Holly Robinson Peete Writes Children's Book on Autism
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A champion in the fight against in autism was in Philadelphia for a special visit today at the Center for Autism, the oldest treatment facility in the country.
Holly Robinson Peete read from her book "My Brother Charlie" to children at the Center for Autism. The book was inspired by her 18-year-old son R.J., who was diagnosed with autism when he was three.
"We were told as his mom and dad that he would never speak," Holly said. "He would never have meaningful relationships. He wouldn't be mainstreamed. He wouldn't say, "I love you,' play organized sports. We call it the Never Day. It was the day we were told all the things he would never do."
"Never do" turned into "can do." R.J. talks and much more now, just like the character in the book.
Holly, who is from Philadelphia and now lives in L.A., wrote the book with her daughter, R.J.'s twin sister. They wanted children to have a better understanding.
"The book says that even though Charlie has autism, he is not autism," Holly said. "He's so many other things. And I think that when you get to kids young, you can push away the stigma."
Holly, an actress, is married to Rodney Peete, the former Eagles quarterback and R.J.'s dad.
"I thought being a football wife was hard. I thought that made me tough," Holly said. "But being the mom of a special needs kid, it's hard to explain, but we've been called warrior moms."
She's on a mission to help other families. She donated interactive tablets that help children with autism communicate.
"This can tell a parent, 'I'm sleepy, I'm hungry, I'm angry,'" Holly said. "It's very hard for them to express their feelings if they can't talk."
Holly and Rodney have a foundation, HollyRod, that supports autism advocacy and also Parkinson's disease, something that Holly's dad suffered with. www.hollyrod.org
Also today, new government data released today shows autism numbers up 80 percent. The new numbers say one in 45 children may be on the autism spectrum. Researchers say changes in the format of the questionnaire likely affected the numbers.
