Actress Holly Robinson Peete says she wants to create a comprehensive care center for those with autism akin to what St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers kids with cancer.
Peete, who has a 14-year-old son with autism and is active in the advocacy community through her work with her own HollyRod Foundation and as an Autism Speaks board member, says there needs to be a place for families to try different therapy models without breaking the bank.
“We’re working really hard to erect a compassionate care center where families can go,” Peete said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.
“The one I look at as the Holy Grail is St. Jude, where families can go and deal with their children’s cancer without having to worry about paying for it. Where is the St. Jude for autism? That’s in my sights, doing something like that.”
Known for her roles on shows like “21 Jump Street” and “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” Peete most recently served as a host on CBS’s “The Talk.”
WOW! That would be awesome! What a huge sigh of relief that would be for so many!
is it only going to support non-verbal kids? because thats pretty much all she advocates for
I realize it took many years of effort for St. Jude’s to become the organization that it is today. It is a noble effort to bring the best together to help with the growing support that autism needs, and cost should never be an issue when it comes to quality care. A high standard is needed from the onset. Wonderful news ~ Blessings!
I was a nurse at SJCRH for 10 years until my son was diagnosed with severe autism. There was no therapy in the Memphis area and we moved for his therapy. Never underestimate what a place like that can do for a child or it’s family. It changed me as a nurse and as a person. Anyone willing to dream this has my support.
This can and must be done. Who is working with you on this? I’d like to be in touch.
Sounds like a wonderful thing. But I am left to wonder when will it even get to be the turn for those of us on the otherside of the spectrum who are left to languish, usually in the home of our parents inspite of nearing 30, to actually get some help?! We need help too! We are tired of having to wait, and wait, and wait and be ignored because we are not disabled enough according to the rest of the world! Try telling that to our parents! You know, they who also fear what will happen to their kids after they are gone.
I would like to know how to become involved in this project. I have created a school for children on the spectrum in a inclusion setting in the Tampa Bay area for my daughter. We have helped hundreds of children in our 6 years of being opened and we have just added last year children with downs sydrome. I would love to work on this we all have prayed night and day to even be able to go to a medical facility that just gets our chidlren. We are all so tired of making excusses for our babies! They are all wonderful in their own way and we have to help each other through this journey! Kudos to Holly Robinson Peete!
Kathy Swenson
Mrs. Robinson is on the Board of Autism Speakes and they are ONLY advocating for a Cure so that they can be released from the Burdens of Caring for An Autistic CHILD. They Feel that AUTISM is a Mistake, a Horrible Disease, LIKE CANCER, to be Cured, Eradicated. Do You Really want to be associated with an Corporate Organization Like That?!?!?!?! My Autism has All Grown UP into Aspergers and I have difficulties today that I had when I was a Child and I was non-verbal until age 7.2nd Grade and I may never work again or fnish College, though I am extremely Intelligent, gifted and worked in this Country 31 years, 6 different industriesd and at various levels in corporate america alone, navigating the NT World ALL ALONE; Adults on the Spectrum are INVISIBLE and I Plan to and Will Do Something about that for All Of Us and Autism Speakes Will Never Really Be Able to Speak for US Chuldren and AND Adults who are on the Speactrum becasue they Don’t Want US to Be Who we were Born to Be. The Parents/Guardians/care-Givers who wants to CURE Their Loved One(s) of AUTISM just want a “Normal Kid” that they can send off and ignore and get on with Their Life; They just want to be alleviated ffrom the Burden of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Mrs. Robinson is a sad example of Said Parent becasue her 14 Year Old Son Will never be Normal like the Other Kids… THAT kind of Thinking is what is NOT Normal and Profoundly Sad and breaks my Heart.
This sounds like a wonderful idea, and should include a department specializing in trauma to help those kids/adults on the spectrum who have been victims of abuse, bullying, sexual assault and other crimes. Data informs us that those on the spectrum are victimized at much higher rates than those in the generic population.
Holly, do you have any prospects as of yet to where our sons & daughters may be able to go? I would really love some feedback on this, please. My oldest son, who is 19 (will be 20 in March) is not receiving the services that he should have like speech & Occupational Therapy. For some reason, the state here, wants to cut back on services with what they want to approve of. As of Jan. 2013, they are putting ALL case management back to the county. If this happens, BOTH my boys will not get taken care of properly. Some other means of helping our kids is through strong interventions medically & nutritionally. There is a company over here in Charlotte that would be willing to help, but they typically don’t take insurance, but as a courtesy, file it, anyways. It’s not cheap, either. My oldest son has been hurting himself here lately really bad (puncturing his head, intentionally, on something sharp, because he was angry). We really need some extra help.