Tommy Hilfiger and wife Dee talk about raising kids diagnosed with autism l GMA

Autism Acceptance Month educates about the autism spectrum disorder that affects one in 44 American children, with each person uniquely affected by a range of different traits.
SUBSCRIBE to GMA's KZbin page:
bit.ly/2Zq0dU5
VISIT GMA's homepage:
www.goodmorningamerica.com
SIGN UP to get the daily GMA Wake-Up Newsletter:
gma.abc/2Vzcd5j
FOLLOW GMA:
TikTok: / gma
Facebook: / goodmorningamerica
Twitter: / gma
Instagram: / goodmorningamerica
WATCH full episodes:
abc.go.com/shows/good-morning...
hulu.tv/2YnifTH
#GMA #Autism #TommyHilfiger #AutismAcceptanceMonth #AutismAcceptance

[@queenbee3647]

A newborn pushing faces away, growling instead of trying to speak, twirling, hand flapping and toe walking. I knew right away but the doctors were dedicated to just convincing me I was wrong. I was imagining things. I finally got someone to listen, got her tested and my fears were validated. I threw all my energy into making sure she would be ready for school. She channeled her extreme focus in being a super achiever. Shes grown, has two degrees and works in her field. Shes a star!!!

[@vickykulig5080]

I can totally relate to your struggles. I’m also a woman on the spectrum and currently in the process of getting my master’s in social work. there were people who questioned my mom about my diagnosis, I was lucky to have a good team of doctors and being diagnosed at 3, but it’s hard when the diagnostics are sexist and racist, I guess I wanna say that you and your daughter are not alone

[@jillphillips1667]

I have so much respect for the Hilfiger family from Elmira NY. They treated our friend Stanley, who use to play for their band years ago. Stanley was diagnosed with MS and was in a wheelchair. We took him to their store. Tommy's sister just loved on him. She pulled items from the shelf and racks and gave it to him free. Their generosity to Stanley through out his life is heartwarming.

[@JulieLAgresta]

My son is 20 years old & I knew he was Autistic from 1 year old with the lack of eye contact, tippy toe walking & no intention of speaking at all. I remember asking him years later why didn't you speak to us & he said "Mum I really wanted too but it just couldn't come out." He is the happiest guy I know always singing , laughing, so happy & would do anything for anyone & just loves life. He's my blessing as hard as it was to see it that way back in the beginning.

[@debbieflaherty1975]

Who’s to say this isn’t the natural progression of human beings.

[@JulieLAgresta]

@@debbieflaherty1975 Very true

[@lawbioh]

So he couldn't talk but now he can ?

[@mirashaban]

What made him start talking?

[@JulieLAgresta]

@@mirashaban He was just ready I guess🤷‍♀️

[@nickyschmidt2041]

Thank you from a single mother with a child with ASD, Northern Ontario, Canada.

[@tmuir2801]

Respect and gratitude to the Hilfigers coming forward to help others, especially autistic children.

[@charistalks]

Thank you for being advanced in the conversation & talking about the wheel rather than the line!!!

[@Danielm614dm]

I remember telling my mom that I felt like people are against me. She said not to listen to what people say and do what I want. I literally did that because I didn’t want to feel like I’m crazy.

[@RoyalMasterpiece]

You are not crazy. You are perfect just the way you are. Love, An Autism Mom. 🧩❤️

[@Danielm614dm]

I’ve had Asperger syndrome for couple years when I when to the hospital for a check up. I remember telling the nurse that her voice doesn’t match her body language and her body language doesn’t match her facial expressions and she looked like she understood and she started acting normal and it helped me a lot. I’ve been through a lot.

[@jerrygil1965]

I have Aspergers too

[@Danielm614dm]

@@jerrygil1965 really? Few years ago if talked about any of this like Asperger’s syndrome or anything like autism people will make it worse and post about it online and if you say that you see things that you see things that aren’t there or hear something else or something different, I heard about some guys that were saying that they saw shadows with the quarter of there eye or get vertigo and they just get sent to the mental hospital and who knows if that is the right help for them at that time. I always said I am not crazy so I’m just going to listen to my mother and ignore negativity.

[@Danielm614dm]

You can overcome that ok be strong.

[@Danielm614dm]

If could do it you could too

[@vanessastagg7846]

Thanks for sharing your story. I wish I had heard your children's story many years ago. It would of been a life changer for me!!!

[@PrincessToad]

Thank you for speaking about autism and thank you for saying ACCEPTANCE. My beautiful autistic son is the sweet cutest boy ever, but so misunderstood. If people would understand they would stop taking him the wrong way. He stims a lot and people are misinformed and so it makes them uncomfortable and judge him before they get to know him

[@jessicarabbit6530]

I feel like neurotypical people spend so much time trying to "intervene" and fix people on the spectrum to be more like them, rather than adapting OUR behavior to help autistic people. I dont mean to discredit the amazing work therapists do...but thats the vibe I get. "Youre not right like me...be more like me!" As a mother of two sons most likely on the spectrum.

[@Minecraftmom86]

This statement you made had changed everything for me. I’m really tired of trying to fit and and cope. I’m always wearing a mask and managing myself it’s so exhausting. When I was working, it took so much energy for me to manage the constant changes in my environment. I just want to be alone for the most part. 😅 I can work and love to, just have to find the right environment.

[@Esmeraldacevedo]

I completely agree with you. I stopped behavioral therapy for my daughter due to this. I want my daughter to feel accepted the way she is and modify myself to adapt to her life not the other way around.

