Celebrities with Autistic Kids

Autism is an “equal opportunity” disorder.  This unfortunate disorder affects individuals of all races and socioeconomic classes.  Media attention on autism increased significantly when author/actress/autism activist Jenny McCarthy led a Washington D.C. march demanding changes to the CDC’s child vaccination guidelines. Jenny McCarthy’s son, Ethan was diagnosed with autism at 20 months old.  She stated that he was “cured” by putting him on a gluten-casein free diet.  Supporters have hailed her as “the biggest thing to happen since the word autism was coined” and she is also a big proponent of Chelation Therapy.  Chelation Therapy is an unproven and possibly dangerous treatment that removes heavy metals from the body, which is believed, by some, to help autistic kids get better.  Generation Rescue, Jenny McCarthy's autism research and treatment advocacy organization was formed by parents to help parents searching for answers about preventing and treating childhood neurological disorders.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Toni Braxton, has two children, one of which is autistic.  Her youngest son, Diezel, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three in 2006.  Toni has been named a national celebrity spokesperson for the advocacy organization Autism Speaks. In her first official appearance in her new role, Braxton performed for “A Concert for Autism Speaks” that also featured Bill Cosby.  Ms. Braxton has also appeared on a number of talk shows speaking about her son’s autism and the importance of finding a cure for autism.

NFL quarterback, Doug Flutie’s son, Doug, Jr. was also diagnosed with autism at the age of three.  Doug his wife Laurie established The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism in honor of their son.  Doug and Laurie realized how fortunate they are to have the resources to provide their son with the educational opportunities, special equipment and tools necessary for Doug, Jr. to live a happy and rewarding life. However, they were also aware of the thousands of other families, with autistic children, who struggle to pay for similar services. Therefore, the primary objective of their foundation is to provide families with a place to turn when they are in need of support and autism resources.

Actor Edward Asner is also the parent of an autistic son and advocate for autism fundraising and awareness-raising. The esteemed actor has been witness to dramatic changes in diagnosis and treatment of the condition - as well as what he terms it’s "mushrooming" numbers.

In my opinion, as a parent of an autistic child myself, I feel that parents are a child’s best teacher, advocate, and supporter.  No one knows a child better than a parent.  All parents, whether they are celebrities or not, view their children as a blessing and want the best for them.  All autistic kids deserve to have a healthy and productive life.  Celebrity advocates for autism awareness have helped bring much-needed attention to this devastating disorder that needs to end.
http://www.examiner.com/x-3971-Philadelphia-Special-Needs-Kids-Examiner~y2009m2d28-Celebrities-with-Autistic-Kids

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