She used theater to change the lives of kids with disabilities!

When her adopted son was diagnosed with autism, Elaine Hall used her skills as an acting coach to engage and connect with Neal. Her success led her to create an inclusive theater program to help other kids with disabilities reach their full potential through music, acting and dance

- Debra Eckerling

Elaine Hall sat in her Los Angeles home office, trying to work, but the banging coming from the kitchen kept getting louder. Going to investigate, she found her 3-year-old son, Neal, slamming the cabinet doors, over and over again. Rather than shush him, Elaine ducked behind one of the doors and popped out. “Peekaboo!” she exclaimed. Neal laughed.

Elaine was a successful TV and film acting coach, but the role she longed to have was one of mama. When she wasn’t able to give birth biologically, she adopted Neal from an orphanage in Russia. Soon after, he was diagnosed with non-speaking autism.

Elaine vowed to do everything she could to help her son live a good, independent life. When traditional therapies didn’t work, she decided to tap into her creative talents and instead of trying to make him fit into her world, she joined him in his.

If Neal was spinning in circles, Elaine would reach out for his hands and play Ring Around the Rosie. If he flapped his arms, she would flap with him, and they would pretend to be birds. By engaging with Neal in whatever he was doing, Elaine discovered she was able to forge a connection with him.

Creative therapy

Believing she was on to something, Elaine began reaching out to experts to learn all she could about autism, sharing her experiences with Neal. They encouraged her to continue using play to connect with her son.