[@sarahtaveiraaa]

Pretty narcissistic of you to assume the entire world should adjust to you?? In society we are responsible for adapting. If you move to another country you should be expected to learn their culture and language not the other way around. It’s the same thing in any environment including school, work, socializing, etc.

[@jessicarabbit6530]

@@sarahtaveiraaa also, people who move have made a choice to place themselves into a different society/social structure and autistic people have no choice. Try having compassion for them instead of demanding they adapt their behavior to make you more comfortable. 🤷‍♀️

[@sarahtaveiraaa]

@@jessicarabbit6530 That’s precisely what I’m saying. If you are unable to adapt, you have to live your life that way. But if you have more mild versions of autism, such as Aspergers, it is your parents duty to assist you in adapting to society as best you can. That way, you will still be able to be a productive member of society and succeed in your career and social circles. This “poor me” era we are living in does not benefit society OR the person who labels themselves as “victim”. In the end, both come out loosing. It is in the best interest to the person suffering with autism to learn coping strategies which will enable them to live life to their full potential.

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

Thank you for sharing and explaining...much appreciated...

[@Esmeraldacevedo]

My daughter is verbal but has a censory overload and is afraid of loud noises. She was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Now that she started school they tell me she's not autistic because she is very well spoken. It took me years to get her the help she required for her to get disregarded. Our journey starts tomorrow. I'm having her reevaluated because I can see her struggling in achool and being push aside.

[@audhdcreativity5899]

Sending strength and support to you and your daughter!!! We also had people disregard our Autistic traits (I was diagnosed at 50!), but you stay strong and get what your child needs, and I promise- she will have a much better future! No kid deserves sloppy, uninformed, lazy teachers and professionals that label kids as "bad", but won't learn enough about different neurologies to actually help recognize it in kids, and then offer appropriate accomodations.

[@Marcydalmatian]

Have you brought up the fact that autistic girls mask, as in hiding their traits? That's something the school should know about so that your daughter's disability and needs for assistance aren't dismissed.

[@Esmeraldacevedo]

@@audhdcreativity5899 thank you for your kind words. The teacher is great it's the psychologist and speech therapist that gave me trouble. I'm getting second opinions and seeking help for my daughter. I wish you the best🤗

[@drat2618]

Keep advocating for her. Consider getting an educational advocate to help when dealing with her school.

[@michRobalino]

Girls are often over looked and diagnosed years later because they are master maskers! Definitely getting someone who specializes in evaluating girls with autism would be helpful

[@victoriasp41]

My son had no speech or development delay, he has ASD. In fact his vocabulary is highly developed and has been from the beginning. He does have sensory issues and stimming. His anxiety is through the roof however.

[@Marcydalmatian]

That's not uncommon, half the traits mentioned in the segment, not all autistic people will fit that profile which is why so many get overlooked or ignored, especially girls and people of color. The list should just be a guideline only not taken as a standard definition.

[@fit2day239]

Great segment, this was truly informative and I'm certain it will positively impact children, families, and communities.

[@jennyvazquez1577]

Thank you for talking about this ❤️❤️

[@joanjenny2555]

Just a great piece of journalism...... beautiful couple and family. Very insightful and clarifying information on the wide range of aspects to Autism. I would say as in most of life one can overcome a great deal of life's challenges with love and support. Bravo!!

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Joan how are you doing today

[@ratherbfishing455]

And money

[@ratherbfishing455]

@Beatrix In Christ What herb. Do psychiatrists, school psychologists, and special education professionals know about this? What research?

[@audhdcreativity5899]

I liked some of the things said here, like that spectrum explanation was spot on. I did not like the narrow definition of early "symptoms"- firstly, Autism is not a disease. It is a different neurology. Of course the parents were only describing their kids, but there are SO many other presentations of Autism at a young age, and there isn't always a regression. Myself and my daughter are both Autistic with ADHD (spicy Autistic) and are normally hyperverbal, but other times nonverbal, just rarely. We are both daydreamers, the art/plant/animal lovers and my girl is a super math wiz. I first realized she was really something at 1 and a bit when she started making rainbows out of everything- finding like sized objects that she could arrange in a rainbow, all over the place, then fairy and bug villages, then the drawing began and she has drawn intricate, humorous, beautiful art everyday for years ♡

[@zerocarey5984]

Thank you for saying this

[@audhdcreativity5899]

@Beatrix In Christ do you even understand Autism? Or your child? For example, you say your son now answers to his name. Sometimes answering is not an option when you are hyperfocussing, it doesn't mean he is not going to respond or how about you don't expect a response from someone with a social, communication and processing disorder? Last time I checked (got my herbal medicine diploma in 2006, been practicing since then), herbs can't change neurology, as in, unless you take our brains and nervous systems out, you can't "cure" us. We can be forced to mask our true selves for those who say they care, and can be trained like dogs through ABA, but it breaks us. Your s9n is already perfect.

[@bigbluehusky9476]

Yeah, I'm also autistic and for a mainstream source I was really blown away by the presentation at the beginning. Still found the interview kind of cringe, but considering 10 years ago they would have had some whack job pushing the vaccine conspiracy, I'll say "progress". The only thing I'm a little concerned about is Autism Speaks and the ABA lobby trying to masquerade as allies.

[@corysimon3078]

I was wondering so much of what was going on with me in my childhood. I was not even told that I have autism until I was pushing 20.

[@deewebb2506]

Most people don't have the resources Tommy and Dee have.

