How can a Florida Restaurant owner be SO sure of how John and Kelly Travolta are raising their child?

How does he KNOW the child is being fed junk food?

And most importantly, WHO is HE (or anyone else, quite honestly) to PRESUME to dictate how "public" the parents of an autistic child should be about the condition????

SPARE US the self-rightous who think THEY know how we should raise our children!

Who cares?

The irony is that autism is a *neurological* disorder, not a psychiatric one; also that the most effective therapy for most autistic children is Applied Behavioral Analysis-- which DOES NOT involve the use of any type of drugs.

It's not child abuse for precisely the same reason belief in an invisible friend (see religion) is not classified as a psychological disorder.

Is it your job to teach parenting?
Is it your opinion that he is doing the wrong thing?

This is not your choice, it is Johns choice. Child abuse,,, what the !@#$. Next thing people who let theire children drink Coke will be thrown in jail for child abuse.

This is a joke!

It is not at all child abuse not to treat autism. Autistic children lack nothing essential. They are in perfect physical health, and can feel the presence, love and affection of their parents. They do lack the ability to turn their consciousness toward other people in a direct manner. The treatments available have a very small effect on the children, and do not make a large difference. I feel the Travoltas are doing nothing wrong.

I think Tim and Patricia don't know diddly squat about autism. If you want to stick drugs into your kid, that's your business! That's not the only treatment for kids with autism. Hey Tim, mind your business and keep your nose out of the yenta rumor club.

It is each parents choice on how to treat their children. Although i do STRONGLY disagree with the rallies against psychiatric medication because they are the only things that allow me to walk into a room with any more than five people.

As a friend to someone with an autistic child this is abhorrent to me. A celebrity or anyone treating their child this way and getting away with it is absurd and yes Child Protective Services ought to be called.

I will no longer support Mr. Travolta or his wife by paying to see any of their works or anything they are associated with.

There are plenty of excellent and successful treatments for autism that don't involve drugs. These treatments can make many autistic children not only fit in with the rest of us but function on their own. Of course this depends on the level of autism but even with the worst cases treatment can result in dramatic improvement.

I think that one of the most important things for mankind to do as soon as possible is to look into the damage that psychiatry has done.
It will be becessary to find new terms [possibly even new sciences] to cope with the problems we face today.
I understand the problems being faced here. The appropriate treatment for whatever kind of autism Jett has may very well be better provided by someone other than a psychiatrist or other medical professional.

To the Kennys, please worry about your own life. There is still a debate about if you can even treat Autism. As for wanting the health and wellbeing of their child to better, I cant imagine he wouldnt want that. Leave people alone, man what a scary world we live in... when some one says >>> I am going to get the word out, next you will be telling me about the thought police.

I love how the text in that protest picture (e.g. on t-shirts, placards, etc.) all uses a variation of the same font.

At least no one can be accused of "astroturfing"... After all, to do that you'd have to at least _try_ to avoid looking professionally manufactured. ;)

You guys are really thinking short term here. If you are so turned off by Scientology, do you really *want* Travolta's kid to turn out okay? I mean, back off the "I'm just fearful for the kid" trigger and think about this - their kid, if otherwise okay, would grow into this work carrying on the Travolta way of thinking.

Let nature dole out the much deserved darwin award to the fam and don't sweat it.

Autism isn't something that's able to be cured with drugs or therapy: sometimes people simply snap out of it, while the vast majority of those that develop it never do.

One of my closest friend's has a younger brother with SEVERE autism so I'm up-to-date on all her parents' research. After years of hiring a therapist that still visits him every day, my friend's family can talk to him about where they're going, what's for dinner. He can tell them what he wants with with gestures and such, but he cannot speak.

He moans. It can be very frightening the first time you meet him.

It's possibly linked to a combination of mercury in vaccinations and a genetic susceptability to even low levels of mercury. Since many newborns are given shots before they can even walk, let alone communicate, it will be hard to verify this correlation as fact without media attention.

The Travoltas might not be helping the fight against autism, but there's no way those people can honestly think that Child Protective Services should be called in to handle it! There's nothing definitive they can do; some parents are just stronger than others.

That chick in the pic is crazy, but so fucking hot!

I think Tim Kenny and his wife should mind their own f----ing business. Don't you have enough to worry about? JT can take care of his child in whatever way he wishes. Who is to say your way is better this his way.

You post a blog entry that bashes someone based on how one person views how they treat their developmentally challenged child. But, you're part of a blog-syndicate that includes a blog called "Tard-Blog".

I don't think that it is child abuse. There are many people in this world with autistic children, including myself, that do not have their kids in therapy. I am not a supporter of Scientology by any means. Though I do not know much about it, what I have heard does not sound right IMO. I don't even know what type of therapy you would give an autistic child or where you would get it.

This is one of those topic where the parents of autistic children are up in arms because we can see the almost miraculous different that early intervention can make on the life of a little kid.

Sure, it's none of Tim Kenny's business how John Travolta raises his kids, but it's not about John, it's about Jett and it's about what Jett's world is now (a silent, confusing place) compared to what Jett's world could be.

Early intervention involves no drugs, nothing mystical, just intensive one-on-one work with a child. It isn't easy, it is incredibly time consuming, but the results are staggering.

Yeah, who knows where you would even get therapy for autism. I have a better ignorant idea, lets ignore it! Because ignoring a problem always fixes it! Autism smatism, let the little tike be free with his inability to communicate with the rest of society. You people make me sick. My neighbor is autistic and he is 9 years old. It is a heart breaker, but he manages ok with drugs and therapy. Mental illness is not, under any circumstance, to be ignored. If you are preventing your child from leading a normal, healthy life, you are committing child abuse, plain and simple...

You all seem to be more coherent regarding social politics rather than the basic facts on neurological disorders. First of all, psychiatry cannot be debased because of its inability to treat every human condition accurately and immediately. To say this would be to say that because doctors cannot cure AIDS there is no point in assisting patients suffering from its painful degradation.
Secondly, autism is a disorder which we know even less about. The order of psychiatry takes no stance on having a sustainable prognosis for people suffering with autism. However, groups such as the APA and the WHO are the ones that OUR SOCIETY organized to gather minds that work towards such a goal. Applied Behavioral Analysis is the only treatment that any good psychiatrist, doctor, or social worker would suggest to help the person suffering with autism to form a foundational grasp on reasonable behaviors, attitudes and responses.
The problem that any person that knows what an autistic person needs has with Mr. Travolta's handling of his child is that he is not giving him the necessary compenents that any child needs in order to feel desired, loved and cared for. Yet alone the fact that autistic children almost always form sole bonds with their caregivers and do not have the faculties to express compounded emotions properly. This is not a cold that these parents are not caring for, they are denying the plain and simple fact that the only way to care for their son is through a dedicated change in methodolgy through an understanding that this is not something that he can simply get over.
Read up zombies.

