The Travolta Tragedy and Autism
John Travolta poses with his son Jett. (Associated Press Photo)
For obvious reasons, this is very difficult topic to take up at this moment. A child has died, and I don’t care if it’s the child of a movie star or a bank teller or a candlestick maker, it’s the saddest thing that can happen. But the fact is, the death of 16-year-old Jett Travolta as he vacationed with his family in the Bahamas last week has caused a huge uproar in what is often referred to as the “autism community.” (a sampling of autism blogs here, here, and here)
As the father of an 11-year-old autistic boy, I write this post tonight, not to make any judgments about Jett’s life or the type of care he received, but to help sort out the reactions that are coming in from around the world about Jett Travolta and the possibility he was autistic.
As you probably know, I say “possibility” because John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston always denied their son was on the autism spectrum. They said he had a condition called Kawasaki disease, brought on by overexposure to cleaning products when he was very young. But on the internet site WebMD today a doctor said it was very unlikely Kawasaki disease would have resulted in the seizure that may have caused Jett’s death. (He adds Kawasaki disease is very rare in children over the age of five.) The death certificate out of the Bahamas today simply says Jett died of a seizure. As I’m writing this, autopsy results are pending. Perhaps that will answer some of the questions.
To many of us extremely familiar with the condition, it seemed clear, even from seeing just the little bit of video of Jett since last week, that he was on the autism spectrum. I refer to the unsteadiness of his gaze, his erratic arm movements, his uncertain gait, etc. The Travolta’s denial, if you want to call it that, has been fairly well-documented for a few years, examples here and here.
Reading these, it’s easy to condemn Jett’s parents for not accepting a diagnosis of autism, and not seeking certain kinds of treatment and education. (I’ll avoid for tonight the matter of Travolta’s adherence to Scientology, and the impact that may have had on Jett’s life. Until he and his wife come out and say Scientology dictated how their son was cared for, it’s all speculation.)
But “denial” of autism in your family is a slippery topic. Nobody can really say exactly what autism is. It certainly won’t show up in any autopsy. Its cause remains unknown, there’s no cure, and there’s very little agreement on what the best course of care and treatment is. There’s also lot of human nature at work here. My wife and I know of many parents who simply won’t put the label “autistic” on their child. For many, it’s just too devastating to face. They’ll say instead their son or daughter has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or a seizure disorder, or the catch-all “learning disabilities.”
It may be even harder for a person of John Travolta’s enormous celebrity to accept something like autism in his family. After decades living in the bubble of international fame and fortune, “this couldn’t happen to me” might be an understandable outlook. Nothing, people, NOTHING about autism is easy, and I try to feel compassion rather than condemnation for those who can’t face its reality.
But of course, understanding the parent’s perspective must take a back seat to doing what’s best for the child. IF the Travolta’s denied the obvious for the sake of their own egos, or their religious beliefs, and IF that denial even indirectly led to Jett’s death, and IF they eventually acknowledge that, then they will be embarking on a long, dark night of the soul that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
In the world of autism, it’s well-known there are other celebrities—some really big names—who have autistic children, and who have avoided going public. This is their right. My wife and I waited until several years after Liam was diagnosed before we got involved in our public fight against autism, and only after we were somewhat sure we could handle it. But, at the same time, the power of famous people to raise awareness and make changes is profound; Michael J. Fox confronted his Parkinson’s disease with the whole world watching, and it has led directly to enormous breakthroughs now being made.
For John Travolta and Kelly Preston, these considerations no longer matter as they mourn their only son (it’s also clear in those snippets of file video of Jett that they adored him). I urge people, inside and out of the autism community, not to judge them. But I also urge all parents of autistic children, famous or not, to be up front about what they have to deal with. It might help us find answers much faster than if we hide autism in the shadows.
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Comments: 27
Jim,
Thank you for your measured response to the Jett Travolta tragedy. Something tells me you are being a true news guy and holding back on a lot of emotion.
I have a question for you. Why would someone not admit they have an autistic child? Do parents of crippled children not admit they have a crippled child? Do parents of blind children not admit they have a blind child?
God bless The Children,
Laurie
Jim,
Thank you for your measured response to the Jett Travolta tragedy. Something tells me you are being a true news guy and holding back on a lot of emotion.
