We produced the documentary we wish we had upon learning our son was on the Autism Spectrum. What is High Functioning Autism (then called Asperger Syndrome), and how will it affect my child, their education and overall life? What can I do as a parent to assist in identifying the comorbidities that certainly will go along with ASD and then get the tools needed to hurdle over the obstacles? Tips for getting through the school-age years and ultimately…will they ever be independent and how soon should preparation begin? So many questions…
The path we were blindly forging 28 years ago and will forever maintain, is one we want to share. May you learn from our mistakes and reference methods from our successes. It is my hope that our journey will both ease and enrich yours.
We wrote and produced the documentary 10 years ago with free showings in many theatres across Texas. Sinclair Broadcastings WOAI-TV aired the program as did PBS/KLRN offered free livestream for 3 years straight! Many school districts provide it as training and Doctors recommend it for newly diagnosed patients. It’s a great overview toward understanding and navigating Autism, more specifically the type that often gets overlooked or misdiagnosed, HFA or Asperger Syndrome. The content is very relevant, especially for those newly diagnosed, suspect autism or plowing through the school-age years.
Coping to Excelling documentary sheds light on the topic of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in school-aged children by way of reenactments, animation and straight-to-the-point interviews. This engaging program allows the viewer to ‘see through the eyes’ of those on the high end of the autism spectrum while getting advice from experts successfully navigating life on the spectrum like Dr. Temple Grandin, Terrilie Tatum, Samuel Allen & Jennifer McIlwee Myers, or from experts in the field of Autism, Dr. Tony Attwood, Dr. Chris Plauche-Johnson, Dr. Janessa Manning, educators and many more!
“I would strongly recommend the Coping to Excelling DVD not only for parents, especially those of a newly diagnosed child, but also for teachers and professionals!”
– Dr. Tony Attwood
Coping to Excelling, is divided into chapters dealing with the basics of high-functioning autism and Asperger’s, maintaining the family unit, education options, bullying and social development. The “chapters” may be viewed independently or the entire Documentary (lasting 68 minutes) may be viewed in it’s entirety.
Chapters include:
Understanding High-Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome – a broad overview
The Family Unit – The importance thereof
Choices in Education – Pro’s and con’s of all methods
Bullying – re-enactments and solutions
Social Development – suggestions and tools from the experts
“We are starting to understand the functions of the brain and we realize that Autism really is neurobiological — different wiring, miswiring, atypical wiring, whatever you want to call it. We are in the fetal stage in understanding all of this and I think that once we understand this more, we will be able to subtype this Autism spectrum. Right now we know for sure that folks with Aspergers have atypical function in the Fusiform Gyrus which is the part of the brain that emotionally recognizes familiar people.”
-Dr. Chris Plauche-Johnson/American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children With Disabilities
In the following video excerpt from “Coping to Excelling” it is explained that the frontal lobe of the brain, called the Fusiform Gyrus, is different in both anatomy and function, often confusing the person with Autism as how to respond. Attempting to “read expressions” is often a challenge for those on the Autism Spectrum. The reason is scientific, and not a choice the person is making as you’ll see in the Coping to Excelling excerpt below.
Give the gift of information and enlightenment!
The DVD Documentary “Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-Age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome” may be purchased here for $24.95
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
