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After watching Amanda Baggs speak for herself, it's obvious to me, that intelligence comes in many forms.

There are all kinds of people, all kinds of thoughts, and all kinds of ways to express those thoughts. We really are very judgmental with each other and "smarts" is not always found in a book. I admire people like Amanda, who remind us of this with her words..And can she type fast, she's got me beat by a mile. Take Care

Shahreen/AC360:
"In My Language." What an awesome video! Are we so shallow-minded to think that the way we think and feel are the only way to exist? What courage and determination it took to produce such an amazing statement from Amanda Baggs.

Maybe because of the great communication technology that now exists many "cognitively disabled" individuals will be able to communicate to what seems to be the outside world. Or is it us who are looking into her world?

What a breakthrough!

AC360: Appreciate the recent broadcasts/blogs of interesting, mind-provoking topics.

I had watched this video in its entirety on youtube and shared it with my wife this past weekend - I'm glad its getting some national attention. When we venture forth from the safety our "box" we often are startled by how much and how many things are different then we may have first perceived them to be.

My 7-year old daughter is autistic and while it has been a challenge, it has also been the most rewarding experience of my life. People write autistic children as retarded but it is the opposite. These children are so in tune with their surroundings that it can at times be overwhelming for them, hence the hand flapping and ear covering. If people would take time to sit with an autistic child they would see a very intelligent being with a different way of communicating. They know what you are saying and will at times catch you off guard. While we wish our daughter did not have to struggle so hard to accomplish what comes easier to other children, we believe autistic children were put on this Earth for a very special reason. They make us realize intelligence does not necessarily mean fitting into an expected mold. Intelligence comes in all forms and should be honored and appreciated not written off an institutionalized.

When my nephew was finally diagnosed with autism he was given special classes for speech and other things while in mainstream public school system. When the other kids asked where he was going when leaving for these special classes she told them that he needed special classes and as his classmates if he needs a little extra help she would love having extra helpers ... these kids were so sweet and compassionate...they bent over backwards to help him out....to the point they were trying to do all his work for him. This was a great boost to his self esteem as he already knew he was "a little different". He is a high functioning autistic child but very sensitive...his angel was truly with him during those tough times....little bitty second graders being such great caregivers....their parents taught them well.

It's our God given individual uniqueness that helps us make our print in this world. We aren't all alike and isn't that a wonderful thing. Imagine what life would be like if we were all just alike. Amanda's world is what she knows and is comfortable with just like mine and yours. Each individual in this world has an offering to make we all just make it in different ways.
Never under-estimate the power and influence one person can have if given the opportunity to reach out and share a vision. Amanda's opportunity came on YouTube and now she has reached out and touched the world with her wonderful talent.
Our world needs to learn to be more accepting and caring of her citizens. We all have an offering to make to this world if given a chance to do so.
God Bless You Amanda---Keep on doing your thing girl--- look where it's gotten you already!

To quote Anne Donnellan and Martha Leary, "Absence of evidence is NOT evidence of absence." We should ALWAYS make the least dangerous assumption about people we do not fully understand. We should ASSUME THEY ARE COMPETENT!

It seems sad that even though the US government published an article saying "the misdiagnosis of autism in our children is methylmercury poisoning" we continue to place amalgams, burn 600 tons a week of mercury into the atmosphere, and put it in vaccinations. When will we learn?

I agree with Addison from Tampa. A few years ago, my sister sought help outside the realm of traditional medicine to help her daughter, who has apraxia. At first, I was hesitant to believe that immunizations could have contributed to the condition, but the doctor she consulted said mercury was part of the problem ( but there were other factors as well). Through the use of supplements and a drastic change in diet (including but not limited to: no gluten, no casein, no dairy products and only "clean" meat-no hormones, etc.) as well as various speech and occupational therapies, my niece is progressing beyond our expectations. What we are too closed minded to believe is that everything we introduce into our bodies evokes a chemical reaction-good or bad. In the case of these disorders, it's very bad but perhaps avoidable. I was admittedly skeptical as first, but now I know this doctor was right-and he has been the only physician who has been able to help. His inspiration for his methods came from his autistic son and as far as I'm concerned, he's the only physician who believed that my little niece could get past this. And she is proof that he was right. I know autism is much more severe than this, but my sister has taught me a priceless lesson: don't always look to what you're comfortable with. Familiarity is sometimes as bogus as a security blanket. Through these somewhat holistic measures and her undying dedication, she has given her daughter the gift of communication.

