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.

Last October I wrote about connections with other parents on this journey HERE after Jenny McCarthy spent some time in Dallas with a group of Warrior Parents during a book tour for her most recent book: Love, Lust & Faking It. This week, as I prepare to travel to Chicago to attend the 2011 Autism One Conference with Jenny McCarthy keynoting with Byron Katie, I can’t help but recall that evening and get excited about making new connections and deepening existing connections in Chicago.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I have been busy preparing gifts and cards to send off to my absolutely wonderful mother, my grandmother and my mother-in-law. I’ve also been contemplating what I thought “motherhood” would be about before Ethan came into our lives…and, before Autism came into our world. I knew that parenthood would be difficult and fraught with emotion, yet I didn’t fully understand how deeply that emotion would run.
“Making a decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone
When our kids are joyful, we revel in the beauty of the world through their eyes; when our children hurt, we feel their pain and desperately wish to wipe it away. When our children hit a brick wall, we do everything in our power to help them knock it down.
“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” ~Marion C. Garretty
In our journey with Autism, I have met countless mothers who astound me in various ways.

Over the past few months, I have been blessed to attend several conferences and workshops related to Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome. I’m always eager to learn more, meet new people and return home with a renewed sense of encouragement, stamina and hope.
Late last fall, I attended a tremendous event hosted by the NAA (National Autism Association). Holly Robinson Peete keynoted the conference and there were countless amazing speakers on hand to discuss treatment options for our kids. On Monday, I helped to organize a presentation and book signing with Mark Blaxill and Dan Olmsted, authors of THE AGE OF AUTISM. This week I am attending a local conference hosted by the FEAT-NT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment – North Texas).