[@sexytrish8701]

I love Tommy Hilfiger!! He's one of my favorite designers. I also love his Tommy Girl perfume, It's one of my favorite scents. To Mr. Hilfiger and his beautiful wife. Thank you so much for sharing your story about having children who suffer for autism. As mentioned in the piece , autism comes in different variations and severities. As Tommy mentioned early intervention is key. I'm going to use my personal life for a second as an example, when my 10 year old nephew was born he was my everything he was just the best gift in life because I was mouring the lost of a daughter with my fiance so I just took it as a blessing. Fast forward to my nephew's first birthday he wasn't really walking or talking. He actually started walking on his first birthday. He speech was still delayed though. I mentioned early intervention to my little sister and immediately my sister set up an assessment appointment with an early intervention counselor. Shortly after the initial assessment appointment he was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder right after his first birthday. My nephew still has his moments when he doesn't get his way but he's graduating from public school this year. Im so proud that as his auntie Trisha I helped him get the right dignosis. He a prime example that although you have a dignosis and limitations cognitively and emotionally doesn't define you

[@Riddickisawesome101]

ABA is used to force autistic people into a neurotypical mold and to make them feel like their feelings are invalid and that their behaviors are “wrong.” It takes childrens childhoods away from them, especially if they have to do it for 40 hours a week. Basically dog training for humans. I’ve worked in group homes that use ABA (the “new” ABA that doesn’t use punishments) and it made the kids absolutely miserable. I’m autistic and hurts to see my own people miserable by being forced to act in ways that are unnatural to them just to please the neurotypicals around them

[@lordaimelord7848]

Was your nephew's mother recommended by Doctor to have drug induced labor when giving birth to him? If yes. That's what caused the Autism. It's due to damage to the brain caused by repeated cut off of oxygen supply to the baby's brain in the womb. Each time the mother has a contraction, the blood supply that carries the oxygen to the baby's brain is cut off. Prolonged repeated contraction causes damage to the brain.. if not total drowning.. which results in stillborn.

[@carenwebb9044]

Every child is different.there may be children who hit milestones at different times then what people want them too and it doesn't mean children are autistic

[@bb7503]

No one talks about that I think some kids are over diagnosed yet they still catch up by age 8

[@pawsfurGod]

God bless them 🙏🏽

[@stacyscooby8488]

They are amazing people get to know you them they are bright and unique in their own way. I should know I have loved ones who has autism .

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Stacy how are you doing today?

[@stacyscooby8488]

@@kellythomas7619 good

[@kellythomas7619]

@@stacyscooby8488 Am from Arizona Tucson, And you?

[@Danielm614dm]

I remember ppl looking at me like they are upset or like if they were going to kill me or something if I was sitting up right normally and my head was tilted normally when I was driving. If my head was tilted normally people will tilt there head higher and I’ll feel like I was doing something wrong.

[@susanachhetri2458]

Yes is true my son was diagnosed at 2 years old...

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Susana how are you doing today

[@jbtpa895]

Interesting to hear from the Hilfiger's who have unlimited funds to care for their children. The single mom who can barely make ends meet? Time for testing and Dr appointments in itself are impossible. This kind of segment only points out the painful gap that financial privilege provides. All of their insights mean nothing without their resources.

[@rainbowsunshinekitty3953]

You are absolutely right! We all can't be rich. But we can listen. They gave a lot of good information. Start with the pediatrician. Hopefully the single mom is taking her kid in for those yearly checks. Everyone has a cellphone. Even single moms. Research programs. There is far more access to programs than ever. Complaining about their richness solves nothing. Stay in school kids.

[@nancydrew1882]

Yes, they are rich but it doesn’t mean we can’t listen. They also mentioned the importance or reaching out to other parents and organizations who can help.

[@g3naV]

States have early intervention for children 0-5 years of age. A referral can be made from the children’s pediatrician at their regular well child checkups to a local early invention program. Medicaid can pay for EI. I used to work with EI and had a lot of single parents and low income families whose children thrive with this resource.

[@jeanguerrero8305]

I have nothing against the rich people, but Yes you can “get all the interventions”, help and the “best therapies” if you have the money. Money makes all the difference in getting “early intervention” or else you will have to wait for referral and pay for specialist out of pocket.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@jeanguerrero8305 Not only does money make a difference but so does race. If you're Black, Brown, etc you can forget about even asking for a referral.

[@oliviajimenez9194]

I can’t thank enough for this segment. I am a parent of a 4 year old boy with Autism. Early intervention is key! It’s a lot of work but the results are worth it. My son has ABA, OT, Feeding and Speech therapies. Continue to spread awareness and compassion 💙🧩

[@sue8237]

So many parents, and often well-to-do ones, are in denial about this and put having others see their child as "normal" over doing what their kids need to deal with these issues. I hope these wonderful, loving, influential parents are a source of encouragement for others to do the same.

[@Marcydalmatian]

It's not just wealthy people, there's working class parents who aren't any different but every time autistic people try to reach out on social media to offer advice, they get kicked in the teeth because of some sort of ridiculous excuse from the parents.

[@sue8237]

@@Marcydalmatian You are so right. We had a high-powered national executive in this area with a highly autistic son. He really needed to be in a special institution that could serve him better, but the parents were so embarrassed or ashamed of this poor kid that they insisted on him going to public school, where he put the other students and the teachers and aides in his autistic class in danger (violence, biting, etc.). He actually took the School Board to court to try to keep his son in the school. It's not like he couldn't afford a more suitable facility for his son; he wanted to be able to tell people that his son went to "regular" school. Just sad, especially for his son who deserved better.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@sue8237 That's rough. Kids like that boy deserve better, half of the problems and concerns parents talk about could be solved if their kids got the right assistance. When those kids miss out on a diagnosis or accommodations, they usually have a hard time as adults because of the toll it's taken their mental health.

