Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Report is 2nd on autistic people. Symptoms of autism given. Fates of many autistic people described.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Baltimore, Maryland) Chuck's situation given as example of autistic person who has learned to speak, as only about half do. [CHUCK - started talking in 1973 at almost 10 years of age. Started talking to people then, but doesn't know why.] Inability to tell how far Chuck will go towards becoming independent man noted. Case of David, who lives in own house in Berkley Hills but with roommates hired by his mother to care for him, described. David reported to be 1 of 10% of autistic people with splinter skills, skills that seem like genius. David's gift said to be calendar in his head. [DAVID - says February 1, 1989, will be on Wednesday because it was Wednesday in 1961.] David's trips to San Francisco with conversation therapist hired by mother outlined. [Autism researcher Dr. Bernard RIMLAND - discusses lack of knowledge about brain.] Things being learned about autism detailed. [The Morgan Center director Louise EMERSON - says no autistic children she's taught have been emotionally disturbed.] Dr. Leo Kanner cited as 1st to describe autism. [KANNER - says autism not caused by villain.] Is noted that 95% of autistic people end up in state hospitals in wards for schizophrenic or severely retarded; hospital in MD and case of Alan, who lives there, given as exs. of this situation. This reported to be present outlook for many autistic children.
REPORTER: John Hart