Lights, Camera, Autism!

Lights, Camera, Autism! is a fun, unique way for teens to practise interacting in a supportive environment. It is a highly innovative broadcasting workshop specifically designed for high school students on the autism spectrum to develop and strengthen their social skills. Many skills in broadcasting are transferable and applicable to communicating in everyday life! Examples include having a two-way conversation, asking relevant questions of others, listening to answers, staying on topic, and observing body language!

Each workshop accommodates eight students over the age of 13. Students are selected by their Learning Support Teachers or Case Managers and will be accompanied to the workshop by their Education Assistant.  

What do you learn? 

• Interviewing: How to prepare and host an on-camera interview.
• On-Location Live Reporting
• On-Camera Skills and Tips
• Weather Reporting
• Critique and Discussion

With supportive feedback, the participants are given the opportunity to identify areas they want to improve on before preparing for their final interview with a ‘special guest.’ Previous guests have included: Mark Miller, CEO of Great Pacific; Trevor Bird, Top Chef Finalist; Constable Palmer, West Vancouver Police; Michelle Morgan, Actor.

Thanks to a generous grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, the workshop was delivered in the West Vancouver School District in May 2019. It has since been rolled out in the Vancouver, Surrey and Coquitlam School Districts.

Watch the latest videos here:

Lights, Camera Autism! was created by and is delivered by experienced Broadcaster and Education Assistant, Katie Bennison. Katie is joined by veteran Camera Operator, Brent Gilbert. Both of them have children on the autism spectrum and between them, they bring over 60 years of broadcasting experience to share with the teens.