There are two unfortunate sides to this: The earlier Autism is diagnosed and addressed, the better a child’s chances are of leading a well-adjusted adult life. Everyday that Jett doesn’t get the help he needs is another rock added to the mountain he will have to climb when he is older.

Secondly, his condition is being blamed on environmental toxins and he may well be receiving treatment for this. One can only imagine how Scientology might go about righting Kawasaki Disease and what effects such dubious and unnecessary treatment might have on the boy.

This may be the shittiest thing I've ever seen. I have lost all respect for these people and I will make it my duty to share this information with anyone who ever brings up the idiots.

autism aside, i don't think presenting two photos of a scientology member's physical decline without any context or meaningful explanation does the credilibilty of your other claims any favours.

what does she have to do with any of the rest of the story? there is no explanation of how scientology is responsible for her state, it's just attention grabbing imagery without any substance. you might as well have a photo of a guy in a lab coat in front of a skeleton next to your article to give it credibility.

the article might be well researched and factually correct (i wouldn't know), but i hate attempts to sway my opinion with irrelevant packaging.

Cam, I can only recommend reading the rest of this site to you, since those photos are from another story about how Scientology 'cares' for the sick.

Are you trying to show a before and after picture of Lisa McPherson? If so, the "after" picture is not Lisa McPherson. It is Terry Shiavo.

The photo in question is an actual autopsy photo of the late Scientologist Lisa McPherson, courtesy of http://www.lisamcpherson.org.

Mark Ebner

They all look the same to you, don't they "Ugh"?

Fucking racist.

Face it JOHN TRAVOLTA is no longer the big teen idol he once was he has become a hasbeen doing cheap roles in roten movies

I am continually baffled at the lengths to which this cult will go. Definitely religion at it's absolute worst.

Do you know that when suicide intervention lost their 800 number the scientologists bought it to take advantage of people who were vulnerable? They never disclosed to callers who they were. This is yet another example of how dangerous and malicious this organization is.

L.Ron Hubbard was a liar and a con-man. Anyone believeing in this garbage is either a fool or a predator.

We have a big population of Scientologists here in the Tampa area. All I can say is, driving around with a truck full of rocks has never been more fun in my life. These people are easy to spot, and give a new meaning to drinking games

Old L. Ron Hubbard was always a fruitcake, why do people take anything he wrote seriously? A little story I read about Hubbard on wikipedia:

"Hubbard was relieved of command and transferred to a naval school in Florida where he was trained in anti-submarine warfare. On graduating, he was given command of the newly built subchaser USS PC-815 (based in Astoria, Oregon). Shortly after taking the PC-815 on her maiden voyage from Astoria to San Diego, California, his crew detected what he believed to be two Japanese submarines near the mouth of the Columbia River. They spent the next three days bombarding the area with depth charges, after which Hubbard claimed at least one Japanese submarine had been sunk. A subsequent investigation by the US Navy concluded Hubbard's vessel had in fact been attacking a "known magnetic deposit" on the seabed, and postwar casualty assessments found no Japanese submarines had been anywhere near the Columbia River at the time."

Good going Ron!

For a "meaningful explanation" of that horrid photo, just visit the Lisa McPherson link Mark's added.

For an even more "meaningful" adventure, Google the name "Joan Wood" alongside Lisa's and see how far these shitballs will go to cover the asses of their crime syndicate.

The Lisa McPherson picture was posted on a Terry Schiavo forum, that is why some people still believe that it's her. Of course it is Lisa.

About Kawasaki Disease:
There is no test for Kawasaki Disease, yet Travolta and Preston claim their child has it. On the other hand, they say that ADHD doesn't exist because "there is no lab test" for it.

There is a brain scann for ADHD. Children/adults with ADHD have entirely different active components of the brain. Most don't have the scan done because it is very expensive and I don't believe general insurance covers it. In the front lobe the activity is extremely high when no concentrating and then next to nil when trying to concentrate. That is the exact opposite of a normal human brain. The Amen Clinic does these Spect scans. www.amenclinic.com

I have no idea if this is a valid article, but as far as Scientology goes it is an extremley misunderstood practice. All religions can be mind-controlling, and most started out as "cults". Often times Christians can be some of the scariest people in the world, so classifying Scientology as a "dangerous and malicious" cult is both unwarranted and ignorant unless you yourself have visited a center and read up on their literature. I live in LA, I'm not affiliated w/ Scientology, but I do know some people that are and they are some of the funniest, most intellectual, and successful people I know...don't base your whole opinion on stories you've seen/heard about Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

>

Hi Dani... Try basing your opinion on this:

http://www.hollywoodinterrupted.com/archives/ebner_undercover_scientology_spy_magazine_1996.phtml

Have a nice day troll!