Pathophysiology of Autism: Brain Mechanisms M. Denckla (08/15/2006) National Institute of Mental Health

" A possible explanation for the characteristics of the syndrome is a variation in the way the brain itself reacts to sensory input and how parts of the brain then handle the information. An electroencephalographic (EEG) study of 36 adults (half of whom had autism) at Washington University in St. Louis found that adults with autism show differences in the manner in which neural activity is coordinated. The implication seems to be that there is poor internal communication between different areas of the brain. (Electroencephalographs, or EEGs, measure the activity of brain cells.)
The study indicated that there were abnormal patterns in the way the brain cells were connected in the temporal lobe of the brain. (The temporal lobe deals with language.) These abnormal patterns would seem to indicate inefficient and inconsistent communication inside the brain of autistic people.[72]
Studies in neuropathology[73] indicate abnormalities in the amygdala, hippocampus, septum, mamillary bodies, limbic system, and the cerebellum."

I always trust a restaurant managers advice over the experts. Can someone get me his number. I think I need a lobotomy.

there is an italian reasearch over a misfunction of a discovered new class of neurons called mirror-neurons, that seems to be the cause of autism in the affected children. So that autism can be viewed as a physical desease in this optic.

I have several highly skilled and 'advanced' autistic patients in my medical practice (not psychiatric). The all tell me that the reason they didn't look at people trying to communicate with them was that "it was too risky" and other general statements concerning "risk". All of them have told me that they understood the people talking to them, and all of them began advanced communication skills when they learned to type and use the computer to aid in communication with others, because it "carried less risk".

Getting to the bottom of the "risk" problem is very difficult -- and most of my patients can't really elucidate clearly what they mean by the term, other than to re-iterate the point, and alluding to the fear it represented.

//two cents

John Travolta does nothing to treat his son's autism because L.Ron Hubbard did not write an instruction book for it. The only thing that Hubbard suggests for people in this condition is his process called R2-45, which is essentially death by using a handgun. This is an actual Scientology process. Hubbard thinks that the person is better to 'end cycle' and come back again in a new body. That is Scientology compassion for you.

I think that this restaurant owner is pefectly entitled to be outraged at Travolta. Travolta is a man in a position of power who could do much to help his own son and the children of others. He chooses not to.

I agree with the first poster - the article makes it sound like Kenny met Travolta once. How was all of the rest of these allegations (the movie theater meltdown, video games and junk food) discovered? This sounds pretty weak to me.

Kenny's judgemental nasty attack on Travolta makes me wonder what the Kenny's are actually doing to their own kid. Their criticism is a bit too amplified to not suspect they have their own misdeeds.

Beeno says:

"The treatments available have a very small effect on the children, and do not make a large difference."

Utterly ridiculous and unfounded. Autism isn't easy to treat, but lives have been changed forever by Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), especially if started early. It can be a long, hard road, but the destination is worth the trip. A large difference, indeed.

How sad that the Travoltas don't give their boy the help he needs.

To the person that said "autism you can snap out of it". I can't believe I read that. You don't "snap out" of autism. Maybe you are confusing ADD & ADHD with autism. ADD & ADHD children can grow out of, but not autism.
It looks John and Kelly are in denial about their son, which is just sad. I feel for Jett. His parents need to go therapy to help with helping their son. This isn't helping their son its hindering him. Sad very sad.

He sits in front of the TV playing video games and eating junk food!! *GASP*

How is that different from every other kid in America? I guess 99% of parents are guilty of child abuse then. I think scientologists are as nutty as a fruitcake but come on, how could this person possibly know Travolta's personal business and who is he to tell him how to raise his kid? This story is ridiculous.

Is the support on this blog from crazy scientologists, lurking on the Internet, ready to pounce at any story that points out just how crazy they all are?

I think so.

I think all the scientologists should collect all the money they swindle out of all their sheep, build a spaceship and go hang out with their alien friends. And they certainly shouldn't be allowed to have children.

Maybe one day I'll write science fiction novels, then turn it into a religion and steal people's money. It seems to work.

It's just a shame that Jett never got the early intervention he needed thanks to his parents beliefs.
I am not sure how this restaurant manager is privy to what goes on at the Travolta house?

Drug companies would love for everybody on the face of this planet to take drugs for the rest of their lives. It's the way things are going. Pop a pill for this and that...some of which isn't even necessary.

The whole medical industry is screwed up, driving by higher profit returns and lobbyists.

Autism is believed to be caused by infant vaccination. Vaccinations have little evidence that they work. Flu vaccines for instance tends to GIVE you the flu. Many people don't take such vaccinations and are perfectly healthy.

I dont want to sound like a militant anti-medicine rebel - but i know how drug companies work. They pay doctors. And doctors tell us their recommendation.

The solution here appears overly simple to me.

Why doesn't Johnny T. give Tom Cruise a call and ask him what to do? Tom did a good job of handling Dustin Hoffman, when he was suffering from an autistic type disorder. Seriously, I saw it on TV once.

Obviously, the Travoltas are in denial. I guess if you have wealth & are able to hire "Help" you don't have to put much effort into anything.

The Scientology bots are hitting this one hard, you must have struck a nerve with this one Mark.

the most disturbing thing in the article to me is how the self-righteous restaurant manager so casually admitted to comping meals to severely wealthy celebrities and severely wealthy celebrities accepting such entitlements. If he is so concerned about the plight of autistic children and their families, why doesn't he invite them to his restaurant for a free meal and a helpful break in the rigorous demands of such a families day-to-day life.

I used to be a therapist for autistic children. There are many theories and so called treatments for autisim. But the truth is no one knows what causes it or what is reall going on inside these kids heads. It is up the the parents of these kids to decide what is best for their child. If John Travolta dosen't want to put his child in the public eye to be an example of autisim the he dosen't have to. Implying that child services should step in is ridicoulus. As far as saying that his child plays video games and eats junk food all day, It is very dificult to get an autistic child to eat anything that is not to their liking.
Sure there are therapies for these children. But perhaps he chooses not to subject his child to what seems like tourture in some aspects. For example if your child did not like peanut butter would you withhold all food from your child until he ate the peanut butter sandwich you put in front of him, knowing that he does not like it. Most of the therapies for low functioning autistics is more like training a dog. And is more for the purpose of trying to make them socially acceptable to others. And consist of stuffing them full of treats and candy when they perform tasks.
Bottom line is it is up to Mr. Travolta and his wife, who are the parents of this child to do what they belive is best. And maybe it is best to let Jett be who Jett is. Just because some parents think John Travoltas Money and Fame could help draw attention to their cause. To say that child services should take someones child away because we don't agree on their methods or religion is stupid. If that's the case all children would be raised by the government. Child Services is for the children that are being raped,molested,beaten,being raised in methlabs, that don't have anything to eat, or clothes to wear, or a house to live in, or live in such filth that it is a health risk, there are so many children that need the help of child services, but we want to take kids away from their parents so they can be subjected to "therapy" that may or may not work. These people are way out of line. RAISE YOUR OWN KIDS AND LET OTHER PEOPLE RAISE THEIRS.

