Film screening designed to raise autism awareness

For anyone without a friend or family member with autism, the exact nature and manifestations of this neurobiological disorder can be somewhat of a mystery.

The symptoms of autism take on different forms and can range from mild to drastic. But they mostly have to do with an individual's ability, or inability, to relate to others and to the world at large.

To raise public awareness and promote a deeper understanding of autism -- which affects about one out of 150 Americans -- The Arc of Carroll County is hosting a free showing of the film "Autism: The Musical," a recently released HBO documentary.

The showing will be April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., in Westminster.

The 93-minute film tracks the progress of a group of autistic children, their parents and their therapist in a Los Angeles-based, art-as-therapy program called the Miracle Project. Over six months, the families write, rehearse and perform a play about autism.

"The screening is our own decision, not something the film producers are organizing," said Lisa Albin, director of development for The Arc of Carroll, a nonprofit that advocates for the needs of mentally and emotionally disabled people.

"We have started having monthly events that are designed to drive awareness about developmental disabilities, or provide useful information to members," Albin said. "When someone talked about this film being available on DVD and how it would be cool to have a showing of it here in a theater, we booked the arts center."

With footage of rehearsals and interviews with individual children, parents and teachers, "Autism: The Musical" offers a vivid look at the emotionally devastating impact autism can have on children afflicted with this disorder and on their families.

"Not only will the film help raise awareness to autism; it will raise awareness about developmental disabilities in general," Albin said. "It's a powerful documentary that will change people's minds about what people with developmental disabilities are capable of when they are determined and when they have the support they need to achieve success."

"Autism: The Musical" is at times disturbing; but more often inspiring; showing how some of these children, either despite or because of their interpersonal limitations, have developed unusual talents and charmingly eccentric personalities.

The struggles of Elaine Hall, founder of the Miracle Project and director of the musical -- and whose autistic son, Neal, is in the cast -- are akin to herding cats.

Some of the children have to be coaxed out of their fugue-like solitude to take part in the group effort, and there are more than a few tantrums and heart-rending episodes of aggressive behavior that have to be quelled.

Ultimately, however, an esprit de corps develops among the players, and the individual breakthroughs along the way, as well as the performance itself, are inspiring.

Albin said that's why the movie is an ideal vehicle for promoting The Arc's mission and philosophy.

"If we can change at least one mind about developmental disabilities through the film and inspire others to see people with developmental disabilities in a positive way, then we will have had a successful evening," she said.

Read more: For one mother's personal account of raising a child with autism, please read the column, "From Where I Sit," by Rebecca Faye Smith Galli. You can find a link to it under Related Stories on the right side of this page.

'Autism: The Musical'

What: Screening of the HBO documentary film, "Autism: The Musical."

When: April 15, 7 p.m.

Where: Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster.

Tickets: Free, but advance tickets required. Tickets available at the Carroll Arts Center box office or at The Arc of Carroll County, 180 Kriders Church Road, Westminster.

Details: Call 410-848-4124, Ext. 146, or e-mail: lalbin@arccarroll.com.

About Autism

Autism is a neurobiological disorder that lasts a lifetime. Autism impairs the ability to communicate and relate to others. It also sometimes manifests as rigid routines and repetitive behaviors.

In 1980, one in 10,00 children was diagnosed with autism. Mainly because of increased awareness of the disorder, that number has risen to one in 150. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States; its causes are largely a mystery, and there is no cure for it or definitive means of detecting it in a child.

One in 94 boys has autism, and boys are four times more likely than girls to have it.

Information from Autism Speaks, an advocacy group for awareness of autism spectrum disorders and funding research.

More information on autism, its causes, symptoms and treatment may be found on the Web sites of the Maryland-based Pathfinders for Autism (www.pathfindersforautism.org) and Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org).