Autism show on Dr. Phil this week

[mrsjerome]

There will be a show on Dr. Phil Dec. 19th of parents dealing with autism
http://www.drphil.com/shows/

[mc4_a]

Well that looks like such filth... "see Luce’s wild behavior caught on tape, and learn why Sarah’s main coping mechanisms might be putting her at risk." Hey, that's not exploitation at all.

[LIZARD]

Well that looks like such filth... "see Luce’s wild behavior caught on tape, and learn why Sarah’s main coping mechanisms might be putting her at risk." Hey, that's not exploitation at all.

I agree that it may sound like exploitation, but it's likely just a way to catch people's attention so they'll watch the show. I'm inclined to think he'll handle it responsibly, since the synopsis also says his producer's child is autistic. I'm also glad to hear he apparently plans to challenge the whole Jenny McCarthy mania. I plan to watch. We'll see...

LIZARD :)

[Isabelle]

presenting an autistic child as "out of control", a "danger to himself and to others", is the easy way to get him in the hands of psychiatrists and on stimulants and tranquilizers, neurotoxic drugs, which just mask the problem or aggravate it.
sometimes a parent, usually a mother under pressure and sometimes lacking basic parental skills can overreact to the 'behaviours" of her autistic child which make matters worse, causing the child to persevere in their "behaviour" or as the behaviour therapists say giving "negative reinforcement".
abuse it have been happening all the time, the child can't speak, the parents are a trustful lot....

[Jamies Mommy]

Sounds to me like the little boy might be bipolar or emotionally disturbed as well. I haven't heard of any autistic children going around telling their parents they are going to kill them.

[frogmama]

I tend to have to spit after I say Dr. Phil's name. This is the kind of "awareness" we do not need.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

Honestly, I think anything that raises the awareness about the way life is with a child on the spectrum, and the level of care/attention/services/therapy/etc. that is necessary is good.

It may not always be with the same perspectives as ours, it may not be in sync with our believes about how our child became autistic, or how they should be treated, or even if ASDs are curable or not.

Frankly talking about the different perspectives, in my mind, just highlights how little IS known and how far we STILL need to go.

And that in the end I think is the BEST thing that comes from these things shows and articles.

Having said all that, I am a little afraid of this show with the discription...but I hope it's as Lizard suspects, all about drawing in the viewers. I'll watch, likely with one hand over one eye and the other over an ear...hoping that they don't paint this child like an inhuman monster, with a mom driven to substance abuse or prostitution to cope emotionally or financially.

[Lynda]

Sounds to me like the little boy might be bipolar or emotionally disturbed as well. I haven't heard of any autistic children going around telling their parents they are going to kill them.

When angry and unable to express it better, it's amazing what comes out of Zach's mouth!
Not the nicest things to hear but at least he's using words and not getting physical.

[Isabelle]

Sounds to me like the little boy might be bipolar or emotionally disturbed as well. I haven't heard of any autistic children going around telling their parents they are going to kill them.

same observation here, heard same words from angry NT child having a wild tantrum, now well educated professional man, with wife and child, happily married for 12 years

with a tantrumming child the best a parent can do is keeping calm

[Pamster]

I don't doubt this child was autistic, but it's just hard to believe he's saying things like that-makes me wonder if he got it from seeing horror movies. I think horror movies go way to far anymore. I saw only half of the show and it was like looking in a mirror, remember my boy said, "Die" only a month ago as he went at a stuffed toy with a butter knife. This kid is actually going and grabbing sharp knives and making threats, I'd say he NEEDS meds and isn't getting any judging by how out of control he is. :(

[Jamies Mommy]

In wasn't what he said as much as how his tone of voice was when he said it, dead( no pun intended) serious. My Nt daughter has said that before but not in a tone of voice that sounded like she was going to follow thru with it.

[Isabelle]

well, he promised to help them, mentioning the Minnesota Autism Society and he was adamant at the need for the father to downsize or reduce bills/expenses so he doesn't to work so long hours leaving his wife alone dealing with an autistic child. I hope the help that child gets doesn't come in the form of pills. "meds" do nothing for the autistic but masks or aggravates the condition.

ahhh! Bravo that those mothers got together to sue the abusive teacher and the school, if one them didn't happen to be there to see the abuse, administration, as usual, would have ignored it, despite assistants and aides reporting it for over 18 months.

