Here is part two of some video that was not broadcast on 20/20 on Friday – click here to view.
Read the full story »Twitter and Facebook fans making badges and youtube trailers to get Carly on Oprah.
Here is part two of some video that was not broadcast on 20/20 on Friday – click here to view.
My name is Carly Fleischmann and as long as I can remember I've been diagnosed with autism.
I am not able to talk out of my mouth, however I have found another way to communicate by spelling on my computer
And YES - I can type on my own
» Click here to see me type
This is your chance to ask Carly and her friends questions about Autism.
Here is part two of some video that was not broadcast on 20/20 on Friday – click here to view.
Caringchildren asked: Who do you like hanging out with more? “typical children” or “Autistic children” Why?
Carly:
I like hanging out with typical children because it pushes me to control my behaviors and find different stims that …
From: caringchildren
From: Momtoalltweets
Keep sending them in!
Unable to Speak or Connect to the World Until Age 11, Carly Fleishman Types: ‘I Am Autistic But That Is Not Who I Am’
By ALAN B. GOLDBERG and LAUREN PUTRINO
Aug. 6, 2009
Her finger hovers over …
It is so great to meet another person who has autism and can communicate. I am so excited that you are getting attention in the news. I also have an autism related disorder called Rett Syndrome. I am one of five females in the world that we know of who can type with Rett. Like you I have no voice that others can hear. I have my own blogpage too. I am trying to write a book as well. I am so glad we found your story. You are doing an awesome job of sharing your life and inner experiences. Keep on typing. It changed my life and those around me so much, to be able to express myself. We discoverd that I could type with support when I was nine. Love, Karly
Hi Carly:
You are awesome-sauce. So is your family. The video brought tears to my eyes. I am so greatful that you are telling your story and helping others to understand what it is like to be trapped in your body.
CAn you explain the fire and the ants to me, if it is not too much to ask. I don’t know what that is about, and would like to understand.
You rock, girl.
Bobbie
I too am moved to tears! Wow, there is hope! Thank you for sharing your inner voice!
Carly,
I am in awe of you and so thankful to have had this video shared with me through a friend. I have a 6 yr old granddaughter that is also non-verbal. She has Angelman Syndrome. I pray one day that like you she too will find her voice by being able to type her thoughts, wants and needs to us.
May I ask how you came to learn to spell, read and master typing (writing) out your thoughts? How did you figure all of this out?
You ARE magnificent young lady and your family shows such pride in your accomplishments! You give us all hope.
Thank you,
Nana Donna
I don’t know what to say. So very powerful your thoughts and your parents…wow. special. i want to read your book when published.
Your thoughts about sensory input and output are especially interesting. Keep sharing your voice and thought online. you have the power to change the world with your insight. It will be a better world!
what is normal? you said you wanted to go to school with “normal” kids and not have them react when your body moves to control sensory input. I guess give them time to adjust and adapt, normal though…what is that..
It is my position that normal is too narrowly define around too few sample points. There is similar reaction to “normal” people who are of color in non-color communities…or even extend this to religious differences…when people get past considering these most basic of human similarities as differences…that will be a grand day..for all people.
Bart from Guam
a forester on a small island in Micronesia
where it is always sunny and warm
islanders do well with handling different…
Thanks so much for sharing your story and your voice with us Carly. My nine year-old son has autism and he sat on my lap very still for a few minutes at a time to watch this video, after I explained to him what it contained. He is somewhat verbal, and said that he liked watching your story. I feel I have a new idea of what’s going on inside his head. We did years of ABA therapy and I’m trying my best to help him use his talents and abilities in whatever way makes him happiest. Again, thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Carly, I think you’re wonderful. Truly, really wonderful. I hope you realize how much you’re helping others to understand Autism and the people that live with it every day. You have turned a light on in my brain. Thank you for taking the time to educate people. Thank you for helping. You’re awesome.
-Amanda
It’s so great you found a way to break through. You and your family, and all thse who are with you, are inspirations in patience and perseverance as well as creativity.
I laughed at the ‘puppet’ comment. I think we’ve all felt like that at times.
Be happy.
Dear Carly, I just saw a video that someone I know posted to FaceBook. How wonderful that you are sharing yourself in such an open way with the world. By shining your light the way you are, you are changing this world, opening hearts and minds.
On the 20/20 piece they read a note you wrote to your dad that you like when he reads to you. Well, I wrote a book for teens and maybe some of what I wrote would be helpful to you, so I’d like to share it with you. You can download it (for free) here: http://www.youpublish.com/files/1760
Looking forward to more from you.
Keep shining beautiful girl!
Love,
Aunt Laya
Carly, you inspire the world. Thank you
Hi Carly
Your story is so inspiring for me. I have a grandson who has been diagnosed with Autism and also have and adult son. You truly are amazing. You keep on going you are very independent and can show other like you that if you have the will power you can achieve any thing you want.
You are truly amazing
Ros
Carly,
Your story is an important one for everyone to hear. The autism spectrum is vast & the complete understanding will never come unless those of us with autism speak out about our personal experiences.
I am on the spectrum and so is my son. We have a diagnosis of Asperger’s. Though my set of challenges are different than yours, I find that I can relate to many which you spoke of in the 20/20 interview.
My sensory overload can become overwhelming at times. I have little things I do to compensate. I rock when I’m typing, working, and reading. I humm and oftentimes will experience bouts of echolalia. I do this because I feel as if I am needing to make my outer body match what is going on inside of me. To balance my entire self & feel a sense of calmness.
