If you missed Part 1 and Part 2 of this guest blog series by Jennifer Dodson about her son, Major, (a handsome and smart little boy with Asperger’s Syndrome) who pursuing a professional acting career, I encourage you to click over and take a look.

Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome: Part 3
By Jennifer Dodson

I often share Major’s diagnosis and personality quirks with members of the Production Crew and fellow cast members. I do this AFTER he has booked a job and only when it seems appropriate or necessary to do so. He is different and there are better ways to speak to Major than others. For example, when a Director understands that Major is very literal and there is mostly black and white and not a lot of grey in his interpretations, they can direct him better. It seems that most adults like to give weighted options to children. For example, if you say, “Major if you would like to try it this way…” Major will most likely tell you “no.” After all, you did just give him the option to decide if he wanted to do it that way! However, if you were to say to Major, “I want you to do it this way…” he understands that it is not a request. It is a direction and he will do as you asked. Major still likes to be in control like most children on the spectrum. He feels better about situations if he has the ability to say what happens. In broadcast the Director is the boss and not Major. Sometimes he needs to be reminded of that. Once the parameters are clearly defined though – he is very well mannered.

I asked some of the Directors and Producers Major has done projects with what it was like for them to work with Major. Some of them I had told before about his Asperger’s and with others it never came up. I wanted to share what some of those responses were. It is easy to see how amazing your own child is when you know every strength and weakness they have. It is awesome to hear amazing feedback from others that find it a privilege to have worked with your child.

One Director said, “Major basically stole the show every time he was on camera. I found that I was more comfortable with Major than the other kids working on the film because it was so easy to communicate with him!” (I never thought Major would ever be described as easy to communicate with two years ago!). Further, this Director said, “I could not stop watching the footage of Major because it was so ‘HIM’.”

One Producer commented on how impressed he was that Major was so focused once the camera was brought in. Once the Director called: “Quiet on set,” Major transformed into the role. He further shared that he was impressed by the discipline Major had on set. For a kid to have that control (even one without ASD) is a feat on its own. He also noted that when Major was on his own or between set ups and not filming, he was very talkative and very active.

Another Director had this to say, “I am not sure if this is true with all kids with Asperger’s or if it’s just because Major’s IQ is so high, but there is some element of treating him more like an adult, rather than a typical 8 year old boy. Like the ability to verbally explain things to him. And, when I changed his lines, he picked it up quicker than the adults. So he’s really adaptive.”

Do you see a trend here? My Asperger son who once could not talk to anyone in a conversation now is getting compliments about how well he communicates. How well he adapts and how much of a pleasure it is working with him. Amazing isn’t it?

I hope someday we can feel comfortable sharing with everyone in the acting community that my son is an actor with Asperger’s Syndrome. I wish I could yell it now at the top of my lungs how much my son has transformed since he has become an actor. I would love to share how much HARD work Major has put in to not only adapting to his new found love and possible career but how much his life has changed because of it. I think if others knew what this little boy was like at age four vs. the boy they meet now they would be in awe. He will someday be a fabulous spokesperson for all children on the Autism Spectrum. I would love to hear more about Asperger’s and ASD in Hollywood. I know there are a lot of actors out there that are on some part of the spectrum. Once when I met Jenny McCarthy at a book signing she commented, “Aspies make the BEST actors.” Someday maybe I will have the privilege of hearing how my son, Major Dodson is one of those actors.

For my next post I would love to share how you can get your child involved in acting and drama. How your child can benefit from programs designed to teach social skills through drama. How your child can learn how to improve their self –esteem, self awareness, playfulness and non-verbal communication through acting.

You can follow Major Dodson on his Facebook page or on his website: www.majordodson.com.

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Jennifer Dodson is a mom-manger extraordinaire who lives with her husband and two sons in Dallas, Texas. Jennifer spends her days managing her oldest son Major's budding acting career. Major loves to build with LEGOS, reads and plays video games when not working or auditioning for TV and film. Major is eight years old and happens to also have Asperger's Syndrome. Cooper is five years old and in preschool. Cooper loves to sing, dance and play the Wii. Jennifer is also the Vice President of her son's Elementary school PTO and works hard to advocate for his needs in the educational setting.