A wonderfully, heart-touchingly honest (and evolved) look from filmmaker dad Erik Linthorst–
In 2009, thanks to the widely successful and dynamic Nashville Film Festival*, I met talented filmmaker-special needs father and all-around nice guy Erik Linthorst. His film, "Autistic-Like: Graham's Story," details his son's misdiagnosis of autism and eventual diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. Previous blog posts featured on this site detailing the film in greater detail are here: here and here.
Tomorrow, March 31, and throughout April, which is national Autism Awareness Month, "Autistic-Like: Graham’s Story," including a new 8-minute update on Graham’s progress, will begin airing on PBS stations nationwide. WNPT, Channel 8 in Nashville/Middle Tennessee will air in May. (Viewers in the WTCI/Tennessee Valley region–and also viewers of other stations currently not scheduling the film–who wish to view the "Autistic-Like," can contact their stations to request a showing. The more callers who request the show increases the likelihood of it airing.) For a list of times nationwide: www.autisticlike.com/PBS-dates.html.
In addition, Linthorst recently created a two-DVD box set/tool kit & guide for parents and professionals. Added to the original movie is a second DVD, which includes extras–an update film, "Where’s Graham Now?," plus insights from Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Dr. Ricki Robinson and the other experts from the original film and a 12-page educators guidebook with suggested readings and discussion prompts. The DVD set is available at www.autisticlike.com
Now, about that Giveaway!: This is my first-ever blog giveaway. (I know. Kinda slow that way.) To win the new Autistic-Like 2-DVD box set/tool kit & guide leave a comment below briefly sharing why you love your differently abled son or daughter. The winner will be chosen at random on Tues., April 5 and announced the following day per this blog's weekly Wednesday Autism/DisAbility post.
*In it's 42nd year, the Nashville Film Festival is the South's longest-running and among the most presigious of film festivals, garnering accolades and notice from a wide range of entertainment and trade publications, including the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal online, MovieMaker Magazine, Film Festival Today, IndieWire, Variety, Billboard, New York and Script Magazine. This year's festival dates at the Regal Green Hills Cinema are April 14-21. Promise: there's a film or two or many more for everyone, including the entire family!
Links from Erik Linthorst: Although we still don’t know whether or not SPD will be recognized as a new or novel diagnosis, we believe it is quite likely, that two of the SPD subtypes (Sensory Over-Responsivity and Sensory Under-Responsivity) will be included as an associated feature of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. This will be extremely helpful in getting sensory-based services for that group of children.
Although it appears that SPD will not be included as a separate diagnosis in the 2013 edition of the DSM-5, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion about SPD and many people on the APA committees were supportive of its inclusion.
Enter me, please! I love the way my differently-abled child creatively problem solves. She often delights me in the way she comes up with solutions to challenges.
I would love to win this, I have been unable to watch it on PBS due to the fact we have satellite and they never show the programs on our local PBS.
I see my son in the video trailer for this film and of course my son was diagnosed with autism but truthfully in my heart I have never believed he is autistic. He is so loving and doesnt have the social issues that most with autism do. He does have problems with communication but it isnt in a he’s scared to communicate.
I love him because he is who he is, no other reason. He’s the best.
I love him because he’s him. His soul shines brighter than the sun in the sky.
@Gaynell Payne, you will have to fill out my comment form WITH your email address. It will not show up here online. Unless you do this, you will not be officially entered. Your email will be the way you are notified if you win.
@LLong, I encourage you to read the previous blog posts on this movie, esp. the first if you have not already. This is not about avoiding the autism label. In the film, the professionals say he woudl have had a full blown autism dx had he not gotten the intensity of interventions that he did. Of course, this also happens to others, but as of now, we don’t know to whom it can happen, other than dx of age 2, usually a mild dx of PDD-NOS and intensive behavioral therapies and other basic therapies and usually diet, too–anecdotally.
