One of the most remarkable things about Dr. Rimland is that he took or returned every call I made to him. He did just not answer my calls, but everyone's. He just had the biggest, most caring heart! I can remember after my son's being on a special diet for nearly a year, frustrated as ever I asked him, "How do I know if it's working?" His response, in his low, gruff voice: "Well, hon, there is no real test except for the kid himself. If you really want to know, give the kid a cracker and a glass of milk, and you will have your answer!"
He got things done, never messed around, and for all who knew and loved him, his opinion of anything was never questioned. He was a true hero and will be missed, however he will be remembered forever for everything he has done for our community!
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| -- Lisa Sportelli-Wright, mother of seven-year-old Ean |
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In 1988, my daughter, Jessica, was almost two years old. During an era when autism was virtually unheard of, I could only go to the Britannica Encyclopedia when I suspected she had autism.
If not for Dr. Rimland's life-long commitment to helping families, I firmly believe we would be 20 years behind the curve on the awareness and advocacy of what was then such a mystery. For a long while, he was the contact for any family looking for help.
I am forever in his debt, because after his personal guidance, I knew how to help my daughter. He did not only speak, he acted. And he acted tirelessly. He had a very high calling in his life. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
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| -- Sue Palmer, Paradise Valley, Ariz. |
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Dr. Rimland shared a wealth of his time and energy to help individually each person that inquired of him. He certainly will always be remembered in our family for helping to educate, enlighten and give hope when their was none. We are thankful for his gifts to our family.
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| -- Lynne M. George, Burlington, Vt. |
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When our daughter Brittany was diagnosed at age three, 13 years ago, my husband and I were shocked and devastated by the grave prognosis we were given by the diagnostic team here in Florida. The organization we contacted for guidance was The Autism Research Institute, to inquire about purchasing books and other materials that might help us absorb Brittany's diagnosis and learn more about autism, which we had barely ever heard of, aside from the movie Rainman (this was before the Internet was available).
A women answered the telephone at ARI and I explained that I was a mother of a recently diagnosed child and she immediately handed the phone over to Dr. Rimland. My husband and I spoke with him and picked his brain as we hit him with every question we had about autism and what we can expect for our beautiful daughter's future. He was patient and understanding and he followed up on our daughter's progress for years. He was a calming, positive influence on us as he explained facts about autism. And he gave us something invaluable, he gave us a roadmap to hope.
After our telephone conversation with Dr. Rimland we felt like everything was going to be okay and we followed his advice to the letter. To this very day, I can hear his voice in my memory, like that telephone conversation was only yesterday. They say everyone comes into your life for a reason and I know why we found Dr. Rimland, he was our guardian angel. May God bless and keep him.
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| --Michelle & Michael Guarino, Weeki Wachee, Fla. |
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We still remember the time 13 years ago when we first suspected autism in our son (he is 15 now) and came across the fledgling internet site of Dr. Rimland's in San Diego. We sent for his E-5 diagnostic tool and found it amazingly accurate in describing the behaviors of our tormented two year old. At a time when neorologists were telling us he would grow out of it and had never heard of ABA or any other therapies, it was nothing short of miraculous to find the E-5 and all of the wonderful information that Dr. Rimland himself was willing to share with us personally on the phone.
He was a blessing to us and so many others. Because of ABA and many wonderful therapists and teachers, Andrew is now a student at a public high school and even part of their marching band as a trombonist. Bernie helped us hold the torch of hope when we had none. We will miss him as family.
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| --Laurie and Doug Gaffney, Voorhees, N.J. |
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I remember personally speaking to Dr. Rimland via phone just a few weeks after my son Jesse was diagnosed in 1996. He was so kind , informative and helpful. I had read his book Infantile Autism and felt that this man had single-handedly changed the face and the future of autism.
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| -- Loryn Albano |
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We met Dr. Rimland when we were a part of developing the first ever Autism Rally in Washington D.C. We got him his room at the hotel. He was warm but passionate about what parents of autistic children were doing with this disorder. He asked if we were on any vitamin supplements via email. I said not at that time and he immediately called and we had a long conversation about it.