You know what....I don't see the story mentioning drugs ANYWHERE, so I think it's you guys that need to take a pill. A chill pill. It's you folks who are screaming about pills who don't know a thing about autism. It can absolutely be treated, early intervention is key. A 14 year old child who does not speak can be taught to communicate in other ways and to make that child stay in his own world and not give him tools to express himself IS cruel, those of you with children can vouch that starting from the time a child can form words, they ask questions and absorb knowledge. Jett has not been allowed to do this, and it's tragic.
Kenny's quotes suggest that he has more than one experience with the Travolta family. It suggests that he only spoke to him the one time, but it sure sounds to me like the local advocacy community has contacted the guy to put his face on their local programs and he has refused-which is onbviously his right. When I speak to other parents of autistic children, we trade ideas, things that are especially helpful to US. Pills almost never come up. My son is on one pill for epilepsy, but he gets LOTS of help and therapy. He started at TWO. He has made remarkable progress and I am witness to the miracle that early intervention can be.

First of all, there is no agreement that autism is entirely neurological. There are many pools of thought and study of what type of disorder it may actually be. And granted, ABA is a very beneficial therapy for many austistic children but many of the symptoms on the spectrum require drug treatment.

Early intervention doesn't always bring about a miracle either. People really try to put autistic children/people in a box and say 'this is the only way to treat them', such as without drugs. This is a SPECTRUM disorder and a very broad one at that. Since there is no cure at the present, treating and coping with the symptoms are often all that can be done. Therapy doesn't do that for everything. Understand yet?

Not saying that their son is being "hidden", as the parent of an autistic child, those that do hide their autistic children makes it even more difficult for families with and autistic people function in this world. Awareness is key. If you don't have an autistic child you won't understand. Most of us don't have nannies "to deal with it" and still have to go grocery shopping with our kids, meltdowns and all. And often babysitters are not an option. Why not, you need someone trained to work/watch these children. These people are few and far between and when found, are VERY expensive.

To the dim wits bashing the guy as a mere "restaurant owner": The guy is a father to an autistic child. I think this gives the guy a leg to stand on to criticize something he knows a lot about.

Can you imagine just kicking back and having a picnic w/ this family. How long would it be before it got weird and it felt like you were in Jonestown.

without even reading the story i can tell that its not child abuse cause a hundred years ago we couldn't do anything about it so why is it abuse now..and no autistic children aren't "weak" they are different. hey the last i saw we live in America...the land of the free, including beliefs so back off scientologists, it's not like christianity has done any good for this world yet

haha whats with people hating scientology...is it not in fact just another way of thinking...believing...hey they believe in aliens...christians believe in an invisible man in the sky who created everything...hahahaha what's the difference...shut your traps cause we're all on this rock together..who cares, they have money, the kid will live his life and prob have a better one than any of us so...what?

It is ridiculous to feel sorry for this kid. I'm sure he lives a very comfortable life and will continue to do so without having to worry about anything that the rest of us have to deal with.

I too find it ironic that this guy is giving free food to multi-millionaires and then whining about how they are not doing enough to help autistic children.

well, i think some treatment is necessary - ultimately how a parent treats their child is their business but one thing that does disturb me about hollywood types is their tendency to keep things out of the public eye thus reinforcing stigmas imo.

btw - found a poll on this subject here...
http://www.sodahead.com/poll/2659/?link=travolta

Your bias shows your ignorance. Psychiatry actually knows very little about mental disorders of any kind, and drugs and therapies currently available ALL are experiments that don't heal or cure the problem. How dare you refer to a religion's opposition to something completely unproven as a "hate march." People have been brainwashed to believe doctors of all kinds have a deep knowledge of science. Medicine is mostly art and experimentation with science supporting a small part of it.

Yes, this child will suffer, eventually, for having stupid, egoistic parents who believe in a religion filled with bogus doctrines and ideologies. This child is unlike untold billions of other children on this planet who (will) suffer under the same. The result? Intellectual, emotional and spiritual scarring. Who can measure the degree of deficit that results in children raised under religions not based on science and reason?

Travolta is a goof for believing in space alien gods, sure. But I take offense at these two idiots who are obviously making up stories...think about it. How do they know what goes on inside the Travolta household? By his own admission, Travolta only said a few words to him and ran out of the restaurant. Are we to believe now that the restaurant idiot can see through Travolta's walls? And that Travolta invited him to the movies to witness the meltdown? give me a break. The last paragraph says it all. This freak is angry that his son's treatment is costing him a lot of money and he's pissed that Travolta isn't getting suckered into expensive treatments that usually don't work on autistic kids anyway. Most of that stuff is like putting a bandaid on a missing limb.

Not only does Kelly Preston shill for scientology, she also advertises for Neutrogena skin cream. Neutrogena is owned by Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson owns Ortho McNeil Neurologics who produce "Haldol", and Janssen who produces "Risperdal" and "concerta".
These drugs are used in the treatment of ADD & Postpartum Depression.
I have met John Travolta and also got a glimpse of Jett, who at the age of 13, was sitting in front of the T.V. watching Barney. Jett is morbidly obese and gets very little exercise.
Jett is confined to the hotel room with his nannies, while daddy goes to the spa to hit on the male therapists.
Scientology will never help Jett, as he is considered a "degraded being" according to their tenants.

It is all about the quality of the child's life! What can be done now that will affect the boy's life twenty from now is the issue. Whether you like the parents has no bearing on this matter.

I don't know about the restaurant owner, but it has been circulating around for years that Jett is autistic, but the Travoltas adamently deny this. They claim Jett is normal in everyway, but the only child you see out is their younger daughter Bella. John gets Bella movie roles and does quite abit with her, but you never see Jett since he was about 4. Scientology does not like what they feel are imperfections. The Travoltas say that Jett had a virus when he was younger, I think Kowasoki (sorry on the spelling) and that is why he has problems. They deny it is autism, so he probably does not receive therapy/medications or whatever he might need for it. I work with Sp. Ed. and there are many different types of autism, so there are many treatments, some that have excellant results with certain types of autism. My personal opinion is that if Jett is autistic and the Travoltas are not seeking out treatments, Jett should be put somewhere where he will receive the best treatments to reach his highest potential. It's not like they can not afford it. And you should never be ashamed of your child if he or she did not come out 'normal'.

I hope the travolta's get tired of your attacks and take your sorry ass to court,DUMB ASS

I liked John Travolta in Pulp Fiction and that's about it

HAIL XENU

As a Child Protective Investigator in Florida, I've investigated cases called in for less.

Wow, plenty of Scienos dutifully showing up and commenting. Good work guys. Now, back to your Billion Years of Labor!