Mark Ebner

Found this interview with L ROn's son elsewhere on the net today:

http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/penthouse-LRonHubbardJr-interview-1983.htm

It is the scariest thing I've ever read. Like rubbernecking at a car accident.... L Ron Hubbard is officially one of the most vile, perverted, evil men ever.

seriously,
Ignorance? You're either one of those Scientology "plants" that claim they have nothing to do with the "church" but defend it with vigor or you just plain have no idea what you're talking about. I've spent thousands of hours researching this "church" and everything about it is rotten to the CORE, starting with founder L.Ron Hubbard, his bullshit theories, unhealthy "tech" practices and the intimidation, harrassment and abuse they dish out to members and critics alike. Everything about it that isn't based on blatant lies relies on manipulation or secrecy to pull off the ruse.

Mark's experiences in the article he's linked for you are a cakewalk compared to what some people have suffered. Wake up. There's no excuse to ignore the information that the internet makes readily available. And you know what? It's going to destroy them. Scientology will not survive the information age.

How frustrating. That poor kid isn't going to be able to live up to his maximum potential because his parents' "religion" doesn't believe in helping him. There're a lot of things that go on in the world that my religion doesn't agree with, so i can sympathize with being at odds with what is considered to be "common knowledge" or " best practice" but this i just don't understand. Medicine acctually has a track record of HELPING people. And what sort of success history does THEIR method of dealing with it have?? I don't get it.

I urge anybody who falls for the "scientific" part of $cientolgy to read "The History of Mankind", it is Hubbard at his batsh*t craziest. It is a mass of poorly written, almost incoherent nonsense, yet it must be taken as "The Truth" by all $cientologists. It claims to be "a cold-blooded account of your last sixty trillion years". Yes, that's trillion with a T. Nevermind that the age of our universe has been reasonably determined by REAL scientists to be between 12 and 14 billion (with a B) years. Elron never let facts get in the way of THE TRUTH.

I am not fan anymore, this not a religion, it's a cult. The IRS, needs to deregulate were they cannot get a free pass anymore, they will have to pay taxes. I do hope someone intervines and get the young boy some help. Hollywood has gone very wacky and they need to get back on the right course.

I would love to know where I can find a complete list of all the actors that are members so that I can be sure not to watch/buy/rent and of their works.

http://www.scientology-kills.org/celebrities/celebrities.htm

That post about the photo was right. A lot of people are gonna be reading this story who don't know about the Lisa McPherson case, and that photo will seem like manipulation to them. An autopsy photo of Lisa McPherson, though shocking, has no business attached to a story which is about something completely different. All it's inclusion here will do is to undermine the credibility of an article which deserves, in and of itself, to be taken seriously. A link to the details of McPherson case would be a far better option if you want people to know about her story, as they should.

Thank you for writing this. I am going to order "Normal People Scare Me," and share this art with those I know who have autistic children. Also familiar with Cure Autism Now and they have done fine work to raise awareness and educate.

Unlike $cientology.

The notion that anyone can bully and scare people with children with autism, or anything that aims at taking away a families choice to treat children via hysteria and omnipotence is dangerous.

Your plea is so honorable and responsible, and the people in the public eye need to realize that $cientology has recently showed the true face of what they can no longer control in the media and internet - the truth.

Your plea to John Travolta on behalf of Jett is priceless - come out and join the community of caring people JT! Indeed, it is he and his wife, Kelly that choose to live in the isolation of teachings that will only keep Jett in the same state of affairs, needlessly.

The omnipotence of $cientology to degrade such special people as if it was some cause of their own, along with the anti-psychiatry hysteria is ruthless. The community of people who support those with autism are educated because of an open community and open heart. Like you and these wonderful advocacy groups.

This is not so with $cientology because of an isolated community with bizarre teachings that it can cure. It cannot cure and it causes unnecessary suffering and death.

Mark, have you heard this yet?
http://media.putfile.com/Arnie-Lerma-on-Frankly-Speaking-Radio86

It's another recent, fact-filled radio interview by activist Arnie Lerma who discusses everything about $cientology. Which brings the point about $cientology being worse than anyone thinks. The isolated and bizarre teachings of degraded beings leads to a core teaching that $cientology will not tell you.

" Scientologists believe that most human problems can be traced to lingering spirits of an extraterrestrial people massacred by their ruler, Xenu, over 75 million years ago. These spirits attach themselves by "clusters" to individuals in the contemporary world, causing spiritual harm and negatively influencing the lives of their hosts ". USDJ Judge Leonie Brinkema 4 Oct 96 Memorandum Opinion, RTC vs Lerma

Even if scientology is promising lots of cures for lots of illnesses and ailments, the fact that it forces its clients to sign bogus contracts to avoid possible suits later is a best evidence that the cult is in fact incredibly ignorant of medicine and psychiatry but KNOWS also that scientology is inefficient.

