A Movie by Elliot Bennett
Elliot:zzzzI think it is good to begin my story.
zzzzzz Scene 1
Elliot:zzzzIt is a mall. People are shopping for Christmas.
zzzzzzzzzThen there is music in (the) background. There
zzzzzzzzzare gift stores and toy stores.
zzzzzzzzzFor first three minutes it shows only the feet of
zzzzzzzzzpeople. Slowly the camera follows one pair of feet.
zzzzzzzzzThe music fades and it holds a stim sound of a
zzzzzzzzznon-verbal autistic boy who is trying to sing Jingle
zzzzzzzzzBells but, he can’t say the words.
zzzzzzzzzHe has three companions. One is a man who is
zzzzzzzzzholding his hands. That man is a foster dad. There
zzzzzzzzzare two other foster siblings, who are both autistic
zzzzzzzzzbut, they are verbal like Mason (Mason is from
zzzzzzzzzgroup). They are doing their talking about food.
zzzzzzzzzThey are basically requesting to eat. The first one
zzzzzzzzzis Jacob. He is twelve. Second one is Jud. He is six.
Soma: zzz And the third one?
Elliot: zzzzHe is Luke.
Soma: zzz How old is he?
Elliot: zzzz Jud’s twin.
Soma: zzz Then what happened? Did the foster dad say anything?
Elliot:zzzzThe foster dad is not very patient. He is trying to
zzzzzzzzzrush them to a toy shop. His voice is not very clear
zzzzzzzzzbecause the music begins again as Jacob rocks in
zzzzzzzzzthe store. Jacob is looking at the floor. He is not
zzzzzzzzzvery interested in toys. Jud and Luke want toys
zzzzzzzzzand their words are not clearly heard.
zzzzzzzzzJacob suddenly screams! And, all eyes look at him.
zzzzzzzzzHe closes his ears and shuts his eyes. He is too
zzzzzzzzzscared to move. He is frozen in his place.
zzzzzzzzzThe foster dad’s hand gently holds him and they
zzzzzzzzzleave the mall without buying anything. The twins
zzzzzzzzzfollow them singing Jingle Bells.
zzzzzzIt is one of those movies that will make everyone think.
Group Session – Friday, July 31, 2009
Elliot:zzzzzI am anxious.
zzzzzzzzzz(lots of transitions, negotiating with multiple people)
Andrew (from Houston):
zzzzzzzzzzzI had my session just now.
Francesco (from London–looks just like Harry Potter!) :
zzzzzzzzzzzIt is nice to meet you.
Elliot: zzzz I am Elliot. I like football.
Andrew: zz I am Andrew. I like to observe people.
Francesco: I am Francesco. I like poetry.
Elliot: zzzzIt is hot in Texas.
Andrew: zzI visited Arizona.
Francesco: I am going to Grand Canyon.
Elliot: zzzzI go to places, but I get too distracted.
Andrew:zz I get distracted too.
Francesco: I tend to be so quiet with my voice.
Soma: zzzzWhen you go to places?
Francesco: Yes.
Soma to Elliot: You said “I go places, but I get too distracted.”
zzzzzzzzzzzDistracted with what?
Elliot: zzzzWith my own thoughts, that I miss many things.
Soma to Andrew: You said “I get distracted too.”
zzzzzzzzzzzDistracted with what?
Andrew: zzWith one thing and later realize it.
Soma to Francesco: You said “I tend to be quiet.”
zzzzzzzzzzzWhat else?
Francesco: It is hard to know what to say.
Elliot: zzzzIt is right, hard to know what to say.
Andrew:zz I can’t even do what I am supposed to do.
Francesco: Most of the time I get stuck.
Elliot: zzzzIt is easy to think it than doing it.
Andrew: zzMuch of my time is spent in imagining.
Francesco: I am not so lucky. I just feel scared.
Elliot: zzzzI am lucky my family understands.
Andrew: zzLet’s start a topic.
Francesco: It is better for Elliot to start.
