PRESS RELEASE

April 30, 2013, 9:00 a.m. EDT

Holly Robinson Peete Joins Fuhu, Inc. as nabi Brand Ambassador

Actress and Philanthropist Set to Share the Benefits of a Tablet for Children

EL SEGUNDO, CA–(Marketwired – Apr 30, 2013) – Fuhu, Inc., the creators of the award-winning nabi(R) tablets for kids, announced today, mother, actress and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete has joined the company as a brand ambassador for its nabi family of products made just for kids. Holly Robinson Peete will help educate parents on the benefits of integrating a tablet into their children’s lives as a key tool for both learning and entertainment. She will also spearhead the company’s autism program, Inspire, as lead strategist.

As a devoted mother of four and a successful entertainer, Holly understands a modern family’s need for enriching education and entertainment solutions to fit their busy lifestyles. “nabi really stood out for me because as a parent I want my kids to have a tablet that is on par with what I have in my iPad, but safe for them to use. The nabi gave my kids a tablet built just for them, with the quality and safe-guards I want as a parent,” said Holly Robinson Peete. “Fuhu is a company that genuinely cares about providing kids with the best experiences with the highest quality product for its price, a true value! I am thrilled about my new role representing the brand to families everywhere.”

In addition to Holly and Fuhu’s mutual dedication to enriching digital experiences for kids, both also share a commitment to help families affected by autism. Holly co-founded the HollyRod Foundation (http://www.hollyrod.org/) with her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, offering help and hope through compassionate care to families living with autism and Parkinson’s disease. Fuhu is also supporting families touched by autism through its Inspire program (www.nabitablet.com/inspire), which offers direct assistance by contributing a percentage of sales to the cause, and donating tablets to affected families.

“Holly is an inspiration to us both as a caring mother and as a tireless philanthropist. We are honored to have such an altruistic individual representing our company,” said Fuhu CEO, Jim Mitchell. “Not only will Holly helps us spread awareness for nabi tablets and programs benefitting families living with autism, but her invaluable insight will also help us continue to create products and services that deliver engaging experiences to kids.”

nabi is a brand that offers families an ecosystem of innovative lifestyle solutions that are powerful and entertaining enough for adults but made just for kids. nabi tablets are full-featured Android tablets for kids that deliver rich and engaging experiences. It provides kids with a platform to learn with education programs like Wings(TM) (first tablet-based adaptive learning system that tailors courseware based on a child’s proficiency), and enjoy console-quality entertainment powered by NVIDIA(R) Tegra(R) processors. Recently launched are nabi Headphones, the first dual-mode and volume limiting studio quality kids headphones, and nabi Square HD, 1080p HD mountable camcorder made waterproof and shockproof for kids.

About Fuhu, Inc.

Fuhu, Inc., creator of the nabi tablet, is a leading designer, seller and innovator of thoughtful consumer products and services for children. Fuhu is committed to creating children’s solutions that are: (1) socially responsible, (2) made right, (3) make a difference in people’s lives, (4) for parents by parents, and (5) dedicated to the intellectual development of children. Fuhu is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., with other U.S. offices in Denver and San Jose. For more information, visit www.fuhu.com and www.nabitablet.com

About Holly Robinson Peete

Holly Robinson Peete is an actress, author, talk show host, activist, and philanthropist with a career in entertainment that dates back nearly three decades. In 1996, Holly and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation, offering help and hope through compassionate care to families living with Autism disorder and Parkinson’s disease. Holly has received numerous accolades and awards for her philanthropic work including the Anheuser Busch John E. Jacob Community Service Award and the Thurgood Marshall Foundation Award. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Autism Speaks, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and the Keck School of Medicine of USC. http://www.hollyrod.org/

Written on April 23, 2013 at 8:30 am,  by Lynya Floyd

Holly Robinson Peete and her son Rodney James (RJ). Photo Credit: Christopher Voelker

Last week, Family Circle interviewed actress Holly Robinson Peete about issues that were on our mind. This week, we interviewed her to get answers to what’s onyour mind. That’s right, all these insightful questions came to us via our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Read about how a gluten-free diet affected RJ (Holly’s 15-year-old son with autism), ways to get employers to hire adults with autism and more.

Q. There has been such a surge in the number of autism diagnoses lately and many of us are looking for answers. @REALMOMMA2155 is curious if you think genetically modified organisms (GMOs) contribute to the diagnosis.