Wow...I am so grateful this is being given the exposure it is. All disability is seen as a disadvantage in this country by those who are "normal". I do not know what it is like to be autistic. I do know what it is like to live with limitations in a limitless world that places its view of perfection on physical ability and learning in normal. rote ways. I understand because I have been disabled since before I was born.

Half of my optic nerves are atrophied in each eye. I have very limited periphreal vision (tunnel vision if you will). My depth perception is very limited as well. I was never allowed to play sports, drive at night, drive in large cities, sky dive (always my dream), fly a plane, or even run track. I do literally hit myself if the furniture is moved on me after I congnitively map out a room. My parents were told when I was an infant that I would never learn to walk. At fifteen I was told driving was out of the question. I had two amazing MD's who worked with me (one retired and the other is still my doc). I have adapted. I have learned to beat the odds. I have learned to adapt to where I am and what I do. It's simple things like figuring out how deep a drop is on a step or going into an unknown dark room. It's things like judging the distance to back up a car (thank God for sensors). It's eye-hand coordination issues like threading a needle or playing a video game or even using a computer mouse. It's things like relying on friends or hiring drivers for work or school if the event is out ot town or at night. It's explaining it to a potential boss knowing that even though they aren't supposed to discriminate, they do. It was getting a PhD to prove to the world that I could despite the obstacles. I'm slightly ADD with some mild dyslexia on top of everything else. It's figuring out when to explain the limitations and adaptations to a potential boyfriend because to look at me there's no clue a chunk of my vision is shot, and it's not a first date winner but I don't want to mislead someone, either.

I choose to work with high school kids who are learning disabled. The words "stupid" and "dumb" and "can't" don't exist in our classroom. My kids learn in their own ways. And they are limited only by their own fears. I don't allow them for the block they are with me to listen to the messages of failure others instill in them because they learn differently. They are talented in their own ways. They are successful even if they don't fit the definition traditional education boxes them into. I teach amazing kids. Who will be watching this video tomorrow and discussing it...

As a child, my opthamologist told my parents my only limitations should be those I set for myself. The world always said I should fit into their mold of "normal", that my abilities should be theirs. They aren't. And unless optic nerves suddenly begin regenerating they never will be. I've learned to accept that over the years. And I'm grateful that I am challenged to go beyond "normal". Whether or not the world accepts me for who I am is their problem.

This video wasn't about beign autistic. It was about being human and appreciating our sameness. And it spoke (as far as I'm concerned) for those of us who have learned to live in a world that expects what we can never give but is slowly learning to appreciate us for who we are, people who make a difference in spite of our obstacles.

Amanda may not have realized how ground breaking her testimonal would be. But she really has opened a door to a "secret" world. And I am grateful.
I have a 4 year old nephew with autism. And I would love to learn his language and understand how he sees the world. I am happy that she is bringing a voice to autism and a light to other communication barrers we all experience. Since I do not know the language yet, I am glad Amanda is expressing herself. Showing that they are just like "normal" people, they just experience the world differently.

Thank You Amanda.

