speaking up about autism

 

family: son Evan, 7; partner Jim

other occupations besides mothering: author, actress, educator, charities: Talking About Curing Autism (TACA); Generation Rescue

 

We all know and love Jenny McCarthy onscreen as a fun-loving actress. She has taken that energy and focused her efforts into speaking up about autism. She had to, her son Evan was diagnosed with autism as a young child. Jenny is now well-known as a spokesperson about autism, and has taken her words into action, creating both learning tools and learning centers. As most moms will do anything to protect their children, Jenny is a strong leader in the autism world. This remarkable mom answers some questions about her roles today.

 

You seem like such a fun person, are you a fun mom? What do you like to do with Evan? I have no idea if I'm a fun mom. I hope so. I have a hard time playing with boy themes like trains or tank battles so I try to do activities with Evan like hiking and riding scooters.

 

Has motherhood been what you expected? What is as was expected and what has been different? The most unexpected thing in motherhood has to be the fear that every mother acquires after having her baby. Is he/she healthy? Will he/she be cute? Will he or she get bullied? I noticed that this fear still remains in my own mother even though I just turned 37.

 

Evan's diagnosis of autism has really changed the direction of your life. What kind of role do you feel you play because of it, and how can you help others through your own personal experience?

After autism came into my life, I knew my dreams of one day becoming a "really great" actress seemed dumb and shallow. The only leading part I want now is to help moms learn how to get their kids better. I know not every child will benefit from the biomedical treatments and therapies I did with Evan, but I feel the need to at least share the information with parents who are desperate for guidance.

 

Do you think people have mistaken your viewpoint as anti-vaccine, rather than pro-safe vaccine? What would you say to your distracters about the misconception? Yes, I think people have mistaken my viewpoint on vaccines and no matter how many times I say that I am not against vaccines people will still buy into that. I believe that vaccines are safe for some kids and vaccines are not safe for some kids. There should never be a "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to prescribing medication. Vaccines have gone from 10 shots given in 1983 to now 36 shots given. Too many too soon is my philosophy.