A. I’m not a doctor or scientist. I’m just a mom. But I do think there’s a genetic predisposition and there are environmental triggers. I feel like that combination, in my child’s case, is what resulted in autism. I also feel strongly that we’re not looking at environmental triggers. We’re not looking at each kid as a separate, genetic being. We line them up and say: ‘All kids should do this, eat that, get this.’ It’s important that we look harder.

Q. Speaking of what kids eat, Janeen Marie wanted to know if you tried putting RJ on a gluten free diet. 

A. Yes. One of the best tips I got from another mom was to hurry and get him tested for allergies and food sensitivities. He tested off the charts for gluten and wheat. It was more difficult for him to connect when he was eating pizza and birthday cake. He functioned much higher when he was not on any gluten products. But that’s just my kid. Every parent should know what their kid is sensitive to food-wise.

Q. What about sleep? Kim Luallen was curious if your son is a non-sleeper and if you had any suggestions.

My son does have trouble falling asleep and like any teenager he needs his sleep. We use melatonin. I never recommend anything, but that’s worked for us. We use it in very low doses and we find it gives him that little window to fall asleep. I know they’re still doing studies, but for our kid it has been a miracle.

Q. Donna Willis Coghlan wrote in asking about education: “How can we get schools to focus on the strengths of these kids? Many have unique skills that could be enhanced to give them an occupation someday, but instead they’re continually forced to be like ‘typical’ kids,” she says.

A. It’s very difficult when schools fall into the cookie cutter mode. There are so many gifts that kids with autism have that need to be nurtured. Most times, that’s something you have to do on your own or enlist after school help for. Also, get connected with other parents who are experiencing what you’re going through. I know it’s easier said than done, but I know families that have moved to other neighborhoods or cities that are a little more autism- and special needs-friendly than where they were. It’s all about being an advocate, staying online and looking in your community for help.

Q. Kathleen Stuart wanted to know about outlooks for adult life: “If your child is fairly high functioning—but needs assistance—there isn’t much out there in the way of adult programs or job assistance,” she says.

Yes, there isn’t much out there. The unemployment rate for adults on the autism spectrum is hovering around 90%. It’s high and that’s another message we have to get out. These people can not only be great employees but they can be your best employees. They’re loyal, have a sense of purpose, want to be somewhere every day, love routine.

I always find out very specifically about corporations who hire special needs adults. At my agency there are several. I always say I’ll be a great patron if you hire these adults because they need this and you need them. We’re getting a database for the HollyRod Foundation site of companies that work hard to employ adults with autism. We also have a tremendous amount of excitement about the fact that we’re going to be opening a compassionate care center in another year and will have a restaurant run by adults with autism there.

Q. On top of your foundation work, you’ve also co-authored the children’s book My Brother Charlie with RJ’s twin sister, Ryan. @Patti_pmbelo tweeted us wanting to know if you plan on writing another children’s book on autism.

A. Yes. Ryan and I are writing a follow-up to My Brother Charlie about autism and adolescence. We’re writing about the struggles people don’t talk enough about, the difficulties children have when they cross over into adolescence, the surge of hormones, puberty. It’s a different set of challenges when they’re on the autism spectrum. In some ways it’s like getting the diagnosis again. You have to come up with a new game plan. We’re hoping for a April 2014 publishing date.

Want to hear more of Holly Robinson Peete’s thoughts on autism? Click here.

Link to original post.

When I met Holly Robinson Peete a few years ago, I couldn’t help but be in awe of her passion. It wasn’t just for being an actress or a phenomenal mom (that’s four kids and two big dogs in the pic!), but for her autism advocacy. Her 15-year-old son RJ has autism, which she has spoken about openly in interviews and even co-wrote a book on the subject. She also co-founded the HollyRod Foundation, which helps families living with Autism and Parkinson’s disease. As my favorite hashtag in her Twitter bio says: “#ServiceIsTheRentWePay4Living.” Here’s what she told Family Circle about how having a child with autism impacts a marriage (she’s the wife of NFL Quarterback Rodney Peete), why the teenage years are so trying and the reason we all need to befriend a teen with autism today.

Q. So often we see stories in the news about autism that are focused on very young children and even the pre-natal habits of moms. As the mother of a 15-year-old son with autism, what do you think has been missing from the discussion of older kids?

A. That autism is in many cases a lifelong disorder and when children find themselves at the intersection of puberty and autism it can be an unforgiving combination. Many teens with autism struggle so often with new challenges like OCD, depression, regression, seizures, social ostracization and other issues. Being a typical teenager isn’t easy. When you have autism, it can be extra difficult. We need more public awareness about these hurdles as well as compassion towards these young people.

