my experience with autistic kids is that a lot of them relate much more easily to animals than to humans. It doesn't mean that they can communicate with them, just that they feel that the animals are easier to "befriend" and animals have much more flexible expectations of interpersonal interactions that make autistic kids feel more at ease.

/doesn't have all that much experience

not just autistic kids...

/not me either...
//pinky swear...

C'mon people, out with the photoshops!

They should just leave her at the farm.

This headline is misleading. She is mute around people but talks around adults. That's not Doctor Dolittle territory.

First they will have her talk to cows. Then when she is used to them they will introduce her to Rosie O Donnell, the missing link between cows and humans.

Animals. I get adults and animals confused.

Barks in approval

I probably talk to my cat more than other people, and that's exactly the way I like it.

she's a witch

burn her at the stake

"chromosome defect" lol...science is great and all but talk about collective tunnel vision.

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

Have the parents dress up like furries and maybe she'll talk to them. Be prepared for some CPS visits though.

Brainwash: "chromosome defect" lol...science is great and all but talk about collective tunnel vision.

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

Uh. What?

They should just leave her at the farm.
i lol'd

Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch? Darwinism at it's fullest! How many autistic people survive in the safari?

/ooh a pretty tiger

Brainwash: "chromosome defect" lol...science is great and all but talk about collective tunnel vision.

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

By default, won't people be ignorant of the unknown? After all, it is unknown.

A girl who won't talk to you but can make animal noises. Maybe she'll find somebody when she grows up.

tonesskin: Brainwash: "chromosome defect" lol...science is great and all but talk about collective tunnel vision.

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

By default, won't people be ignorant of the unknown? After all, it is unknown.

UNPWNED

Doctor 1: What's all this mean?
Doctor 2: No idea, can't explain it.
Doctor 1: Well, let's see what the dolphins can do with her.
Doctor 2: Brilliant!

I don't have a dog, so submitter is a retard and a speciesist.

I did RTFA but am still confused, does she mimic animal noises or talk like a person when she's around them.

stevie1der: I did RTFA but am still confused, does she mimic animal noises or talk like a person when she's around them.

It looks like she makes "vocalizations" which would be like grunts?

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

And some of us are ignorant of what the article actually says.

A heartwarming story, but misleading headline.

I don't think we give animals enough credit some days. They work for us, feed us, even entertain us and help us live happier lives.

"chromosome defect" = the new retarded

stevie1der: I did RTFA but am still confused, does she mimic animal noises or talk like a person when she's around them.

She only talks to animals. Has never talked to a human. Has nothing to do with a "chromosome defect." Has everything to do with her autism. It's a very common autistic trait.

T-Luv:

Came here for a Larson cartoon. (I was thinking of the cows talking in the field "Car!" one, but this one fits better.)

Of course, the animals have no clue what she's grunting about.

angelicbeef: They should just leave her at the farm.
i lol'd

Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch? Darwinism at it's fullest! How many autistic people survive in the safari?

/ooh a pretty tiger

Might I recommend some light reading?

skinink: "I want to eat your liver with a nice Chanti, and some fava beans FFFT FFFTFFFT FFFFTTF FTTTTT!!!!"

Was that the girl or the cow saying that?

I am lost without balloons.

But can she call spirits from the vasty deep?

I've been talking to cats for 25 years we still don't understand each other.

She began talking to cows during a stay at a farm which was part of her therapy. Her parents now say she turns into a chatterbox as soon as she is in the company of animals.

I talk to cows, too, but the only thing they say is how delicious they are.

Brainwash: "chromosome defect" lol...science is great and all but talk about collective tunnel vision.

We're all so scared and ignorant of the unknown.

Bwahahahaha! Speaking of ignorant.... I would, from your post alone, be accurate in guessing that you have no science degrees?

Just "talking to animals" {using animals to help her come out of her introvert social shell} with her 'nonsense' sounds / vocalizations is one thing. [which the article was talking about] [animal therapy is actually a recommended therapy for autistic patients in some cases]

The girl being able to actually converse with [and "speak the animal's own language"] with the animal / have an actual connection, perhaps spiritual, and perhaps control/calm/train etc. the animal is completely another. Now wasn't Dr. Dolittle all about this last part?

now the big question:
Do the animals actually "talk/vocalize" to her as well? Or do they not care / not give her the time of day / think "WTF is she going on about?" in their minds?

Of COURSE it's interesting/perhaps amazing that she clams up around humans but then talks alot around ("to") animals. Very peculiar, very interesting.
But, IMHO, "Doctor Dolittle" is a cute nickname for the kid, but i thought it smacked of cheesiness/cheekyness/etc. etc.

I am NOT a cynic/pessimist about using animals as therapy for autistic/etc. patients, helping them communicate better somehow, help them come out of their shell. Because it DOES work. I DO feel sorry for the poor kid and her rare condition, and hope somehow that is is a 'gateway' therapy to help her bridge the communication gap between her and other humans.
I AM a cynic/pessimist about the parent's labelling of it.

NorvGroidley: Of course, the animals have no clue what she's grunting about.

A voice of clarity speaks.

I think the baby grunts at cows, the parents smile like they're really helping her, and America will get another retard. Welcome to the States, sign her up to vote!

What did the parents do to that little girl!! Sickos, all of them English types, just sickos.

angelicbeef: Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch?

It's not an "attraction" so much as an ability to empathize with them.

angelicbeef: How many autistic people survive in the safari?

Probably just as many as non-autistic, if not more.

FuturePastNow: I've been talking to cats the opposite sex for 25 years we still don't understand each other.

FTFY

That's the cutest lil' mutant I ever did see.

angelicbeef: Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch?

I've often thought the same thing about people with an unhealthy attraction to computers.

MessyDwarf: That's the cutest lil' mutant I ever did see.



See or fold?

Damn it skinick!

I almost lost my lunch....which would have made my cats happy.

blazemongr: angelicbeef: Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch?

I've often thought the same thing about people with an unhealthy attraction to computers.

You have a computer that kills you? Weird!

Has anyone else thought maybe that the attraction to animals found in autistic people is a sort of genetic suicide switch? Darwinism at it's fullest! How many autistic people survive in the safari?

/ooh a pretty tiger

interesting thought

I was just thinking A: women after 30 having kids are at higher risk of thunking-out defective babies.
B: A Hopeless mother is grasping to a straw by seeing more than what's truly there. So the girl talks to animals, but it is not like she has any special powers. the animals merely tolerate her, not communicate with her.

/I hope the Rosie o Donnel therapy helps the little girl.
// my mom was over 30...and her i am-- posting on fark

Cosmic Crab: But can she call spirits from the vasty deep?

Sirrah, verily thou hath won thee internets.

/Now is the winter of my Disco Tent

Sounds to me like the kid just babbles around animals, and not people. I don't think there's a two-way conversation going on.

/apparently Aquaman had a chromosome defect