Justin Timberlake Sings Happy Birthday to a Boy With Autism - Opens Up His World

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You may have seen the video or read the blog post on Huffington Post:

So often we assume that people with autism don't understand or appreciate human emotion the way the rest of us do.  We tell ourselves that they're not really interested in connecting with others. 

I believe people with autism have the same wants and desires to connect with others that we all do, but that there is something getting in the way.  Perhaps it's difficulty understanding body language and facial expression, especially when the world expects an (almost) immediate and accurate response.  Perhaps it's the extra time needed to organize a response.

Think of navigating in a country where you don't understand the language or customs.  When you come across someone who is willing to take the time and reach out to you, it makes a huge impact. 

The beautiful reaction of Justin Timberlake, the crowd of concert goers, his family, and this young man show us the power of emotion to touch all of our lives and make us all more complete humans.

Happy Birthday, indeed.

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Moira Sullivan

Moira uses a holistic approach that promotes healthy development in the child while honoring and supporting their relationship with their family and the community. A graduate of San Jose State University, she has advanced training in sensory integration, visual perception and visual-motor integration, DIR Floortime, oral motor rehabilitation, strength and endurance training, and myofascial release.