The Kirton family has AutismX6. That's right - 6 children on the Autism Spectrum. You may have caught them last night on the Discovery Health documentary of the same name. If you missed it, it is running again on 10/4/2008. Do tune in.
They have 6 kids on the Autism spectrum. 6.
I have 1 child on the Autism spectrum and it is overwhelming. My son is considered to be 'high-functioning' - their six children run the gamut of the spectrum including classic autism, aspergers, pdd-nos.
This family really showed amazing courage by opening up their home to share their story. I commend them because I do not think that I could do it. Then again, who has time to think really? When it comes to Alex - I find so often it is just do-do-do, go-go-go and I can see where this family has to do this as well. You have the diagnosis and you just 'do what you have to do'. Therapy? Ok. Locks on Doors? Yes. In AutismX6, Robin Kirton (mother) made a comment about one of the children who is a nudist. Um.. holy heck, yes. And this is just the tip of the iceberg in what they are dealing with. In what families with children on the autism spectrum go through each and every day.
I'm glad that the Kirton's put their life out there. I sincerely hope that Discovery Health or another network or foundation can provide some assistance to this incredibly special family of 8 - 6 kids on the autism spectrum - living in an 1100 square foot home with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, no basement home.
Did you see the walls that have had all the paint peeled off and kids have drawn all over them? I did.
Did you look away in horror or cast judgement on them?
I'll be the first to admit, I turned to my husband and I said "Wow, that makes our house look like nothing!" And then, I felt like a big piece of dog poop.
Can you imagine for just one minute if you were walking in the Kirton's shoes?
I cannot. But, I do believe the world may be a better place because of people like the Kirton's.
To the Kirton family,
Thank you for sharing your family with the world - I do believe it just may have been a wake-up call that myself and many others needed to view.
To learn more about AutismX6 visit:
Autism Bites Website -
be sure to check out their T-shirts. I need to get at least one of these for Alex to wear. I especially like the one that says "I'm Autistic and I think you are wierd too"
note: I do kinda wish it said I have Autism instead of I'm Autistic, but that is a whole 'nother blog post.
Autism Bites Blog
4 comments:
I read a blog earlier that I found through my autism search on summize that criticized the house, walls, beds, etc.
Nick and I were to swap tv for computer, but he ended up watching it and learning. He was very interested in the 14 year old brother. Again this was a lesson for him to realize there are kids worse than his brother Matthew.
He even brought the show up today. The website said part 1 so I am assuming other things like job, living, therapies will be in other parts.
I know he writes about other stuff at the blog. Do all the kids get SSI? The shirt I got for Matt does not mention autism, just says he does not have a mute button but the website is listed. Like that they cover both sides of the shirt.
I was going to blog about them but catching up on EC drops as my pricing is dropping. Plus with Nick doing school work on computer I do not get it till mid afternoon and then watch GH 2-3 and Matt home after that and chaos ensues.
I haven't seen that show -yet - but I have found that when I observe other families impacted by the spectrum, I do judge too. It makes me realize that we are all flawed to a degree and I am able to better understand other's reactions when they judge me. It still pisses me off - but at least I understand!
Thx for sharing. Take it easy with that diet coke out the nose thing...
AC
Life of a Juggernaut
crazyjugs.blogspot.com
I've got to see that program.
Everything is so, so relative.
Hey most days WE can't stand the mess! And it's our children. Don't worry about feeling like dog poo... we've had so many people be very glad that they can point our what our home looks like and tell their relatives: "See we aren't the only ones!"
If we can do some small service like this, we have met some of our goals by doing this documentary.
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