It will be good not only to have the early signs of autism, but to have the Signs of Abuse on a non-verbal autistic child

[mc4_a]

"meds" do nothing for the autistic but masks or aggravates the condition.

You can't possibly be serious with this statement. Many other people, and people that post in this forum, has had nice successes using medication. It didn't change my child, didn't "mask" the condition. It helped she manage her emotions and actually be able to learn. It's possible your experience with drugs have been different, but to suggest that all drug therapies are bad for all Autistics...you're simply wrong.

On the Dr. Phil show, I didn't watch it but I've heard quite a bit about it. It sounds like everything that is wrong with the mass media and how Autism is portrayed. Dr. Phil is a pretty sickening individual. His show is like Jerry Springer without the fights. More Pseudo-science, more false hope of a cure, more salacious material.

[Pamster]

Yeah I agree with you on the false hope thing, he was talking about early intervention and we did do that for Jackie and it was not that big of a help overall. Yes it helped get him talking a bit but he still can't hold a conversation or do the things this kid they showed on his show can do. Like play baseball or football. That is just beyond him currently.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

I missed the show, and you guys won't believe why!!!!

I was bummed that I missed it, but sounds like it wasn't all that great of a show anyway.

As for why I missed it...I need to process the entire event a bit more before I can even formulate the words to describe it properly...everyone is fine...but 36 hours ago I couldn't be sure that I would be able to tell you that...it was definately a horrific experience, one that I am willing to bet more than one of you have experienced, and I just can't believe how this can happen. I'll just say for right now, Audrey rolled off her changing table Monday afternoon, obtained 3 fractures and now has a 90 degree cast on her left arm...no other injuries, but was extremely traumatized by the 'care' (aka torture) that she received...and our family has been victimized by some 'process' that is in place under the geise that it's there to 'protect' her :mad:

[mc4_a]

Kristen, that sounds like a horrible experience. I think we've all experience the child roll thing. Sometimes you catch them, sometimes you fumble. It's probably the worst feeling in the world Good luck with that.

[mrsjerome]

Kristen
So sorry about little Audrey. That must have been a traumatic experience for her and yourself too. Accidents do happen though, that's why they are called accidents. One of my grandsons when he was 8 months old fell down some steps that one of his older sisters left the door open to He was in one of those walkers. In the fall he broke his collar bone and lost his front tooth Take it easy and try and calm down. Don't think you missed alot by not seeing the show. Others can fill you in if anyone thought was worth listening too. Everyone has their own opinions.
mrsJ

[peglem]

Kristen, I was wondering where you were! Poor audrey. Hope she mends soon. So now you have the "authorities" "watching you." Sorry lady! How long does Audrey need to be casted for? How are those enzymes working out? (please answer that one on the other thread so its kept all together.) I hope things are looking brighter for you soon.

[LIZARD]

I'll just say for right now, Audrey rolled off her changing table Monday afternoon, obtained 3 fractures and now has a 90 degree cast on her left arm...no other injuries, but was extremely traumatized by the 'care' (aka torture) that she received...and our family has been victimized by some 'process' that is in place under the geise that it's there to 'protect' her :mad:


OMG...(((((((((((Kristen))))))))))))) and ((((((((((((Audrey))))))))))))). :(

Thank God she wasn't hurt severely, but I can imagine how this must be rattling you! :( It's so easy to be stalked by CPS when you live the life we do. :rolleyes: :( Been there, done that.


LIZARD :(

[Isabelle]

Kristen, that was traumatic !!! So many fractures...as a sort of consolation I hope the doctors tell you that babies heal faster than adults

I left my 4 months old dd sitting on her carrying chair on top of the dining table, went to the kitchen for a minute came back and got the shock of my life when i found it empty, she was under the table, no damage done....babies not supposed to move, surprise ! they do !!