Elliot: zzzzHow about bowling.
Andrew: zzI am bad at aiming.
Francesco: I can try it together with you.
Elliot: zzzzI am good with all sorts of sports.
Andrew: zzIf I had no autism, I would have played golf.
Francesco: I wish I could learn tennis.
Soma: zzzzYou can handle it. You need a coach and a coach can
zzzzzzzzzzzteach you.
Elliot: zzzzMy dad and I run together.
Andrew: zzRunning is too much work.
Francesco: Do you go to gym?
Elliot: zzzzIt is good to exercise.
Andrew: zzNew topic please.
Francesco: How about having an outing together?
Elliot: zzzzzI can take you guys to my hotel and swim.
Andrew: zzThat sounds good. .
Francesco: Texas is a swimming state (because it is) hot.
Soma to Elliot (who has his head down on the table):
zzzzzzzzzzzDon’t fall asleep.
Elliot: zzzzI am not sleeping. I am resting.
Andrew: zzI don’t sleep well even at night.
Francesco: Since the time is up, I will take leave.
Elliot with Soma – Friday, July 31, 2009
Soma: zzz…subject that you choose or we do some constructive
zzzzzzzzzrthing like creative writing to begin with.
Elliot: zzzI was hoping to chat.
Soma: zzzLet’s see, the chatting topic would be on what?
Elliot: zzz Most of my ideas now are about my purpose of
zzzzzzzzzlife. Why is it hard for me to know what I am
zzzzzzzzzsupposed to do? If I don’t have my schedule, I
zzzzzzzzzcan’t know anything about my day.
Soma continues to offer Elliot the letter board to see if he wants to say more. Up until now, Soma would usually remove the letterboard after each of his sentences. This time, she is allowing him as many sentences as he wants until he is finished and ready for her to respond.
Elliot: zzz Your turn to answer.
Soma: zzz There are so many happenings that happen around
zzzzzzzzzus- and, our schedule keeps your mind a little
zzzzzzzzzorganized – all these happenings are unpredictable –
zzzzzzzzzand, like that predictable – many people like to keep
zzzzzzzzzschedules because it is more – you can keep track.
zzzzzzzzzEven typical people like schedules.
Elliot: zzz Can others get anxious about their schedules?
Soma: zzz Yes. Many children get anxious. Many others get
zzzzzzzzzanxious about their schedules.
Elliot: zzz Wait till I tell you a story.
Soma: zzz Oh, this will be an interesting thing.
Elliot: zzz When I was small, I thought people around me
zzzzzzzzzfelt anxious or happy like me, all at once. So if I
zzzzzzzzzlaughed, I expected everyone to laugh. But people
zzzzzzzzzdid not laugh like I did. Then I began to
zzzzzzzzzunderstand that I can’t rely on my own feelings to
zzzzzzzzzunderstand how others felt. Most of other human
zzzzzzzzzbeings did what they wanted. It was a pain
zzzzzzzzzlooking at their faces. I don’t like to look at faces
zzzzzzzzzthat have emotions that I don’t expect.
zzzzzzzzzNow I want to do some lesson, because I feel tired
zzzzzzzzzafter telling you so much.
Soma: zzz What would you like to do some lesson on – people?
zzzzzzzzzPlaces? Numbers?
Elliot: zzz How about some animal?
Soma: zzz Oh, OK. So it will be a total shift? What sort of
zzzzzzzzzanimal would you like to talk about? Animals that
zzzzzzzzzyou see around? Or, some animal that you don’t?
Elliot: zzz Anything.
Soma: zzz Well, so, how about sponges? Would you care to
zzzzzzzzzlisten to sponges? Those are animals but, you don’t
zzzzzzzzzsee them around.
Elliot: zzz We use them in bathrooms.
Soma: zzz Yes, exactly. We use them in bathrooms and
zzzzzzzzzcleaning and other things but, those are artificial
zzzzzzzzzsponges. We have real sponges. Sponges, for a long
zzzzzzzzztime, people thought they were plants because they
zzzzzzzzzgrew like plants. They were all garden of sponges
zzzzzzzzzbelow the sea.
