I missed it! Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete were on Oprah on Tuesday talking about their sons’ autism, the diagnosis, what it’s been like as their moms and some interventions they’ve tried.

Biomedical and other “controversial” interventions were brought front and center. So was the concept that vaccinations (they specifically mentioned MMR) can be at least partially to blame for causing autism. I’ll bet this show either had people cheering or screaming at their TV sets.

Jenny spoke of putting her son on a gluten/casein free diet and of the improved language skills he had after only two weeks. She cautioned other families that this is not always the case. But both she and Holly admitted to “trying everything they could” to help their sons. And both spoke of “recovery”. Recovery from autism is a controversial topic. Many believe there is no such thing as “recovery”. Still others, who find interventions, such as the diet, supplements, HBOT, therapies or chelation, that make a profound change in their child, herald the idea that autism can be cured. And then there are those who believe that autism isn’t meant to be cured; not a disability at all…but a different ability.

Jenny and Holly spoke of the struggles of being a mom of a special needs child. Jenny’s marriage failed. Holly’s son was kicked out of school. Both had friends and family who didn’t understand and may still not understand their decisions to be so public with this.

But being public with their struggles is what I applaud. How awesome to have two REAL moms of REAL kids with autism talk about what it’s REALLY like.

Jenny has a book out, Louder than Words – A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism, that was released last Monday. And she’s signed on as the spokesperson for TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), a grassroots parent support organization based in California, but providing national support, advocacy and education. I find TACA a fascinating organization, since it appears to be doing in the world of autism and specifically in the area of curing autism what ATN is attempting to do in the world of traumatized children. TACA’s Executive Director, Lisa Ackerman started TACA ten years ago She’s a tireless volunteer and wonderfully insightful mom. I was especially touched by an article that is on the TACA website entitled: Befriending Special Needs Kids.

If you’re like me and you missed Jenny on Oprah, you have other opportunities to hear her story:

Fri, 9/21 – ABC’s 20/20
Mon 9/24 – Good Morning America
Tues 9/25 – The View
Wed 9/26 – Larry King Live


Photo Credit


For information/instructions on how to subscribe FREE to your favorite AdoptionBlogs, please visit this link.