"Is the support on this blog from crazy scientologists, lurking on the Internet, ready to pounce at any story that points out just how crazy they all are?

I think so."

I've seen them do this for a highschool newspaper page that was critical of scientology. They attacked a 17 year old student writer as though he were a representative of the phantom anti-religious media. After they got laughed at, they fell back to the old newsgroup practice of spamming the board with hardcore porn links in an attempt to shut it down - but since the author of the article was the system admin, that plan backfired too and the guy posted all the IP's which all 'mysteriously' came from L.A.

Scientology is basically just phony religion that was made for tax purposes and to demonize critics so Hubbard could sell his B.S. alternative therapy snake-oil anyway. Seriously - the entire branch of science most qualified to call scientology on its bullshit is basically 'the devil' in their fake religion. They even have a term for critics called "suppressive persons" that sounds absolutely typical of the crappy old pulp sci-fi pap Hubbard used to write. How pathetic can you get?

I agree, who cares! let the parents do what they feel is right for their child, and leave them alone!

I find it disturbing that they are embarassed by their son. No matter what the case your child should be your pride and joy. This is insane. Also autism is not a psychiatric problem it is a neurological disorder so I don't think that her protesting psychiatric drugs is a direct hit on her son. I think its okay to protect your kids from the media and to keep their lives as private as possible but if they are indeed not treating him properly at home then that is a huge problem and unfortunately it is definetly not uncommon in the autistic community. so sad i hope something is done about this.

Victoria

http://www.about-sandiegoca.com/

john sucks

It's apparent they are embarrassed by him.
They do not let their son be seen in public.
When I read different media pieces where John
is speaking about this or that, his words seem very empty.
Does John really think people don't notice Jet's absence?
There is so much they could have done to help him.
There are different therapies, and they don't involve medication.

john Travolta should be ashamed of himself

http://www.kidsolo.com

It's pretty obvious that the Scientologists have invaded this comments section, as they tend to raid websites featuring negative articles about them. I mean, look at some of these comments, fucking absurd propaganda.

"Kenny's judgemental nasty attack on Travolta makes me wonder what the Kenny's are actually doing to their own kid. Their criticism is a bit too amplified to not suspect they have their own misdeeds."

And the scientology internet smear campaign begins!

Marky-Mark, where do you find these Dee-Licious stories? No one else but YOU! :-)

One thing I don't understand is how this man knows what therapies and treatments they have used with Jet.

We all know how hard it is to get certain foods down our children with sensory issues. Luckily my son has overcome most all of his sensory issues and will now eat anything but not all children are like my son.

The comment "he has not even been taught how to communicate"... this is just crazy. No parent in their right mine would have a child that can't talk and never make an attempt to teach communication. The child went to school. He probably had therapist growing up too.

I personally do not suport organizations who are "educational only". I stopped that a couple of years ago. I support organizations who are involved in research and who help fund services for children with autism whose parents can not afford them whether that be legal services for fighting the school system, a month of therapy services, a weighted vest, a communication board... whatever. Maybe he doesn't support the organizations he was asked to be involved in and instead of telling them why he just said no thanks.

I also don't see them being embarassed. They do take him to public and social events, that he can tolerate. Being his parents I'm sure that they are aware of what he can and can not handle in those situations.

I agree with the shirt Phych drugs can harm children and make them worse. To me it sounds like they have a greater level of acceptance with Jet just the way he is. If their son had gut issues, food allergies, a weak immune system and conditions that many other autistic children have i doubt that any parent would just sit on their hands and not do anything about it.

As far as the nanny taking care of it regarding his melt down... honestly sometimes I wish I had someone else to "take care of it" every once in a while. Sometimes I can't handle my son and he gets violent with me and I end up taking a blow to the chest and having a chest inflammation flare up. Hollywood has nannies. All of the celebrities do. What's the difference in Britney Spears telling her nanny to deal with it when it comes to her kids crying and the Travolta's saying deal with it when a mom who has dealt with it for way longer than many people just needs a break?

Honestly, anyone who defends this neglectful behavior MUST be affliated with Scientology. John Travolta is not above the law, he is clearly neglecting his son and his son's medical condition and someone should step in and right this situation. Have you seen pictures of this boy lately?

All I have to say about this is you guys are basically all morons.

All of this debate about Scientology, Autism, and child abuse? STUPID.

You guys just need to shut the hell up already and get a life; nobody should invest THIS MUCH TIME thinking about how a celebrity goes about their shitty lives.

The Travolta's are good people and do not deserves these attacks.This story sounds so phoney to me.This Ass hole who runs this blog has had issues with scientology and anyone associated with it for years.Sure scientology is out there,but all religions are to me.This guy has always been critical of them and I hope to God he is exposed for what he really is.

Who the fuck cares. I say fuck the travoltas and their kid another gene pools of morons wiped off the earth

well I'm no Fan of Scientology, but this Kenny guy doesn't sound so innocent, giving celebrities free meals when there are starving people who need it more who can't afford it? so he shouldn't be preaching. Sounds like he's just mad Travolta didn't want to discuss his private life with him.

Yeah I have seen the recent photos of his autistic son, Jet. He looks just like nearly every other autistic kid I've ever seen who is not involved with Scientology. Over weight and autistic... Sometimes when one has a limited diet it starts to catch up with them. Kind of like eating fried foods for 15 years would eventually make you fat. Same goes for everyone.

Hey fuck you guys.

This is pretty funny thing to have on a site where the guy in the picture at the top of the page for the site looks like a drugged out Rev. Jim Jones. LMAO.

I think all of you should learn that scientologist celebrities know much more than doctors so you should stop complaining and blindly listen to us.

Thanks, and please rent MI3

To the loser who said vaccines don't work. They do work that's one of the reasons the western world has a replacement rate of 2.1 not 4.3 or something.

Also who cares about Jett's condition, John has enough dough to keep him in donuts till the year 3000, what more could an all american kid want.

Everytime I see Scientologists toss out blanket statements about how psychiatry and medicines used by them is "art and experimentation" with little science, I giggle inside and their absurd ignorance. They're just as bad as Muslim extremists when it comes to trying to reason with them at all (not saying they're terrorists, but you get the idea).

It's all just stupid propaganda fed by them from the church. These people have no clue as to what actually makes the human body and mind tick and never do any independent research of their own. Maybe when they start quoting the human genome or the physical elements that make up our brain matter and function from memory, I might actually care.

It always saddens me when someone becomes so closed minded and zealotous in their pursuit of their beliefs and selfish goals, regardless of whatever religion it is.