[@CruiseControlM3]

Major respect for speaking and sharing their stories🙏🏼💙

[@RoosterFire]

Don't seek out other parents, seek out adults like Eric Garcia

[@stacystoltz8722]

Great

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Stacy how are you doing today?

[@Marcydalmatian]

For once, Good morning America made an effort to switch from awareness to acceptance. However, consider a few things NOT addressed in this report: Autistic traits can vary so no single will fit the entire profile or criteria. Also, diagnosis is NOT cheap or easy to obtain and isn't always covered by insurance. Girls and people of color are also usually diagnosed years later because of prejudice and an outdated criteria. By the way, early intervention isn't as helpful as it sounds. ABA has been linked to PTSD in autistic adults. Plus, no matter how early an autistic person is diagnosed, there's no amount of intervention that will rewire his or her brain. Teaching autistic kids to mask or hide their true selves from other people is wrong. In addition it leads to poor mental health and makes autistic people more likely to be bullied exploited or ending up in other terrible situations. There's alternatives to ABA where goal isn't to make autistic people act like everybody else in society. Also, it's not uncommon for adults to get diagnosed. It usually happens because parents who had their kid tested, noticed they have similar characteristics or it was brought to their attention by someone else. Another scenario is when said adult has a burnout so bad that an Autism diagnosis is the only thing that explains their differences. This is often the case for women. Other issues include many autistic people being unemployed or lacking access to accommodations. This happens all the time to adults after the assistance they benefited from as kids expires when they become young adults at 18 or 21. Some never even receive these benefits because they weren't diagnosed as kids! Autistic people who do receive disability benefits or have a job, usually don't have an income to cover daily life expenses because social security or only gives out a certain amount and many times at jobs they pay autistic people sub minimum wages. That's just the tip of the iceberg but it happens every day! By the way, autism is genetic so it's likely that many people inherited it from a relative or ancestor. There's autistic adults who have kids and even if a person is not Autistic, they can carry the genes for it. Lastly, there's less support for autistic adults, most of it is usually for kids and teenagers but there's not much for adults. Some autistic people, young and old are also put in group homes or care facilities which has been proven to not be an ideal situation due to mistreatment from staff. But most importantly, Autistic people want to be respected and accepted as is.

[@BhappyD]

While I agree that many use ABA improperly (and abusively) and I strongly disagree with it being used to force any autistic individual to mask or assimilate to act more neurotypical, it can be used in positive ways to help children learn life skills. Not how to act to make neurotypicals more comfortable, but how to do things like brushing teeth, cleaning themselves, using the restroom independently, doing laundry etc, and can also help some children in aiding their academic learning. For many it simply helps the child be as independent as possible, especially in more severe cases where the biggest worry is what happens when the parents are no longer alive in the future to care for their child or look out for them. ABA CAN most definitely be abusive and traumatic, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s not a one size fits all though either, and every parent needs to be in tune with their child to be able to recognize if a therapy is not benefiting them and is instead causing harm or doing things that make the child uncomfortable. I don’t think ABA should be taken away as an option completely, as there are many autistic individuals that it genuinely helps in a positive way without causing harm, but I can agree that there are many ABA therapists/treatment centers that need serious reforming and should stop using any methods that seek to make an autistic individual assimilate or blend in with neurotypicals while being forced to suppress their autistic traits/the way their autism presents. There is a KZbin channel that I’ve watched for years that has highlighted some of the positives and negatives of ABA over the time that I have watched them, as four out of their six children have autism. Several years back when they used to live in a different state, they had a few of their younger children start ABA, and the mother was NOT ok with the way her children were being treated/how they were reacting to what the therapists were doing, and so she removed them from it and did other therapies. They’ve now moved to a different state and have access to better services/therapists, and now several of her children are doing ABA again, but she makes it clear that NONE of it entails making them suppress their autism or assimilate to neurotypical society, it’s purely for independence skills and for help with academics and is not done in a way that is traumatic or about punishment, and her children are happy/excited to go to the treatment center each time. If that ever changes, she wouldn’t hesitate to pull them out again. There are many autistic adult individuals that have said that ABA was helpful to them and they didn’t suffer any harm as the result nor were ever made to feel that their autistic traits/presentation was something that needed to be suppressed, so there is proof that ABA can be used beneficially and in a way that doesn’t cause harm, but it is VITAL that parents are HEAVILY involved and making sure that things are being done properly/humanely and that their child is comfortable with it at all times; with zero hesitation to pull them out and try something else if it is causing any level of harm to their child or is trying to make them suppress who they are. Also, I’d say discussions about “early intervention” apply most to severe cases of autism. In a situation like that, delaying seeking help for severely autistic children can most definitely be harmful and make it harder down the line to help the child live their life to their best potential (not referring to suppressing their autism, but giving them the best tools to help them navigate life). Things like being able to communicate, whether verbally through speech or nonverbally through sign language or assistance devices, as well as aiding in any mobility, motor skill or other developmental difficulties, along with things like helping treat/overcome feeding difficulties and oral aversions to provide the child with proper nutritional support, (and much more), are all huge elements to quality of life, as are skills for independence. Getting started to help those things as soon as possible (while still honoring someone’s autistic traits that make them who they are) is only going to ensure a better quality of life for the child, and make it easier for them to make positive progress in those areas much quicker than they would if they started those therapies later down the road when those difficulties had a chance to solidify more as the child ages, making them harder to help. That is why early intervention is pushed so much, and the statistics support that. Help is never a bad thing when it is done properly, and getting the proper (key word) help as early as possible is definitely to the benefit of the child and that child’s future.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@BhappyD I beg to differ about that. If you read any of the ABA survivor stories from both former staff and clients, you'd have a better idea of what I'm talking about. Occupational therapy can teach autistic kids certain things too. It's been proven ABA doesn't work that well. The fact that the man who came up with it didn't see autistic kids as people, psychologically is enough proof that it's hurtful. There's autistic adults who were in ABA as kids but ended up in therapy for PTSD because of what happened to them. Also, function labels are strongly disliked by the autistic community and considered offensive and deceiving. In addition, there's plenty of autistic people who got through life just fine without ABA. Most of them didn't need it in the first place, their parents were mostly pushed by so called experts who aren't autistic themselves.

