Carly Fleischmann’s journey began in 1995, and by the age of two, she received a diagnosis that would shape her early life: autism, accompanied by developmental delay and oral-motor apraxia. This diagnosis, while a starting point, only scratched the surface of Carly’s capabilities and understanding. Initially, Carly’s autism diagnosis presented as stereotypical autistic traits; hand-flapping, rocking, and what were misinterpreted as tantrums. Even professionals underestimated her potential, with a psychologist suggesting she might never progress beyond a 6-year-old developmental stage. This early misjudgment and the subsequent therapies she underwent highlight the critical need for accurate and nuanced autism diagnoses and support systems.
Carly was then subjected to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a method that, while intended to manage symptoms, has been criticized for its potential to disregard the underlying sensory and emotional experiences of autistic individuals. This period of her life, marked by repetitive tasks and external rewards, inadvertently masked her true intellectual and emotional depth, reinforcing the initial misinterpretations surrounding her Carly Fleischmann Diagnosis and capabilities.
However, at the age of ten, a pivotal moment occurred that would redefine Carly’s Carly Fleischmann diagnosis narrative. During a therapy session, she approached her therapist’s laptop and typed, “HELP TEETH HURT.” This single act of communication shattered preconceived notions and opened a new chapter in her life. It was a powerful demonstration that despite her communication challenges, Carly was acutely aware and capable of expressing complex thoughts and needs.
Following this breakthrough, Carly learned to communicate effectively through typing. This newfound voice allowed her to connect with the world in ways previously unimaginable. She embraced social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, becoming an active blogger and public speaker. Carly also co-authored a book with her father, Carly’s Voice, sharing her experiences and insights with a wider audience. Her aspirations grew, encompassing novel writing and a desire to pursue journalism. These achievements underscored the profound misjudgment inherent in her initial limited Carly Fleischmann diagnosis interpretation.
The realization that Carly had been aware and understanding all along was a profound moment for her family and therapists. Terms like ‘mentally retarded,’ spoken in her presence, had not gone unnoticed. Her subsequent IQ test, revealing a score of 120, further challenged the initial low expectations set by her early Carly Fleischmann diagnosis. Carly enrolled in mainstream schooling in 2010, later joining a gifted class and eventually attending the University of Toronto. Her own reflection, ‘I wish the so called experts would have been smart enough to put me in a regular school years ago,’ speaks volumes about the limitations imposed by underestimating autistic potential.
Despite her academic and communicative triumphs, Carly faced ongoing challenges, particularly with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She herself linked this to her experiences with ABA therapy, suggesting that the lack of control inherent in such regimented programs might contribute to OCD in autistic individuals. Her Facebook post on this topic sparked important conversations about the potential long-term impacts of ABA.
In a distressing turn of events, Carly underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 2014, purportedly to treat her OCD. This decision, attributed to Carly by her father, is questionable considering her lack of prior discussion about ECT on social media, where she openly shared other aspects of her life and treatments. The devastating effects of ECT became apparent when Carly’s ability to type, her primary mode of communication, was severely compromised. Her desperate online message, ‘i cabnt typerc anymmyore ectt didfd thisds to meed brayiin is scrrammbellld needdc fdocttor helphgfi,’ painted a stark picture of the treatment’s impact.
While her father initially downplayed the situation, it was later revealed that Carly suffered from aphasia as a result of ECT. Despite claims of improved OCD, the treatment’s damaging consequences were undeniable. Carly’s journey reflects the dangers of aggressive interventions, especially when applied without a full understanding of an individual’s needs and the potential for harm.
However, Carly’s resilience shone through once again. After a period of silence and recovery, she gradually re-emerged, reclaiming her voice and her platform. She returned to social media, started copying and pasting words to communicate, and eventually regained her ability to type independently. Her powerful message upon returning to Facebook – ‘Hellooooooooo world! As you might be able to see I am typing again. I am lost on what has happend for a whole year and a half of my life… I promise I will post again but I need some time to figure out what happend to me…’ – marked a triumphant return.
Carly’s story extends beyond her personal challenges and triumphs with her Carly Fleischmann diagnosis. She became an advocate, launching her YouTube channel “Speechless with Carly Fleischmann” and using her voice to raise awareness about autism and the importance of respectful and person-centered approaches. Her experience of being gaslit and having her sexual assault allegations dismissed further highlights the vulnerabilities faced by autistic individuals and the crucial need for belief and support.
Carly Fleischmann’s narrative serves as a powerful lesson. It underscores the critical importance of listening to and believing autistic individuals, challenging preconceived notions, and moving away from harmful interventions towards supportive and understanding approaches. Her journey from misdiagnosis and communication barriers to becoming a self-advocate and voice for others is a testament to the potential within every individual, regardless of their Carly Fleischmann diagnosis. Her story reminds us that autism is not a deficit but a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world, and that true understanding requires us to listen to and value autistic voices.