Some goes on to deliver a beautiful lesson on sponges. She asks Elliot questions intermittently to make sure he is paying attention and understanding. He answers all the questions correctly.
When she finishes the lesson, she gets out a new piece of paper and says: “Now, this page should be what?”
Elliot: zzz Did you touch a sponge?
Soma: zzz Not a live one. Dead sponges, yeah. You can get
zzzzzzzzzthem – not a live one.
Elliot: zzz Can people grow them at home?
Soma: zzz They do grow in the Mediterranean Sea. They do not
zzzzzzzzzgrow well in the Gulf of Mexico, because the water
zzzzzzzzzthere is turbulent. You know, it is very difficult to
zzzzzzzzzgrow them even in a lab. It’s very difficult to grow
zzzzzzzzzthere because you need salt water, then you can’t see
zzzzzzzzzthem – water moving – warm – even in the Gulf of
zzzzzzzzzMexico. But, then the water is very turbulent in the
zzzzzzzzzGulf of Mexico compared to the Mediterranean.
zzzzzzzzzThese animals – they are very particular where they
zzzzzzzzzare grown.
Elliot: zzz I want to try growing them.
Soma: zzz That would be a good project. Yeah, we can try.
Elliot: zzz How nice to meet Francesco’s mom and sister.
zzzzzzzzz(They were at group.)
Soma: zzz Yes. They are planning to come back sometime
zzzzzzzzzNovember or something – sometime December, I
zzzzzzzzzthink. In case they come, I’ll let you know in case
zzzzzzzzzyou want to come too. If you really like them. Today
zzzzzzzzzyou could not get together. (They were leaving for
zzzzzzzzzthe Grand Canyon)
Elliot: zzz I liked Mason too.
Soma: zzz Yes, last time you came, Mason was there. You have
zzzzzzzzzfriends over here. Yes, he draws all these dinosaurs.
Elliot: zzz Can I ask a question?
Soma: zzz Yes, that would be good. What sort of question
zzzzzzzzzwould you ask?
Elliot: zzz It’s sort of stupid question.
Soma: zzz Never mind, we’ll see that. We don’t judge here.
Elliot: zzz Can I try to talk like Francesco? (Elliot is silent
zzzzzzzzzwhile he spells. Francesco states the letters as he
zzzzzzzzzpoints.)
Soma: zzzYeah, you can try and talk. Let me see.
Soma helps Elliot to state the letters as he spells. It does not go very smoothly.
Soma: zzzSee, you are getting distracted, right? You can try it
zzzzzzzzzslowly.
Elliot continues to try.
Elliot: zzz Can I talk? It looked so easy to watch him.
Soma: zzz Yes, you can talk but, you’re really distracted so, you
zzzzzzzzzcan practice it – little by little and, then you can do it.
zzzzzzzzzI’m sure you can do it.
Elliot: zzz My guess is he talks.
Soma: zzz See, being able to talk and actually talking is very
zzzzzzzzzdifferent. No, in fact, people around him complain
zzzzzzzzzthat he doesn’t talk. So, that is the thing – because,
zzzzzzzzzhe’s very hesitant.
Elliot: zzz Most of human beings talk and expect others to
zzzzzzzzztalk.
Soma: zzz See, it is expectation. When it comes back to
zzzzzzzzzexpectation, right? Just like you liked things to be
zzzzzzzzzpredictable because that way it is easy to understand.
Elliot: zzz It is weird how they expect.
Soma: zzz Well, I think it is easy to expect and wish it to
zzzzzzzzzhappen that way. Otherwise, it becomes a big, big
zzzzzzzzzdisorganized thing.