[@cynthiadavis7130]

My great grandson wasn’t diagnosed until he was 3 because the Doctor wouldn’t believe that something was wrong he dismissed him. I knew something was wrong but trying to get them to listen to my Grandaughter when she went to see them.

[@jerrygil1965]

I was diagnosed with Aspergers when I was 6

[@marisamendoza3785]

Well I hope they donate and help autustic people and kids

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Marisa how are you doing today?

[@AudiLaRue]

Let’s not forget the children who will always be with your parents for life and cannot function alone alone in Society. board of disabilities in your county, school district and doctors are key. the wrong entity could affect progress.

[@CyclizarTrainer]

I'm autism too

[@manasseh7777]

I have a 12 year old who is autistic. I need help as to how to potty train him.As well as where can I buy diapers for him. I am in South Africa 😔

[@Danielm614dm]

My whole life it seemed like people don’t like when I’m happy.

[@Titans-456]

My son was talking and he knew his abc’s and counting up to 30 in English and Spanish and when he was 1. After he turned 2 his speech regressed and he was communicating with odd sounds. I took him for a autism assessment at 3 and they diagnosed him with global developmental delay. He just had a new diagnosis at 6 years old and they told me he has ADHD. I do not agree with his new diagnosis because I see a lot of signs of autism in my child.

[@Marcydalmatian]

It's possible for an autistic person to have more than one neurological diagnosis.

[@claires7975]

Early intervention can’t happen when you have a failing health system. Here in Perth Australia there is a 2year wait list to see a public paediatrician and private paediatrician books are closed, they are no longer taking on new children!!!!

[@marygoff3332]

Things are just as bad, and extremely expensive, here in the USA.

[@thebronzetoo]

You spelled "Beard" wrong...

[@stupka1111]

I am autistic and I don't like the language used here, mainly: "with autism", "intervention", "is off", "ABA", "appropriate time". How about accept it as a difference, don't treat autism like it's a disease, because it is not. Autistic people don't need interventions, they need social acceptance

[@Marcydalmatian]

Well said. ABA isn't helpful, it's messed up so many people's lives.

[@bruhmoment5974]

they're also wearing blue so that's another red flag (or should i say 'blue flag'? ;) )

[@AEHathorslove]

Of course they are rich, they can afford all the help they can get. Most parent don't have those resources. Their experience does not count.

[@justincoleman7856]

So I know what it's like to struggle as I received my diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (which is high functioning Autism, but the term is no longer being used from what I've recently learned). Unfortunately for myself, I have to wait over 25 years to receive my diagnosis because back in both the 90's & 00's, it just wasn't very popular topic and there wasn't enough research done to really clearly understand how the brain functions for people in the spectrum. One of the things I noticed based on the footage that this video presented was the baby who was standing on its hind feet. I learned later on that I actually struggled with this on my right foot and had to receive a plastic cast to ensure that the muscle would actually work correctly. Sometimes I will even catch the muscle acting up and correct the movement, but the most important thing is that each individual on the spectrum is indeed very unique and comes with special traits. Mine happens to be 2 VERY different activities: one which is ice skating (which I've had to teach myself) and the other being obstacle course racing (think Spartan or Tough Mudder events).

[@laurakurkowski4413]

As an autistic adult, I had hope for this segment. And then it turned about intervention and changing the brain. And those therapies are not in the best interest of the autistic person and only to make those around them more comfortable.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@jessicastrickland2923 I understand you have concerns about your daughter but therapy like ABA isn't the answer. If your daughter is enrolled, whatever she's taught won't matter if she ends up with PTSD or burns out as an adult. There's ABA survivor stories from both ex clients and staff. The man who came up with it claimed autistic kids weren't people in a psychological sense. That statement alone is ableist and cruel.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@Laura Kurkowski I agree, the first half of this segment was promising but then it became another throwback similar to an autism report from the 2000s. Those kids are adults now and they're paying for it with poor mental health from all that so called intervention which was the opposite of helpful and decades of masking.

[@ananse77]

@@jessicastrickland2923 This is exactly how I feel. I'm tired of these naysayers of therapies. Am I to leave my child non verbal, unable to understand what's said her, not toilet-trained, unable to engage with the world? When I'm gone, what will her life be like? I imagine her in a home left to sit in her waste by uncaring minders. High functioning autistic people will never understand. And from their position of privilege they dare to judges parents who try to help the less fortunate in their group. The spectrum is too wide.

[@David-ln8qh]

@@Marcydalmatian I was shocked how not terrible the first half was!...then the 2000's called and they wanted their fear mongering back.

[@laurakurkowski4413]

@Beatrix In Christ please take your false ableist views somewhere else. Ausitsm is not “curable” and you are spreading misinformation.