To be fair, I do believe that Travolta and his wife love their kids, and that they realize that scientology is not the great cure-for-everything it pretends, but they should pace forward and realize also that psychology, psychiatry and medicine are not what scientology describe, and they should therefore become intelligent and observe by themselves rather than obey the totalitarian cult's false pretenses.

Hubbard was sentenced to 4 years well deserved unsuspended jail for fraud and extortion in France, 1978.

That is Terri Shiavo not Lisa whoever..get it right..how terrible that you would do that...

My son has autism and putting him on meds was the last thing I wanted to do. We tried alternative treatments, special diets, etc... Finally, we had to put him on meds. It was that or put him in a home, because we could not handle him anymore. He hit, bit, ran away, etc... On meds, he is doing better, not great, but we are able to function more normally than before. I would give ten years of my life to have the money the Travolta's have where I could give my son more speech, occupational, chelation, and on and on. We just cannot afford all the care he needs. I carry tremendous guilt knowing there is more I can do to make his life better and am not able to do it. No true man of God would not want you to give your child all that he/she needs to get better. I feel for the child.

You see it’s very simple – 75 million years ago Lord Xenu exterminated trillions of his enemies by chaining them to Hawaiian volcanoes and blowing them up with hydrogen bombs. But that wasn’t enough – as their souls floated upward he caught them in giant “soul catches� and confused them by showing them 3-D movies of Christian propaganda. Now these confused souls known as “body thetans� cluster onto mankind and can only be rid of through very expensive Scientology auditing, and not until you’ve reached the OTIII level which takes many years and many hundreds of thousands of dollars to get to.

Doe this sound reasonable to you? If it does, by all means please entrust your medical and psychiatric care to Scientologists. If it doesn’t, see your doctor.

Sadly,treatment needed to be started as soon as possible.I would never say its too late for treatment but a huge window has closed.Scientology aside,I see alot of parents(those who already have a diagnosis of autism as well)deny that its actually autism.Its a big scary word but whats even scarier is sitting on your hands because you as a parent are afraid,ashamed etc.This is no longer about you the parent,its about a child whom needs your help.

Annie,
That is not a picture of Terri Schiavo, it is in fact Lisa McPherson. If you had read the entire thread, you would have realized that "Cam" has already raised this objection, and was corrected. Interestingly enough, if you look at photos of the two women side-by-side, it is blindingly obvious that McPherson's body is far more deteriorated. Any similarities I imagine can be attributed to to similar causes of death (i.e. malnutrition, dehydration,etc.).

Those who have posted on here to discredit Mark's writing have revealed themselves to be totally ignorant. Or perhaps, as Emily pointed out, they are members of this wacky cult we call Scientology. Then again I suppose the latter entails the former.

I pray for the scientologists because they are so misguided.

For the troll touting that the scientologists that "they know" are funny, successful etc....

The problem is the goal in life is not to be funny and successful, full of yourself, self rightous etc... But to live as God would have you live and scientiologists have not realized that.

They are lonely people looking to rationalize their actions and secular, self gratifying lives as a good thing. They turn away from God because it would require them to be humble and self sacrifice. That does not translate for a movie star or ego maniac. (90% of all scientologists) The rest appear to have mental problems and think they are not allowed to treat it.

We must pitty them and pray that they do not grab hold of any more vulnerable individuals.

It is important that when an article is written all information should be researched before printed. The Los Angeles Unified School District sponsored the premier of "Normal People Scare Me', not Cure Autism Now (CAN). I think that it is time that positive recognition is given to public schools when it is deserved. Let's stop only bashing them.

I have also heard straight from the Autism Society of America that they have never officially or unoffically released a statement about the Travolta family to Hollywood Interrupted.

Regardless of that, I do find the situation unfortunate. If Jett does have autism, Travolta's energy and "star power" could be put to so much better use than Scientolgy.

teach - No one is bashing the LAUSD. I regret not mentioning your organization's participatory sponsorship in the event along with TAP and CAN. I appreciate what you do.

- Mark Ebner

I am thinking it may be improper, if not illegal, to deny medical care to a minor. Many parents have been jailed for this. At the very least, a professional child welfare worker should investigate this child and his environment. To think that the vanity and misguided beliefs of the parents have allowed Jett to deteriorate is unconscionable.

Stuff doesn't exist just because Scientologists don't want it to. I have a friend who's a more functional autistic. Sometimes he's a blast to hang out with and talk to. Sometimes... I want to strangle the heck out of him. It's not his fault, mind you. He has an inability to 'read between the lines' in regards to subtext of what people are saying and read body language, so he doesn't always "get" what's going on between people, even though he's insane-o smart. He gets mad and it's like... "that's not what i meant at all!" but we take that kind of "subtext" kind of stuff for granted, even on the internet, and he just doesn't have the ability to process that and connect to it.

