Affinity Therapy: Finding Hidden Potential

Join Stephanie in her discussion with Ron Suskind on discovering potential and finding hope against all odds. As Ron shares his experience with his son Owen and Stephanie shares her experience with Sydney, both find found ways to enter their autistic child's inner world through scripting through their child's favorite Disney movies. Dr. Holmes' interviews Ron Suskind at the Converge Autism Summit held in SC.Ron and Stephanie refer to the movie Ron created about their journey, Life Animated.The link to that movie is here:Find the link to Life Animated here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVMcYkRHtcU Watch the shear joy of Owen meeting Gilbert Gottfried at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vI1R3VEREQ Ron Suskind delves deeper into Affinity Therapy, the unique method of emulative communication that the Suskind's developed to help Owen, their youngest son, emerge from the shadows of autism. Owen, despite limited speech, memorized fifty animated Disney movies. Throw him a line; he’d throw back the next one. When the Suskind's realized this, they began speaking in Disney dialogue, turning their house into a stage set where they would play out scenes. Over the years, their son’s speech returned. What’s the lesson? Listen to the patient and let them guide you. Ron focuses on the perspectives of both the caregiver and the patient, addressing the importance of a shared language of imagination and demonstrating how myth, fable, and legend still remain humanity’s best pathway to healing.One of America’s most treasured journalists, best-selling author Ron Suskind brings a Renaissance man’s breadth of knowledge and experiences to the speaking stage. His keynotes and mainstage conversations with notable leaders in the financial world draw upon a career as a Pulitzer-Prize-winning Wall Street Journal reporter.  As an author and journalist, currently, he serves as the co-host of Freak Out and Carry On. This WBUR podcast addresses the urgent political issues of our time through a historical lens. Suskind's works are frequently characterized by his passion for giving a voice to the voiceless. This is evident in his most recent best-seller, Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism, adapted into an Academy Award-nominated documentary and recently won three News and Documentary Emmys. Life, Animated tells the story of his youngest son, Owen, who, after being diagnosed with autism, found a way to reengage with the world around him. Seizing upon Owen’s love of animated Disney movies, the Suskind family re-enacted the films with him, pioneering a now-widely acknowledged method of emulative communication known as Affinity Therapy. When not writing and speaking, Ron Suskind is a Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, where he serves as a lecturer on narrative and justice. He is also the Founder and CEO of Sidekicks for Autism, which provides a free education app that helps parents deeply connect and communicate with their autistic children. Suskind holds an MA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. about 1 month ago #affinitytherapy, #asperger's, #autism, #autismandcommunication, #autismandpotential, #autismconferencespeaker, #mentalhealth, #mentalwellness, #onthespectrum, #ronsuskind, #springbrooksautismconferenceDisclaimer:When we have guests on the ASR podcast they are recognized in their expertise on autism as an advocate, self-advocate, clinicians, parents, or other professionals in the field. They may or may not be part of the faith community; having a guest on the broader topic of autism does not reflect complete agreement with the guest just as many guests may not agree with our faith perspective. Guests are chosen by topic for the chosen podcast discussion and not necessarily full agreement of all beliefs from the chosen guest(s).