Ok people,

everyone is entitled to an opinion it is our right as human beings. However, does that give us the right to condemn celebs who's only real crime is making a lot of money for entertaining us at the movies. I would love that gig. Now regardless of what our attitudes are about scientology we do have the freedom of religion. We dont have to agree with anyones concept or belief but if they have the integrity to defend what they believe in-- what gives us the right to ridicule? Everyone of us gets a little satisfaction in putting others down to make ourselves feel better but lets not involve children or illness. Its an emotional topic which knows no class or boundary. If the price to make 15 million a movie means being put under the microscope to be disected I will gladly keep my petty little 60,000 a year and live in peace.

victoria

Let the guy raise his kid the way he wants to. Travolta is under no obligation from you or anyone else to follow 'the proper' methods. But he is kind of a dick though...

The Travoltas are free to believe whatever they like. What they should not be free to do is retain custody of their children if pursuing their beliefs results in neglecting the health and well-being of their children any more than Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to refuse blood transfusions for their kids or Christian Scientists are allowed to refuse medical treatment for their children. Adults are free to make decisions for themselves which may be detrimental to their health, they are not free to do that on behalf of their children.

And any adult who ignores a kid being neglected or mistreated isn't much of a human being, IMO.

"Next thing people who let theire children drink Coke will be thrown in jail for child abuse."

That is a form of child abuse. Once you start looking at food as either medicine or poison you will realize how destructive much of our "food" is. It's called "Junk Food" for a reason. The negative effects refined sugar has on a body is astounding. From obesity to mental illness. Depression/ADHD/Diabetes/Obesity have all steadily increased as the sugar in this society's diet has increased.

Be careful what you say about Scientology because some aliens might fly out of the sky and take your soul away. Time to go masturbate over L Ron Hubbard's grave again. Take care.

Why the he'll do you need to comp celebrities? Oh wait they probably can't afford it right? What about that family of four that seem like they saved for a month to go out and have a nice dinner?

As a mother of a 5 year old boy severly effected by autism, I am agast that they would not provide their child with any way to communicate. Learning Pecs, sign, etc.. that is screwed up!! My heart goes out to Jett, what frustration he must feel.
But what most disappoints is how much awareness they could provide for our community, if they even spent half the time they do spilling the Scientolgy garbage on promoting Autism Awareness imagine what we could accomplish!!!

I just found out today about Jett Travolta. How very sad for Jett and his family. Having read the comments I cannot understand how anyone would not be outraged if this is really true about the Travolta family!

As a grandparent of an austic grandson, it makes me mad and sad to read the "pontificating" of people who do not have first hand knowledge of the tragedy that is the Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a heartwrenching situation. Walk in the shoes of those families who deal with this situation 24/7. No one is helped by NOT admitting that one's child is in the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Denial for any reason - religious or otherwise - is counterproductive.

Beliveing that Autism is not a national health problem does not make it true. The facts are not changed just because you wish it!

Children are the future. They -ALL of them- deserve the absolute best we, as a society, can give them. The Travoltas are part of society. Whether they believe that or not I cannot say. I do not know much about Scientology. However, I DO know we are all in this world together - like it or not! We need to put aside our petty differences and MAKE A DIFFERENCE to the degree each of us is able. In the case of celebreties, they have the wherewithal to make MORE of a difference BECAUSE of their celebrity. Toni Braxton is a prime example - thank you Toni for your caring and sharing!

Yes, it is the Travolta's right to rear their children the way they chose. It is my right to NOT support their decision by NOT supporting their careers with my wallet. One person may not make a difference to them. It does make a difference to this one person!

I do not espouse Scientology nor their position on psychiatric medications, but I do not think that the Travoltas are necessarily uneducated about autism. The fact that they do not advertise their situation does not mean that they have not tried to help their son. Any type of disability of a child is a painful and sad experience for a family. Hopes and dreams are shattered and there is usually a permanent form of grief for the child that is not "normal". Early intervention and applied behavioral psychology have greatly helped autistic children, but there is usually always problems with communication, and the ability to be totally dependent. It is VERY HARD to raise an autistic child, and most parents try their best. Medications do not usually help the autistic. I think it is very unkind and lacking in compassion to judge this family. Whatever their beliefs, I am sure they are doing their best for him. They really seem like good people, and all of the money in the world cannot make autism go away. Hopefully they have sought out the latest treatments, and just do it privately. Give these folks a break!

It does sound like they are guilty of neglect if the above is true. No denying scientologists are wacked, but they are right about psychiatric drugs.

However, a lot can be done naturally.

First of all, WHAT THE HELL BUSINESS is it yours or anyone else's to judge John Travolta as a father! From your rant it is obvious that you are so sadly needy and ashamed of your child's disability that you must force John to validate you and your situation. You had no right to 'out' him or his son. It was thoughtless, disrespectful and self-righteous for you to make that decision without consulting him first. It's also his right (NOT YOURS) to support whatever cause he sees fit. You and Tom Cruise should go bowling. Both of you score a zero.

We forget that Travolta dropped out of high school and tho he may have acquired specific and even complex knowledge, he hasn't developed intellect or critical thinking - such people (those of limited intelligence, substance abusers, the abandoned or neglected) are especially vulnerable to cults who cut the indoctrinated off from any perspective, or from any point of view that does not serve the cult. If Travolta's son is autistic and he refuses to acknowledge it, then Travolta is ignorant and the kid suffers; if the son is autistic and Travolta, for religious reasons, refuses to treat the condition, then the kid suffers. Either way - it's the kid who suffers.

I am a mother of a non verbal, autisic child and no one can judge the Travolta's, period. Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge. The one thing that makes me sad is that after all is said and done, and everyone goes about their merry way, it's the Travolta's alone who must live with the results of what they did or did not do to help Jett. Early intervention is always the best bet for these precious children. These are the facts, his sister will grow up and and parents grow old and die, unfortunately Jett will be left to live in a world with minimal skills with which to function unless they help him. Hopefully John's wealth will ensure that Jett can access the best care possible. I am a single parent and my hope and goal has always been that my child be equipped with tools needed to live as independently as possible. So that in the event that anything happens to me, his siblings won't have the burden of his care. Even more, I don't want him to become a ward of the State and be at the mercy of complete strangers with no compassion. And more that all this, I want my child to have the best possible shot at independence and happiness; to have a job, his own place, friends ect. For me to do anything less is just a sin, so I do understand other parents questioning John and Kelly's apparent denial, but still we can't judge them. It makes me sad, and I hurt for them because denial is not the answer.

A lot of people on the Autism spectrum have heavy metal poisioning (Mercury, Lead, Aluminum ect.) and toxicity that can be addressed WITHOUT THE USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS to improve their quality of life, alleviate their suffering and even recover.

There is hope, the Travola's are in my prayers.

www.brainchildnutritionals.com

Thank you

Take a look at the poor kid in this week's edition of US magazine, he is so overweight, to the point it is obvious he is allowed to eat all of the junk food he wants.
The poor kid looks quite strange, as if his head is too big for his neck, he has a triple chin and is seen walking by Kelly Preston on the beach. He is only 15 years old and appears to be bigger than his father.