Depression exists and can be treated successfully with medication. Same with ADHD. Both run RAMPID in my family. I got treated for the depression that I've lived with since i was FOUR(imagine wanting to be dead every single day of your life since kindergarten, Tom Cruise--put THAT in your pipe and smoke it), but life still wasn't entirely manageable. I started getting behavioral modification help for the ADHD and meds... holy crap. The first time I took the meds, and they were working with my antidepressants... I was like... why in the world would anyone ever do drugs, or drink or ANYTHING? When being on a flat even keel is SO FREAKING good. Yeah, I'd been outta whack that long. Y'know... God bless people who don't have any sort of mental problems. Depression... Autism, ADD, even Dyslexia... I'm glad you don't know what that's like. But don't be a Rube and judge other people who're actually MANAGING a problem they have, and doing so successfully. Judgemental -ssholes.

Maybe they would have noticed the autism earlier had they bonded effectively with their children when they were born. I have autistic children and this was certainly where I first raised concerns and this distance from the child that they believe in would be welcomed by many children on the spectrum. Strange isn't it, if it were one of us treating our kids with such blatant lack of empathy how quicky would we be accused of some form of emotional abuse and yet because these people have their faces on the silver screen they are allowed to get away with it under the religious umbrella

I find it extremely sad, hypocritical and selfish that John and Kelly won't allow their son, Jett, to receice medical attention. He speaks of all his 'wins' and successes through scientology but deines his own son the benefit of treatment for his autism. I believe that speaks volumes about the man. I believe there's no doubt he loves his but to be in denial is such as he is is criminal. Shame on you, John & Kelly. Shame.

IF the Travolta's son has autism, they have a right to their privacy. And we do not know whether Travolta is funding or contributing to the cause...he may very well be doing so anonymously. The family is hounded by the media, and going public could be a threat to their child. Autistic children can be very vulnerable. ALSO - there are many treatments available that do not involve psychiatrists. So assuming that they are denying him treatment and being "bad parents" just isn't fair. Many parents do not give medication to their autistic children but do look into many other treatment options. I am the mom of a 7-year-old boy with autism and live in that world, and unless you are there, you can not possibly understand what it is like. So give them a break.

$cientology is BS. Unfortunately so is most of what passes for autism "treatment".

I too have a son with autism.

I personally have mixed feelings, but on the whole feel disappointed to hear how John and Kelly are handling this publicly.

I guess it is a celebrity's prerogative to not share personal details like their child's autism with the general public, both out of concern for themselves and the child. However, the flip side of that is that it can connote that the celebrity feels some sort of shame attached to having a child with autism. It can be read that they would prefer their son be affected by something easily diagnosable, like Kawasaki Syndrome, than autism, with its conflicting theories of causes, some theories which lie in genetics. Almost as if they don't want to admit they or their family not as perfect as they want to seem, as celebrities. That they don't want to share a disease that many of us non-celebrity families are dealing with.

And finally, I just think that they miss a valuable opportunity to use their celebrity to give public support to the issue of autism. John Travolta and his wife are well-liked and could bring a personal, famous face to a cause that can use all the help it can get.

Having been in Scientology for 30 years, and having had a medical condition myself, I spent years living with the insanities Scientology runs re this, so I feel for John.

I helped train John year ago and he's a dear person. I can only hope and pray he starts to learn BOTH sides of Scientology, and most importantly, begins to honestly face what his son needs, and gets him the medical help he needs.

One of the greatest shocks I've had is finding out Hubbard, who I believed was against medicine, was actually ON Medication all the time I was fighting them.

Leaving Scientology in 2000 was the healthiest and greatest action I did, and whether JT does so, or not, he needs to listen to experts re Jedd's condition, and help him, which no matter how much Scientology makes one *think* they are, they are not.

My best to all,

Tory Christman
Magoo44@charter.net
Burbank, CA
(818) 841-3632
www.xenu.net
www.xenutv.com

If you want to help find a cure for autism...volunteer, become a corporate sponsor and/or donate to WALK NOW.

The WALK NOW Orange County event is Oct 14th in Irvine, CA.

