In autism there is just genes in part more or less of a probability that you will have the disorder, and that is where interactions with the environment are key.
Without a doubt in my mind, I believe that vaccinations triggered Evan's autism.
My brother was diagnosed with autism, so it's something that hits close to home. And as I got older - especially when I started modeling and being in the city - I wanted to do help. I became involved with Autism Speaks.
People with autism never, ever feel at ease, wherever we are. Because of this, we wander off - or run away - in search of some location where we do feel at ease. While we're on this search, it doesn't occur to us to consider how or where we're going to end up. We get swallowed up by the illusion that unless we can find a place to belong, we are going to be all alone in the world.
Autism is not a choice. Acceptance is. Imagine if the opposite was true.
Never ask for someone's thoughts on autism unless you are prepared to hear a story that doesn't resemble your own.
I know of nobody who is purely autistic, or purely neurotypical. Even God has some autistic moments, which is why the planets spin.
You are the most brave intrepid person I have ever known, and you have dedicated your life to helping those who are misunderstood and underrepresented.
Katie, 90% of the things you worry about don't happen, and the 10% that do, you can't do anything about.
Often autism is portrayed in the media as a very negative condition, as something that prevents somebody from communicating or from socializing or from being able to have any kind of normal, happy life.
If you start using a medication in a person with autism, you should see an obvious improvement in behavior in a short period of time. If you do not see an obvious improvement, they probably should not be taking the stuff. It is that simple.
This is a world of action, and not moping and droning in.
Never underestimate someone with Autism, because there could be Brilliance struggling to get out.
The most important thing people did for me was to expose me to new things.
Autism is a complicated illness, and children with a variety of treatments and non-treatments show improvement over time, which is all to the good.
If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism.
Don't think that there's a different, better child 'hiding' behind the autism. This is your child. Love the child in front of you. Encourage his strengths, celebrate his quirks, and improve his weaknesses, the way you would with any child.
I am different, not less
When we come to research, if we want to find out the cause of autism, we're going to have to be much more specific, and that's why when it comes to research, I'm fairly strict with respect to criteria. When it comes to treatment, I'm much more open to not making that differentiation.
Though Autism can be frightening and terribly demanding, it also comes with its vast share of superpowers that are unknown to the typical human.