Boy with autism teams with babysitter to become Do

Boy with autism teams with babysitter to become Doctor Mad Science
RICHMOND HILL Jordan Hilkowitz used to yell and throw tantrums, bang his head on the tile and fling his shoes across the room. Diagnosed with autism, he did not speak until he was 5.
When he did break his silence,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], he initially spoke only in letters: "C," for instance, for the main sound in his long-time babysitter Tracy Leparulo's name.
"One of my first experiences at his house was seeing these pulley systems all the way from upstairs to downstairs," said Leparulo, 23, describing a set-up involving string, a basket and clips cobbled together by then 4-year-old Jordan.
He was enthralled by images of rocks and crystals, and the duo would frequently surf Google, both for fun and to help him build his vocabulary as he began to talk.
They would also look up videos for do-it-yourself science experiments, but were disappointed by the need for obscure chemicals and lack of step-by-step instruction.
So,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], last year,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], they decided to make their own. The resulting YouTube web channel,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Doctor Mad Science, features charming, excited 11-year-old Jordan demonstrating home science projects, such as a make-your-own lava lamp.
In just over a year, the videos shot and edited with the help of Leparulo have garnered more than four million views, enough to bring in $5,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],000 cash from advertising, which Jordan will put toward a new computer.
"We've done 21 experiments," he proudly declared in an interview.
The online feedback, combined with the ability to communicate and share his love of science,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], have proved a combustible mix for Jordan. His speech,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], confidence and social skills have all dramatically improved.
"The transformation has been amazing," said his mother,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Stacey Hilkowitz.
"This channel has created better speech because he rethinks how he says the words now in his head," she said.
Her son has begun interacting on Twitter and Facebook,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and the many views of his videos "make a world of difference" for Jordan's confidence, Leparulo said. He has begun making friends and even joined a hockey team.
Jordan's story illustrates the opportunities that technology, such as social media, give people with autism.
"It seems like every day we hear something new from a family about how technology is really transforming their lives,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]," said Andy Shih,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], vice-president of scientific affairs at Autism Speaks, an awareness and advocacy organization.
Technology is increasingly giving voice to autistic people who do not speak but have "a very rich inner life,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]."
Carly Fleischmann is one of the best known examples.
Though she is non-verbal, she has amassed a 30,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],000-plus Twitter following.
Interaction online is also easier for people with autism who speak but have difficulty with non-verbal cues.
"Social media tends to be text based,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and what that means is that we don't need to be distracted attempting to perceive and decode non-verbal communication," said Stephen Shore,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], an autism expert who has the disorder.
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