Autism Documentary | "Who Speaks for Charlie?" | CRAFTY

[@user-lo1bq9uh1i]

Eileen, this is pure love. Congratulations! You were the first mom on social media who didn’t let people bully you about doing ABA. I so admired you then and continue to as you advocate so fiercely. ❤

[@kmhale4624]

Eileen I cried when you read your letter you wrote to Charlie! You are an AMAZING MOTHER! INCREDIBLE! You have strength in so many ways that none of these online people will EVER have, nor understand. Maybe they will..idk. If no one has told you, THANK YOU for being a voice for your son while he could not! Many of those who hate ABA are uneducated about it but it doesn't matter, what matters is YOU are creating a healthy environment for Charlie if something ever happened to you. I dont know what kind of person wouldn't want that for a child.

[@theomp2009]

As a mother of a profoundly autistic child now nearing the early teen years, everything about this hit home. People do not understand the hate messages from friends and family that we get even for using na proven therapy that teaches and helps our children with basic hygiene and life skills. We need to keep speaking up. Our voice doesn't make the voices of other non profoundly autistic persons NOT true.

[@matthewcorolis]

Hi, I’m Matthew, the Director of Who Speaks for Charlie? Feel free to leave any questions about the film in the comment section, and I’ll do my best to answer them!

[@matthewcrome]

My name happens to be Matthew as well. :) I'm friends with Jill Escher (founder of the National Council on Severe Autism), who I believe knows Eileen. I too am frustrated with the neurodiversity community bullying parents of severely autistic children and being against ABA (I'm mildly autistic and have worked in ABA, and I'm considered basically a traitor to them), not to mention all of the nonsense squabbling over terms and symbols. I think people don't understand that autism is wildly different across severities and types. A lot of people (including neurodiversity advocates) think it's all one way. There seems to be a shying away now from any acknowledgement that autism can come with intellectual disability, as opposed to assuming all autistic people are intellectually disabled, when in fact neither is true - autism sometimes comes with intellectual disability. I guess a question I have is: what is the most important thing you and Eileen want us to know about Charlie as a person? In regard to his needs or interacting with him or anything else?

[@matthewcorolis]

@@matthewcrome​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠Hi Matthew, thanks for watching and for reaching out. I can only speak for myself and the few days I spent with Charlie, but for me the most important thing I learned in my time with Charlie is that while he requires additional support from his parents and care givers that most kids his age don’t, he also has so many traits and interests that all kids his age have. He likes to play, loves to go on the swings, he’s curious, and what stood out the most to me is that he definitely has a sense of humor. At the end of the day, like all kids, Charlie just wants to be happy, have fun, and be included.

[@Rachel__S]

Great short film! It was very moving to me. I enjoyed learning more about ur family, Eileen. I'm in my 30s and was diagnosed with level 1 autism in 2009. It was called Aspergers Syndrome back then. I also have ADHD. I'm engaged to my fiancé and I drive a car. We live together. I was in special education classes and had an IEP. Kids at my old high school made fun of me alot. As an adult in my 30s before I got SSD, I worked with adults who were on the spectrum and had intellectual disabilities too. I was working in this field for 16 years. I loved it. In some of the jobs i had, we did use a type of ABA but it was called positive behavioral supports. We had a behaviorist who was a BCBA. They would help implement behavioral goals for each individual (21 and older) receiving services for that company. I was a direct care support staff at either a group home or a day program in the years I was working in that field. I liked it. But recently, I couldn't handle the stress and would often have meltdowns after my 8 hour shift was over. I believe in ABA and early intervention. IMO, ABA works. I have seen it in person in the field I used to work in. And no, it's not like training a dog and no it's not abusive in the least. My fiancé is NT but was in special education only in elementary school and then tested out after 6th grade. We have been together for almost 8 years. We live in NJ. They have great special education services here. I think Maryland does too. Always remember that you are a strong mom. Forget about the bullies and ignorant people on social media. They got nothing better to do but to put other people down becuz of their ignorance just to make themselves feel better. Eileen, you do you and what's best for ur family. 🙂❤️

[@nathalieemeliee]

Thank you Eileen ❤ for sharing your beautiful family with the world. Charlie is such a wonderful boy, I can tell he is super smart. My daughter is on the spectrum as well. I cryed at the end, when you read the letter. This is what I wish as well for my daughter ❤

[@713debijune]

Thank you for putting this out there. I have a 5 year old Autistic grandson. It has been hard on the family. Hearing other helps know we at not alone.

[@EthanRogati]

Thank you, Eileen. My three autistic kids can speak, but they each face their own challenges.

[@JudithUrsitti]

This tells Charlie and Eileen's story in such an authentic and respectful way. Thank you for creating this!