[@laurahale9309]

Some parents might call their children names and rejoice when they move out at a young age.

[@debbieflaherty1975]

ONE….IN….FORTY-FOUR. Let that sink in.

[@lilc5353]

In 2007 it was 1 out of 151...Vaccines

[@Marcydalmatian]

That's not terrible, it just means more kids are getting diagnosed, which is better than later because going undiagnosed for years takes a toll on an autistic person's mental health. Also, access to information about autism has improved. By the way, many autistic kids from previous decades are adults now and it shouldn't be a surprise they have their own families now.

[@David-ln8qh]

@@lilc5353 The number Autistic folks didn't change, the number of diagnoses did...get vaccinated.

[@Legittoquit1]

We invented the blanket !

[@reginamushi6582]

Early testing is one thing, once they are diagnosed, it's like then what.. lots of awareness building up, but then what? No support no help whatsoever! Developing countries.

[@Marcydalmatian]

There's speech therapy and other options but it varies between states and countries. However, there's things autistic kids can learn without therapy if properly accommodated.

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

They are your number geniuses, always protect them.

[@kellythomas7619]

Hello Elizabeth how are you doing today

[@royjackson2056]

HI

[@xragdoll5662]

And game geniuses! My brother has autism and when we were kids and he’d play a video game, he didn’t have to figure out how to kill bosses or stress, he just knew. He loves video games

[@unechaine1]

It's all true .

[@pamelajudithrwanyarare8429]

Did she say she had her first child at 27?. She looks 27!!!!

[@lizsa3145]

She's had loads of work done...face doesn't move...alot of Botox and fillers...she is alot younger than Tommy...

[@jt8142]

Dee is 55 and Tommy is 71, so he’s 16 years older than his wife.

[@pamelajudithrwanyarare8429]

@@lizsa3145 Either way, she looks good anyway. NB: Botox and plastic surgery is not that good anyway, but even without it she still looks good. It's not for me but I acknowledge she looks really beautiful and looks young for her age. Spread love.😍🥰

[@ram.4152]

1 in 44 is still alot

[@Riddickisawesome101]

I hope it climbs. We need more autistic people in this world. Once it becomes 1 in 2, then we’ll have a level playing field

[@ram.4152]

@@Riddickisawesome101 ohu I didn't mean to offend you, I just didn't know there were so many people with autism

[@Riddickisawesome101]

@@ram.4152 I wasn’t offended. I’m just saying what I feel. I feel like the world benefits from autistic people. And even if they’re not highly skilled, they still deserve a happy life

[@lilc5353]

Yes it is....vaccines

[@David-ln8qh]

@@lilc5353 The number Autistic folks didn't change, the number of diagnoses did...get vaccinated.

[@dawn6232]

Early intervention IS the key, so pediatric medical and educational professionals need to stop the “wait and see” approach. The most neuronal growth occurs between birth through 2 years of age. The Early Intervention program, specifically in NY is experiencing a major shortage of teachers and therapists!

[@johnayala2540]

Dee Hilfiger is so beautiful

[@Beafree]

Those services are available for whites only. I have children that have autism (Non verbal), I did get them tested. All I got was "Yup, he/she has autism" Their doctors would be concerned when they'd meet them, they would ask if they were tested, I'd say yes and then on to a new subject. I had asked for "Help" people told me about but when I'd took my child to these specialists they would say my child (6 y/o) was too old for their programs.

[@galegrazutis964]

How is that a race thing 🤔

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@galegrazutis964 There's autistic people of color who have written about their experiences and one problem that most of them have in common is racism when it comes to an Autism diagnosis. Kids of color get diagnosed for Autism much later in life. Black people in particular are misdiagnosed, ignored or overlooked. Girls also get diagnosed later. Most of this is because the diagnostic criteria for autism is mostly based on descriptions of boys, mostly ones who aren't Black, Latinx, Asian and so on. Even if people of color have the financial means to cover the costs of testing, they're still discriminated against. It's been going on for years.

[@leonietaylor7054]

She looks 35.Money is so soooothing!!!

[@cabayern9416]

Used to be 1 in 60.

[@JA-vv8wy]

I noticed the same thing!

[@joyaustin3140]

It’s vaccinations

[@jt8142]

Men over 40 are procreating more, which greatly increases the risk for ASD children. The increase in autism is not due to vaccines; instead, women need to procreate with younger men/sperm.

[@joyaustin3140]

@@jt8142 yeah ok. All of Gods ways are perfect he has enough sense to stop you from procreating at 40 if that’s the case. Gods thoughts and ways are above ours. He’s wiser than man

[@David-ln8qh]

@@joyaustin3140 The number Autistic folks didn't change, the number of diagnoses did...get vaccinated.

[@hibeautifulpeople8877]

It's hell and heaven at the same time

[@betsyavallone4314]

There needs to be more group homes & staffing for adults with developmental disabilities.

[@heaven7459]

They need to be well qualified and well monitored, some group home companies will hire people who couldn't get a job at McDonald's. They only care that there is a body it doesn't even have to be warm.🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@charlenerowley6358]

They were lucky enough to have the money and resources....I can't relate

[@Marcydalmatian]

What do you mean?

[@etrebelle9812]

This lady is 55 years old????????? She looks barely 35 WHAT! (Regardless of her being gorgeous any age she showed)

[@mzlee333]

Stop with the STEREOTYPES!!!

[@lizsa3145]

So it's from her...as it's genetic

[@jt8142]

Nope, her husbands were over 40 when she had their autistic sons. Older sperm can lead to ASD children, so women should be very careful about who they procreate with. Stay away from the old farts.

