcards that had the word of the object, place, or feeling on it along with a picture, and my brother was able to point to different flashcards as needed. It also helped him build vocabulary, which is the most basic form of language. From there we could tweek his grammar and he could ask questions. Great comment/question, thanks!
  • JLecker, on 02/20/2008, -0/+7This sounds like a great development. I am a bit skeptical, only because previous "breakthroughs" were in fact therapists (unintentionally) communicating for the autistic people--kind of like hypnotic suggestion, if you get what I'm trying to say. Still, as time goes on, treatments for autism get better and better, so I remain hopeful that this breakthrough will allow more autistic people to communicate with the outside world.
  • xsquirrel378x, on 02/20/2008, -22/+3i can beat battletoads. did i get a front page article? NO
  • RenJen42, on 02/20/2008, -2/+5great story!! I'm so happy for her, and her family. dugg!!
  • SpookyApplePie, on 02/20/2008, -29/+2***** THE RIAA!!!
    • greeniemeani, on 02/20/2008, -1/+3You are off by about 4 front-page Digg articles.
  • cydlys, on 02/20/2008, -0/+5Amazing breakthrough. It just goes to show how wrong people are to assume those who cannot speak or hear or have disabilities are wrong. I wish more schools had learning programs for autistic kids, such as the I go to. I have worked with autistic children and they are actually very smart and people don't realize just how much they can do compared to a normal teenager.
    • Logicexe, on 02/20/2008, -1/+3You're putting your blame on the wrong people. Blame the charlatans peddling facilitated communication. You know what, I'm being way too harsh on them, I'm sure they had nothing but the most honorable intentions but unfortunately they've created an environment where many people have had their hopes crushed in the past.

      Hopefully this new line of therapy will bring more amazing results.
      • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4 I've seen how some schools deal with autistic children and I can say for a fact that some blame should be placed on some of these very shoddy programs. My autistic brother was placed in an autistic program with a teacher who had no training on how to deal with special needs children. Her solution was to continually suspend him, degrade him, and call the police to deal with him (I believe he was about 8 at the time but acted more like a 5-year-old).
        However, I have seen excellent autistic programs that should be commended.
        • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -0/+5Honey, your family needs to sue. If your brother, like my brother, was formally diagnosed with autism or even has a simple IEP (Individual Eduction Program) which all special education kids must have, federal law states that the supervisors of his IEP must be made of a team of certified Special Needs educators, usually to include an advocate specifically for your brother that the county provides (she kind of acts like his lawyer). His IEP might state that he can be in a normal class, but have a personal aid that does NOT need to be certified as a Special Needs Instructor. However, the checks-and-balances of the system is your IEP team - if something is wrong, you are to discuss it in the bi-annual IEP Meeting. There are ways of getting what you need out of the system, but you have to FIGHT for it!
        • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2Ohh, I really had no idea about the legislation behind special needs programs. I was always under the impression that it was state based. Nevada had pretty lackluster autism programs for the most part where Idaho's was stellar.
          I really can't remember the specifics too well since it was about 5 years ago, but I'll definately look more into it, thanks!
  • floppyparty, on 02/20/2008, -13/+2I call *****, or her perfect english is heavily doctored.
    • nepawoods, on 02/20/2008, -1/+5"... or her perfect english is heavily doctored."

