Using Creativity and Joy to Bring out the Best in Children with Autism

Elaine Hall

Elaine Hall “CoachE!” was a top Hollywood children’s acting coach whose life changed dramatically after her son Neal, adopted from a Russian orphanage, was diagnosed with autism. When traditional therapies did not work for him, she rallied actors and other creative people to join his world and Neal slowly emerged out of his isolation. She then used these methods to create The Miracle Project a world renowned theater and film program for children of all abilities, profiled in the Emmy Award HBO documentary, AUTISM: The Musical. Elaine has appeared on CNN, CBS News, Oprah Radio and featured in The LA Times, New York Times, Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal. She has received awards from Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of Los Angeles, Senator Fran Pavley, The Mayor of Los Angeles, Areva Martin’s Special Needs Network, Etta Israel, and many more. Her innovative approach to working with children with autism has created a “movement” with people requesting The Miracle Project all over the world. Workshops have been held across the US and Canada and In India and Africa. The Miracle Project now has ongoing classes in New York City, and at The Help Group in Los Angeles. Elaine is a keynote speaker at conferences throughout the US and Canada, including speaking at The United Nations. The paperback version of her book, Now I See the Moon: a mother, a son, and the miracle of autism, was recently chosen by The United Nations to launch for World Autism Awareness Month. Elaine and producer Diane Isaacs created the CD Fly: Into Autism which pairs kids with autism and celebrity artists and was honored at Carnegie Hall. Their latest book, The 7 Keys to Unlock Autism will be released in Fall 2011. In addition to her work with The Miracle Project, Elaine created and directs an arts enrichment and a bar/bat mitzvah program for children and teens with autism at Vista Del Mar in L.A. She lives in Santa Monica, CA with the two loves of her life, her teenage son, Neal and her newly wedded play therapist husband, Jeff.