I wrote about Teagen and Tyler in an article about students who have Asperger’s syndrome tend to be bullied. When I met them, we talked about how they were interested in film. Their father, in fact, used movies as a tool to teach them how to read and interpret facial expressions. Here’s an event coming up featuring a project of theirs:
“Preview a new teacher training film “Dungeons and Distractions” on Feb. 28, 8 p.m. in the Schine Auditorium at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Jacqueline Kelleher, education professor at SHU, will discuss using film to deepen understandings of school-based personnel and pre-service educators about autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
“Dungeons and Distractions” is a short film piece shot from the perspective of a middle school child with autism learning in a public education classroom. The piece was written, directed, and edited by two Bridgeport high school students with autism under the guidance of Dr. Kelleher and in collaboration with SHU.
As part of a small faculty grant, Dr. Kelleher was able to produce the film and study its impact on educators’ perspectives in understanding deficit areas that result with autism. She will share findings she’s uncovered using the tool and how it has impacted teachers and administrators. The audience will meet the film directors, creative team, and some actors who participated in the project.
All actors either have autism or are a parent or sibling of someone with autism. Filmmaking teaching strategies and media arts resources for PK-12 students with autism and related disabilities will also be presented.
Please join us on the SHU Main Campus for an evening of fun, innovative thinking, and eye-opening research on how individuals with autism think, feel, and experience learning in the general education environment.
Admission is free and open to the public.”