That's it!! I am thru with John Travolta. I am so disappointed in both Kelly and John. I picked up the new US magazine and there is a page devoted to Kelly and Jett. I looked at the picture and imediately could tell that Jett had some sort of autism. I always wondered why he isn't photographed much. John does not speak about him nearly as much as he does about Ella Blue. I think they are embarrassed of him. John- you should be ashamed of yourself. You need to be supporting the fight against autism not denying that your son is afflicted with it.I won't see another movie with him in it. Shame on John and Kelly and as for scientologists- you are all a bunch of lunatics!!

Autistic children are hard to feed. Their issues is with the texture of it. Like how we would look at sushi or chocolate covered grasshoppers. Most of them eat with their hands, they don't like the feel of utensils. It is really hard to understand what it must be like to be parents of an autistic child unless you have one yourself. Try having three. They don't understand or have the fear of dangerous things. They will walk right into a manhole if not watched. They love repetitive things. One reason why the child loves video games. And a lot of them hate to be outside or run around. How many fat adults do we have that feel that same way? You don't know what this couple is doing behind closed doors. What one person interrupts a situation can be totally different from another. And as far as their religion. Everyone has their own choice. Freedom of religion. Well if you don't like what they are doing as parents for their child. Pray. That is a simple solution. Pray that they do what is best for their child and that all works out well for him. Too many people can point their fingers all they want, but what they don't do is look in their own backyard.

I think the main issue hear is IF Jett has autism he more then likely is not receiving the therapy that could help him. And no therapy is not a cure. If a parent refuses to acknowledge a disorder that profoundly affects a childs quaility of life and refuses to provide proper therapy is this Abuse? In some communities it would be in others money can cause the problem to go away. If the Travoltas want to be part of a org. that casts the shame of a disorder on to a innocent child then really what kind of people are they

I am not an expert on Scientology, but have worked with children with Autism in my pediatric therapy clinic. Since Scientology does not support the medication of children (which I feel it often over prescribed as well), they may not be opposed to a natural type of therapy that works on the neurological system, more specifically the sensory system (vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, auditory and visual primarily).

Sensory Integration is remarkable if implemented correctly. I see children everyday who respond in a favorable manner. Not only does the quality of their lives improve (social interaction with peers, better coordination and academics, etc) but the life of the family greatly improves. To see your child who prior to therapy had adverse reactions to various sensations (touch, movements, sounds for example)which resulted in limited social interaction, poor self care skills, poor motor skills and limited academic abilities, blossom into a child who is happy and more in tune to their bodies and environment is so rewarding. That is why I love what I do. I am a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in working with children with Sensory Processing Disorders which include children who have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or Autism.

I encourage the Travolta's and others to research Sensory Integration Therapy. I have been treating children for a long time and IT ABSOLUTELY WORKS, but MUST be implemented by a therapist who is experienced in treating children with Sensory Processing Disorders. Not every Occupational Therapist is experienced and not every therapist is created equal in this field. Do not give up. The best place to search for an experienced therapist is at KID Foundation
5655 S. Yosemite Suite 305 | Greenwood Village, CO 80111

www.KIDFoundation.org

They also can assist in finding a therapist in your area.

I hope this helps someone out there. Perhaps a reader or a friend of someone with a child who so deperately wants to relate to the world but his/her brain is not yet wired to do so.

I'm a parent of a child with autism and I'm very distured by this blog. Having a special needs child does not obligate a family to a certain level of activism towards their childn's disibility. That's a family's CHOICE!

I'm constantly shrugging off stared in public when I have my child with autism out. People don't understand and I don't feel like I always need to explain. If I had "papparazzi" following me around everywhere, I certainly would bring my son out less because I would fear for his safety more than I do in a regular setting.

Double kudos on getting the Lafayette lovers riled, Mark.

Anyway, I object to 2 things about the Travoltas.
I object to they see any kind of behaviour therapy as an extension of "psychiatry" and won't do it, even when it's proven it will help some kids even a little bit, and sure as eggs they have the money to help their little boy.
Second, I object to them allowing their young son to wind up fat, consume a poor diet, and probably suffer physiologically for it.

Growing up as a fat kid has ramifications down the track. Fat kids are more likely to become morbidly obese later in life. They are more likely to have health problems. eg. They can develop type 2 diabetes.

I mean, if what the rest of this blog is saying is true, this kid is already being ostracised for being a "lost cause". I mean, that is disgraceful. They know he is unwell. It is beyond warped to ignore the disabilities of others. Like not building ramps for wheelchairs.

And this is why Kenny is right. Because this child is disabled, and his disability is not being treated and he is being ostracised because of it. If that isn't enough to have child services take him away, then something's wrong with America (duh).

WOW1 What alot of experts. I perform a tssk for the Travolta's regularly. This abuse that the unknowing has stated is crap. The children are not abused and are taken care of better than most of the high end families in Ocala. Jett swims alot, rides his bicycle, takes rides in a golf cart, they play with the cats and two dogs. They have a trampoline but I personally haven't seen anyone on it yet. I cannot believe that people can make a decision about an individual by listening to crap and therfore coming to an intelligent decision. First and foremost leave the medical opinions to a doctor. Now I see them alot and I cannot comment on Jett's diet and neither can any of you unless you are his chef. Their religion or believe is their business and choice and shouldn't bother anyone. Scientology has not lauched any terrorist actions against us yet so they should be concerned with the Muslims and not the Scientologist. One thing that I do admire about them is they are probably the only high end client of mine that does not spoil their children and don't buy a bunch of crap to keep the kids occupied and out of the parents hair. Kelly is a mother first and is very involved in their children. The one that states that the nannies take control are wrong. The bad part for the children is that being a high profile child, limits their ability to go out of the house and play by themselves. Unfortuneatly for the kids, they are never alone. The Travilts have to incorporate not only parenting, as we all did, but security that we didn't have to do. I really hope that all the experts can sleep at night. If Jett has some type of illnes or disorder, then commenting and making a deal out of it is cruel and you all should be ashamed. What do you think this child thinks when he sees this crap being published about him, an innocent child that has done nothing to anyone that I am aware of. The Travolta's perform many events for charity and people that need help and seek no publicity for their actions. They do not take a political stand and try to use their celebery status to change politics. I say that if you know the facts, then the constitution allows you to comment and participate your freedom of speech. To lauch false statements and attempt to damage children by telling the world false truths about them and cut down their parents by assuming things happen or accept some wacked out person's view is sick. If any abuse is happening, it is done by wacko's that write this crap about them.

if its true jett travolta is autistic and treated in the way i have just read,then john,kelly should be so ashamed!!! theres never any pictures if jet but plenty of ella.john travolta is a sham and people should picket his movies!!!that poor child! the travoltas can stick scientology up their rear ends!

John & Kelly,

The space ship is coming. Scheduled to arrive at Pier 666 Manhattan on 7/7/07 at 7:00 am. Bring your decoder rings.