Thank you Amanda,
for showing us in "mainstream" society the inherent discrimination of our norms. I considered myself a fairly broadminded and educated person until now.
I had worked with autistic children and my wife works with them now. However, that I can only reply to you in our "standard English" language instead of replying to you in your own says much already, shamefully to my discredit. As a history major what you say is unfortunately true throughout the human experience about measuring others according to ourselves - a definition of narrowmindedness as any . Please continue to be the voice of your community, and I hope you will continue to share to us "out there", opening our eyes.
I for one have been impacted already,

Rob

Amanda: you have much to teach all of us. Thank you for your video and your blog. Hope to hear much from you in the future.

For now, you have taught me to be more receptive to others who may not communicate like me but yet are still trying in their own way to get their message out.

Amanda,

Thank you. With that being said, I do not have high hopes in regards to society being able to view others as different but equal especially when we as a society are quick to label and dismiss others simply by their skin color.

As a father of a fifteen year old high functioning autistic daughter and a thirteen year old hearing impaired son I can only hope.

Thankyou so much for binging a new awareness to my life.
I feel enriched because of your video.
Alan

Genius comes in many forms. Thank you Amanda for sharing your genius with the world and educating them that it is alright to be different than what most consider as being normal. You are a very special person and I see the video as being an artistic learning tool.

*HUGS*

I am an Education Assistant and I have worked with an Autistic student very similar to Amanda. He is a non-verbal 16 year old who does not type, but does communicate with gestures and sounds. Because I have known him for so long (3 years) I am able to interpt his way of basic communication. I find Autisum very facinating and have worked with students for 17 years. I would love to write to Amanda, to ask questions to gain more insight to this mysterious disorder.

Amanda is wonderfully arrogant. She would have to be in order to survive her circumstances. -Rod-

i am not concidered autistic,but i am often overwhelemed by daily living , sund, texture, movment, so i find myself working under the guise of being a Highly Sensitve Person.
Its is a blessing.for all the riches that i experience so fully, as compared to most of my circle in life,i woul not trade it for the world.
when i s saw amanda with the book, i was like,, oh oh,, i so get that,, wow,, been there
many of us are hididng our pure spirit to connect with the natural world,and how beutiful it is meant to be for YOU,,in your way, your language, your song to dance as you may,,
dance on

I think this is amazing. But, remember not all autistic people are like amanda.
My son who will be 15 next week, talks
but has alot of mental retardation. He goes to a social group & high school.
My point is that regulare everyday people see things like this & think this is what it is like.
You do not hear about allt he other things. wetting the bed everyday the change in they lives & etc..
they are amazing people but they is a whole other side. My son would never be able to do a video & post it on the internet.
Kim from california

Dear Amanda,
Congratulations on speaking out and bringing awarenes to the world. You've planted a seed that could improve millions of lives and I hope you're considering publishing. You have so much to offer to start bridging the gap of communiaction. God's speed and many blessings to you and your dog who I'm sure is non judgemental and loves you unconditionally.

I had to go to Youtube to watch the entire video - to see the part of the video in Amanda's language. What amazed me was not just her message, though it did.

What amazed me is that you profiled this amazing video that made a strong statement on how we don't attempt to understand other forms of communication, other ways of thinking - and you completely cut out Amanda's language (airing a good 3/5ths of the video in our language), which was the subject of the video itself.

It seems to me that in choosing to not show the full video and only cutting our the "autistic" parts you, yourselves, proved her point.

And that you all missed the point.

Thank you Amanda! I have a 10 year old autistic son who is non-verbal. I tell people all the time that he may not be able to talk with words but that he speaks paragraphs with his eyes. He is a very smart boy and hopefully one day we will learn to speak his language.

What an absolutely wonderful... amazing and incredible woman.
My love goes out to Amanda and her family.
She obviously received a tremendous amount of love and encouragement from her family.

This was one of the most perceptive and articulate pieces I have ever heard. I applaud Amanda for her incredible intellect, her understanding of the human condition, and her ability to convey this lost perspecitive to a society that that has stiffled its ability to communicate without words. The question we are left with is not simply what harm are we doing to others as we de-value their forms of communication, but also what harm are we doing ourselves as we cut ourselves off from learning and knowing our surroundings- and ourselves within them- so that we perform only the actions that make us seem like "real" people.

