I’m totally furious with the posts I’m seeing on the Internet saying that James Durbin doesn’t have autism because he seems so “normal”. How dare these people judge this man simply because he doesn’t look like he has classic autism? Would anyone dare to tell a woman with stage 1 breast cancer that she doesn’t really have cancer since her’s was caught before stage 4? Or that some one isn’t really pregnant since she hasn’t reached her 3rd trimester? Of course not! And who are these experts who watch James on a popular TV show and can diagnose him without spending time with him and knowing the actual criteria for developing a diagnosis? When Matthew was diagnosed it took several hours of intense testing and review of his developmental history, not one or two hours a week where he wasn’t even the main “character” and didn’t appear on screen the whole time. This lack of understanding is very frustrating particularly for me because my son too, is very high functioning.
Many times people have looked at Matthew’s autistic behaviors and assumed that he is just misbehaving or being “bad”. Sometimes they just call him weird. His autism effects every level of his life from his body’s ability to balance itself and to handle simple, normal stimuli to his hand flapping and different cognitive processing. Yes, he looks great and he is getting better ( often due to biomedical interventions), but my son still needs an IEP at school. He still needs OT and Speech therapy. He still has problems following directions and can become scared of things “normal” children find exhilarating.
Do I judge James? Heck no! I’m rooting for him to win, because I see Matthew, all grown up, every single time James takes the stage. I hope my son has his confidence and swagger when he is in his twenties.
Stay well!
This is sad when people talk or say things about people and they really don't know. I watch "The Talk" nearly every day; today's show, Holly Robinson talked about her son who has autism and how proud she is of him and the progress he has made. Just to look at him, you really wouldn't know. As my mother would always say, "Looks are deceiving". People should be careful what they say. Best wishes to your son, Matthew as he grows.
my son is the same way too. There are so many times he is just like any other child and I have to remind others that he may need extra help with some things or why he doesnt talk as well as the other children. I sometimes get the same thing about him not behaving…and have had to confront a complete stranger when she tried to discipline my child because I threw off his routine. I used to get people making comments when my daughter was younger too. She does not have autims but has a physical disability. When she was younger she looked really healthy. People used to make comments about me parking in the handicapped parking or why I was carrying both of my kids(son was a baby at the time) that I should let her walk. Trick or treating was always so fun when she was small enough for a stroller and I got the stares cause my child didnt walk up to the door.
Anyways I am going on and on…pretty much just to say I totally agree with you!
Ingrid, I missed that episode but wished I had seen it. I think it would have been interesting.
Colleen, ASD, among other disorders can be so frustrating because although I think people want to be helpful overall they really can just be rude. But that isn't to say that the people trying to correct your child or questioning you in public about your choices aren't just being down right nosey and wrong. I really hope people start to learn. Good luck with your children too.
People amaze me ! Poor James, trying to be sucessful in life and show others that they can fulfill their dreams to. I get furious, people have made fun of him all over the internet and mocked him on youtube. He is deserving of this title just like everyone else. I'm voting for James , because in my opinion he is the best singer !!!!! Vote for James and help him become the next american idol.
Beverly, isn't it sad that people have to be so cruel? I would imagine that it is because they aren't very proud of themselves and they are jealous of someone they think is "less" than themselves, but who is achieving so much more than they ever could. I think James is wonderful and I think he is a great role model across the board!