APPROACHES TO AUTISM A sixty minute educational film featuring eight families who have each taken on a distinct strategy or therapy in regard to their autistic children (and their siblings).

The period of diagnosis can be a time of upheaval and general misinformation, in which autism is very much an unknown area. A to A allows families to talk at length about the experience of diagnosis and the success stories they have made of their lives. A to A is an educational video aimed at parents whose children are undergoing diagnosis, and for schools, charities, NHS units & special needs units, and support groups. The tape has full contact details for each approach and also for help groups, autistic organisations and charities.

Working with R.A.F.T. (Redbridge Autistic Families Together), The N.A.S. (National Autistic Society), AUTISM LONDON, and ELHAP (East of London Special Needs Adventure Playground) and specialist units and clinics, the film features interviews with six families who each have their own ideology towards bringing up their children. The progress of an autistic individual is not easily quantifiable and there is no clear treatment, so therefore GPs and mainstream schools are often reluctant to diagnose or even mention autism. There is a high percentage indication that siblings to autistic children will also experience emotional and educational difficulties, but siblings are often of strong character and noticeably above prejudice towards disability. Many of the psycho dynamic approaches to autism involve strict routine and programming, but a family is not an easy entity to programme.

A to A is both positive, informative and at times playful, covering different therapies and intervention programmes from a hands on, family perspective:

Auditory Integration Training / Boston Higashi School / Lovaas - Behavioural Intervention / Facilitated Communication / S.P.E.L.L. / T.E.A.C.C.H. / Son-Rise at the Option Institute.

The film features representatives from the National Autistic Society, Autism London, the autistic unit of Whitefields, a special needs school and many fantastic children.

Approaches to Autism is available at £15.99 plus £1.50 postage and packing.

paradogs ltd 1st Floor 17-25 Cremer St London E2 8HD 020 7613 3001 paradogs@pinkpink.demon.co.uk

Approaches to Autism was supported by The National Lottery through The Arts Council of England.

paradogs produces documentaries, educational videos, artists video works and experimental fiction.