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!

A couple weeks ago we introduced you to Jennifer and Major in Part 1 of Jen’s series about Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome. I’m happy to bring you Part 2 today…Part 3 coming in a couple weeks. Enjoy!
Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome: Part 2
By Jennifer Dodson
In my last post, you were introduced to my son Major who is an actor with Asperger Syndrome. After getting started in the theater as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, Major continued to love acting so much we got him a Talent Agent and started going on auditions and booking jobs.
The first time Major was on a film set I knew this was going to be a great journey for our son. It was summertime and we drove to Austin for Major to be in a short film as a child at a birthday party. Five hours of filming the same pool scene and not once did my son complain or get distracted. Even with the migraine headache he ended up with and the rush trips to the bathroom when the Director would “cut” for a minute so he could throw up did not cause Major to lose focus or to want to quit.

Today I am excited to post Part 1 of a new series of posts written by my smart and funny friend, Jen Dodson. Jen’s precious son, Major, is a professional actor who also happens to live with Asperger’s Syndrome and is only 8-years-old. Check out Major’s website and this trailer for one of Major’s short film credits: Alfred Thinks We’re Aliens. When I put out a call for new contributors several weeks ago, Jen reached out to me because she wondered if other families might be interested in how drama and acting have significantly improved Major’s life. I know you’ll be inspired and encouraged to read about Major in Jen’s guest series. Please help me welcome Jen (and Major) to AutismSpot today for Part 1 in this fascinating series of posts!
Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome: Part 1
By Jennifer Dodson
My eight year old son Major was diagnosed at the age of four with an Autism Spectrum Disorder called Asperger Syndrome. When my husband and I read that Asperger’s is often called the “Little Professor” Syndrome we had our big “ah ha” moment. Our son was already able to read at four years old and he had the vocabulary of a third grader. He was very bright and extremely articulate.

Saturday marked Ethan’s first basketball game; in fact, it was his first game (ever) playing cooperatively with a team. Until this year, (Ethan turned 8 last fall), we didn’t feel Ethan had the self-control and intuition to handle a sport which would require cooperating with other kids while working to coordinate his own physical movements. He has participated in individual sports like swimming and Tae Kwon Do, both of which offer great exercise and fantastic opportunities to develop coordinated movements with both sides of his body, but didn’t force him to worry about anyone beyond himself very often.
When Ethan began requesting to play soccer a few months ago, I started looking for appropriate leagues which could effectively incorporate Ethan but at the same time challenge him. Many families living with ASD find success with leagues offering a buddy (like Miracle League or Buddy League) – Ethan just wouldn’t find that challenging at this age. He wants to be like his friends from school and I can’t say I blame him! Actually, I’m glad he wants to do some of the things his friends at school enjoy.

For Luke's second birthday party four years ago we played a lot of outdoor games with friends and family. One of the highlights of the party was Blackjack the pony we had booked for pony rides. The kids thought it was the craziest thing having Blackjack walking around the backyard and getting to ride on him for as long as they wanted. There was so much to do that it was no big deal to wait for the next turn. This party was a lot of fun...and it was for a two year old.

I've been a member of Autismspot for nearly a year but took a while to build up the courage to post. I was originally inspired to join by the Dallas Morning News article about "Dad's Coffee". I've done a few "Dad's Coffees" of my own with a few friends with children on the spectrum and have found them very valuable. I'd like to do more. I've done some blogging on my own, but only a handful of friends really read it. I need to take some of my own medicine and continue connecting with more parents, especially fathers, with autistic children. Below is something I wrote last week.