Elliot: zzz I like to expect too.
zzzzzzzzzCan Lainey come with me and do a group? (Lainey
zzzzzzzzzis from Madison and saw Soma the same time Elliot
zzzzzzzzzdid last month – and, went to group)
Soma: zzz Sometimes we can plan something like that, if you’re
zzzzzzzzzinterested. Now, do you have a message to the world,
zzzzzzzzzmessage to mankind? A little while more you are
zzzzzzzzzgoing to work. (Work means this session with Soma.)
zzzzzzzzzI don’t want to make you anxious (by having too
zzzzzzzzzlong of a session. This session is longer than any
zzzzzzzzzprevious session.)
Elliot: zzz Do you begin in the morning?
Soma: zzz Yeah, we’ll begin in the morning like 9:00.
Elliot: zzz Good. I had to ask one more thing.
Soma: zzz Do you have any idea what?
Then Soma takes a short break and allows Matt (our clinician we brought to Austin with us to be trained by Soma) to do a lesson with Elliot. After his lesson, she resumes with what Elliot wanted to ask.
Soma: zzz What’s your next question? We were talking about
zzzzzzzzzyour next question.
Elliot: zzz Do all human beings expect and get anxious?
Soma: zzz Yes, it is a tendency for everyone, just as you could
zzzzzzzzzexpect. You are not an exception over here. These –
zzzzzzzzzthat – with some of us – we have learned some of the
zzzzzzzzzsocial skills to divert it so that it doesn’t show.
Elliot: zzz It is hard for me to stay calm when I have to wait.
zzzzzzzzzHow is it I am calm now?
Soma: zzz See, you are calm because you are so involved in
zzzzzzzzzyour thoughts that your obsessions are not become
zzzzzzzzzimportant. That’s why.
Elliot: zzz I am thinking of making a scrapbook with my
zzzzzzzzzHALO friends. It gets lonely otherwise. I am not
zzzzzzzzzsure whether I can have their pictures.
Soma: zzz You can take pictures after group sessions whenever
zzzzzzzzzyou come. You can take home – that would be a
zzzzzzzzzgood idea – so all the interesting people you meet.
zzzzzzzzzWhat are other projects other than scrapbook –
zzzzzzzzzscrapbook is a very interesting project – I am sure
zzzzzzzzzyou have scrapbook of all the other activities you do.
zzzzzzzzzSo, you can have scrapbook of people.
Elliot: zzz How about writing a book?
Soma: zzz Writing a book can be a good project to do. What
zzzzzzzzzkind of book would you like to do?
Elliot: zzz Story.
Soma: zzz A storybook. OK, so, you want fiction book. Book
zzzzzzzzzcan be a good project to work on. Every time you
zzzzzzzzzcome, we can add a little bit, a little more, a little
zzzzzzzzzmore to it and so, we can do that.
Elliot: zzz How can I do it in one day?
Soma: zzz Oh, we see that. The thing is that, when people write
zzzzzzzzzbooks, they don’t have to see the time. Like one year
zzzzzzzzzor anything. See, all these things that we wrote.
zzzzzzzzz(Soma refers to her recordings of everything Elliot
zzzzzzzzzspelled in this session.)
Elliot: zzz Most books have so much stuff.
Soma: zzzYou can have so much stuff but, you can also write
zzzzzzzzzshort stories. So, what you’re going to do is, every
zzzzzzzzztime you come you are going to (accrue?) one
zzzzzzzzzchapter to the book. By the end of a year, see how
zzzzzzzzzmany chapters (you did).
Elliot: zzz It is good to include pictures in my book.
Soma: zzz You can start tomorrow if we want. Who do you
zzzzzzzzzwant to write for – children, adults, people with
zzzzzzzzzautism?
Soma talks about one possibility of someone illustrating his book.
Soma: zzzYou can start the book tomorrow. You can think who
zzzzzzzzzyou are going to write the book for. Before writing
zzzzzzzzzany book, the first thing would be your audience.
zzzzzzzzzWho are you going to write for – children, adults,
zzzzzzzzzmaybe with autism? What else?
Elliot: zzz I will think about it.
Soma: zzz Then you choose an audience. Then write. Then you
zzzzzzzzzhave to think about the topic and the characters.
