Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Acting Class

Miss G started an acting class yesterday. And she spoke on camera! A parent of a child with autism had an idea and made it happen. She turned an idea into this class.

That's how most of our progress in autism has been accomplished. Heart sick, head strong parents who say, "I can do more." Thanks, Jill, Gianna is having a blast.

For those of you who would like to see me get beat to death today, click here:

http://tinyurl.com/39wswe

I guess I'm one of the heart sick, head strong parents too.

14 comments:

Tena Russ said...

"Miss G started an acting class yesterday. And she spoke on camera!"

This gives me goosebumps. I am thrilled for her and for you.

Stephen Parrish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephen Parrish said...

All great people get beat up once in a while. The HuffPo post was gutsy and powerful. You're doing just fine. Don't pull punches.

Mom26children said...

Kim,
You act like being "head-strong" is a bad thing....
Although we tend to disagree on certain treatments, we tend to agree on how our children are treated....
Yea Miss G...keep it up. I recently have been speaking on camera myself. It is sad...I like it.
While I don't focus on the causation of autism, but more of the future of our autistic children, I have also been called "head-strong"....just not in such nice a term.
Jeanette

Drama Mama said...

I am jumping up and down, sitting here, getting ready for work as a Drama teacher, dressed in regulatory black, applauding wildly. YAY! I am so excited for Miss G; I think it's a great thing to do for all kids - give them the gift of creative expression.

Wow.

Also, your HuffPo piece was great.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Mom26, thanks. Wouldn't it be nice if the big org would help actual families beside the Executive director/VP who makes $168,000 a year? What could YOU do with that kind of money? My head spins. Therapy! And dare I say it? RESPITE! And schools that could afford to educate our kids. And after school care that could accommodate our kids so parents could work. And I will always clamor for more research. Look at the toys are kids play with - LEAD! LEAD FOR GOD'S SAKE! I do get so riled up. Your kids, my kids deserve answers. They didn't just spontaneously mutate in the exact same way. Something is out there.... ;) Thanks J. I appreciate your support and that we can agree to disagree in many areas, yet still watch eachothers back.

Anonymous said...

Reading your post does nothing to foster good thoughts about Amaerica from me. I checked the contents of vaccines before my girls had them and there is no mercury in the UK versions. Without wishing to gloat or be hated, we get respite (not enough, but some) we have fantastic schools, and our hoiday club are starting an after school club shortly. My point is if we can do it in Scotland why can't you do it in America? It's not rocket science.
Good for miss G! Hope she continues her success on screen!

Anonymous said...

and another thing.....I have yet to meet a mother of autistic children who wasn't a force to be reckoned with, even the quiet ones!

Niksmom said...

Way to go Miss G!! I am in awe of her accomplishment. :-)

And while I, too, may not agree with all you write or your philosophies, you are only asking the questions that so many parents are asking in muttered, frustrated tones. While Nik's history is far too murky for anyone to ever be able to say definitively, "It's caused by xyz..." we certainly see lots of great results with a mix of nutritional changes and significant therapies (PT/OT/SLP). The color of my pitchfork may be different from yours but I'm right there with you!

Another Autism Mom said...

Acting class will be awesome for her self-esteem and to foster creativity.

I like to put my autistic son in classes like swimming and gymnastics (not to mention regular preschool). Maybe we'll do soccer next year. After a few days of coaching and redirecting, he "gets it" and then attends as well as the NT kids, sometimes better. We can never underestimate them. One good thing about our kids is that they have great memory and once they understand the rules, they'll follow them perfectly.

In regards to your HuffPo post, you shouldn't be so discouraged because there IS research being done on the environmental causes of autism, with or without support of Autism Speaks. See for instance the CHARGE and MARBLES studies at the MIND Institute in California. It is just that it will take a long time to find the smoking gun. Good science is not done overnight.

Mindy Tarquini said...

Awww...I'm so glad Gianna is having fun with the acting class. My kids enjoyed them also. Maybe because you're supposed to be somebody else? That's grand, Kim.

Laura said...

Yay, Miss G! That's so wonderful, Kim!

As for the Huffpo...so far so good! I'll check back later to see if you need more supporting comments when I can actually type something that makes sense. Need coffee...more drink now caffeine good.

Anonymous said...

Ooops , already read that this morning!

I think I'll email you instead.
Cheers

Michelle O'Neil said...

Go Gianna!

Go Kim!