(London, UK) Channel 4 are to televise a new series directed by David Dehaney called ‘Young, Autistic and Stagestruck.’ The Channel 4 series follows nine autistic youngsters as they try to produce their own stage show, guided by theatre professionals.These professionals have never worked with a cast of young people who are all on the autism spectrum.
The first episode of the series introduces the first five youngsters. Twelve-year-old Ben has high functioning autism: he’s exceptionally bright but experiences acute loneliness. But as the project develops he starts to bond successfully with the other youngsters.
Andrew, 17, is classically autistic, and despite limited social skills, he is very keen to have his first proper relationship with a girl. From day one he starts getting closer to Claire, 19, and takes her on the first date of his life: a night at the cinema. Claire is a talented singer and pianist who also struggles socially.
Mollie, 11, is prone to tantrums and lengthy sulks, which test her mother’s considerable patience. She suffers from PDA – Pathological Demand Avoidance – a pervasive developmental disorder with symptoms including mood swings, language delay and obsessive behaviour. A talented singer, Mollie was diagnosed with autism at four.
Eleven-year-old Jozsef is more challenged by his autism, but his playfulness makes him endearing to others and soon turns him into the group joker.
The first episode of ‘Young, Autistic & Stagestruck’ is on Monday 12th April on Channel TV in Britain.
Source:Â http://www.bloggernews.net/124255