Autism Breakthrough: Girl's Writings Explain Her Behavior and Feelings... ...Carly Fleischmann has severe autism and is unable to speak a word. But thanks to years of expensive and intensive therapy, this 13-year-old has made a remarkable breakthrough. ... ... Two years ago, working with pictures and symbols on a computer keyboard, she started typing and spelling out words. The computer became her voice.
"All of a sudden these words started to pour out of her, and it was an exciting moment because we didn't realize she had all these words," said speech pathologist Barbara Nash. "It was one of those moments in my career that I'll never forget."
Then Carly began opening up, describing what it was like to have autism and why she makes odd noises or why she hits herself.
"It feels like my legs are on first and a million ants are crawling up my arms," Carly said through the computer.
Carly writes about her frustrations with her siblings, how she understands their jokes and asks when can she go on a date.
"We were stunned," Carly's father Arthur Fleischmann said. "We realized inside was an articulate, intelligent, emotive person that we had never met. This was unbelievable because it opened up a whole new way of looking at her." This is what Carly wants people to know about autism.
"It is hard to be autistic because no one understands me. People look at me and assume I am dumb because I can't talk or I act differently than them. I think people get scared with things that look or seem different than them."
"Laypeople would have assumed she was mentally retarded or cognitively impaired. Even professionals labelled her as moderately to severely cognitively impaired. In the old days you would say mentally retarded, which means low IQ and low promise and low potential," Arthur Fleischman said.
Therapists say the key lesson from Carly's story is for families to never give up and to be ever creative in helping children with autism find their voice.
"If we had done what so many people told us to do years ago, we wouldn't have the child we have today. We would have written her off. We would have assumed the worst. We would have never seen how she could write these things — how articulate she is, how intelligent she is," the grateful father added.
"I asked Carly to come to my work to talk to speech pathologists and other therapists about autism," said Nash. "What would you like to tell them? She wrote, 'I would tell them never to give up on the children that they work with.' That kind of summed it up."
Carly had another message for people who don't understand autism.
"Autism is hard because you want to act one way, but you can't always do that. It's sad that sometimes people don't know that sometimes I can't stop myself and they get mad at me. If I could tell people one thing about autism it would be that I don't want to be this way. But I am, so don't be mad. Be understanding." *** *** Carly Fleischmann, 13, is autistic, but after years of training, is able to articulate her feelings and thoughts. She provides rare insight into a world few people understand, and she answered some of our viewers' questions below. *** ***Question: "Millions of people saw your story on ABC News. Thousands have written letters of thanks to you. You are an incredible inspiration to so many families. Everyone is very proud of you. How does this make you feel?"
Carly: "I am so happy. I got a big gift from people around the world. Among so many kids with autism they chose me to be an advocate for autism. Where should I get behind a cause like this? I am so glad that I am able to help people understand autism."
Question: "Hi Carly, after years of not being able to speak, what does it mean to you to be able to tell people what you want to say?"
Greg from Erie, Penn.
Carly: "greg it feels so awesome to ask for things. So how do you speak?" Question: "Carly, I am so happy you found a way to communicate with those around you! My question is what was it like dealing with autism and coping with the frustrations of not being able to communicate your thoughts, feelings, desires and dislikes to your loved ones?"
Ailyn from Miami, Fl.
Carly: "Ailyn it just sucks when I am alone. I feel very sad when mel goas away. I always yell when I feel like people so don't understand why I am sad."
Question: "What can you suggest to me, as a teacher and a parent of young teens with autism to help them?"
Jerry and Marieanne Vincent
Carly: "be patient. Try getting a computer. Give them chips when they type."
Question: "What one thing do you think my autistic child would want me to know about him?" Carly: "I think he would want you to know that he knows more than you think he does. He is lucky to have nice parents."
Question: "Do you believe the behaviour therapy helped you and do you think intensive therapy has anything to do with you not only finding a voice, but knowing what to say now that you've found the means?"
Carly: "I think behavior therapy helped me. I believe that it allows me to sort my thoughts. Unfortunately it can't make me normal."
Question from Carly's therapist, Mel: "Carly, you have come so far in the last year with all your success. Why do you think in the last year or so you've come so far and are able to communicate with more and more people?"
Carly: "because first howie (Carly's therapist) believed then dina (another therapist) did. Believing helped. Then time went by and dina left and time went by. Then a miracle happened you saw me type. Then you helped me forget that I'm autistic. You treat me like I'm normal."... ... Short video.... http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4313425
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