Site Meter Watching The View » Blog Archive » Jan 29 Recap: Autism Awareness

Jan 29 Recap: Autism Awareness

by Winnie McCarthy

Toni Braxton appeared as the guest host on today’s special episode of The View about autism. Her own son, Diezel, was just diagnosed with autism last fall. Several families appeared on the show to share their own personal struggles with the disease. Today 1 in every 166 children will be diagnosed with autism.

Paula Sell appeared on the show with her 12 year-old twin sons who both have autism. One of the boys has a more severe version of autism than the other and cannot speak. Grace Walker Goad appeared on the show with her mom who is an artist. Grace’s mom encourages her to use art to express herself when she cannot verbalize what she is feeling.

Karen Siff Exkon, author of The Autism Sourcebook, appeared on the show with her 10 year-old son, Jake, who was able to recover from autism thanks to early intervention. Jake was treated for two years, starting at age two, 40 hours a week, with Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as occupational and speech therapy. Although his parents were told that Jake would never speak again, he now attends a regular school. Karen said that is important for parents to know that if their child is diagnosed with autism, they are legally entitled to services and treatments and do not have to pay out-of-pocket. She also stated that early intervention is key, meaning you have to have to your child treated as soon as possible, preferably under the age of three.

Dr. Temple Grandin, author of Unwritten rules of social relationships and Thinking in Pictures, was diagnosed with autism at a young age and had no speech capability until she was 4 years old. She said that thanks to a lot of early intervention, she is no longer autistic. She is credited with inventing the “hug box” or “squeeze machine,” which is a therapeutic, stress-relieving device for autistic individuals who crave sensory stimulation. She came up with the idea at age 18, when she was at her aunt’s ranch, and saw how cattle on their way to being branded would relax after entering a squeeze chute where pressure was applied to them.

Maria Calcangi spoke about her 17 year-old autistic daughter, Gina, and her concerns for Gina as she approaches adulthood. Maria said that she will have to have her daughter, who has moderate to severe autism, declared incompetent so that she and Gina’s father can become her legal guardians. She is very troubled that the federally funded educational programs will end when her daughter reaches the age of 21.

During the show, several clips were shown from the new film Autism Every Day, produced by the organization Autism Speaks, which recently debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.

For more information on the warning signs of autism, visit Autism Speaks.

, , , , , , ,


4 Responses to “Jan 29 Recap: Autism Awareness”

  1. Marlo Says:

    Its great to see celebrities bringing awareness of autism to the general public. My son was diagnosed with PDD / Autism when he was 4 (after a 2-1/2 year fight with doctors) he is now 7. But its amazing how much help early intervention does with these children. My son now talks (I sometimes miss the quiet days!) and most importantly HAS FRIENDS! Thanks again for opening people’s eyes to this disability!!

  2. Timoty Says:

    cool blog!

  3. Sandy Says:

    I don’t believe I was familiar with this blog at the time of this show. However I do remember the show.
    So what you will about Rosie,..and I don’t agree with her politically…but she has so many very good and caring qualities. I love that about her.

  4. Watching The View » Blog Archive » Rosie O’Donnell to appear on Comedy Central Sunday Says:

    [...] in the past that autism awareness is an issue very close to her, even lobbying to get an entire episode of The View designated to the topic of autism. On her blog she has mentioned that she has friends whose children have autism, which in addition [...]

Leave a Reply


About Watching The View

Did something cause you to miss The View? There is now something that you can do! Visit watchingtheview.com and you will see, Daily recaps, gossip, and what it's like without Rosie! Although other sites might mention the show, This site is all about The View, don't you know? Even if you have seen the show today, Come back to comment and give your say!

