By Elaine Hall
Founder/Director
The Miracle Project

When traditional therapies did not work for my son Neal, who was adopted from a Russian Orphanage at age 2 and diagnosed with autism at age 3, I sought out Dr. Stanley Greenspan who helped me reach my son. Inspired by D.I.R. methods, and with the guidance of D.I.R. certified educators, I trained actors, musicians, and other creative individuals to understand Neal’s individual needs and to enter his world. Little by little, Neal began to feel safe and emerged into our world. I then used these same methods to create The Miracle Project. The Miracle Project www.themiracleproject.com is a theater and film program for children with autism and other special needs. Profiled in the 2 time Emmy Award winning HBO documentary, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, www.autismthemusical.com. The Miracle Project uses creativity, inclusion, relationship and joy, to bring out the best in all children.

During one of our first visits with Dr. Greenspan he suggested that I consider teaching theater to children with special needs. Before Neal’s diagnosis, I was a highly regarded Hollywood children’s acting coach, working on set for Walt Disney Pictures, Nickelodeon, Universal Pictures and more. When it was time for me to return to work, I wrote a grant to create a theater program for children with autism and other special needs. It was important that the program include siblings and typically developing peers and provide a positive support group for parents. I was able to guide volunteers to understand the needs of each child and to join their world, thereby creating a dynamic, creative community with shared experiences, performances and joy.

After the first year of the theater program, a documentary film company, In Effects Films, with director, Tricia Regan, asked if they could film our next season. I agreed and AUTISM:THE MUSICAL was born., coproduced with Bunim Murray Productions, winning Audience Awards at Film Festivals around the country and ultimately airing on HBO, garnering two Emmy Awards.

Little did I know that my early journey with my son Neal and our flights across the United States to visit with Dr. Greenspan would not only change my son’s life for the better, but my own as well. Since filming AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, I am now a requested keynote speaker throughout the United States and Canada. I have received honors and awards from Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, Malibu Special Education Foundation and more. My work has been lauded on CNN, CBS, in the Wall Street Journal, The NY Times, The LA Times, MORE Magazine, and many others. Most recently I was requested to speak at the United Nations as a Global Ambassador for Autism Awareness and Enrichment. Curriculum for The Miracle Project is requested worldwide. I have just finished working with partner, Diane Isaacs on a DVD series “7 Keys to Unlocking the World of Autism” for health care providers. I am also co-producing the CD, “Fly: Into the World of Autism” which pairs celebrity artists with kids with autism. You can get a sneak peak of this CD by going to www.themiracleproject.com to hear Jack Black sing “Sensitive” with one of the stars of Autism: The Musical, Wyatt Isaacs.

Currently I am directing the Vista Inspire Program www.vistadelmar.org in West Los Angeles that offers creative community, theater programs, camps, and a Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for children with special needs. All of these programs are relationship-based and cater to each child’s individual needs. My memoir, “Now I See the Moon” published by HarperStudios will be released spring 2010. I now live in Santa Monica, California with the two loves of my life, my son Neal now 15 years old, and newly wed husband, Play Specialist, Jeff Frymer. I am honored and humbled to be acknowledged by my mentor, Dr. Greenspan.  Last year I was privileged to speak at the ICDL Annual International conference.  I thank Dr. Greenspan for all that he does and for who he is-he is truly a miracle worker.