Elliot: zzz That part is easy.
Soma: zzz Yes, that is easy. What is the toughest?
Elliot: zzz I think story part
Soma: zzz Usually when people write books in creative writing,
zzzzzzzzzthey think a character and trying to think about all the
zzzzzzzzzexperiences they have and make a book out of it.
zzzzzzzzzAnd, every event has a chapter.
Elliot: zzz How about getting started now?
Soma: zzzYou are hungry. You have to go eat dinner now.
zzzzzzzzzWe’ll start tomorrow morning. I’m sure you are so
zzzzzzzzzhungry. (It is past dinner.) I’m sure you have all
zzzzzzzzzthose things to do (on his schedule). And, then,
zzzzzzzzztomorrow morning we can get started right away.
zzzzzzzzzYou come back at 9:00 and we can get started. Any
zzzzzzzzzmessage to the world, message to mankind?
Elliot: zzz I am so excited.
Elliot with Soma – Saturday, August 1, 2009
Elliot: zzzDon’t we need to do something to warm up?
Soma: zzzSo, what would you like to do? Something to warm
zzzzzzzzzup.
Elliot: zzzSome science.
Soma: zzzSo, let’s do some science. OK, let’s see. In science,
zzzzzzzzzwhat would you like to do? Would you like to talk
zzzzzzzzzabout some life science or would you like to talk
zzzzzzzzzabout physical science? We do something to warm
zzzzzzzzzup and then I’m sure you thought about your book –
zzzzzzzzzand discuss that.
Elliot: zzzLife science.
Soma talks about movement of plants and then animals (protozoa and amoeba). When she is finished, she gets out a new black piece of paper (on which she records what Elliot spells as he points).
Soma: zzzNow, let’s see. So, this paper should be what?
Elliot: zzzHow many animals are there in this world?
Soma: zzzOh, there are so many different kinds of animals.
zzzzzzzzzSome rare animals. There’s that Smithsonian
zzzzzzzzzmuseum. They have the biggest of all these squids
zzzzzzzzzand it’s called sea monster. It has such a big eye and
zzzzzzzzzthey preserved it. It’s the biggest of all these – they
zzzzzzzzzhave some of the rarest collection of these different
zzzzzzzzzkinds of animals in the world. It takes two days to go
zzzzzzzzzand see it. One day won’t complete looking at it.
Elliot: zzzI get tired in museums.
Soma: zzzI don’t blame you. Museums are very visually
zzzzzzzzzstimulating places. Many people get tired and they
zzzzzzzzzdon’t admit it.
Elliot: zzzI think it gets boring after a while.
Soma: zzzYes, see, that’s why you have to go to the museum
zzzzzzzzzseveral times and see different – if you try to see
zzzzzzzzzeverything in one day – time is lessened. When
zzzzzzzzzthings get tiring then, they get boring.
Elliot: zzz Do museums have guides?
Soma answers. Then states: “If you had a museum at your home, what would you collect?”
Elliot: zzzWatches and clocks.
Soma: zzzThat’s an interesting thing. You can start collecting
zzzzzzzzznow.
Elliot: zzz I can stim with them.
Soma: zzzThat would be good. You could date them. Collectors
zzzzzzzzzdo research on them. And if you had this (porcelain?)
zzzzzzzzzwatch, you could say, I owned then this many years
zzzzzzzzzwhen I was growing up and describing an incident
zzzzzzzzzthat happened with it.
Elliot: zzzI don’t have it now.
Soma: zzzYou don’t have to have it now. You can start
zzzzzzzzzcollecting them.
Elliot: zzzWhat did you collect?
Soma: zzzI collected wedding cards. I grew up in a very
zzzzzzzzzinexpensive way. That was all I could afford.
Elliot: zzzWhat about comic books?
Soma talks about collecting Tintin and Asterix comic books.
Soma: zzzIf you read Asterix, it’s so funny. They are actually
zzzzzzzzzFrench comics. Tintin is a British comic; so witty and
zzzzzzzzzfunny.