Watching The View Author(s)
    » Winnie-McCarthy

TV Channel Posts

  • Pushing Daisies S2 E3 Bad Habits Episode Guide -
    Tonight's episode is entitled Bad Habits --- Written By: Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts Episode Summary (ABC): “Bad Habits”- Chuck, Emerson and Ned go undercover as a Catholic nun and [...]
  • Wednesday Links
    With us stalling on our nightly previews, plus their not being shit worth recapping from Monday through Wednesday (or Friday and Saturday) except for South Park, the well is kind of dry here. So, [...]
  • No House Recap This Week
    I'm so sorry guys - my ass is buried so far under work that I have absolutely no time to do the recap, much less even WATCH the show! I got done work last night at 11 pm - took a shower and crashed. [...]
  • The Office S5 E4 Baby Shower Episode Guide
    This week's episode will feature Jan's Baby Shower --- Written by: Aaron Shure Directed by: Greg Daniels Episode Summary: Michael practices for the birth of Jan’s baby by having Dwight go [...]
  • Drew Tyler Bell Returning to The Bold & the Beautiful
    From October 31 - November 3 look for Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas) to make an appearance on The Bold & the Beautiful. Bell started on The Bold & the Beautiful back in 2004 as Ridge and Taylor's son, [...]
  • How Much Would Ned and Olive Make in Real Life?
    CNN Living puts a list of TV Characters together and sums up how much they make if they were actual, living persons. Ned and Olive are in this list: Ned, "Pushing Daisies" -- Head pie maker, [...]
  • The View October 15th
    Today's recap will not be up in a timely fashion. Feel free to comment here on today's episode. The scheduled guests for today are Tony Curtis and David Alan Grier. [...]
  • Interview: Oscar Nunez at The AV Club
    The AV Club featured a very in-dept interview on Oscar Nunez, one of the accountants in The Office. Get to know more of this actor as he talks about his work and the show. Excerpts to the [...]
  • Behind the Eclipse: The Writers Answer Some of Our Questions
    In their continuing series, Behind the Eclipse, writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite once again give us some interesting facts. Peter acts on emotions and though he might not use the right [...]
  • Even More Promo Images from Episode 3.05, "Angels and Monsters"
    NBC has released yet another set of promotional photos from Episode 3.05, "Angels and Monsters."  Some of these are very close to some of the others that we've already shown you, but [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • Where's The Bailout for the Healh Care Crisis?
    The US government, in its infinite wisdom, bailed out Wall Street with what at first was a $700 billion bailout, but may spiral to $1 trillion before things settle down. Meanwhile, over 18,000 [...]
  • No overall caffeine-breast cancer link: study
    A study of nearly 40,000 women has found no overall link between caffeine and breast cancer, though some women who have benign breast lumps might be at a higher risk, researcher said on Monday. A [...]
  • Classic Quotes
    Good morning, everyone! I'm back and ready to share some great quotes with you. I hope y'all enjoy em... I know I did. Gabrielle: Carlos, that car is the last thing that says I'm better than [...]
  • Most Extreme Ultrasound Law in Country
    Oklahoma Law is Among First Signs of Effects of 2007 Supreme Court Abortion Ruling CONTACT INFO:DIONNE SCOTT DSCOTT@REPRORIGHTS.ORG (917) 637-3649 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:October 10, 2008 [...]
  • When I Lose the Weight…
    I was talking with Jenera via email the other day, and I mentioned how I had bought a couple new tops and how that was helping me change my attitude about things. I’ve also had a hair cut and [...]
  • More Glamour
    As previously mentioned, Jen was present at last night's screening of this year's Glamour Reel Moments films, including The Monday Before Thanksgiving directed by Courteney Cox, The Spleenectomy [...]
  • Interview: Oscar Nunez at The AV Club
    The AV Club featured a very in-dept interview on Oscar Nunez, one of the accountants in The Office. Get to know more of this actor as he talks about his work and the show. Excerpts to the [...]
  • Speaker: Political habits act as guide for students in upcoming election
    Joanna Koefoed has always strongly voiced her political opinion. But now words alone will not do. This Mount Pleasant sophomore will be voting for the first time in the presidential election and [...]
  • Poverty, Greed And Astrological Prospects for the Future
    October 15, 2008 On this beautiful planet of ours, with an abundance of resources: At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. The poorest 40 percent of the world’s [...]
  • Reaction Post: The Sarah Jane Adventures - The Day of the Clown (part 2)
    This is the for series two - (part 2). Has anyone heard any news about when The Sarah Jane Adventures series 2 might appear elsewhere? Like, perhaps, The United States or Australia? As [...]