I have a question for you. Why would someone not admit they have an autistic child? Do parents of crippled children not admit they have a crippled child? Do parents of blind children not admit they have a blind child?
God bless The Children,
Laurie
jim-
your thoughtfulness and tactfulness to this topic is obvious and greatly respected.
your continued support to bringing awareness to autism does not go unrecognized.
thank you to you, your wife & liam for your courage.
kate
jim-
your thoughtfulness and tactfulness to this topic is obvious and greatly respected.
your continued support to bringing awareness to autism does not go unrecognized.
thank you to you, your wife & liam for your courage.
kate
Another great blog by Jim Watkins.
As someone who reads your blog regularly especially when you blog on Autism,I just could not stop reading this blog. The issues you raised are so true.
This is indeed a Tragedy. There is nothing as sad as loosing a child. Regardless of the circumstances,our prayers goes to his entire family. People like you must continue to provide information and education on autism and the impact it has on many families around the world.Keep up the good work,you are indeed a great advocate for many people diagnoded with autism and their families.
Jim,
A wonderful and very professionally written article. God bless you and the Travolta family. I work with special needs children and it amazes me how many parents won't face the true facts of their child's disabilities. If more parents would face the realities of autism and other disabilities, we as educators could do so much more to help these wonderful and loving children.
Jim,
A wonderful and very professionally written article. God bless you and the Travolta family. I work with special needs children and it amazes me how many parents won't face the true facts of their child's disabilities. If more parents would face the realities of autism and other disabilities, we as educators could do so much more to help these wonderful and loving children.
Jim,
Great post. None of my three children has autism, however, I find the topic very interesting. I'd like to know what is your opinion of the following article from New York magazine. It's a long one, but a good one.
http://nymag.com/news/features/47225/
Wendy
hi jim
I'm the mother of a 5 year's old Autistic
son who has pervasive developmental disorder.
I worry about my son, if he will get seizures.
it hurts about what happen to jett travolta.it
sad to deny that your child has autism. we
need more real people like you, who won't hold
back any emotions. Thank you!
May God Bless And Protect your
child and my child and All
Children!
With Love RoseMary
jim
my best friend son is autistic were can i get more informantion on autistic children
john katz
Jim - great blog!
Laurie - I've worked with children with autism and their families for years (among different socio-economical/ educational level of the families), and the denial factor is always there. I find that denial is two - fold. When I was studying for my degree in special education, we learned that when a child is labeled with a disability, the parents go through a process similar to the grieving/ mourning process when a person dies. This is because for the 9 months that they were pregnant, they had all these hopes and dreams for this child. Once the diagnosis is made, they start to mourn the child that might have been. For example, dream of a baseball player that disappear when the child is diagnosed with spinal bifida or cerebral palsy. Parents cannot stay in denial for too long because the child's needs take precedent, and they must take care of the child and they go through the other stages of grieving. In the case with Autism, the parents have a child who is going through all of the milestones in life, such as walking, talking, etc at the right times, only to lose those skills suddenly. Some suspect vaccines, but there are reports to contradict that. When the child is diagnosed within the Autism spectrum, they go through the grieving process as well, but the child receives therapy and does well with therapy. The parents still hold on to the child, so full of promise they once had before the skills stopped. I have just finished teaching a 5 year old child with Autism, and he has made such great strides since I began with him when he was 2 years old. He is no longer labeled as a child with Autism, but a child with a disability. This is after intensive therapy with him 5 days a week for 3 years. He has also been diagnosed with ADHD. The parents asked me if it could have been that he had ADHD all the time and if he was misdiagnosed previously. Many times, children on the Autism spectrum also have another diagnosis (comorbidity), but the "Autism" takes center stage. Once the "Autism" symptoms resolve/diminish, the symptoms of the other condition become more evident. The parents want to believe that the child has been misdiagnosed because many studies suggest that there is a genetic factor involved. This suggest that there is something wrong with their genes and it could have been their "fault". As of now, scientist still do not know what causes Autism, and there is still no "cure" for it. These are my observations and conjectures from my experience with children with Autism. I hope it helps.
A very emotional post Jim. It's a tragic thing that's happened to the Travoltas, and religion aside, no one should ever have to lose their children. Hopefully religion did not have a factor in determining treatment for Jett.