Leave that Jeff on the dock. No room on the mothership.

um i think that the travoltas are letting their kids get too fat. i saw a pic of jett and he was morbidly obese. and little ella bleu is starting to get fat too. nothings wrong with being a little chubby.. but this can turn into some serious health risks and stuff. i dont understand why john travolta even likes being so fat. he used to be really sexy.. now hes really not. but that family.. the Kennys, they should just mind their own business, though. how the travoltas choose to raise their children, the kennys shouldnt give a damn about. but i do think that the travoltas.. i mean they have lots of money, it must not be too hard to get their kids back into healthy shape.. they dont have to be skinny, just healthy. and jett doesnt look healthy at all, and.. yeah thats my 2 cents.

Hi

Great book. I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!


Bye

why john, why?

Scientologists are stupid but they are VERY CORRECT on this issue against the drug industry.

please dont forget that john may very well be homosexual, and therefore his marriage and family could be a sham, and autism aside, the damage done by his "closeting" of the truth is not repairable. His denial of his own life lead him to scientology, he was looking for spiritual acceptance despite his sexual orientation.

I am a teacher of children with special needs including those with autism. I frequently attend seminars on autism and have been doing so for years. All the studies and all the research have brought us more questions than answers. No one knows what is the right treatment or intervention for children with autism, although some claim to. The Travolta's plan, or lack of one, may be no better of worse than any other in the end. How dare MR Kenny pass judgement. How would he like it if others decided what whas best for his family.

Wow. It seems like all of the Scientology cultists have come out of the woodwork for this one. For these morons to suggest that Psychiatry/Psychology is based on congecture rather than science is absurd. I challenge any of them to check out a respected Psych journal and tell me that the Scientific Method is not at the core of nearly all psychiatric studies.
The irony is that it is Scientology and its erroneous claims that are unproven. Except for that machine that measures your thetan levels, that's legit.
Also, Travolta has NEVER acknowledged his son has Autism. He claims his son suffers from Kawasaki(sp?) Syndrome. Why? Because according to Scientology, there are no psychological disorders, only THETANS (alien spirits) THAT INHABIT YOUR BODY AND PREVENT YOU FROM ACHIEVING HAPPINESS.
HOW THE FUCK DO SCIENTOLOGISTS HAVE THE NUTS TO REJECT PSYCHOLOGY AND BELIEVE THIS SHIT?!!

Ive dealt with autism with my own son for years! Hes now 27 & doing well! The help is there but have to seek it! There are neccessary therapies, speech, sensory intergration, auditory training, & special schools where they can be worked with in small groups or one on one; also behavior mod and recreation therapy! Anyone who doesnt understand the need for early intervention isnt educated. The help is there! Any parent of an autistic child who who chooses to ignore their responsibilty & especially someone who is filthy rich & can provide the best care, is commiting an act of negligence! Plain and simple! I dont care who they are! I am shocked and saddened by their behavior toward their son! What is wrong with them? They need more help than their son!

I will pass judgement!Im a single parent, never had money and had to work and take care of my son and make sure he got the services he needed! That meant fighting tooth and nail to get him help! These people are rich and can get anything they want! Some of you are acting like its ok for them to do NOTHING? We should just allow them to over look accepting their son has issues and be allowed to fail in getting him treatment that could alter his life for the better?
PULLLEEEEASE! THe clock is ticking! They are passing up on valuable years of assistance that would HELP THEIR KID! Am i hearing this right! ?

Child abuse is NEGLECT!
They are neglecting their kid! As far as junk food, my kid loves it but I monitor what he eats, hes 27 and has NEVER BEEN fat, ever heard of excercise and getting your child OUT IN PUBLIC! GEEES people,,, WAKE UP!
If it smells like a duck walks like a duck then its a freaking DUCK! If this were u and I neglecting to get help for our kids in this day and age, what do u think would happen! Just because hes Travolta & hes rich exempts him and his wife!?

I agree with the one person who said if they had a picnic with them it would eventually feel like Jonestown. If people start researching them to much we will be asked to drink the koolaid. Yikes.

I was not aware Trovolta had a son with autism until I saw his picture in a magazine with his mom, relaxing at the beach. I don't think we should be judging parenting skills, they seem to care for him, rather who is to say they keep him away from the media in order to protect him. They must be in a lot of pain, who can judge someone who has gone through this tragedy.

hi John. im your # 1 FAN! I watch some of the movies you played in! Like Wild Hogs, Grease, and some others too. John my Mom Said I am your girlfriend! I don't think so. But I like you and your wife Kelly! I watched a show that she played in! It is called The Cat In The Hat! she plays the mother in the yellow hair! well Tiffany my second oldes't sister. She said that I am going to marry your son! No Way. these are the people in my family. my dad (Allan)he is 47 going on to 48. my mom (Lora)she is 34. My sister Ashly she is 12, she is the rud'est one. my sister tiffany is 10 years old. Me Sherry Ann Smith is nine. And last but not least my brother he is 7 years old! I forgot you and your wifes birthday! I know your middle name John. It is Joeseph. I think im wrong! John or kelly can you please write a note back or come and visit. If you want to come here or write me a note. just phone 774-4214. if you want to come our house is 5316 44 Street. Fort Nelson BC Canada. Hope you read this note. please phone well see you later John and kelly

Fr. Sherry Ann Smith

Emma Falcon

john and kelly are good perents.. if they say the his son is not autistic it's true because they live with him and they know he son ...and this guy is crazy ....he dont know jett ....

nobody is going to mess with john family ....
john and kelly know how to raise their childrens....

Ocala is a small town. The Travoltas cannot be isolated from everybody for everything. So they must hire or do business with people..and it is those people who have been in the house or around them on a regular basis who see what goes on. I work at a business that is near the Hilton. I know one of the receptionist there, and that is how I knew that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were staying there.
~k~

I personally know Tim and the whole story. i was there when john as you all call him came into the resturant. the problem is that no one wants to believe the bs the gov. has feed you most of your life end take the time to learn alittle on your own. this is i big problem and you need to take action and raise your kid without worrying about your big day in the spot light. Tim and his wife Spend unimagineable time with their child and thats what any parent should do whether the kid has a problem or not!!!!! be parents stay home with your kid pay attention to them ouit feedin them drugs when they cough let their immune system handle s--t and quit over protecting them...YOUR PARENTS Didnt do it to you!!!! mr travolta americas little boy needs to be known as what he is emmbarrassed of his own child and does nothin to be a father or a real one at that!! stop backin up the celebs and grow a brain people! Go kennys let the people know the truth just not to loud only people with real brains can handle it!!!

For one thing I dont think its any ones busness how any one raises there own kid.What if someone was telling you how to raise your child?And how do you even know his son sits in front of games or what he eats?Are you stocking them or something?How dare you interfear with other peoples lives!

When I read this whole thing I was enoyed by that guy Kenny.He has no right to just barge into some ones life like that.I never realy knew Johns son had autism untill just now.I bet thats horrable To have a tragetey like that I bet John and Kelly take good care of Jett and love him very much and no one can say other wize!