[@lilc5353]

Vaccines

[@Marcydalmatian]

It could be her or both of them. People can have autism related genetics but not being autistic at all. There's people who can have autistic relatives that existed years ago but lived in a time period where there wasn't even a name or definition for it.

[@lea9977]

Honestly when are people going to address more publicly MTHFR gene mutations? If this genetic mutation, and certain codes, are linked with autism, ADHD, etc - people should know so they can be tested. Executive dysfunction is hard!

[@Marcydalmatian]

Executive dysfunction isn't easy but testing for autism and other neurological conditions is just not possible and there's always the possibility of it being used for eugenics which is what happened to the down syndrome community in Iceland. There were also countless disabled people in concentration camps during world war 2 and mental hospitals up until the 70s. In short, a genetic test for autism would do more harm than good.

[@Danielm614dm]

My customers sound awful when they talk to me, I feel like I’m going to lose my job because all of them a rude as soon as they hear that my tone is not as miserable as there’s is because I’m not stuttering in style or have that down syndrome swag all my clients are Spanish speaking from Connecticut. I told my neighbor how I talk to them she said I sound nice. I said people act like they don’t hear that.

[@Danielm614dm]

People always said Ok like a threat and sometimes I wonder if that happens to my kid and that’s why she doesn’t visit me.

[@ennvee1989]

Believe in yourself

[@Danielm614dm]

I just hope that God finds forgiveness

[@Danielm614dm]

Yeah I hope God forgives.

[@Danielm614dm]

@@ennvee1989 I hope God forgives anyone disrespect ing my daughter like that. That’s the most disrespectful thing you can do to someone.

[@happyhorse1028]

Daniel by Elizabeth Grech is available on line for anyone who is interested.

[@happyhorse1028]

@Beatrix In Christ good. Hopefully your son will continue to improve

[@AnaMartinez-kx1wx]

There's nothing wrong with these people, they just learn and adapt differently...I've seen less competent people that don't have autism. Intelligence is about how you can adapt. Not always what you know. If you adapt and you know a lot, than dam your just a genius. I know Forrest Gump isn't the best example. But y'all seen the movie. He achieved so much and he was "slow" and still did great things. In a way it summarized how if you just OBEY blindly you can get ahead in America. LoL

[@M-hc9xm]

Maybe this applies to high functioning autism. Read some of the other comments on this for parents dealing with very challenging situations. Any help they can get is much needed to change behavior to the extent possible, and probably all with significantly less resources than the Hifigers.

[@AnaMartinez-kx1wx]

@@M-hc9xm usually in hospitals where abortion is legal, the doctors ask if they still want to have it knowing it will have autism. But usually that's up to the parents if they want to abort in or not.

[@petakucas7389]

What is wrong with his face and hers as well?

[@judithryle2113]

..?

[@alicepopovski6303]

Botox?

[@jt8142]

Bad plastic surgery. Plus, Dee is 55 and Tommy is 71.

[@zerocarey5984]

Being autistic isn’t bad..y’all are acting like it’s a life threading disease that takes the lives of millions…autism is beautiful and it’s tragic to see them so somber about the gifts that are their children.

[@ananse77]

It's bad for the kids that never speak and can't go to the toilet by themselves. They will be dependent on others forever. I fear for my daughter's future.

[@Marcydalmatian]

@@ananse77 I understand you have concerns for your daughter but it could be worse. There's nothing wrong with being non speaking, it's 2022 there's more ways to communicate now than there was decades ago.

[@zerocarey5984]

@@ananse77 and that makes her life tragic? And worth being somber over? It’s not worth celebrating? Her life is belittled to being taken care of others? We all take care of one another just in different ways. I wish you would open your eyes to the gifts she brings you

[@ananse77]

@@Marcydalmatian She also lacks receptive language skills. If she can't understand what's said to her, how will she learn? And if she doesn't learn, how will she support herself? You guys pretend as if for every autistic person, autism is this innocuous thing, that makes them a little quirky, with divergent social skills, communication styles, and stimming. For some, it's serious disability. That's why I said the spectrum is now too wide. All the high functioning folk who used to be said to have Aspergers and think they're above therapy should be in a different category.

[@ananse77]

@@zerocarey5984 I love my daughter and she makes me very happy. I am willing to take care of her as long as I'm alive. But, I will be gone one day. If she can't take care of herself, will she end up a ward of the state, in some institution? Will she be abused, and unable to report it, because she can't communicate? I worry about her being sexually assaulted, as a child or as an adult, and not being able to tell anyone. Heck, I worry about her crossing the street, since she is very impulsive and has little comprehension of danger and physical consequences. Sometimes I wonder if people like you live in the real world.

[@tatianaallen7001]

I thought he was gay 🤨

[@Jay-jb2vr]

Didnt Tommy Hilfiger said he didnt want black people wearing his clothing??.....

[@vonchow185]

Who cares! Go cry to momma! You fatherless weak DNA coward!

[@mirjanapucarevic2105]

That got resolved on a Wendy show

[@Marlen04041]

It’s not true he never said that

[@blessed6574]

@@Marlen04041 okay, good because I heard that rumor too.

[@mariaobrien8228]

Jesus Christ why are you searching to find something that can validate your victim hood. No he didn't say he doesn't want black people wearing his clothes 😂

[@twotatia]

Racista 😡

[@triguer1]

OMG, money really gets you beautiful women, even if you are old.