      Examine your assumptions.
      • floppyparty, on 02/20/2008, -3/+1I assume you agree with me. (Upon examination of course)
        • nepawoods, on 02/21/2008, -1/+2No, you assume she's less intelligent than you, rather than more. Why should her English be less than perfect? There ... that assumption.
          • floppyparty, on 02/21/2008, -1/+2Because I speak in English on a regular basis and learned how to read and write at a young age. I don't expect anyone, autistic or not, to be able to articulate their thoughts in writing as well as she did with her lack of experience in engaging the english language. It's a nice story, don't get me wrong, but I just don't believe it.
  • NoData, on 02/20/2008, -4/+19Oh man. They don't describe how this breakthrough came about, or what methods they use, but I certainly hope it's not "Facilitated Communication" (FC)--an empirically discredited method developed by well-intentioned therapists that exploits people's implicit confirmation biases--seeing and hearing what they want. Basically, it works by "facilitating" autistic children in typing (giving them manual "support" to help them type), and it ends up projecting the facilitator's intentions and thoughts through the child's hand. It amounts to a highly sophisticated ouija board or "Clever Hans" set up. Except, of course, with very well-meaning therapist. But it is very dangerous, both in its false hope and its potential for misinterpretation. One father was prosecuted for allegedly sexually abusing his autistic child as "revealed" by FC. Please see: http://www.psychologymatters.org/facilitated.html
    • Spoomeister, on 02/21/2008, -1/+2tammy's mother has made it very clear that it's not.
    • siszam, on 02/21/2008, -0/+3If you saw her on tv you would have seen her typing at a regular keyboard just we are.
  • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -22/+3I'm not autistic, and no one cares about my feelings, why should she get special treatment?
    • xsquirrel378x, on 02/20/2008, -12/+3because you're a not a helpless retard that appeals to people's sappy sentiments. just a guess XD
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -4/+6It's not so much about her feelings, it's that now maybe she can hold down a job and function in society, whereas before, it was like a deaf person not being able to sign.

      Most people don't understand or know someone with autism, and unfortunately are ignorant to how dabilitating it can be to not have the ability to communicate.
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -2/+12Maybe no one cares about your feelings (or yours, xsquirrel) because those feelings indicate you're an *****.
      • elementop, on 02/20/2008, -1/+2I regret that I have but one point to mod you up with, mdgypsygirl!
      • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -1/+0Wow, great response!
  • plainOldFool, on 02/20/2008, -3/+5I didn't even watch the video and mine eyes stilled welled up a bit like a whinny bitch.

    This is an awesome story
  • DroogInPhoenix, on 02/20/2008, -15/+3I can't do anything cool, I wish I had autism.
    • ttpmx, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1Well, you do have that special talent of being an insensitive prick and saying exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. What? That's common too? Oh, nevermind; you're screwed.
  • BlackJackJester, on 02/20/2008, -18/+3Not to discredit her and the people who work with her...but how much of my tax money is going into this person, who until now, showed little to no ability to be a productive member of society. I'd rather keep my tax money, and give to autistic causes myself if I felt so inclined.
    • Arbinshire, on 02/20/2008, -3/+14You sir, are an absolute ass.
      • marcmarc, on 02/20/2008, -6/+1No, he's just stating a perfectly respectable libertarian viewpoint. He's asking the larger question of, "Why am I not free to choose where the fruits of my labor go?" I don't completely agree with this complete libertarian approach, but I definitely don't think he's an ass or that he should get dugg down.

        I dugg you up, Jester.
    • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -1/+7Because understanding one of the most complex neurological disorders to date wouldn't have substantial benefit for the rest of mankind....
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8Just to clarify, you also wouldn't give your tax money to disabled veterans who can't work (remember that your tax money paid for the war that made them disabled). Maybe you should just stop paying taxes.
    • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -2/+5I don't believe in hell, but I like to think there's a special place someone like yourself goes to spend eternity. And I hope whoever inherits your estate donates it to a worthy cause, because I highly doubt your egotistical self wouldn't give anyone but yourself the time of day.

      Oh, and by the way, ***** you. :)
  • Dorke, on 02/20/2008, -15/+1FAAAAAAKEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -24/+2A retard is slightly less retarded... woopie...
    • EvoPsy, on 02/20/2008, -4/+7And reading your thoughts makes us all slightly more retarded.
    • elementop, on 02/20/2008, -2/+7And you are slightly *more* retarded. However, *her* disability was not something she chose to inflict on herself, and she is working hard to overcome it. You, on the other hand.............
    • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4And yet you choose remain ignorant willingly, which I find much more pathetic comparatively.
  • Ghstfce, on 02/20/2008, -1/+18When I was younger, I used to help out with children that had autism and Downs. You'd be surprised the intelligence that an autistic child possesses. Most autistic children blow above average adults away when it comes to intelligence. I forget his name, seeing as this was about 13 years ago, but there was one boy that looking at him you'd think he was borderline vegetable. He's stare drooling most of the time, but would have moaning fits and have to wear protective gear as to not hurt himself. But what everyone thought was a shell of a child was actually one of the brightest mathematical minds I've still to this day ever seen. I've always excelled at mathematics but this boy was a prodigy. Ever since I met him I never look at those that have autism as lesser beings. Actually they have the ability to think on one track without outside interruption, which is how they can excel in music, art, mathematics and the like.
    • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -21/+1You know what else is good at doing mathematical equations?

