ABOUT
From Struggling Single Parent to Global Neurodiversity Pioneer
When Elaine’s son, Neal, adopted from a Russian orphanage, was diagnosed with Autism, she did what any parent would do — took all of her skills and resources into her own hands to create the most independent life possible for him. Utilizing theater, music, and movement she joined his autistic world to create a space of deep connection, acceptance and appreciation.
Through the process, Elaine developed The Miracle Project®, a groundbreaking, now evidence-based program that uses theater arts to integrate traditional and creative therapies in an interactive, social dynamic. Children, teens and young adults, once too shy to even walk into a room of their peers, have now found their voice, developed their talents, and most importantly made friends.
Since then, The Miracle Project® has been profiled in an Emmy Award-Winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. Elaine has written globally acclaimed books: including Now I see the Moon, the official selection for World Autism Awareness Day 2011, and co-written The Seven Keys to Unlock Autism, a transformative book used currently as a textbook at Brown University.
Several of her original musicals created with The Miracle Project® are now available to be licensed through Broadway Licensing with a touring company on the horizon.
Today Elaine is changing the face and conversation around ability as a forward-speaking voice on neurodiversity. She leads trainings around the globe on “Inclusion from Within®,” and partners with theater groups and universities to create The Miracle Project® in local communities. She regularly is called on by producers, directors, TV and film studios to broaden representations of neurodiversity in the media, to offer insightful conversations around the ability within disability.
Her son Neal Katz, now 26 years old, still non-speaking lives independently with support. He has worked in film and TV, as a semi-professional model, and has presented, using his iPad, at the United Nations. He also enjoys his work as an organic gardener in Malibu, CA.
Her life, although nothing as she would have planned, has become miraculous.
Now Out on HBO:
Autism: The Musical
Autism: The Sequel
Check out the sequel to the 2007 Emmy winning documentary Autism: The Musical. Catch up with familiar faces and see how they have grown!
Ways to work with Coach E
KEYNOTE SPEAKING
An international keynote speaker, Elaine Hall is known for her inspirational talks about celebrating everyday miracles, and creating cultures where all abilities can thrive. She tailors each keynote talk and helps organizations and individuals alike break through obstacles, refine what’s possible, and unlock potential.
MEDIA TV & FILM
Resident expert on creating inclusivity within media, theater, television, and film - Elaine is consulted for her deep expertise within the autism community to create more neurodiverse representation.
TRAINING & CONSULTING
As a pioneer in the inclusion/ neurodiversity space, Elaine offers deeply transformational training to create spaces of belonging for individuals, organizations, faith-based and arts-based communities. She also helps Theatre & Film programs, Universities and Schools start their own Miracle Projects.
Watch The Documentary
Autism: The Musical
The Emmy Award-Winning HBO Documentary profiles Coach E’s groundbreaking theater program, The Miracle Project and Elaine follows five autistic children as they work together to create and perform a live musical production.
& The New Sequel:
Autism: The Sequel
Autism: The Sequel revisits the stars of this musical 12 years later as the original subjects, now in their early 20s, navigate what independence means to them as they manage both challenges and triumphs as adults living on the autism spectrum.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR AUTISM: THE MUSICAL
“One of the most candid, down-to-earth, organically inspirational documentaries you’ll ever see….an unsentimental, simply photographed chronicle of the autism epidemic that doesn’t try to show too much or conceal the rough places. Amazing…extraordinary…it will have audiences cheering long before the final act.”
— Boston Globe
“As riveting as it is revelatory…downright joyous at times…moving, dramatic…eloquently attesting to the transformative power of theatre…amazingly candid…astonishing…”
— Variety
Read Coach E’s Work
Now I See the Moon
The official selection for World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations, Now I See the Moon is a memoir about how Elaine took matters into her own hands and used her resources to create a controversial, unorthodox, and innovative approach guide her Autistic son toward an increasingly independent life — and in the process founded the The Miracle Project. It is a story of hope, faith, and miracles; it is a story only a mother could tell.
“This serene and spiritual account of bringing up a shrewd, loveable and intelligent autistic boy also sparkles with the exuberant tale of how Elaine founded The Miracle Project, a terrific theatre group for autistic and “typical” kids alike. The book goes far beyond ‘brave,’ and well into ’spectacular.’”
— Carolyn See
“In this especially timely, painstakingly positive work, a children’s film coach recounts her adoption of a troubled Russian toddler and her long, tortuous, ultimately enlightening journey to treat his nonverbal autism. She beautifully chronicles (his) development to the age of his bar mitzvah vis-à-vis his responses – positive and negative – to the slew of experts and coaches Hall found to create therapies tailored to his very individual needs. Though Hall’s marriage dissolved under the pressure of Neal’s care, and there were moments Hall truly believed she and her son were “slouching toward normal,” she had to accept that Neal would never be “cured” of autism. She created her life’s work in the Miracle Project, a theater arts program for autistic kids (eventually made into the Emmy Award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical.)”
— Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review
Seven Keys to Unlock Autism
This groundbreaking book, used as a textbook at Brown University, outlines seven integrated keys for educators and parents to make meaningful connections with children on the autism spectrum. The book is based on the unique approach used by Elaine and offers readers strategies for creating a personal skill set to make their encounters with autistic children as successful and rewarding as possible.
“This book is a blueprint for us all to use in addressing our “differently abled” kids. Finding your own internal regulation is where it all begins!”
— Stephen Stills, Musician, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Parent and Advocate
“Underlying all her work and life is Elaine’s deep spirituality, her love for kids, and her respect for all. That is Elaine’s great lesson and her gift to all who read her: accept children wherever they are. Meet them there. Then, take a journey of growth and community together.”
— Alice Dewey Goldstone, producer of Hercules, Walt Disney Studios
“Elaine Hall yanks the reader out of preconceived notions of what having a child with autism means. This book is for anyone wishing to learn about the potential autism has to bring out the best in people—and for developing a deeper appreciation of what true humanity is all about.”
— Stephen Shore, Professor of Special Education and Author of Beyond the Wall
“What a remarkable guide for educators and care providers of people with ASD! The Seven Keys urge us to live the timeless advice shared by Gandhi: “You must be the change you want to see in the world”. In highly readable, engaging and practical ways, the authors explore places that few approaches to autism dare to go: how can we change OUR attitudes, beliefs and actions to profoundly impact the lives of people with ASD in the most positive ways. Seven Keys is a rare work that is creative, optimistic, and deeply reflective. It will prove to be transformational for those of us who share their lives with people with ASD.”
— Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Best Selling Author, Uniquely Human, Adjunct Professor at Brown University