Visit the WALK NOW site (http://www.walknow.org) for further details

I completely respect and agree with John and Kelly's decision not to label their child autistic. Autism is a label, and one which has a negative stigma attached to it and allows people to judge the person afflicted with the so called condition in a negative way. It is a label given by medical professionals who have no idea why a child starts to withdraw, lose eye contact...
Autism is still considered a mental illness by many. Some of the people who have posted here no doubt believe this too or they would not be referring to psychiatric treatment for autistic children. Why would you want to have an inaccurate label slapped on your child? Autism is not a mental illness. Most of these children are very physically sick, their bodies have shut down. All the latest research suggests these kid's immune systems have most probably not been able to cope with environmental insults. I truly believe the Travolta's are probably one step ahead of the rest of us - they have actually found the root cause of their son's problems, they've worked out what triggered their child's illness, and they are no doubt treating him the best way they know how, ie bio-medically to remove the toxins they believe he ingested as a young child. What they're doing makes perfect sense to me. And all this mention of them not treating their child, unless I'm mistaken there is no magic cure for autism anyway. There are special diets, supplements, and physical, speech therapies etc. These may work for some kids, may not for others. But how do we know that they haven't tried these things?
They know their son best, they would know what he needs. We know nothing about the treatments they are providing for their son. This is their child, their life, and not public business. It is their perogative whether they wish to use their public profile to gain attention for the autism community. Perhaps they are just wanting to protect their child's privacy. And good on them for doing so!
They obviously love their son. Ever seen any pics of Jett in the papers or magazines? The only pics I've ever seen are of a kid with his arms wrapped around his parents necks, smiling, looking content, not at all anxious, looking them straight in the eye!! Not bad for a so called autistic child. Whatever they're doing, they are no doubt doing out of love, and their child seems happy, so give them a break. Let them take care of their child as they see fit. Judging by the pics I've seen of the family, they seem to be doing great. Many autistic children have far worse symptoms than those displayed by Jett. If he really does have autism triggered by the carpet cleaning chemicals, then it looks to me like they are successfully treating him already. I think it's really beautiful that they are going to such great lengths to protect their gorgeous son's prviacy. To me, that's showing love and respect for their child. And as a fellow parent, I have nothing but the utmost respect for them.
Peace.

When I was informed that Travolta and his clan were throwing their weight behind a film sponsored by Cure Autism Now, I cried for hours. My life as an undiagnosed Aspie was painful and terrifying, not because of my autism, but the ignorance of others. When I was diagnosed, I was promised by the psychologist doing the diagnosis that things would get better and the pain would come to a stop. That promise has vanished in a puff of smoke, not because nobody is doing anything positive to provide better support for the autistic, but because of Nazis like Cure Autism Now trying to convince me I am diseased and in need of curing, even if their so-called cures leave me as dead as Lisa McPherson. And take it from someone who has been reading the newspaper articles like an obsession: children are being killed for being autistic because of people like Cure Autism Now.

Maybe the founders of Cure Autism Now could take some of that money they siphon out of people who should know better, and instead of spending it wining or dining celebrities, use it to consult with real adults on the spectrum. But then, that would mean asking questions they might not like the answers to.

By the way, autism is not triggered by carpet cleaning chemicals or metallics in paint or vaccines. If you think otherwise, try asking my sister and the hundreds of children I grew up with why I'm the only one among them who is autistic.

In response to Ken Vitto:

Are you saying that a mental affliction is not also physical? When doctors and real scientists are discovering daily that many mental conditions are related to chemical imbalances in the brain, a physical malady?

I don't know what I would suggest to the Travolta family. If their reluctance to treat their autistic child (or to admit that his is, indeed, autistic) is caused by stigma attached to the illness by the church of $cientology, then I feel very sorry for the Travolta family, especially Jett. Ignoring the problem and pretending that it does not exist will not make it go away.

What I really hope is that they are taking care of their child, that they are keeping it private, and that maybe they will one day speak up and help promote awareness and understanding of autism.

err, correction, that was a response to michelle.

WALK NOW is Saturday in Irvine, CA

Autism fundraising event in Orange County, CA

October 14, 2006 at Hidden Valley Park

Irvine, CA

Volunteers, Corporate Sponsors and Donations are Needed

(www.walknow.org)

Being a mom with twins with autism, life as we know it is beyond difficult. I agree that the Jett Travolta family should not ignore their sons disability, if in fact he is autistic. To the people who have a form of autism, I used to think I wanted to "Cure" my sons. Now with them being 14, I just want what any parent wants....for them to live a healthy and happy life. As for the people who believe in scientology, I will pray for you.

This is a really low bashing article. Persecution of Christians stopped in 300 A.D., people today don't bash religion unless they are going back to the dark ages.

Whoever wrote this article is shooting off their mouth about something they know nothing about. There is no "treatment" for autism. It's sickening to bash innocent people about their child. Parents of autisic children are some of the most sensative, finger pointing, and "blaming others for everything" types that I have ever scene.

I totally sympathize with parents of autistic children. However, I grew up with an autistic cousin. I saw her for who she was. She was different, but that was just her. It was her mother who couldn't deal with the fact her child was different. And in the end her mom moved out of sate and left her with her grandparents taking care of her. And this aunt probably had about a cool million. She had money, she had an education in psychology, and still did this.

So don't bash the Travoltas. It's rediculous. There is NO cure for autism, except to be supportive, loving parents, which they seem to be. Most parents can't deal with it, and they're overly sensative, and blame everyone. Somehow, they think they're taking up for their own autistic child, and others, when THEY AREN'T. They think by bashing others, they're somehow helping their own child, and THEY AREN'T.

All antipsychotic medications cause serious side effects and further damage to the CNS. Why add this to an autistic child's problems? Don't shoot off your mouth about something you know NOTHING ABOUT. And no, I'm not a scientologist, just and intelligent person who cannot believe what I am reading.

Why is Scientology so opposed to psychiatry? Are the cult leaders fearful that a shrink may try to deprogram their members?

How sad for Jett. Two parents in total denial and he has to suffer for it. Wake up people. You have the means to help your son.

How really sad it is when 2 parents who supposedly love their child so much do nothing to better their child. I know for a fact that the Travoltas son is autistic and they have denied it from the beginning and have never done anything. He is now a grown boy that cannot speak or do anything on his own. Good going Kelly.... haven't you always wanted to be the one to cure him??? How stupid can you be. The one I feel sorry for here is their son.. a beautiful child with nothing to offer. WAKE UP!!

Meds treat autism's symptoms, not the core issues (language, behavior, social). OTOH, a child on meds may be more available to learn. Yeah, autism carries a stigma, b/c stupid people stigmatize. That doesn't mean we should change the name or avoid saying it. Whenever I hear parents saying, "I don't want my kid labeled," I think, "That's YOUR issue and for YOUR benefit, not your child's."

And FWIW, there *is* no treatment or cure (nor would I want there to be, as the parent of two Aspies). OTOH, psychology and various educational therapies have a whole lot to offer to improve skills and quality of life (including medications that can make kids more available to learn (and no, they're NOT all antipsychotic meds). If you're calling it Kawasaki Syndrome or whatever and thinking it's chemical poisoning, you're not going to be giving the child the therapies that CAN improve independence and functioning level.

I HAVE A SON WITH REGRESSIVE AUTISM. AUTISM IS A SPECTRUM DISORDER. NO TWO KIDS WILL BE TREATED FOR IT IN THE SAME WAY BECAUSE THE DISEASE AFFECTS THEM DIFFERENTLY. AUTISM IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY GENES TURNING ON BY ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS. DON'T BE JUDGEMENTAL TOWARDS THE TRAVOLTA FAMILY IF THEY BELIEVE THEIR SON'S ILLNESS IS CAUSED BY CARPET CLEANING SOLVENTS. MANY PARENTS REPORT THEIR CHILDS AUTISM REVERSING AFTER REMOVING HARMFUL TOXINS FROM THEIR BODIES OR EVEN CHANGING THEIR DIET. UNFORTUNATELY, TO GET SERVICES FOR YOUR CHILD, YOU MUST FIRST GIVE THEM A "LABEL". THIS IS ABOUT AUTISM AWARENESS NOT SCIENTOLOGY!!! DID YOU EVER CONSIDER THAT THE PARENTS WANTED TO PROTECT THEIR SON? IT IS HARD TO REMOVE A "LABEL" ONCE YOU HAVE IT. I AM A PROUD MOTHER OF AN ASD CHILD WHO IS GETTING MUCH BETTER THROUGH BIOMEDICAL TREATMENTS, NOT DRUGS OR PSYCHIATRY. SHAME ON YOU FOR USING AUTISM AWARENESS TO BASH SCIENTOLOGY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PEOPLE BELIEVES IN AS LONG AS THE CHILD IS TREATED. WHAT PROOF DO YOU HAVE THE THEIR SON WAS NEVER TREATED FOR HIS ILLNESS. MOST OF THE POSTS JUST BASH SCIENTOLOGY, NOT EVEN MENTIONING HOW DEVASTATING AUTISM REALLY IS.

It... autism... is so individual. What may work for one, may not work for another. We... not in the public eye... do NOT know the Travoltas and honestly... how arrogant for the thought that Mr and Mrs Travolta owe us their private lives. Shame on those who have commented on "what they should do" concerning their child.

I have a 12 year old with Autism. My child and I are successfully living within her abilities. We have done it our way without medical intervention and such. For at the end of the day... it is us... our life... and we did fine with and without unsolicited opinions.

John and Kelly Travolta owes us nothing about their personal business or their child. Show respect...

I dont believe that anyone not connected with scientology that is sane would defend it, or its practices. Good on you Mark for showing these people for what they really are.

In 1982, JOHN TRAVOLTA introduced himself to me at a Beverly HIlls health club. This is no secret. It has been widely reported. However, what has not been reported is that later that evening, at a Beverly Hills hotel, J.T. also introduced me to Valium. Until that night, I had never taken it before. "It will just help you relax." he insisted. The key, he told me, was to not take too many at one time. John's glowing endorsement of the little white pill absolutely convinced me I should give it a try. So, I did.