Thank you for sharing your story Carly. I am happy you found your voice!
Hello Carly, I’m verry happy that you found a way to tell people about yourself,and about Autism. We are a family with three young kids.and one of them is Autistic. He acts just like you. Never sits still, always moves around. 10yrs old and still not talking. With what you have achieved, just give me more hope and courage to go on with our life. good luck in the future. Carly we love you. Thuy
Hi carly:
I have an autestic child, your story give me hope . keep on you’ve chosen the write path dear .
Hi Carly my name is Alyssa. im autistic like you. i can talk but i can’t cantroll my temper. i screm evertime i don’t get what i want. i always find my self as nothing but dust. i want to have a normal life go to a normal school.i may not look it but i am diffrent. i want to be able to work in a hospatl or be a singer. but i can’t cause i am me. if you get this plese type back i want to know who i am, not just diffrent or dumb am i something good. i really like you so plese type back soon. p,s sometimes when im mad i play the piano and sing.
As far as the public option versus a price ceiling goes, the public option is probably more politically feasible. ,
hey Carly,
Thank you for your inspiration!
I am about to change “careers” mainly due to you!
I have been a software tester for many years and recently have become intrigued by the concept and news that people with ASD are excellent at the craft!
And therefore improving their employability!
I’m leaving my job to take some classes and figure out how to teach this!
I’d love to hear your input or ideas on the subject.
Best Regards,
Norma
Hey Carly,
Thank you for your will and courage. I’m very happy that you have found you way. it’s really amazing! I got tears in my eyes, really amazing!!! we have to keep hopeful whatever the problem is. thanks dear.
Sabrina
Hii Carly.
Me name is Orhen,I live in israel, I’m 20 yers old and I work in a kindergarten of Autistic kids like u in a program colld national service.
I just wanet to tell u that I’m amazed by u and that u give me strength to keep on becuse I love these kids.
So that all.
Thank you and I look forward to read you’r novel.
Dear Carly,
I just saw your father being interviewed and read some of the things you have to say. It gives me such hope. I am not autistic but I work with many children that are (I am a horse riding instructor for children with special needs). I would love to know if you have any advice for me. The children I work with range from age 5 to teenagers like yourself. Many of them also have no speech but I feel they give me a window occasionally to communicate – a look or a smile. I am sure you have hundreds of e-mails now but if you have the time to give some advice I would greatly appreciate it.
Much love and best wishes,
Jill Oron Kisbee
Dear Carly. Thank you very much for helping me to understand the children that i`m working with them.
i`m a speech therapist. i would like to ask you, why was it so difficult for you to talk? And now, when you found your voice, would you try to speak with your own mouth? thank you. Varda, Israel
Carly,
I want to thank you for sharing some of the world of autism. I am the twin sister of a 30 year old autistic man. He is also hearing impaired. I’ve tried for so many years to understand my brothers world, and I’ve always had a different outlook on autism, we’ll say a different theory than the “specialists”. And everyone I shared my thoughts with, has looked at me like I was stupid. And seeing this video touched me in a way that you can’t imagine. Seeing you communicate, and explain what it’s like for you has given me an amazing feeling. You showed me I’m not crazy, I don’t have to be embarrassed to talk about how I feel, or what I think because I am more on track than they are. And most of all you’ve given me light into my brothers world. You’ve answered so many questions for me. You are a beautiful girl, and you are amazing. You are the answer to so many of my questions. And for that I am very thankful.
Thank You Carly,
Amanda L. Gonzalez
Carly,
You are beautiful inside and out! Your soul and voice has brought me to a new understanding of human kind. My heart rejoices for you and your family. Thank you for reaching out to us all through your honest and inspiring words.
THANK YOU! For your story! My dd is 4, I see her differently after watching this!
Keep on typing!
Carly
As an occupational therapist and special educator your story is so so inspiring and as an assistive technology specialist I have been blessed to know and work with a few students and clients like yourself whose key was finally unlocked and opened up a world of communication. Another person with autism similar to yours wrote her story in two books and lectures internationally now that she has a voice, Donna Williams, who wrote No Body No Where and Somebody Somewhere. She has a facebook page where she connects worldwide. She is also an artist and musician and speaks of seeing the way you describe til she receive Irlen spectral filter lenses . Thousands of images finally became whole and she was also able to tolerate sensory input in great ways to speak and hear and communicate. Her mother found out about Irlen Method and she speaks of it in her books and lectures. Dr. Temple Grandin also wears Irlen spectral filters and has provided a reference on the http://www.irlen.com website and autism brochure. There are Irlen diagnosticians in over 30 countries and throughout the USA. We are the only center in the Maryland area to provide this service . You can find out more about autism and Irlen on http://www.irlen.com.
Carly,
Thank you so much for these insights. I’m a speech pathologist, and have focused on working with kids with autism. Your communication will continue to enrich our knowledge regarding how to communicate with other people with autism, as well as build our knowledge about how they learn. Thanks so much to you & your family for being willing to share your story.
Carly – A friend of mine just sent me a link to the interview that aired some time ago. I’m SO glad! You’ve changed MY view of people with autism. While I’ve never had a problem talking to people who are different from me (my kids and husband roll their eyes when I talk to yet another random stranger), knowing what’s in your head a bit really helps me understand HOW to talk to said strangers. Keep up the great work educating us all, and living YOUR life.
Carly, and Karly…
You are so inspiring, as are the children I work with who I try so hard to help find their own voices… With you both as models, I think more and more children will be able to do what you each have done.
Thank you for being so strong and intelligent…
Respectfully,
taeja