I live in India, and like most societies, it is one which regards differences as highly distasteful. I am a single parent with a six year old autistic son, so when it comes to being considered odd, my son and I are off the chart! Amanda is spot on in her analysis. We need to devote resources, therapies and effort into understanding those who are differently abled. The entire focus it seems is on normalising atypical behaviour. when it ought to be on accepting and empowering alternative forms of thinking and being. My own experience of three years of therapies and interventions (a nasty "loaded" word if ever there was one) have brought me to a singular truth. Tnat my son is perfect as he is. That I am the one who needs to learn his language. That brainwashing him into a conveniently homogenised robot serves society's purpose and not his own. Today, I celebrate my son for who he is and autism is as much of that identity as his green eyes and killer smile. The only real disability is Society's failure to acknowledge that.

Hi i have an autistic older brother that was diagnosed when he was 3 years old. He is said to low functunicing autism as well. Amanda, your video really inspired me. You are amasinly smart, smarter than alot of people, and i know this shocked so many people. I hate how people are afraid of autistic people, or think of them as stupid. I know my brother is not stupid and i know he understands what im saying when i talk to him but is just unable to form his noises into words i am able to understand. He has many friends with autism in his classroom. haha, and i a girlfriend i belive. They do not communicate in ways i can understand but i see that they do communicate in ways i do not see. I wish my brother could tell me what he is thinkning in ways i could understand. There are many times when i see he is trying to tell me something but is unable to and becomes fustrated. Sometimes he crys and we do not know what is wrong. Or he stays up very late at night and is unable to get to bed. I wish amanda or someone could tell me what he is thinking or how he might feel. Does he get scary dreams or does he feel something i do not? My brother is a very gifted piano player and interacts with the piano very well. I hope that he is able to communicate through piano and music. He has learned how to type his name and where he lives. I know he is so smart.. i just wish he could show everyone so they will belive me. Thank you amanda for making everyone more knowlageble about autism and making people more aware. And thank you everyone that knows what i am feeling and how much love i have for my brother.

<3

Amanda is amazing, I watched the video twice and wanted to send it to everyone I know. What an important communication. Such a powerful message, seldom has anyone effected me so deeply. I love her atricutalte wonderful clear ability to communicate. I applaud her for speaking out and being willing to educate us and offer an insite into her world. I thank Amanda for helping to shift opion away from fear of the unknown. She reminds us that all people are unique and should be treated with dignity, respect and even reverence for their very differences and for the miracle of all ways of being in our world. Thank you Amanda.

Thank you, Amanda, for your thoughtful and very powerful message that everyone deserves respect and to be heard. I�m a Special Ed teacher who teaches children from kindergarten to second grade with �language delays� but they talk to me in their own ways � loud and clear. I know many of my students are INTELLIGENT even though they can�t communicate it to me in the �normal manner� and I know they learn just as other children do � just in their own unique ways. I read constantly on how to help my students with language delays but in my heart I already know I�m helping because I accept them just the way they are. I did, however, like your suggestion about having an adult with autism communicate to other adults or children with autism or language delays. Thanks again for reaching out to share your strong feelings about the common humanity of us all, the need for respect and to be heard, no matter what ways we use to communicate!!! I�m going to show the video in our class tomorrow. Kathy Clark
P.S. You made me laugh when you described your feelings about the common wave to get the attention of another or to greet them on the CNN show.

Amanda, you are very amazing. I am so excited when I saw you at the show tonite. I have a nephew, Junichi, 11, from Osaka,Japan, who is also autistic and I would love for my sister to see your video. They came to visit us 2 years ago and we never knew how it was to be one. I had been wanting to find a program for him. You definitely inspired us and it is so exciting that we can actually communicate with you. You are great. Take care.