      A calculator... and I don't have to worry about it drooling all over the ***** place or hurting itself by running into a wall or something either.
      • elementop, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6Are you *really* that frikken stupid, or do you just like to show your backside in public places?
        A calculator is great at simple arithmetic. A mathematical prodigy, on the other hand, sees relationships between abstract mathematical concepts and uses those relationships to develop insights into mathematical concepts. A calculator can't write a geometric proof. A calculator can't invent a new way of breaking a mathematical code by discovering some property of large prime numbers that no one ever thought of before. These are, however, the kinds of things that math prodigies *can* do.
        Now get up from your computer and go play in a busy street for a while >:(
      • AmusedToDeath, on 02/21/2008, -0/+4You know, I know this is digg, so it's considered cool to say mean-spirited, cruel ***** like this, but you guys really need to take stock of your black ***** hearts once in a while. Your lack of simple decency or even just basic empathy for another human being is both alarming and appalling. I know on the Internet you can say stuff like this with relative anonymity, but is that really the kind of person you want to be on the inside, even if nobody knows who you are?
      • DharmaTurtle, on 02/22/2008, -0/+1Yes, who needs mathematicians? Physicists? Actuaries? Accountants? I mean, you have a calculator, it can replace all of these people.

        /sarc
  • kaeryn, on 02/20/2008, -6/+2The last few comments not withstanding, this was news to me. Obviously more needs to be done so that most of these children aren't labeled radical5 oh sorry I mean retarded, oh wait SAME THING!
    • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -7/+1HAHA GOOD ONE

      At least I don't need to wear a helmet when I walk around in public.

      inb4: you should
    • elementop, on 02/20/2008, -0/+2@Kaeryn,
      That was very cruel and insensitive to all of the disabled children in the world. You should never call a child "radical5" because that can cause irreparable damage to his or her self-esteem that no amount of therapy can ever heal ;)
  • ncc74656m, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6Hell, I'd have thought she was kinda cute when I was 13! I mean, she has some odd facial expressions because of the autism, but she's not exactly horribly disfigured. It's sad to think that not only would she have trouble getting a date, but worse that she would likely be made fun of at school. 13 is already a tough age, and it's very clear from her writing ability that she has intelligence, and even more obviously, will power.

    I hope she continues to improve, and maybe one day she'll meet someone who is willing to see through the outside. Hopefully her story will encourage people with the less extreme forms of autism to keep trying, and those around them to not give up on them.
    • rkef, on 02/20/2008, -0/+10"she's not exactly horribly disfigured"
      You smoother-talker, you...
      • ncc74656m, on 08/05/2008, -0/+1I always had a way with the ladies.
  • LogicBomB, on 02/20/2008, -1/+15You do realise that now even the autistic are smarter and more articulate than some digg users?
    • SymbolicChaos, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3"Some" might be an understatement given the bulk of the last few comments I've read through.
    • Jethris, on 02/21/2008, -0/+3My dog is smarter and more articulate than digg users, and he's a terrier!
    • ReyX, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1They also have better social skills.
  • PathDaemon, on 02/20/2008, -2/+3Someone needs to start a blog.
  • dinobot, on 02/20/2008, -2/+3Hadn't I seen this already in a Law & Order episode?
  • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -1/+12This article was amazing. My brother is autistic and just now at 13, he's learning how to read and write. At first I was skeptical of this article but my brother also made something of a breakthrough with his verbal communications, going from barely communicating to making jokes. Once the communication wall is bridged, development can be phenomenal.
    I still can't imagine what it would be like to be him and understand what people are saying to (or about) you and have no way to communicate back.
    • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -6/+2Try taking some deleriant drugs and you'll learn what it's like to not be able to communicate or comprehend information.
      • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -0/+4The comprehension is there, just no communication of it (in the case of Autism..not sure if I could say the same about hallucinogenics)
    • brad3378, on 02/21/2008, -0/+1My brother is also Autistic.