Elliot: zzzI don’t know French writers.
Soma: zzz French writers are very subtle.
Elliot: zzz I can collect CDs.
Soma: zzzYes, you can collect CDs. That would be good. I like
zzzzzzzzzthe clock idea. Not too many people have clock
zzzzzzzzzcollections.
Elliot: zzz Do I ask them to give me clocks for my birthday?
Soma: zzzTotally up to you. You might change your mind.
Elliot: zzzWhen you collect something, they turn to your
zzzzzzzzzpets.
Soma: zzzYes.
Elliot: zzzHow is it I am not telling you about my book?
Soma: zzzI was wondering. I thought you thought about it. You
zzzzzzzzzthought about it at night.
Elliot: zzzIt is good for making a movie.
Soma: zzz It would be good.
Elliot: zzzI can make movies better.
Soma: zzzSo, you have to write it in a script form. That would
zzzzzzzzzbe good. Who are the audience? Who are you writing
zzzzzzzzzfor?
Elliot: zzzBasically children but, adults would like it too.
Soma: zzzOh, that’s good. Let’s find the character.
Elliot: zzzThat’s not to start now.
Soma: zzzWhat does that mean?
Elliot: zzz First continue with amoeba.
Soma: zzzLet’s continue with movement and locomotion (of
zzzzzzzzzprotozoa, paramecia, fish, reptiles, dog, and man)
When Soma finishes the lesson, she gets out a new blank piece of paper and asks, “ This page should be what?”
Elliot: zzz I think it is good to begin my story.
Soma: zzzThat would be good. So, since it is for movie
zzzzzzzzzpurpose, you might want to tell about the different
zzzzzzzzzcharacters.
Elliot: zzz Many characters.
Soma: zzz It has many characters. So, how we begin is, scene
zzzzzzzzzone. How you begin a script – there had to be a scene.
zzzzzzzzzAnd in a scene, a script writer has to give detail how
zzzzzzzzzthe scene has to look. So, you have to give very
zzzzzzzzzvisual detail. If there are three chairs, where the
zzzzzzzzzposition of the chairs and that is how the set director
zzzzzzzzzis going to form it. So you can start that.
zzzzzzzzzSo, it would be:
zzzzzzzScene 1.
Elliot: zzz It is a mall. People are shopping for Christmas.
zzzzzzzzzThen there is music in (the) background. There
zzzzzzzzzare gift stores and toy stores.
zzzzzzzzzFor first three minutes it shows only the feet of
zzzzzzzzzpeople. Slowly the camera follows one pair of feet.
zzzzzzzzzThe music fades and it holds a stim sound of a
zzzzzzzzznon-verbal autistic boy who is trying to sing Jingle
zzzzzzzzzBells but, he can’t say the words.
zzzzzzzzzHe has three companions. One is a man who is
zzzzzzzzzholding his hands. That man is a foster dad. There
zzzzzzzzzare two other foster siblings, who are both
zzzzzzzzzautistic.
Soma: zzzThis foster dad has a lot of work to do.
Elliot: zzz But they are verbal like Mason (Mason is from
zzzzzzzzzrgroup).
Soma: zzzWell, you have to then explain because the script
zzzzzzzzzwriter will not meet Mason. So, they have to know
zzzzzzzzzexactly what kind of “verbal” is that.
Elliot: zzz They are doing their talking about food.
Soma: zzzI wonder what kind of talking they are doing about
zzzzzzzzzfood?
Elliot: zzz They are basically requesting to eat.
Soma: zzz Aren’t we going to name them?
Elliot: zzz The first one is Jacob.
Soma: zzz How old is he?
Elliot: zzz He is twelve.
Soma: zzzThe second one? One of the verbal requesters of
zzzzzzzzzfood?
Elliot: zzz Second one is Jud.
Soma: zzzHow old is Jud?
Elliot: zzz He is six.
Soma: zzz And the third one?
Elliot: zzz He is Luke.