RJ is 15 (and he has a twin sister Ryan who does not have autism) and his biggest issue is his difficulty making friends. The teen years are rough with peer pressure and it can be crippling for someone with social skills deficits. If you have the opportunity to befriend a teen with autism, please do it. They need you.

Q. When we met a few years ago, I remember you spoke about the challenges of getting your husband Rodney to connect with RJ at first. Can you offer advice for our readers who may be experiencing the same thing with their husbands right now?

A. First, I would say to get my husband Rodney’s book Not My Boy. He is a man who stayed deep in denial about his son’s autism for years. He had to learn to tweak his expectations for his son, discover a new normal that flew in the face of every dream he had for his boy. I made him write this book because I wanted other dads to not feel so alone.I thank God for Rodney every day. We came dangerously close to going our separate ways. I just couldn’t fight for my son and my marriage at the same time. I needed him on my team.

Q. Can you talk about how having a child who is autistic impacts a marriage? You’ve said that this is something the media doesn’t discuss enough so let’s try to change that.

A. There is sadness, blame, guilt, resentment, fear, mistrust, financial and emotion stress—just a slew of hurdles parents of children with autism have to clear. It is hard and when one person gets too far off the same page, it can feel overwhelmingly insurmountable. The key is constant communication and a whole lot of empathy and patience for your spouse and what he or she is experiencing. Also make room for me-time and date nights or you will lose yourself in the struggle.

Q. Autism Speaks recently sent me a press release listing things we didn’t know about autism just one year ago. They said that after age 4, many nonverbal children with autism develop the ability to use spoken language. As a board member for the organization, why do you feel it is important for people to know this?

A. That’s great to know but my personal concern is for those children who never become verbal. You cannot imagine the heartbreak a parent endures to never hear the words “Hi, Mommy” or “I Love You.”At HollyRod, we have a “Give the Gift of Voice” program where we donate tablets with communication apps to non-verbal children to help them communicate. It’s simply awesome. We have a new partner FUHU (they make the popular Nabi tablet) who is helping us get more tablets in the hands of these kids. They are also helping us develop a new HollyRod app and donating a million dollars to us to help us with our capital campaign for our Autism Compassionate Care Center where we will treat whole families affected by autism. The numbers are rising and they need help desperately.

Q. What’s the most important parenting lesson you’ve learned from raising a son with autism?

A. My son has taught me patience, acceptance, compassion, advocacy and pure love. As he says: “I may have autism, but autism doesn’t have me.”

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It felt as though the bar of his life was lowered to within an inch of the ground. He was just 3.

Smash cut to: 10 years later — not only had RJ checked all of these “nevers” off his list but he had exceeded so many expectations which had been so easily dismissed by this diagnosis. Be clear, I am fast-forwarding over that decade’s countless challenges, obstacles and dark valleys that have at times been overwhelmingly trying. The journey through denial, public stigma, academic challenges and various other emotional issues were character building at best and drop-to-your-knees painful at worst. However, in the face of jarring statistics our marriage survived where so many don’t. Yay! As a family we fought hard for our boy and he fought for himself. And the fact is that RJ eventually made some friends and he can’t stop telling me he loves me felt like a big fat Powerball win!

Then came the next mega-hurdle (cue scary music): puberty. So… we all know that puberty for a typical kid is no walk through the park on a Sunday. But when autism collaborates with these raging hormones it can be extra challenging, and in our case it felt like getting the diagnosis all over again. Regression presented itself, echolalia and stemming returned, and we met new issues we were unprepared for like OCD, depression and — suddenly — we are on seizure watch (something he has never had yet, thank God, but can present itself during this time). You see, we’d made so much progress that we just took it for granted that it would just continue into adulthood . Yet we now find ourselves feeling like rookies instead of the thick-skinned autism veterans thought we’d become.

Socially, the stakes change when high school begins. For a 15-year-old with autism, it can be like being at the bottom of the Grand Canyon looking up. A massive climb. The “normal” things, like what teen boys do in their rooms alone… well, that all has to be managed very closely to make sure it isn’t done anywhere else in a socially inappropriate setting. (Dad territory for sure, Lawd Jesus!). And girls… sigh. I am always so paranoid he won’t have the social swagger needed to navigate these young things. If he makes just one innocent inappropriate physical or verbal gesture in an environment that lacks compassion, it could be very costly for him.

But the main issue for me, the one that keeps me up at night, is will my sweet 6-feet-tall, lanky, milk chocolate 15-year-old be able to self-advocate in life. Who will protect his heart when I am not around? How will his survival skills work for him in real world situations…?