[@matthewcorolis]

Thank you so much! So glad that you enjoyed the film.

[@jenb6051]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. It resonates so much with many of us with profoundly autistic children. This story has so many parallels to our own journey. I can especially appreciate the take on the controversy surrounding ABA and the discourse online with those able to self advocate. Thank you.

[@tonyhernandezpumarejo]

Great documentary! Very proud of my colleague and friend Eileen!

[@StephanieBethany]

Nice to see Eileen's and Charlie's story shown! I was so appreciative of Eileen agreeing to share her perspective for a small project of mine on a similar topic. I appreciate her willingness to engage in conversation and not just demonize others like so many tend to in the online autism spaces.

[@whitneymason406]

I actually found her through your channel! She has been an inspiration as a fellow late diagnosed autistic parent of a child with high support needs. 💛

[@the_5th_night]

Such a beautiful documentary! I don't have any children, but I have autism and so do a few of my family members. I'm also in occupational therapy school, so I'm possibly about to work with families similar to yours. Thank you, Eyleen, for sharing your life in such a vulnerable and bold way! So many families are on your same path, and brave advocates, like you, are paving the way for children like Charlie.

[@CcMoLi7]

Thank you for being the voice of so many families!

[@snjezanabarbir6439]

SO STRONG! THANK YOU

[@bridgetgrenolds6577]

I only wish that the documentary could have been longer. The flour scene was excellent. My 7yo grandson (also profoundly autistic) accidentally learned about the "clouding" ability of flour when he blew into a bowl of flour while making cookies with me. Had I allowed it, he would have had as much fun playing in the flour as Charlie was having. Thank you for sharing your story, Eileen, and thank you to Matthew for helping to bring attention to the need for more and more timely services for our children and their families.

[@matthewcorolis]

This means so much. Thank you for your kind words, Bridget!

[@byrcu6158]

What a way to spread awareness! It was only 16 mins yet felt a lot longer then it was since it made me think about what Eileen and Charlie went thru. Great documentary🙏💙

[@matthewcorolis]

Thank you so much!

[@laurencarnevale3641]

What a beautiful documentary, Charlie is so capable. Eileen you are an amazing advocate! ❤

[@matthewcorolis]

Thank you so much!

[@mizlindsayk]

Thank you for speaking out and advocating for our profoundly autistic children. I'm a level 1 mother with level 3 children and the ActuallyAutistic community is so hateful and harmful.

[@AbbyRose-ds8tx]

My son is like Charlie he is only 4 now but I’m so worried all the time my hair has started falling out from the stress - he is so beautiful and perfect to me but I have no one to help and if anything happens to me I don’t know what would happen. Thank you for sharing Charlie’s story this makes me feel less alone in the world

[@whitneymason406]

Had to watch it in chunks, so beautiful and moving! Well done! Thanks for sharing! 💞

[@matthewcorolis]

Thanks for watching!

[@Belqui]

I LOVED IT! Thank you so much so always spreading awareness! 💙

[@ChristyWalkautismjourney]

This was a great documentary!!! I watched it twice in a row!!!

[@matthewcorolis]

Means a lot. Thank you!

[@facthourwjacob4552]

Why is Texas so far behind? Not saying MN is that much better; outer lying areas lack programming from the opportunities within the metro area - my big push in our state. So frustrating! It is compounded tune with transportation companies to cross county borders in or to get your loved ones into programs. It's a struggle, keep on it - it won't change if nobody pushes for change.

[@matthewcorolis]

Believe it or not, after production wrapped I researched this issue in Texas further, and try as I might, was unable to get any sort of clear answer. Many blamed the size of the state, but I find that hard to believe considering a state like California doesn’t have these waitlist issues. It’s unfortunately next to impossible to point to a concrete answer, with what is available to the public.

[@allenbrodess8510]

us on social media have lived through that as well .. I have reoccuring bouts with loss of language .. you're looking at what we've become ignoring what we where and yet really are .. logical fallacy severe adults find our way here too

[@dlstephenson]

I wonder what happens when children become older and their parents pass. What happens to them? Who can help them? In today's environment do they become homeless if the parents have not placed money away for care and living. Any profound issue with kids and parents can barely live or ever retire what happens to them? Not sure if this is a issue with people have bad experiences with parents and ABA? I follow your Facebook pages and find you to be a caring loving person. And there it is my answer. You dont know and worry about it. Crushed me. How can people say we have the best country in the world but dont have ways to care for people that require assistance. And it seems that conservatives dont want to allocate money for it. They would rather build walls and worship their weapons.

[@gerardo8av]

Very poignant… and yes, I share the concern of who and how will care for Charlie. Time does not stop…

[@paulperkins2612]

Is there a way the haters can be traced and charged? I think they’re committing crimes.

[@NeW758]

🌅