The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This multi-media presentation shares techniques developed for The Miracle Project, a socialization program profiled in the Award winning HBO film, Autism: The Musical. Scenes from a new musical about bullying and early data on the efficacy of theater as an intervention will be included. Elaine Hall Main Presenter, Founder of The Miracle Project, international speaker, best selling author, media personality, consultant to and presenter at The United Nations.  Hall is the mother of a 21 year old  adult son diagnosed with autism who uses assistive technology to communicate.  Her son has work that he enjoys and a wonderful community of friends.

The Miracle Project uses a groundbreaking and proven methodology to provide people with autism tools to build communication, social skills, community and greater self-esteem through inclusive theater, film and expressive arts programs.  Elaine Hall developed these methods when traditional therapies did not work for her son, diagnosed with autism at age 3.  Using preferred interests and creative inclusion techniques, The Miracle Project brings out the best in individuals with autism, as well as typically developing siblings and peers, impacting the entire family.  Students once too frightened to even walk into a room of  peers, are now confident leaders in their community - enjoying friendships, sleep overs, employment and living their dreams. The Miracle Project is requested internationally and has been replicated in mulitiple locations across the U.S.   

• This multi-media presentation will:
• present techniques used to develop abstract thinking, communication, self-expression, self-regulation, friendships and body awareness in children, teens and young adults with autism.  Leadership training, self advocacy and low-cost interventions, and how to rally community support for creative interventions will be discussed. 
• include scenes from a new original musical created by Teens and young adults with autism about Bullying,
• reveal early data from a university study on the efficacy of theater (with The Miracle Project as the subject) as intervention for socialization of people with autism. 

• Discussants:

• Barry Prizant, PhD,  CCC- SLP,  International Autism Expert, Adjunct Professor and Professional Percussionist
• Dr. Barry Prizant will show how The Miracle Project techniques address the core ‘deficits’ of autism: communication, behavior, socialization in a natural, positive supportive environment.
• Stephen Shore,  PhD , Self Advocate,  International Speaker, Musician, Professor at Adelphi University where his research focuses on matching best    practice to the needs of people with autism.
• Dr. Stephen Shore will explore how the use of Hall’s methodologies celebrate individuals with autism and can be used as intervention for best practices as a fully inclusive creative supplement to traditional social skills therapies.

OBJECTIVES:

Participants will learn how to use the expressive arts combined with special interests to master emotional regulation including understanding emotions, self-regulation, flexibility, and problem solving. 

Participants will be able to apply Elaine Hall's Seven Keys to Unlocking Autism methodology to elicit emotions and personal stories from individuals with autism.

Participants will learn how to foster positive relationships between individuals with autism and their neurotypical peers and how to address sensitive issues such as bullying, independence, relationships.

Participants will learn how to modify conventional music, theater dance approaches to accessible to those with autism and  how to join in with the preferred interests of individuals with autism and  use their ideas to create original music and theatrical productions.

Learning Objectives: