Ep 66 Autism on Stage: Elaine Hall shares her journey and insights

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May 6, 2025

Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project and star of HBO's Autism: The Musical, shares her inspiring journey advocating for autistic youth through inclusive theater. She discusses the transformative power of creativity and community, highlighting techniques for fostering confidence in neurodivergent individuals through improv. Moreover, she delves into personal experiences related to navigating sensory challenges and self-advocacy, emphasizing the importance of empathy and unique expression in enhancing executive function skills.

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ANECDOTE

Miracle Project Origin Story

Elaine Hall founded the Miracle Project after adopting her son with autism and connecting with him through creativity and play.
Traditional therapies conflicted with her intuitive approach, which became a joyful, inclusive theater program.

INSIGHT

Belonging Calms the Brain

Belonging, not normality, calms our neurological systems and unlocks potential.
Embracing neurodivergence allows authentic connection and creativity to thrive.

ADVICE

Theater Builds Executive Function

Use theater improv and social skills to develop executive function like flexibility, memory, and self-control.
Integrate neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals to foster learning and role modeling together.

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Team,

Elaine Hall is a force of nature, whose story will inspire you! On the show, Elaine talks about her experiences with her son, Neil, and the creation of the Miracle Project, an inclusive theater program for autistic youth and young adults. You may know her from Love on the Spectrum, Autism the Musical, or through her books (did I mention how amazing she is?) She shares the executive function tricks that help her brain! And with so many wins and creative projects, clearly her strategies work!

In the show, we talk about an upcoming event for The Mircale Project. Click here to get tickets to "Out of My Head" May 9 and 10, 2025.

All my love (and see you at the show!)

Sarah

More about Elaine:

Founder of The Miracle Project, an inclusive theater and film program; star of HBO’s Emmy Winning film Autism: The Musical, Elaine Hall is internationally recognized for using the arts to enhance quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, and is one of Hollywood’s first Access Coordinators. Elaine has co- written and produced over 30 original musicals featuring neurodivergent, disabled and non-disabled

actors; Her methods documented in her text book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism, are now evidence-based and the book has been used as a text book at Brown University, USC, UCLA among others. Featured in The New York Times, WSJ, Boston Globe, on CNN, CBS, OWN, NPR among others, Elaine has worked as advisor, script consultant, content developer, on-set coach, and/or casting consultant for Netflix, Shondaland, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Sony Pictures including appearing in the Netflix hit, Love on the Spectrum and Jason Katim’s As We See It. Elaine consulted on the film EZRA, starring a twelve-year-old autistic boy along with Robert De Nero and on . She has spoken at the United Nations several times and is a keynote speaker across the globe. Elaine has received numerous awards most recently being inducted into the inaugural Kindness Hall of Fame.

Co-founder of the Hollywood advocacy group, 1IN4, she was the Access Coordinator at the BARBIE Premiere. Elaine identifies as neurodivergent herself, and has an adult autistic son who communicates with AAC. Together they are committed to changing the media’s representation of disability - moving from ‘inclusion’ to ‘belonging.’ They are both featured in Scott Steindorff’s new film, Understanding Autism. Elaine recently worked with Yorgos Lanthimus on his new film Bugonia.

Elaine’s memoir, Now I See the Moon, an official selection by the United Nations, is in development for a limited TV series. Elaine offers consultation, keynote speaking, and coaching for individuals; workshops, and seminars. www.Elaine-hall.com

#ElaineHall, #autism, #neurodivergent, #adhd, #executivefunction, #LoveontheSpectrum, #AsWeSeeIt