When Nancy Alspaugh and Read Jackson adopted little Wyatt, he seemed like a normal, healthy baby boy. But around the age of two he began exhibiting some abnormal traits – his language skills suddenly started to decline and he began banging his head against walls, shouting uncontrollably and spinning endlessly in circles. Wyatt was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nancy and Read felt their world begin to crumble as they watched their son “disappear” before their eyes.
Autism is an epidemic that is growing at alarming rates, effecting as many as 1 in 150 children. It is a brain development disorder that that impairs communication and social skills, causes repetitive and violent behaviors and creates various medical problems. If untreated, the condition tends to worsen. The cause of autism is unknown, but with treatment the disease is actually recoverable.
Once Wyatt was diagnosed, Nancy took time off from her job as a successful producer and author to research Autism treatment methods. She spent so much time on her computer she dubbed it “Autism Central”.
As she educated herself on the various therapies available she couldn’t help feel fortunate that she had access to such information. She thought about the parents of autistic children that were just struggling to get by without the advantages that she had. Once Wyatt began to recover she felt she had a mission to help these less fortunate families.
It was out of this mission that the “Denim and Diamonds” event was born. The event was held Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the couple’s private ranch in Hidden Hills. Emceed by Tom Bergeron (America’s Funniest Home Videos, Dancing with the Stars), Leeza Gibbons (Extra, Leeza) and Jerry Penacoli (Days of our Lives, Extra) they raised $70,000 for ACT Today (Autism Care and Treatment Today). ACT Today is a nonprofit organization created by parents of autistic children with the goal of increasing access to effective treatments and improving the potential for recovery.
Entertainment for the night included vocalists Joe Croyle, Geovanny Garcia, and the Winton sisters. Lori Hart Dorff and Lada Boder performed a provocative chair dance and the Simon Dawes Band provided a lively soundtrack for dancing beneath the stars. Guests dined on a BBQ dinner and participated in Live and Silent Auctions for items such as a VIP Las Vegas package, a Jose Eber Head-to Toe-Makeover and baseballs signed by Micky Mantle, Cal Ripkin and Ted Williams.
Wyatt took the stage with his mother to promote a book they wrote together called “Sammy Learns to Listen”. All proceeds from sales of the book go to DAN (Defeat Autism Now). In between doing sound checks, Wyatt helped his mother sum up the story and showed how far he has progressed with the help of his therapies.
Wyatt spends thirty hours a week undergoing ABA therapy, hyperbaric therapy and probiotic therapy, earning the meaning behind his name (Wyatt is French for “Little Warrior”). Most of these therapies are not covered by insurance, so charities like ACT Today are essential for families in need.
Read and Nancy were once faced with the prospect of raising a child that might never make eye contact with them or speak to them, might never say “I love you”, never dress himself or become toilet trained. But thanks to knowledge and determination along with the help of several dedicated professionals the future looks promising. Nancy and Read hope to make autism recovery a reality for other children and their families.
For more information on ACT Today including upcoming charity events visit www.act-today.org. Tax deductible donations can be processed through the website via Paypal.
