Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Autistic poet gives rare glimpse into mystery illness
CNN ^ | Fri March 28, 2008 | Colleen McEdwards

Posted on 03/31/2008 3:35:18 PM PDT by fishhound

Tito Mukhopadhyay shuffles to the front door of his home in Austin, Texas. He's coming home from school, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

His mother, 45-year-old Soma Mukhopadhyay, is considered a pioneer in a breakthrough treatment for some autistic children who face the stigma of being considered "mentally retarded."

That was a label Soma never accepted for 19-year-old Tito. And after hearing Tito's story, you'll never look at an autistic child the same way.

"How was your day?" Soma asks.

Before Tito can answer, he obsessively moves around the house, placing the TV remote in its proper place, arranging the salt and pepper shakers just so. Then he sits down in front of his specially designed keyboard to type his response.

"It was like a floating kangaroo that kept itself invisible," Tito answers.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; US: Texas; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: autism; health; mysteryillness
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last
More and more people with autism are revealed thier experience in our world.

There are some Freepers with children with autism. If you know them please ping them. Thanks.

1 posted on 03/31/2008 3:35:19 PM PDT by fishhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: fishhound

Sorry should read

More and more people with autism are revealing thier experience in our world.


2 posted on 03/31/2008 3:35:57 PM PDT by fishhound (Boycott the Olympics in China.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound
not to make light of autism, i just can't resist.

"It was like a floating kangaroo..."

-but did it sting like a bee? :)

3 posted on 03/31/2008 3:39:31 PM PDT by robomatik ((wine plug: renascentvineyards.com cabernet sauvignon, riesling, and merlot))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

“It was like a floating kangaroo that kept itself invisible,” Tito answers.”

I’ve had many a day looking for just that description!


4 posted on 03/31/2008 3:43:11 PM PDT by redstateconfidential (If you are the smartest person in the room,you are hanging out with the wrong people.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Incorrigible

autism ping


5 posted on 03/31/2008 3:43:47 PM PDT by Choose Ye This Day (As government expands, liberty contracts. – Ronald W. Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

He can pronounce “Mukhopadhyay.”

He’s smarter than me.


6 posted on 03/31/2008 3:55:35 PM PDT by JennysCool (They all say they want change, but they’re really after folding money.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JennysCool

I thought that most autistic children ARE mentally retarded. I think it is unfortunate that the media loves to glamorize autism. Ever since Rainman came out, it’s become the “favorite” mental disorder of our society. The truth is that autism is an awful condition that separates family members from their loved ones. It is not cute or cool.


7 posted on 03/31/2008 4:04:03 PM PDT by Arkansas Toothpick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Arkansas Toothpick
Ever since Rainman came out, it’s become the “favorite” mental disorder of our society.

Correction. Ever since schools discovered they could get boatloads of special ed money for their autistic students (and many students who aren't autistic are getting diagnosed as such) and therapists discovered they could get more clients if it became an 'epidemic' --- THAT'S what has led to this dramatic presence of autism.

8 posted on 03/31/2008 4:08:10 PM PDT by Lizavetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

All except for the child who misguidedly supports Democrats, that method seems it helps some of the children. Seriously, whatever helps.


9 posted on 03/31/2008 4:12:11 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (The fence is "absolutely not the answer" - Gov. Rick Perry (R, TX))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

“It was like a floating kangaroo that kept itself invisible”

This is a moving story, but a quote such as this must be used as often as possible.

1) As an analogy for most liberal explanations.
2) To replace the bunny with the pancake on its head.
3) My new tag line, after Hillary is defeated.
4) insert your recommendation here _____


10 posted on 03/31/2008 4:14:15 PM PDT by G Larry (HILLARY CARE = DYING IN LINE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

he likes platos republic - probably would make a better pres than any we have going.


11 posted on 03/31/2008 4:21:00 PM PDT by spanalot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RhoTheta

ping.


12 posted on 03/31/2008 4:25:49 PM PDT by Egon ("If all your friends were named Cliff, would you jump off them??" - Hugh Neutron)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: G Larry

Could be a line for a new Pink Floyd comeback album.


13 posted on 03/31/2008 6:21:17 PM PDT by fishhound (Boycott the Olympics in China.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: fishhound

Bump for later read and read.


14 posted on 03/31/2008 6:23:11 PM PDT by conservative cat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

Ping to an item possibly of interest.


15 posted on 03/31/2008 6:26:57 PM PDT by dighton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JennysCool; dighton; neverdem
Folks should become familiar with the more fluid concept of “autism SPECTRUM disorders.”

At the high functioning end of the spectrum, you have folks with Apserger’s Syndrome, who can often “fake” a normal life. Frequently, they are extremely gifted in some areas, although they are social non-fits.

Bill Gates, Isaac Newton and many others are today thought to have or have had Asperger’s.

Further along the scale are folks who cannot live independently. From these unfortunates, we sometimes see flashes of amazing brilliance, such as in the "savants" of popular mythology and reality. What their minds lack in the social areas, they often make up for in specialized brilliance.

I would not be shocked to discover a very rich world inside the autistic mind, if we can find a way to unlock it.

God bless the autistic kids. Please treat them with consideration, respect and love, as all of God's children deserve.

Please protect them from bullies, these kids are real bully magnets, especially in grade school. Their lives are hard enough, without having to suffer cruel taunts, humiliation and ridicule.

16 posted on 03/31/2008 7:53:33 PM PDT by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

thanks, bfl


17 posted on 03/31/2008 7:57:11 PM PDT by neverdem (I'm praying for a Divine Intervention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee; Egon
Answers.com has quite a bit of information about Asperger's syndrome. Our 31-year-old son could probably best be diagnosed as Mentally Retarded Asperger's. We knew he had autistic-like symptoms from fairly early, but didn't have a diagnosis until he was around 16. The distinguishing factor for the Asperger's syndrome diagnosis seems to be the ability acquire verbal language. Our son communicates quite well. His range of interests and conversational topics is pretty narrow, but growing. He is very affilliative - too much for his own safety, in fact.

We believe the cause was from several things, mainly a too-rugged pitocin-induced delivery which caused oxygen deprivation to the brain at a critical point. The pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) itself may have crossed the blood/brain barrier and effected the micro-hormone chemistry of his brain as well.

Currently, he is progressing under treatment by Dr. William Hammesfahr of St Petersburg, FL, who uses vasodilators to open up the circulation in the areas of the brain effected by injury. He is also being prayed for regularly by the healing ministry group of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and we are beginning to see some exciting changes in his neurology and the depth of his cognitive and communication abilities.

18 posted on 04/01/2008 12:33:22 AM PDT by RhoTheta ("I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you." NOT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

I know we’ve met on these threads before. You are right about the amazing gifts inside the minds of people on the autism spectrum. I believe life is a little harder for these kids, but life is better for all of us having them here with us. My son has so many strokes of genius, such a power of observation. I only wish life were easier for him otherwise. But thank G-d for computers!


19 posted on 04/01/2008 12:39:49 AM PDT by Yaelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Yaelle; Travis McGee; Egon

Thanks.
I had,before, posted an article about unlocking autism thru writings.

I find this fascinating.

I could not find my own post to ping people(too far back in my lists). lol


20 posted on 04/01/2008 11:13:44 AM PDT by fishhound (Boycott the Olympics in China.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson