Neurotypical,
the movie originates from the shared experiences of
my family with the autistic population in North Carolina over the
past 15 years. Working closely with autistics of all ages and abilities
has given us a profound respect and affection for this culture.
Autistic
individuals are often sensationalized for their unique abilities or
examined for the unusual behaviors associated with this diagnosis.
Rarely does the portrayal of autism come directly from the perspective
of the autistic.
Adam Larsen
(director/cinematographer/editor)
has
written, directed, and produced two short films for NC
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped
Children), showing how this 30-year old program has served autistics
of all ages by its untoward respect for a culture with unique characteristics.
The films are used in trainings throughout the world. Neurotypical,
the movie is an extension of these past experiences
focusing on current issues and giving voice to the autistics. Over
the past 6 years Adam's work focuses primarily within the exchange
of dance, movement, and theatre artists. He is currently the resident
projection designer for the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and has
also designed shows for the Alberta Ballet, Fulton Opera House, Childsplay,
Imagination Stage, Blue Shift Theatre Ensemble, Honolulu Theatre for
Youth, and the Mark Taper Forum. In film, he has had the opportunity
to collaborate with Emmy Award winning director, Gary Hawkins, and
Academy Award winning director, Deborah Shaffer. He holds a BFA in
Cinematography from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Ron Larsen
(producer)
has
been working in various forms of education for over 30 years. In 1991,
he was hired as a Psychoeducational Therapist at the Western TEACCH
Center. During his time with TEACCH, Ron developed a series of structured
worksystems, ShoeboxTasks,
for autistic children who are learning “how to learn.”
In 1997 he reincorporated Centering On Children, Inc., to design,
manufacture, and market the ShoeboxTask activities. The Center now
employs 4 adults with autism part time who manufacture and package
the ShoeboxTask activities to homes and school all around the world.
Ron has a Masters Degree from Western Carolina University with a focus
on family studies/child development.
Linda
Larsen (producer)
is
a practicing studio artist well recognized for her two-dimensional
and three-dimensional artwork in a variety of media that include painting,
printmaking, ceramics, and mixed media sculpture. Ms. Larsen has an
extensive exhibition record, including recent exhibitions at the Meadows
Museum of Art, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Blue Mountain Gallery, New
York City. Linda has a BA in art history from the University of North
Carolina at Asheville.