But overall, I think everyone should just leave the family alone and let the experts figure out what happened to him. Then afterwards if the family decides to talk about, then okay. But otherwise, like every other family, no one wants a media spotlight on a tragic event like this. Rumors always is a bad thing, especially in the death of a child.
jim
could you please give me the best web site so i can help my best friend with her 7 year child my e-mail address is jkatz864@AOL.COM IF ANY ONE ELES CAN GIVE ME A WEB SITE PLEASE SEND IT TO ME
THANK YOU
JKATZ864@AOL.COM
jim
could you please give me the best web site so i can help my best friend with her 7 year child my e-mail address is jkatz864@AOL.COM IF ANY ONE ELES CAN GIVE ME A WEB SITE PLEASE SEND IT TO ME
THANK YOU
JKATZ864@AOL.COM
Hi Jim,
Thanks for writing about this topic in such a humanistic manner. I feel so badly for the Travoltas for losing their son, yet I can't help feeling anger as well for their constant denial of his situation and at their adherence to a religion which doesn't believe in autism, homosexuality, anti-depressants..the list goes on and on.
But you helped me understand their situation better and I now feel less angry. They are certainly to be pitied, not just because they lost their son, but because like many parents with autistic children or children with similiar disabilities, it would be devastating to admit their child won't be able to do the things other children take for granted.
I too wish they could have admitted their son's limitations and used their money and fame to bring attention to his condition and join the fight to find answers, but it is too late now. Thank you for your courage and understanding and for fighting the good fight. We will find our answers one day.
Dear Jim,
I had the esteem pleasure of meeting and hearing you speak on this subject at my son Michael's school a liitle over a year ago.
Unfortunately there are too many folks that either put their heads in the sand or to take the contrary and preach to know oh so much.
Neither of the above is best for the sake of the children involved nor for the brothers and sisters of those children who are on the Autistic Spectrum.
I love when someone comes to me and tells me they know what my immediate family goes through.
When I then ask,"Who do they know who has Autism,Their answer is no one". To say you know what we go through and you are not personally touched by this is being ignorant to the affliction to begin with.
It is those that live with it day in and day out that know oh too well what everyday life is truly about.
My hat is tipped to the individual who brings their childs symptoms to the forefront of society.
Especially those who can with their being a celebrity or a public figure bring this affliction
known as "AUTISM" to the awareness and eyes of the mass public.
Let those who make the laws of the land see what we experiance.
Let them see how it is not something as rare as it was just a short ten years ago.
Rather it is an affliction that touches one out of less then one hundred and twenty chidren.
Now do the math and figure out how many babies were born in the US alone and then tell me how many are to face the Autistic Spectrum.
Now tell me if this is not something that all Americans need to address.From Capital Hill to the Backyards of everyman,USA.
I sincerely thank you for your time.
Michael > A very proud daddy of my hero Son,
Michael; Who is on the Autistic Spectrum.
Dear Jim,
I had the esteem pleasure of meeting and hearing you speak on this subject at my son Michael's school a liitle over a year ago.
Unfortunately there are too many folks that either put their heads in the sand or to take the contrary and preach to know oh so much.
Neither of the above is best for the sake of the children involved nor for the brothers and sisters of those children who are on the Autistic Spectrum.
I love when someone comes to me and tells me they know what my immediate family goes through.
When I then ask,"Who do they know who has Autism,Their answer is no one". To say you know what we go through and you are not personally touched by this is being ignorant to the affliction to begin with.
It is those that live with it day in and day out that know oh too well what everyday life is truly about.
My hat is tipped to the individual who brings their childs symptoms to the forefront of society.
Especially those who can with their being a celebrity or a public figure bring this affliction
known as "AUTISM" to the awareness and eyes of the mass public.
Let those who make the laws of the land see what we experiance.
Let them see how it is not something as rare as it was just a short ten years ago.
Rather it is an affliction that touches one out of less then one hundred and twenty chidren.
Now do the math and figure out how many babies were born in the US alone and then tell me how many are to face the Autistic Spectrum.
Now tell me if this is not something that all Americans need to address.From Capital Hill to the Backyards of everyman,USA.