John Travolta has no right to deny his son services. This is child abuse and need to have law enforcement investigate this. My son has mild autism and we are almost going broke paying for servies and fighting the school system. He is 11 now and goes to regular school and has regular friends. He is a pain sometimes but he would be much worst if we did nothing. Shame on John with there money he would be fine right now.
Lets call the cops!

Judgemental conclusion-jumping runs rampant in the western world today!!! Neither Tim Kenny nor anyone posting on this site knows how the child's parents feel about him or how they feel about anything that might or might not be different about him. I think Scientology is hogwash, but in fairness, when we look at Christianity OBJECTIVELY (I am a Christian), it can be seen to be just as bizarre. No one knows how the Travoltas treat their children, how they feed them, whether or not they have "given" them the ability to communicate, etc. No one knows whether they are embarrassed or ashamed of their child. The unbelievable audacity of people to presume that they know the most private things about public figures just amazes me. We get a few shreds of information about people and come to the most profound "black-or-white," "either/or" conclusions. Yet in our own lives, we know that we are frequently misunderstood even by people who are within our personal circles who think they know our motives when, in fact, they do not! Re: Fund- or Awareness-Raising events: No celebrity has an obligation to do anything more than his or her job. They do not "owe" us anything. They have the right to make personal choices in their family lives just as we anonymous people have. People would do well to attain perfection in their own lives before slandering others for what they THINK are their faults.

as the parent of an autistic child it is nobody's business how the travolta's raise their autistic son, they do what they feel is right and they have that right as the parents.

I have notice that the Travolta's are never pctured with Jett..that is so wrong..i have a healthy child and thank God everyday...And I had him at 42yrs..if he had not been healthy..I would do everything in my power that i could do to help him to grow and progress...shame on the travoltra's....shame on them..look at Jenny Mcarty..she finally came out about her son..it took her some time..and now it's time for the travolta's to come out of the closet about Jett!!!!

People, Scientology is a hurtful, profiteering corporation that buys and sells human souls. Stay away from them unless you want to fight them. It is the most effective cult since the Nazis. Watch the BBC show on this cult - they probably have some dirt on Travolta that keeps him in this organization.

as the parent of an autistic 6 year old, i can tell you all that therapy works! not necessarally phych therapy. one on one, hads on therapy. drugs are not used in this house, but are also not out of the question. if we could afford what the travolta's can afford, my child would not only be at a public school, but would be being taught with private tutors as well. to say that autism can not be FIXED, is a blind statement. we have a child that lost all ability to communicate and lost all interest in the world as we know it. with hard work, 1 on 1, and schooling, we have seen such tremendous gains. she may not ever do the things that a typical child does but she is making her way. the thoughts, i believe, of us parents is not to fight the travo;ta, but to have understanding that this disorder is HUGE. it strikes everyone, everywhere. we need spokespeople to get the word out. Autism is the highest and fastest growing disorder/disease this nation has ever seen. it is bigger than any other childhood illness. bigger than cancer, diabetes, and most others COMBINED! what are we to do but hope and pray and work hard and wish for help from sometimes famous people ,to bring this message to the forefront. learn before you speak.

I think it's so sad that almost nobody is thinking about his son as a person who deserves a chance in life. He is talked about almost like he is not human. We are all created with special gifts and should never give up on our children. I hope that they love him and the rumors are not true because he is our future generation just like the rest of our children. We all really need to think about that. We can't ignore Autisic children unless we ignore our future. God bless the family and I really hope people open their eyes to see that this is an serious problem that is just growing and growing and we have to get to the bottom of what is causing it because this is out of control. people wake up!

There is some evidence to suggest that Autism may be a syndrome caused by the unintentional poisoning of children with foods and other substances that they are allergic to.

If this turns out to be true. John Travolta could be doing the best thing possible for his son.

I am acquainted with a family of triplets that are all Autistic. The parents believe the earlier children are diagnosed the better their chances are to be more socially active. Also, communication within the home and community.

He's a scientologist, that's what his problem is first and foremost. Scientology is a cult. Anyone who believes the bs that they preach in scientology is going to be warped.

Well I do know that Lindsey Lohan is pregnant with Eugene Osei's child. Ive recently learned so that nuts!!!

Scientology makes me sick. How could you treat your child this way?

Dear Travolta & Kenny Families-

My heart goes out to Patricia Kenny, both for the tragic loss of her husband and, of course, for the struggle the Kenny family now faces raising a child who is "autistic."

And my blessings go out also to the Travoltas, for the difficulties they have had, and will continue to have, every day of their son, Jett's, life.

Many comments above have properly explained the complex combinations of behavioral, developmental and medical issues that can be labeled "autism." How can a doctor know for sure? Most rely on the American Psychological Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (APA-DSM), that lists the multitude of symptom combinations which they (in their infinite wisdom) have determined justify a particular diagnosis, in this case "autism."

Unlike many earlier cultures, ours has chosen to label individuals whose behaviors and ideas do not fit into the mainstream as "sick" or "crazy" or just "different." But Galileo, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and the Wright Brothers were also considered "crazy" a great deal of their lives. Hmmmm ...

Who knows what the Travoltas suffer over their child's struggles in the privacy of their home. And if Mr. Travolta has chosen not to "showcase" Jett in public, while he has chosen to bring their other "normal" child with him, how can we conclude his motives? (Could he possibly be trying to spare Jett the overwhelming attention he'd receive and for which he would be ill-prepared to handle? And that Kelly Travolta can smile radiantly in the public eye is not clear and convincing evidence that she is immune to the pain and confusion Jett lives through every day.

Scientology ... well, it's not for me. But it has wide appeal and has apparently helped many people find their stride. Some people need the structure that L. Ron Hubbard's program offers in order to find the structure, safety and self-assurance necessary to deal with life's many stressors. (For the record, I repeat: I have many problems with Scientology.)

Each of us understands so little even about ourselves, yet we are so comfortable judging others.

Live and Let Live.

Kenny S.

I'm surprised no one has posed this question yet:

HAS JETT BEEN DIAGNOSED AS AUTISTIC BY ANYONE OTHER THAN CELEB-CRAZED FANS AND/OR PAPPARAZOS?

I'm guessing the answer is no, so why is everyone making such a big stink about this? Let the guy rear his child how he wants and everyone should go back to minding their own business.

As a mother of a 12 year old autistic son, I completely agree with the Kennys! I have read a lot about the Travolta's and their son Jett, and it makes me sick that they treat him like such an outcast. Those of you who think that all parents have the right to 'do with their own child how they see fit', well, you are stupid. If my son had not been getting treatment and therapy all of these years, and had not been in school since his 3rd birthday, he would not be the person he is now, which is a wonderfully intelligent, sweet, well-mannered happy child!!! Travolta's, you make me sick!!!!