PAUL BARRESI

Hey, In case you didn't know this, your article on Jett Travolta's autism here helped spark a response from Travolta's lawyer.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21284101.shtml

I guess that means that the subject is closer than ever to Travolta. Good job!!

Perhaps I can revive this thread, lol!

As I have written elsewhere, I was a scientologist for many years. I have a family member with autism and have studied the subject extensively. I have no doubt in my mind that Jett Travolta has an autistic disorder somewhere on the autism spectrum. If I could meet him I could tell you in 2 mins exactly what impairments he has and where he lies on that spectrum.

I am familiar with the term Kawasaki Disease because one of my children as an infant had some Kawasaki symptoms but not all and it was ruled out .

Most people do not know what Kawasaki Disease is so here is a quote from one of many, many medical information web sites that explains it:

Kawasaki Disease
(mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome)

"Affecting children under the age of 5, diagnostic criteria include at least 5 days of fever, conjunctival injection without exudate, red-fissured lips, strawberry tongue, erythematous rash, redness and/or edema of palms and soles, and cervical adenopathy."

"Although generally benign and self-limited, it is associated with coronary artery aneurisms in about 25% of affected children. Early treatment with high-dose IV gamma-globulin and oral aspirin have been shown to reduce the incidence of aneurisms. "
http://www.mdchoice.com/photo/ptod0024.asp

It is impossible for the symptoms and phenomena of Kawasaki Disease to mimick Autism and visa versa. There is nothing anywhere stating that neurological and cognitive side effects occur with Kawasaki Disease. Nothing.

People with loved ones who are autistic are forced to see & understand all facets of autism including the variations that meet the criteria for diagnosis. Once one learns about autism and sees the specific autistic features in a loved one, it is impossible to not notice the matchup of criteria unique to autism and unique to another's loved one. We see because we know and we care. Some kids like Jett Travolta are visually obvious, others less so. The Travolta's are blind to this because Scientology requires they be blind to it. Scientology discriminates against the disabled and mentally ill by excluding them from their services. Scientology is blind to helping people with developmental and mental disabilities because they cannot help them. It's easier to attack medical professionals who have for the most part helped . At least the medical community professionals are trying to help the less fortunate and ill. Not scientology.

Scientology claims to help 'the able be more able' but that has nothing to do with the unable and that is why the Travolta's fear to disobey scientolohgy policy and get their kid a proper evaluation and some real help.

I pity them and I pray for that child along with many other parents of disabled children. Money and babysitters hired for respite who are trained in scientology will never be able to help that child. Never.

Freedom of choice means being able to have access to all possible information & facts needed to decide and being able to decide for oneself after evaluating all the information and facts. Scientologists are told they have freedom of choice but they will be ostrasized by their 'church' if they exercise that freedom of choice. Travolta and his wife are no different than any other scientologist in this quandry caused by fear and indoctrination.

Mary McConnell

Kawasaki Disease who is he kidding. Kawasaki Disease affects the heart of patient and they are put on aspirin. Yes he might have had K.D. but that would not make him speechless or have the charateristics of autism. I saw a picture of Jett in US mag before I even heard of possible autism. When I saw the pictures I said to myself that he looks autistic and then my husband told me about the article in the POST.
Wake up JOHN/KELLY - get him help.

My 5-and-a-half-year-old son has autism. At 2, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki's Disease. Kawasaki's is an acute illness of unknown etiology, but is thought to be caused by some viral infection. The connection to carpet cleaners has not been substantiated in the research, but one article I read on pub-med suggested that it could be caused by aerosolized dust mites carrying a virus that affects children with impaired immune systems. The greatest risk with Kawasaki's is the formation of giant aneurysms in the heart. My son was fortunate not to develop the aneurysms, but did have enlarged coronary arteries. My point here is that Kawasaki's is an acute illness, and would not explain the ongoing autistic behaviors and symptoms that Jett apparently has, so this would not be an accurate diagnosis or explanation of his current disability.

My son was normal at birth, and very bright. He knew all his colors, shapes, numbers and letters by the time he was a year old. I have videos of him engaging in fingerplay songs and interacting quite normally with us at age 2. The only "sign" of autism in retrospect was a sensitivity to sounds such as the garbage disposal and vacuum cleaner. He also had a sensitive gag reflex, and was an extremely picky eater. I've learned more recently that he has a lot of food allergies consistent with a "leaky gut" and he's made some improvements since we've placed him on a gluten & casein free diet. When he had Kawasaki's, he had 9 days of 105-106 degree fever, before we found a doctor who diagnosed him correctly and sent us to Children's Hospital to get the IV immunoglobulin treatment he needed. This was the triggering "event" for his autistic regression.