I sincerely thank you for your time.
Michael > A very proud daddy of my hero Son,
Michael; Who is on the Autistic Spectrum.
So well written Jim. It was sensitive, yet responsible.
Jim, you did a nice job with this post. It is sad, for sure. It does make you wonder why some put so much effort into denying such a thing when if they only put that same effort into bringing about awareness they could possibly make a difference.
Jenny, I found your response interesting. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Jim - that's by far the best analysis I've read on the issues of the Travoltas and autism. Thanks for another great blog, but I also enjoy your humorous ones too. The opportunity to "friend" you may just compel me to finally join Facebook!
I will never understand why people keep their illnesses a secret. I don't understand why people don't talk about their children's illnesses. I have unfortunatly dealt with a child with cancer. It kills me, and makes me worry about everything. Since I have only 1 grandaughter (and 2 grandsons), I have found that if I didn't talk about my concerns, I would be totally nuts. My concerns are not unfounded, because, as far as I know, Autism is a complex illness, so is cancer. Maybe everything is connected to a weak immune system. I don't know, maybe it is in the bad air we breathe everyday. Maybe it's just bad luck or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. With pregnancy ever chancy, who knows what triggers anything. I am glad I found this blog, actually, I heard you talking about it on the news. I have followed your career, because I thought you were a very good anchorman. I remember you from Channel 4, years ago. I wonder why you went to Channel 11. I also think you live near my area, but I won't say where. Anyway, I am just so frustrated by children's illnesses, that I had to write on your blog, although I might not be in the right place. Again, A FRIGHTENED GRANDMOTHER
Hi, Lee.. you're in the right place! You're completely right, one of the factors that makes autism (and many cancers) so scary is the mystery of it all. why does it happen? what exactly is it anyway? why do some get it and not others?
thank you so much for writing, and may we all find the answers that will make us less frightened.
As a mother of 5 girls 1 with autism and 1 with spinia bifida i find it very hard to understand how any parent can hide who or what there children are. We found spinia bifida easyer to accept then autism, the reason for this is with spinia bifida it is mostly seen on your scan so you have time to accept it before your baby is born and when it is that is just them from the day they are born.but with autism as you know it does not show until later on so you lose the child ypou had and have to get used to the ways of autism. Autism is not something to hide as its what make your child who there are.
As a mother of 5 girls 1 with autism and 1 with spinia bifida i find it very hard to understand how any parent can hide who or what there children are. We found spinia bifida easyer to accept then autism, the reason for this is with spinia bifida it is mostly seen on your scan so you have time to accept it before your baby is born and when it is that is just them from the day they are born.but with autism as you know it does not show until later on so you lose the child ypou had and have to get used to the ways of autism. Autism is not something to hide as its what make your child who they are.
Thank you so much for your input on a sensitive subject "Autism". I hope and pray that the Travoltas read your blog and the comments. Sometime tradegy happens in order to really open your eyes to the truth. My sympathy and prayers goes out to this wonderful family (Travolta). Thank you Jim for your honesty and sharing your ideas and experience on Autism.
God Bless you, your wife and Liam.
Thank you for this wonderful and compassionate piece.
My 9 year old son is on the spectrum, and his autism is mild to moderate. (He may one day be diagnosed with Asperger's, though some experts insist that a language delay excludes this possibility. My son only started to speak after he turned two.)
Parents of autistic children face a lot of challenges and often are forced to explain their child's behavior. I understand the reticence of the Travoltas, though not their denials. The death of Jett, 16, was a major tragedy for this family, and that's what we need to focus on. It is obvious that this boy was loved and cared for by his family.
I'm glad you wrote this and shared it with us.
I am the parent of two children on the autism spectrum. Thank you for addressing this topic. When I look at pictures of this young man and his family I see a happy well cared for kid. That is actually the most important thing to me. How parent deals with a learning issue is up to them. Given that there is no "cure" many different approaches can work.
For example my son is in a very intensive autism specific program. My daughter on the other hand is doing fine in a regular special education class. Each child is different each situation is different so there are no right or wrong answers.
As for medication this is also a choice between parents and doctors. Medications have side effects, long term effects, and some children do not respond well.
I wish the best to The Travolta family and all families that have to deal with autism in their lives.