ACT Today (Autism Care and Treatment Today) a national non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to care and treatment to children with autism is joining forces with Cox Communications to present the Autism Film Program for Military Children. The two-week program taught by Inclusion Films will run from June 18-29 at the Cox Communications main campus in San Diego. The program is free for military children with autism and their siblings between 9-21 years of age. “We are so happy to be able to offer this program to the San Diego community ” says ACT Today’s executive director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson. “We believe the Autism Film Program for Military Children will give children a unique opportunity to work with a professional team of film makers and also the chance to exercise creativity build self-esteem and meet new friends. We hope this program will be the spring board for other such programs across the country in the coming years.” “The skills kids learn in our Inclusion Films summer programs go beyond the technical aspects of film making ” says Inclusion Films creator Joey Travolta. “The core of the process is collaboration which in turn enhances social skills. These skills will serve the participants in life as well as with any future aspirations they have to become part of the entertainment industry. We are proud to partner with ACT Today and Cox Communications to give even more access to children with developmental disabilities and their families.” Inclusion Films educates individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism Down syndrome and cerebral palsy by taking them through the process of making a short film from pre- to post-production. During the two-week workshop students will work with professional production crews; writing scripts and using film and editing equipment with the goal of showcasing their film at the San Diego Film Festival on September 29th. “Children education and the military are areas that Cox Communications focuses on when we’re looking at ways to support our community ” says Cami Mattson director of community relations for Cox Communications. “By partnering with ACT Today and Inclusion Films we’re able to make an impact in all of those areas by helping young people with developmental disabilities discover their talents and strengthen their skills for the future.” For more information and to register for the Autism Film Program for Military Children visit http://www.acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org/CoxFilmProgram.aspx.