Soma: zzz How old is he?
Elliot: zzz Jud’s twin.
Soma: zzzThen what happened? Did the foster dad say
zzzzzzzzzanything?
Elliot: zzz The foster dad is not very patient. He is trying to
zzzzzzzzzrush them to a toy shop. His voice is not very clear
zzzzzzzzzbecause the music begins again as Jacob rocks in
zzzzzzzzzthe store. Jacob is looking at the floor. He is not
zzzzzzzzzvery interested in toys. Jud and Luke want toys
zzzzzzzzzand their words are not clearly heard.
zzzzzzzzzJacob suddenly screams! And, all eyes look at him.
zzzzzzzzzHe closes his ears and shuts his eyes. He is too
zzzzzzzzzscared to move. He is frozen in his place.
zzzzzzzzzThe foster dad’s hand…
Soma: zzzHe should have brought someone to help. He has his
zzzzzzzzzhands full over there.
Elliot: zzz …gently holds him and they leave the mall
zzzzzzzzzwithout buying anything. The twins follow them
zzzzzzzzzsinging Jingle Bells.
Elliot: zzz It is one of those movies that will make everyone
zzzzzzzzzthink.
Matt does a lesson. When he finishes:
Soma: zzzWhat else?
Elliot: zzz Do I (you) think I can really make a movie?
Soma: zzzYes. I think it can be.
Elliot: zzzThat’s my trouble. I can’t make long stories.
Soma explains a little about movies.
Elliot: zzz But, I have only told something that is for ten
zzzzzzzzzminutes
Soma explains more about a story plot/goal.
Soma: zzz When you began your story, did you know how it
zzzzzzzzzwould end?
Elliot: zzz I did it just as I was trying to see it.
Soma: zzz So, you were thinking spontaneously as it was being
zzzzzzzzzplayed in front of you. And, then you were adding
zzzzzzzzzwords to it. Right? That’s how you were making it?
Elliot: zzzYes. Do you think more should be added?
Soma: zzzI don’t know. If it is ten minutes. If you want to make
zzzzzzzzzit a feature length movie. Now, if you’re making a
zzzzzzzzzdocumentary where your doing it – a real situation -
zzzzzzzzzthen it is different.
Elliot: zzzMost of the time I see the scenes.
Soma: zzzNow, do you want to take a break or Dad can ask
zzzzzzzzzsome questions or something?
Elliot: zzzI can take a walk.
When they resume:
Hal: zzzzzHow did you like painting with Kyung-hee?
Elliot: zzz It felt new and I liked it. Sometimes new things are
zzzzzzzzzgood. I don’t see myself as an artist but I can try.
Hal:zzzzz What does it feel like, having autism? Mom wanted
zzzzzzzzzto know.
Elliot: zzz It is so much ‘me’ that I wonder what’s it like
zzzzzzzzzwhen people see me. I don’t see the difference. In
zzzzzzzzzfact, when I come to the group here at HALO, I
zzzzzzzzzsee others like Andrew and Mathew. They looked
zzzzzzzzzautistic. Maybe they see themselves the same way.
zzzzzzzzzNext. (Next question.)
Hal:zzzzz What did you think of softball in Advanced Team
zzzzzzzzzSports class?
Elliot: zzz I liked to see it around me. I have to practice
zzzzzzzzzmore. Next.
Hal: zzzzz What did you think of the Colorado trip.
Elliot: zzzMost of my trip was busy feeling happiness around
zzzzzzzzzme. It was good to hear words around me. Missed
zzzzzzzzzMom.
Hal:zzzzz What did you think of the Bob Dylan concert?
Elliot: zzzSo interesting. Thanks. I forgot I had autism.
Hal: zzzzz What did you think of the Green Day concert?
Elliot: zzzThat was good, too. Better than a movie.
zzzzzzzzz(Elliot watches his DVD of Green Day in concert
zzzzzzzzzalmost every day.)
Hal:zzzzz What did you think of the Cubs game?