      I've read somewhere that Autistic people tend to belong to the families of "Techies".
      Coincidentally, I'm an Engineer, and my Sisters both work with computers.

      Just out of curiosity, does your family have a similar background?
  • hexcr03, on 02/20/2008, -0/+1This story is suuuch an inspiration! i hope she takes this to the next level, and starts educating everyone in order to boost awareness .
  • Kenzan, on 02/20/2008, -0/+5Comment expressing much inspiration and amazement.
  • ThinkFr33ly, on 02/20/2008, -2/+2I wonder if this is facilitated communication (which is completely baloney), or if she is really doing this on her own.

    There isn't enough information in the article or the video to come to any conclusions either way, but it seems *very* similar to claims made by facilitated communications advocates that all turned out to be false.
  • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -15/+1Ok guys I admit, retards aren't all bad... I mean if we didn't have them who would come pick up the attendance folder or play with bean bags in the hallway while other children are learning?
    And it's not like they're wasting their parents or teachers time and resources either... but I guess that a lot people do that anyway, so whatever... If working with retards make you happy who am I to say it's a complete ***** stupid waste of time?

    Just a side note, how many homeless people also have a mental health disability? but they're adults so it doesn't matter right?
    Why don't you go ***** fix that problem instead of trying to figure out how to make an autistic child express her thoughts and feeling coherently?
    • mdgypsygirl, on 02/20/2008, -1/+6So that she doesn't become a homeless person with a mental disability? I think we are "***** fixing" that problem.

      I propose a "cognitive skills" test to be administered to people prior to signing up for Digg. You, sir, would clearly not make it. We'd be happy to have Carley in your place.
      • Radical5, on 02/20/2008, -3/+1Teaching her how to talk is fixing nothing. She will never be employed because even simple tasks are strenuously difficult for her to complete. The only alternative would be brain surgery to figure out which part of the brain is faulty and fix it so she is able to perceive and communicate information like a "normal" person would.

        Also lol at the "cognitive skills" test idea. You must really think highly of yourself to assume that I wouldn't be able to pass a test so I that can be granted access on some ***** website which promotes other websites.

        Also, I'd be happier to have a rock embedded in my forehead than have "you"... but clearly that isn't going to happen. See what I did there? I just made you look like a ***** tool.
        • ncc74656m, on 02/20/2008, -1/+4You think you make other people look stupid, but you continue to speak and do virtually everything in your power to make yourself look worse.

          Would you like a rock buried in your forehead? I can arrange it.

          Buried. Go away, moron.
    • ncc74656m, on 02/20/2008, -1/+2Wow. I'm continually impressed by the lack of coherent mental processing on behalf of people like you. I mean, damn, there's retarded, slow, disabled, whatever phrase you'd like to put to it, and then there's the worst, plain and simple stupidity!

      This girl managed to type better than half of Digg, she's 13, and she's got autism which gave everyone else a serious head start on her! She's only slow at typing because she cannot coordinate the movements of her limbs and fingers well enough to type as fast as you or I. But it's ok, continue to hold your misguided and sad ideas.

      And out of curiosity, how is she a waste of resources? If she's obviously improved significantly, and I say faster than most since this breakthrough for her, how can you justify that?

      Or is this just because you happen to think like Hitler? Because you do know that Hitler felt the same way, thought that we shouldn't waste our resources on them, which probably includes food and oxygen, which is tantamount to execution, which is what Hitler believed we should do with "retards."