Also, some people on the spectrum are very verbal as well as social. So lacking these characteristics does not rule out autism. That said, a mother’s gut is a grand guide. You may be aware that via Erik’s efforts and other parent, the next DSM MAY include SPD as a dx. If they do, that can better help rule out autism for your child and others.
Also be sure and check the list to insure that your PBS station definitely will not carry it. Of course, you’re still eligible, nonetheless!
Thanks to all. Now, here’s what I ask of you. Please follow me here through a reader, free email subscription, etc. Thanks again.
My son with autism is a true warrior. Diagnosed with brain cancer in June of last year, he has conquered the constant invasion of needles, operations, changes in schedules, and transitions from hospitals to clinics. He now has a fan club of nurses that fight over him. His sense of humor keeps our spirits up on the long nights in the hospital. He has taught me so much with his unique outlook on life. What a blessing he has been for our family.
I love way my son is always happy. His joy spreads to me even on the days I’m feeling rather grumpy.
It’s just past noon on Tuesday and per my word, I’ve selected a winner. I used the “True Random Number Generator” at Random.org. It chose Brigid. Congratulations & thanks to all for entering. Now, do me a favor and come back here regularly & comment and share the word about this blog. If autism/disAbility is your only interest, I blog on that issue on Wednesdays during most weeks–excepting for some time periods, like vacations and summer, when I may choose two posts a week instead. You can also subscribe to this topic for free and receive posts in your email. Thanks again!
Well if anything good came out of this, I guess it hliegighthd how far you have come. Maybe it helps a little to be reminded that, earlier in your journey, you truly wanted a cure. I sure did and it took me a LOT longer than you to get past that point. I still struggle with it at moments. Why can’t my sweet girl’s life be EASIER? (For that matter why can’t MY life me a little easier? *LOL*) Then I think about her Asperger traits (about 2/3 of which are the same as her gifted traits ) and I realize I wouldn’t wish any of it away. Almost. The anxiety/depression (which I believe is linked to AS) THAT I would wish away in a fraction of a second if I could. Sorry to ramble. Have a good trip see y’all in January.
I guess I saw it a little dtrlefenify. I shut down, for most of the day.My guy was semi verbal… I guess is how I’d put it. His language was delayed.And he communicated too…. by screaming and tantrumming. A lot!Maybe I mistakenly felt I was supporting (or acknowledging??) the frustrations and difficulties that Autistic children feel by joining in?? It definitely raised awareness ‘cos everyone was talking about it!! And hopefully they raised funds ;-)Admittedly I kinda gave in towards the end…. I was missing too much! Info, news and chat so I returned briefly to Twitter!!And maybe that’s the point too??Then again parents are the children’s voices so it doesn’t do to stay quiet really… does it ;-)xx Jazzy
Thanks Gabrielle, How wonderful to hear your story, thokynau for sharing. Its lovely to connect with people who share the same kinds of experiences. I remember when I was a teenager and I used to watch the young adults from the special home walk each day to & from their sheltered workshop. they were so happy, waving to the cars that drove by, they would smile when they walked past us, and they were the ones who seemd so happy compared to me! i learnt then who thinks who has a problem???? I was so called normal (ha ha) and yet I didn’t walk around happy & smiling & full of joy! They did. We can learn a lot from each other. Love & Blessings, Trudi x
nicholas told me he loved me today, but I have exalipned that he shouldn’t say LOVE, only LIKE. He should only LIKE me . I said this world needs a lot more LOVE in it, and if Nicholas was brought into this world to give out LOVE I am not about to stop him . We should be asking the question why is violence and anger accepted in society and LOVE is a bit weird ??Hopefully, there is more awareness growing. We can show others simply by loving them.
It is truly wonderful to read anethor success story when it pertains to gluten free living:-) I am the chapter leader for R.O.C.K. Charlotte and my daughter has Celiac. We have been gluten free for 2 years and I am so glad we made a lifestyle change for the better. Keep the good attitude as that is what makes living gluten free 100% positive:-)