[@alicegauteng2358]

She is not that amazingly beautiful

[@yolanderivera8428]

Goes to show you that you can have all the money in the world and still not exempt life unfortunates

[@Marcydalmatian]

An autism diagnosis isn't a bad thing. There's a whole worse than that.

[@singaporepatriot8197]

@@Marcydalmatian shut up lah! People with autism are and always be a dangerous criminal, leh!

[@lagringota]

Wtf 😳 that’s T.H. ???? Tragic

[@Marcydalmatian]

What's tragic? An autism diagnosis isn't terrible.

[@Shucksofficial]

Wife??? But he gay..

[@user-zs5cv4nm9g]

Despite the economics downturn, I'm so happy🌝, I have been making $32,000 returns on my $4000 investment every 13days

[@astrologerdawn1200]

"Developmental disability"???????? My son has Aspergers and he's not broken or disabled.

[@Riddickisawesome101]

I was diagnosed with aspergers, but I think it is a disability. Disability is not a bad word. It’s a disability mostly when society will not make accommodations for us

[@breezeh1127]

As your child grows and becomes more part of the autism disabled community, you will realize it isnt a bad thing. It's a factual thing. To say he is not disabled takes away from what he overcomes each day and has to fight throguh just to get through. The autism community has embraced the word disabled, because to pretend it isn't a disability it serves to diminish their hardships in a world not made for them. They are amazing and push themselves harder than their Neuro typical peers.

[@Riddickisawesome101]

@@breezeh1127 to add to that, neurotypical people need to put in the work to make the world more accessible for autistic people, such as forgiving their behaviors and letting families cut in line if the child has a meltdown. Just little things to make everyone’s lives easier. Humans are meant to live cooperatively, but we’ve been conditioned for centuries to believe that we need to dominate others. It’s just wrong

[@NeuroSeasoned]

I dislike this comment above because it implies that disabled equals broken. My two autistic kiddos may have minimal support needs/accommodations, but they are still disabled. Sure, they wouldn't qualify for social security disability help. But I'm proud of them for fighting harder than most

[@mzlee333]

@@Riddickisawesome101 exactly. It is all AUTISM. We no longer use that word.It is all autism. No more Asperger-supremacy. that’s been killed. YIPPEE!!!!

[@bec6384]

I have a theory that the cause of autism may be due to formula. I’m not a doctor, but after becoming a mom I am convinced of this. It is soooo engrained for all moms that just gave birth to use formula. It’s also engrained for moms to sleep train babies and this is way moms cannot produce milk. I think safe co-sleeping should be encouraged. The reality is 99% of women produce enough milk to breast milk.

[@JA-vv8wy]

Just curious why you think it could be formula? Just wondering because we adopted and obviously can’t breastfeed, but I may need to look into other options (donor milk) if there is a concern. Thank you for mentioning it

[@bec6384]

@@JA-vv8wy it’s just my opinion, please don’t take it as a science. I am a firm believer that fed is best, but the only reason I believe it may be linked is because of how engrained doctors and nurses made it at the hospital to not co-sleep. If you don’t go-sleep and breastfeed, you’ll never produce enough milk for the baby. And they conveniently give you TONS of free formula as soon as the baby is born. The pediatrician would literally put in the hot seat and ask me if I was bed-sharing. I felt like I was being prosecuted, so I always lied. You really would have thought I was going to get arrested and CPS was going to take my children away. I was always astonished as to why she wouldn’t make a big deal out of other things like putting her in the correct car seat in the car. I was also really encouraged to sleep train her, not breastfeed her at night, and to let her “cry it out”. A baby NEEDS their mommy and daddy to feel safe in their arms. They just spent 9 months in a womb, never feeling alone, now is not the time to make her feel abandoned. My biggest advice to you is to do what seems right for you and to always caress your baby even if you’re encouraged to sleep train. They have you for a reason ❤️

[@jt8142]

Procreating with men over 40 greatly increases the risk for autism. Women need to make sure they only get pregnant with younger sperm to mitigate the risk of an ASD child.

[@bec6384]

@@jt8142 I never knew that! Thank you for sharing!

[@zaram3134]

Read the composition of the 💉 in childhood 💉’s

[@itsnotyouitsme_]

People are born autistic. It's how their brain developed in utero. Vaccines have nothing to do with it.

[@therozrodriguez77]

Knowing what today’s vaccine side effects are (I experienced them), if I had another child, I would not vaccinate. Seems like their child was progressing well until SOMETHING happened. Just makes one wonder…

[@therozrodriguez77]

@@milksomecows Please shut up. You have no idea what the side effects were - I’d do anything to go back & undo it. My only child is 27, “future children” is not a thing for me. He got covid with Awful symptoms a year & a half before I had to get the jab for work (making $25k a month - most would be the martyr of the family to take care of elderly parents). I’d still trade the vax for the infection. Geez, I have no idea why ppl that have no idea what they’re talking about, even open their mouths, or in this case type any reply to something that’s none of your business nor intended for anyone for that matter. No one was talking to you, go away, mind your own business & go look for your 5th booster.

[@yaleyale5933]

True

[@joyaustin3140]

You’re absolutely right!!! This isn’t rocket science. Vaccinations are creating these problems, but their making too much money off of them to stop them or to look more into the problem. Look at the effect the covid vaccine has had on some. Nerve damage sensory problems just to name a couple.

[@kirsteneasdale5707]

Rubbish

[@Hotwheelswithwyatt]

My son was never the same after his 😭

[@enigma4649]

Can you imagine little bodies getting multiple shots? And you wonder that there are reactions to it?

[@graymanbad398]

Disney “The Magic is GONE”🥲