I believe my son has a metabolic dysregulation problem (see research on methyl b-12 by Dr. Jill James) and GI problems (leaky gut, enterocolitis, etc.) that impaired his immune system, and made him susceptible to contracting Kawasaki's. The prolonged high fever probably caused some neurological damage, that's contributed to my son's autism. In any case, whether or not the Travolta's accept the label of autism, or decide to become media representatives of the disorder, it's important for them to address the neurological and biomedical causes of the symptoms their son expresses, and get him the help that he needs. Incidentally, metabolic dysregulation also contributes to a greater susceptibility to environmental toxins, which is what the Travolta's believe is connected with their son's problems.

That is not even a picture of Ms. McPherson! I cannot believe it is being presented as an "after" picture of her. That photo looks VERY
familiar to me as being that of "Ms. Terri Salvo"
who's husband fought to have her feeding tube removed so she could die several years ago. He
pictures were on the news day and night for a long time.

Why would an autopsy photo have a feeding tube? You get my vote for the web's worse propaganda!

Wow! Your site says it accepts typekey accounts; however, TypeKey says it doesn't.....Which is it? Or are you carefully screening out those well-presented comments which may not agree with your own views??

I am a medical doctor and will not purport to be an autism expert, do not know the Travoltas, and know very little about Scientology. I am a coroner. What I DO KNOW is that I've taken and viewed tens of thousands of autopsy photos and NEVER have a seen even one authentic autopsy photo in which there appeared a feeding tube. Duh!!!

Scientology is a cult, pure and simple...and its scary to think that parents would refuse their own children treatment they desperately need due to the CULT they are in.
What about that 'silent birth' that Tom expected Katie to endure?? LOL...MY opinion on that? If I were Katie, I'd have said: "Sure, honey..I'll do that silent birth thing..but lets make a deal..I hold a vice grips to your crotch. When I contract, I squeeze. If you won't scream, neither will I....." ROFL!

You people are crazy to think JT and Kelly would not take care of the son and give him all the help he needs speech, play, and other therapies!!
What you think they keep him in the basement locked up!!! As far as speeking out unlike other stars JT and Kelly have never used their for kids publicity any way shape or form!!! Unlike say Angelina and Pitt!!!!! You may not like SCIENTOLOGY but to basicly accuse JT and wife of child abuse is crazy!!!!

i personally think that john travolta is doing this scientology crap to boost his rateings in hollywood because he is being offered roles in b rated movies even though he has always been a washed up actor in the first place but that just my opinion but who knows when the good lord comes back for judgement travolta might make it into heaven i doubt it though believeing in all this scientology crap but who knows oh yes i do my bible states have no other gods before me and a cult is a cult

scared to post my comment oh well i really dont think to much of you scientologist anyway

fergie you may be right. I am praying that John Travolta sees the truth about Scientology by the way and sees it is a cult.

By the way saw this on O"Reilly Factor last night when Bill had

Tonya Reiman who is the woman he has on weekly who does the Body Language thing on his show

and here is what she analyzed about John Travolta who during the clip they analyzed John Travolta as he extolled the benefits of Scientology

here is what Tonya said she noticed:

"As he's talking, he's shaking his head back and forth. I get a sense that he has some uncertainty about Scientology."

Proof for you crazies that think they keep him locked in the basement!!!

There is a great pic of Jett with his Mom. You can tell they had to go overseas to have some privacy!! It was taken with a long lens so it is some what grainy!!! I am so glad the press did not get closer and try to spook the poor kid!!! This time they displayed some class!!!!
www.dotspotter.com/photos/200467_Kelly_Preston_and_Jett_Travolta_s_day_at_the_beach

Um, Jamie? The commenter who is an "M.D. and coroner"? That is a tube used when they attempt intubation on a person who is not breathing. Not a feeding tube. Just FYI.

yea, and the medical world never results in suicides, does it? it's just the on-stop fix all for everything, and nothing else is acceptable, right?

John & Kelly ... you should be ashamed of yourselves. How could you just sit back quietly and not do anything? Hiding your autistic son and not coming out about it is just encouraging all the ignorance in this world regarding autism spectrum disorders and how the community treats them. My heart is breaking for your son who probably feels constantly alone and rejected. Scientology is a cult and not a real thing. I know that's hard for you to acknowledge because you don't live in the real world and obviously your careers are more important than your son. That is too sad. I pray you get the strength to do something about it and do something positive for autism.

So, after all these years Jett Travolta is most probably autistic. That would explain why, when pressed, JT used to say that they (he & Kelly) would have another child if Kelly wanted one. "its her body" he once said. And all along I believed she did not want another child because she didn't want to go through another silent birth! These image conscious people were probably afraid the next child would be the same as Jett. An 8 year difference in the childrens ages tells us everything. Especially in Hollywood.

They need to treat their son for autism. It is never to late and with their money it will make a hugh difference.