As a mildly autistic adult I'm pleased to see this on the front page of CNN. I only learned about a year ago that the symptoms I thought came from attention deficit disorder were actually Asperger's Syndrome. Having a name for my pain promptly lead me to various online resources and my life has improved dramatically, but the world has far to go in recognizing and accepting those of us who are on the autism spectrum. This article is another step in the progression of that acceptance process.

I am grateful to have viewed Amanda's video and would like to thank her for sharing her perception with me and so many others.

I work in the field of Metaphysics, with symbols, visions and dreams providing much of my internal landscape. As I watched Amanda, listening to her explanations, I had the sense that her life was very Zen-like.

I felt she was living in a world of intense immediacy. She is truly gifted with a high level of intuitive analytical ability concerning the world and her place within it.

I was truly moved by the intricacy and poesy of her language, as well as her skill of precise expression.

I have always known there was a richness to the world of those with autism, and I am certain that Amanda's video will have a large impact on the way we treat all living, sentient beings.

Amanda,
Your language is truly beautiful, pure and so are you. My niece once commented about my son who has Down Syndrome and many autistic qualities that he is the 'normal' one & the rest of us are messed up. lol. Love2u.

I am the mother of an autistic son, 9yrs. Diagnosed at age 4..It took awhile before we realized that he is definately "in there", he just can't tell us. He blows us away with absolutely perfect sentences sometimes, and it is very clear that he knows exactly what is going on around him. One must take the time to try to figure out how to explain things, for example, when a song on the radio ends, Alec asks me "where'd the song go?" All I can say is that it ended, it's over, now another song will come on, but he really wants to know where that song went to! I once told him it went out to the sky, and he asked if it went to grandma and papa, who recently passed away, and I was stunned, because when you tell little ones about heaven, you tend to point to the sky. He is trying so hard in his own way to understand things, and patirnce is a very large part of teaching and helping these guys along.

i think this was the most amazing insight on people that i've ever seen. this piece touched a part of me that has me rethinking alot of my communication habits. i would love to see more of Amanda! i think she's brilliant

Thank you to Amanda!
Thank you CNN for sharing this story. I was so inspired after reading Amanda Bagg's story and watching her video. I hope others will take the time to watch as well. I am encouraged to not let a lack of understanding cause me to miss those opportunities to get to know wonderful people like Amanda! I think this sheds a beautiful light on the diversity of the world that we all share.

Amazing.

As the mother of a high-functioning autistic child and the daughter of deaf parents, I cannot thank Amanda enough for bringing to light the many different forms of communication there are. Just because people use different forms of communication, it does not mean those people are inferior. Keep up the awesome work, Amanda!

Thank you Amanda and CNN. I have a six yrs. old autistic boy, who is the light of my life. These short videos of Amanda helped me understand my boy's actions alot better. Watching Amanda living by herself and able to educate us, brings joy to my heart.

Being the human beings we are..we don't know what we don't know. It takes those gifted ones who are born into this life with a foot in both the human world and the universe...each step they take being a bridge to each side, for the rest of us. Teach us, Amanda.

I applaud Amanda for her video. It is nice to be able to "understand" how another human being functions.

I had a "boyfriend" who is a high functioning autistic. Those around him knew he had "neurological problems". He was actually diagnosed two or three years into our relationship and I cried when I heard the news, because it meant that for the most part, our differences were not going to get better.

I don't believe in "discriminating against the disabled" and tried with him to make a relationship work. His obcessions, impulses, extra sensitivity, and insensitivities, were too much for me to deal with.

Unfortuneatly, his thought process is too black and white for me. I tried very hard for eight years, but when he could not hear that he was abusing my son, and our family, he had to go. He never did seem to understand that snorting his ritalin was bad for him, and those around him. It made his symptoms 10 times worse. We were in a house filled with dynamite.

But, watching Amanda's video helped me to understand him more... and maybe be a little less angry with him for the "stupid" things he has done.

It helped me to be more at peace with him, and what happened. Thank you Amanda for the insight...