He was personal, professional and very involved with each and every parent and child afflicted with this disorder. He will be greatly missed but I know his legacy will live on through us, "his" families.
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-- Mary Phillips, mother of three boys with autism
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I am the mother of 2 young sons with autism. When my oldest son Daniel was first diagnosed in 1997, I was so overwhelmed -- by the diagnosis and by the lack of information on autism for parents at the time. An educational psychologist told me to "Hit the Internet!" After much research on my computer, I discovered one of the greatest assets of the autism community: Dr. Rimland at the Autism Research Institute.
While Daniel was recuperating from having his tonsils and adenoids removed (he had had a lot of ear infections that caused his tonsils and adenoids to swell up and block his breathing), I called Dr. Rimland from my son's hospital room.
Dr. Rimland answered the phone. Even though he was running late for a flight to speak at a conference, he took the time to talk to me about autism and what I should do. He even took down my address and mailed me everything I've always wanted to know about autism but was afraid to ask.
I will never forget his kindness and his dedication to helping our kids. He will be sorely missed!God bless you, Dr. Rimland, and may He watch over your beautiful family!
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--Debra Clark, Granada Hills, Calif.
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My son was diagnosed at the age of three with autism in 1997. At the age of seven, he began to "poop" in swimming pools and we could not stop it. We reside in Florida and went swimming daily. I did not know how to change the behavior and prevent this from happening. After months of being "stressed to the max" concerning this issue many parents have dealt with, I decided to phone The Autism Research Institute and hopefully receive some help.
Dr. Bernard Rimland answered the phone himself; I had read about this man and his contributions to the autism community. He told me who he was, wanted to know what was happening and what he could do to help. I was impressed that a man in his position would answer the phone. He gave me suggestions and told me of websites to purchase what items I needed. He was sincere, kind and an enormous help in solving my problem with my son. I thanked him and he wished me good luck.
This was a conversation that always stays in my heart, as it was a time in my life that I desperately needed an expert's opinion and the understanding of another parent with a child who has autism. He was wonderful! Dr. Rimland will always be remembered in my heart as someone who mattered and made a difference. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
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-- Anne Bready, Jupiter, Fla.
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I was a young, oppressed, guilt-ridden, beaten down "refrigerator mother,"until I came across Bernard Rimland's book. He challenged the arrogance of the medical establishment and offered new ideas and interpretations, which I knew in my heart to be true. His book lifted the veil and gave an entire generation hope during very difficult, even impossible times. He was a radiant light in a sea of darkness. He is and will always be a hero to me.
When I heard of his illness three weeks ago, I called him and to my surprise he answered the phone. "Hello Audrey" he said in a sweet but fragile voice. I was able to tell him how much he meant to me and to us all. But the most incredible thing of all is the letter I received from him last week thanking me for the call and apologizing for not being able to stay on the phone longer. He was a truly great and humble man!
The best we can do as human beings is to affect change for the better in this world and certainly Bernie did more than his share. He will be remembered with gratitude and love. His legacy will live on and continue forward.
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| -- Audrey Flack |
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For a great and important man, Bernie Rimland was remarkably accessible. I was always surprised when I would call The Autism Research Institute's office and Bernie would answer the phone, perennially cheerful and helpful. I finally met him at an Eden Institute lecture where he hung out afterward with a small group of parents, graciously giving us the opportunity to both vent our frustration and pick his brain.
Dr. Rimland was determined to see all autistic children reach their full potential, and his research was focused on interventions that were safe as well as effective. His no-nonsense views, often critical of the pharmaceutical establishment, were aired when the concept of alternative medicine had not yet taken hold. The last time I saw him was at the very first Autism Rally in D.C. as he was preparing to go on stage to speak. I waved and shouted "Hey, Bernie!" and he smiled broadly and waved back. We were kindred souls that day, we who had waited so long for autism to come out of the shadows and into the public light.
It breaks my heart that he did not live to see the Combating Autism Bill passed by Congress. This landmark legislation would not have been possible without Dr. Rimland's unswerving dedication. For my autistic son, I thank you, Bernie with all my heart.
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| -- Theresa Kelly |