      Still think that way, or is it a little more clear to your feeble mind now?
    • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -0/+1You are a prime example of a waste of tax payer's money on education and teacher's time, yet I still don't consider either a complete loss. Afterall, I'm sure some people from your district went on to at least be compassionate, educated individuals, unlike yourself. Seriously, does degrading the disabled make you feel big and important? If so, maybe you are the one with the disorder.
  • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -1/+8This is a very touching story to me personally. As the older sibling of someone who has autism, it's wonderful to see a family being able to have a communication gateway with their daughter after 13 years of unknowing her potential.

    And while I think it's great to see these inspirational stories hitting the news and that the awareness of autism has been increasing over the past few years, I think these "sensationalized" stories of what autism is gives a false understanding to those who are unaware. It's very bitter-sweet to me. People still have this "Rain Man" definition and impression of autism, where people consider them all to be savants that are just socially awkward. While there are these rare cases of individuals like that, the norm of autistics have mental retardation and severe behavioral disorders that dramatically affect the families associated with it. It's disheartening when I see comments on here like "Wow, I wish I had autism" or "I'm normal. I can do that. What makes this so special?" And I know those are just the ignorant Diggers that feel like they have to make a statement of some kind. And I'm very pleased with most of the comments on here overall.

    I suppose my point is that if you are still unfamiliar with what autism really is (a neurological disorder, in short) you can do a lot of research and meet a person or two who has the disability, but you never truly understand it unless you you've met multiple autistics in your life, because no two cases are the same. I've been associated with it for 22 years and I still underestimate it, as well as overestimate it. But I think if you have any idea as to what autism is, you never look at the world the same or take what you have in life for granted.
    • Blondenough, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3I agree that there is a false hope factor but I do think that it is better then the other end of the spectrum, which is one that many autistics are familiar with. To me it is better for someone to overestimate an autistic person's comprehension then to underestimate it and use this assumed ignorance as an excuse to degrade, abuse, and insult.
      • Y2Krieger, on 02/20/2008, -1/+1Very well said and I absolutely agree! I prefer any attention to the disorder than blatently ignoring it. Being considerate and acknowledging that people with autism have feelings and intelligence just like anyone else is very important in my eyes. Better special education programs and workshops for people like them is something our society should be more compassionate about. This article was a great example, people underestimated the girl's potential and as a result, lost out on several years of communication.

        My only hope is that people are also aware that there can be an uglier side to autism. I know a family who has an adult autistic grandson, whom they are the main care-givers for. They are unable to leave their home with the kid to go to the store because the kid has severe agrophobia and can't handle being outside his home. When they die (they're in their 80s), there will be no one to care for him ( he's incapable of caring for himself), and he will be sent to an insane asylum, where he will probably be over-dosed do to sedation for his severe temper tantrums he has that he can't control. It is a very bleak and meager existance and very sad that . This situation happens very often and is brushed under the rug in our society and it saddens me that this isn't even considered by most people.
      • Dr0x, on 02/21/2008, -0/+0I completely agree it is very important to keep in mind that there are much worse cases of autism out there not to mention all the cases where family's simply cant afford all the treatments and therapies the girl in this story received. None the less stories like this are very important, along with other story's on the topic of incredible recoveries from different diseases or disorders. The feeling a hope people have after reading stories like this can actually play a roll in recovery. Although breakthroughs like this are rare, its best to keep in mind that they do happen. Even though we do not always fully understand what triggers the recovery or breakthrough it creates something to strive for.
  • Sheff, on 02/20/2008, -0/+3Remember that movie, 'Awakenings' where Robin William's character discovered that his patients responded to the will of the ball? I wonder if this is a case of her being able to interact with an external object like a computer because she's not instigating communication, but rather reacting to it.

  • basilbart, on 02/20/2008, -2/+2IT MAKES ME SMILE WHEN TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP SOMEONE LIVE A BETTER LIFE, WHAT WONDERFUL TIME WE LIVE IN!!!!
  • petrodollar, on 02/20/2008, -7/+2I would do her.
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