Elliot: zzzHigh five to that.
Hal: zzzzz What did you think of the Cardinals game?
Elliot: zzzIt was (a) bit stressful but, OK.
Hal:zzzzz After our trip to Chicago and St. Louis this past week,
zzzzzzzzzyou said, “Go to St. Louis a lot.” What did you mean
zzzzzzzzzby that?
Elliot: zzzIt felt so right in that weather. I am sensitive to
zzzzzzzzzweather. St. L. has old buildings so, my mood
zzzzzzzzzchanges in a good way. Next.
Hal: zzzzzDid you like the book A Wrinkle in Time? What did
zzzzzzzzzyou think about it?
Elliot: zzzIt’s good. I liked the helpless ways in which some
zzzzzzzzzof the characters were forced to do activities in
zzzzzzzzzorder to prevent confusion. Next.
Hal:zzzzz What did you think of The Lord of the Rings series?
Elliot: zzz It was a bit stressful and otherwise it was good.
Hal: zzzzz How about the book Firestarter that we’re reading
zzzzzzzzznow?
Elliot: zzzMaybe good. It takes time for me to adjust to a
zzzzzzzzzbook.
Hal: zzzzz How about Harry Potter?
Elliot: zzzThat’s stressful, too, but good.
Soma: zzzWhat kind of books do you like?
Elliot: zzz Stressful sort is good – like football match.
Hal: zzzzz We’re reading Firestarter and Harry Potter at the
zzzzzzzzzsame time. Is that hard for you or would you rather
zzzzzzzzzread one at a time – or is it OK going back and forth?
Elliot: zzz Not hard. I can see the difference.
Hal: zzzzz Clarify – when Mom asked you if you liked prom
zzzzzzzzzand you said, “Good but it doesn’t make difference.”
Elliot: zzz It did not make an impact on me. In fact I was
zzzzzzzzzhappy when it was over.
Hal: zzzzz How is running and swimming going this summer?
Elliot: zzz It is fun to do both. I love summers.
Hal: zzzzz What is your favorite movie that you’ve watched
zzzzzzzzzwith Josh?
Elliot: zzzIt is hard to remember movie.
Soma: zzzBut you enjoy watching movies? that experience?
Elliot: zzzI like the going part, sitting part. I like movie
zzzzzzzzztheater’s lights, and I liked to feel myself inside it.
zzzzzzzzzNow I want to eat.
Hal: zzzzz Last time Soma said, “What is your definition of
zzzzzzzzzhappiness? Then we got interrupted when your mom
zzzzzzzzzwas here. So, can you tell me your definition of
zzzzzzzzzhappiness?
Elliot: zzz To feel calm in my mind.
Hal: zzzzz What do you think of being an assistant coach at
zzzzzzzzzWest for cross country?
Elliot: zzzWonderful. I told you before.
Hal: zzzzz You are a very good runner and Josh is happy to run
zzzzzzzzzwith you. Do you want to try to swim, bike, run – a
zzzzzzzzztriathlon race for fun?
Elliot: zzz Marathon.
Hal: zzzzz So, you would rather do the running only and not
zzzzzzzzzdoing triathlon or both?
Elliot: zzz Everything.
Hal: zzzzz On August 29th, would you like to run a race around
zzzzzzzzzMadison with Josh? It will be long – 13 miles.
Elliot: zzzOK. I am hungry.
Hal: zzzzzDo you think how Soma is communicating with you -
zzzzzzzzzand we can ask you questions with Soma helping you
zzzzzzzzzto answer – do you think we will be able to
zzzzzzzzzcommunicate with you like this?
Elliot: zzzYes.
Hal: zzzzz What do you think we could do better to be able to
zzzzzzzzzdo it? What should we do to help you?
Elliot: zzzYou are doing everything.
Hal: zzzzz I wanted to ask you about some different books (that
zzzzzzzzzwe have read to you). Can I ask you about these or
zzzzzzzzzyou have had enough and want to stop now.
Elliot: zzz I am hungry.