One of RJ’s favorite things to do is walking to and from the local Coffee Bean. It took me forever to let him go alone. I’d drive along side of him the whole seven blocks like Stalker Mommy. The staff there is so sweet to him. They always have his drink ready with extra caramel in the sides of the cup. And he LOVES his hoodies. He covets and obsesses over them. Sensorily, he just loves how they feel on his head and body. But he also just thinks they are cool and they are folded and organized by brand in his closet. He looks at me with pure confusion when I try to explain why I worry about him wearing them when I am not with him. He also likes to keep hands in his pockets. Again, a sensory thing. That’s my awesome, quirky kid!

For months after Trayvon Martin was so senselessly targeted and subsequently killed for looking “suspicious” on a similar walk, I had this awful recurring nightmare that my son was walking to Coffee Bean at the wrong time in the rain, hoodie on, and was stopped and frisked by police but couldn’t respond to the social cues fast enough. A request to “slowly” remove his hands from his beloved pockets panicked him and the situation escalated. The nightmare always ended with him on the ground and his hoodie being pulled off his head, and Trayvon’s face appeared instead of RJ’s. Deep, huh?

Many thought my paranoia was unjustifiable but since I turned 40, I learned the hard way to never ignore my gut. So I proactively and preemptively took RJ to the local police department and introduced him and let them know who he was and explained that his autism didn’t always allow him to respond to cues and prompts like typical kids. That made me feel a lot better. The nightmares ceased but my fears for him continue….

Listen, do I have resources and access that many other autism parents don’t? Yes. But autism transcends every level of society regardless of where you live or how much money you make. We all have the same fears for our kids. Autism does not discriminate and neither can we. Today, it is estimated 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum — a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis. A recent government survey found 1 in 50 school-age children has an autism spectrum disorder. That means 1 in 31 boys since our little guys are so disproportionately affected. Let that marinate. One in 31! While this doesn’t change the 1 in 88 CDC statistic, it is evidence that we are most likely underestimating the true prevalence of autism in the U.S.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month. As a relentless autism mommy and advocate, I am always trying hard to kick up the level of awareness about the fact that these kids grow up quickly and can and should become valuable and valued citizens. A person with autism doesn’t know how to be anything else but sincere. When our kids experience adolescence they need compassion, purpose, empathy and friends.

Autism needs more friends.

My sincere hope is for a future where the compassion of our community will not only accept my son but also allow him the opportunity to flourish and give back to society.

Next up… (cue scarier music): adulthood. I’ll holla’ (as the kids say)!

Holly Robinson Peete
Encino, California

Holly speaks on a UN panel about autism for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, 2013.

Let’s Talk Autism with Shannon & Nancy

Every Wednesday, Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson and  Shannon Penrod host a live webcast called “Let’s Talk Autism” and I had the pleasure of being a guest on this very special show.

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Dear 50 Cent,

Since last night my twitter timeline is flooded with tweets and retweets about a response you posted to someone who insulted you. When I read it my heart sank. I thought maybe your account had been hacked. No such luck. Granted, his comment was completely out of line but your retort: “i just saw your picture fool you look autistic”- was so so disappointing. I mean, that’s your comeback?? And you didn’t stop there. You went on to joke about not wanting “special ed kids” on your timeline. Seriously, THIS is how you use your platform of 8 million plus followers??

I’ve met you in passing over the years and I know you are a bright, astute businessman and legitimate philanthropist so it is with a bit of sincere confusion that I ask you… Do you even know what autism is? And what exactly does “autistic” look like? Do you know how wildly prevalent autism is? 1 in 88 have it. That’s 1 in 54 boys. Families suffer a social stigma you will never know. It is a financial and emotional drain for millions, so our non-profit- HollyRod Foundation works hard to raise funds to help these families cope…

I hope you can see how what you might see as a benign insult-or not- was so randomly hurtful, immature and misinformed. Maybe you are naive or indifferent as to how many of your fans might be deeply and personally offended by your insult. At the very least-can you please delete it? If you’ve read your mentions today I am sure you have felt the wrath of autism parents. We are no joke. Neither is autism. We are not about to let you attempt to make “autistic” the new “R-word” under our watch.

Finally, this is my son Rodney Peete. He has autism. So I guess this is what autistic looks like? He is in special ed. He loves rap music and is a HUGE fan of yours. He’s a tremendous kid. He has to deal with so much trying to fit in. This isn’t helping.

Sincerely,

Holly Robinson Peete

Click here to see pictures from the event.