The media has deemed Elaine, “The Child Whisperer”,
based on the extraordinary and compelling theater arts program
she innovated for children, like her son, Neal, with Autism, called
The Miracle Project and
the awe inspiring results the work has delivered. The Miracle
Project’s creative and evocative journey from the first meeting
of the children and their anxious families, through creative development
and ultimately, the performance of “Who Am I: A Time Traveler’s
Tale” is profiled in HBO’s award winning feature length documentary
entitled, Autism:
The Musical. The project premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival
in NYC to rave reviews, and will begin airing March 25, 2008 on
HBO.
Currently, The Miracle Projects, LLC is producing
a CD entitled, Fly…Into
the World of Autism featuring music written by the Miracle
Project children, performed with celebrities including Jason Alexander,
Stephen Stills, Monique Coleman of High School Musical,
Jack Black, and many more compassionate acclaimed recording artists.
Elaine’s unique, positive, relationship-building
approach to children's arts education has been featured in several
other documentaries, newspapers, and publications including Daily
Variety, Hollywood Reporter, The Autism Perspective, Guideposts,
Magizine, and More. Based on her celebrated, supportive, life
affirming, riveting and revelatory good works, Elaine’s students
have come to call her, “Coach E”. Given the great and varied spectrum
of abilities within the “disability” of what is called Autism,
(including some children who are verbal, and others of the same
age who are not), Elaine’s authentic, and intuitive ability to
find and focus on the source of “light” within each child has
been called miraculous. Based on time shared with each parent
and child, she cultivates a sense of trust and boundlessness,
and invites each of her students to express themselves unconditionally
and uniquely, as they are able. Of her philosophy or “way as a
whisperer”, Elaine quotes Albert Einstein: “There are only two
ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Elaine founded
The Miracle Project in order for children to cultivate rich and
joyful milestones with new friends, family and community members.
That sense of belonging amplifies each child and parent’s sense
of thriving. Through her program and the many volunteers who come
together to assure its success, Elaine’s commitment is to providing
celebratory experiences and connections with one’s peers, which
she believes is every child’s birthright. 2 In view of the ever
expanding numbers of children diagnosed with autism (one in one
hundred and fifty in the U.S. alone), Elaine’s vision for her
work includes taking her multi-platform educational and entertainment
curriculum and brand, national, and ultimately, international.
The non-for-profit Miracle Project is thankful for the continued
interest and commitments from media and other partners including
global brands, who continue to support her cross-platform programs
and expanding curriculum. Parents of children with autism, and
those in their local communities recognize that until such time
as there is a “cure”, there must be evocative programs that serve
to connect this vibrant community in meaningful, relevant, and
impactful ways, and lift the minds and hearts of both children
and their families. As Elaine reminds us, “We are all connected”.
Prior to innovating the Miracle Group, Elaine
performed nationally with Sesame Street Live! She has worked as
an on-set acting coach for Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios,
ABC Television, Nickelodeon, and many others. She founded the
critically acclaimed children’s theater program, KIDS ON STAGE,
L.A.. “Coach E” coaches both typical and “special” children with
relationship, self-esteem and selfconfidence issues, as well as
children and young adults seeking a professional career in the
entertainment industry.
So too, Elaine is beloved for her expertise
in bringing Jewish studies to autistic children, assuring that
they are able to share the joy of celebrating ceremonial rites
of passage at the core of Judiasm. Elaine’s media projects celebrate
diversity, positive thinking, kindness and meaningful connection
to others. She is writing a book, “The Miracle Journey: A Pathway
to Love” about her extraordinary experiences as a mother of a
child with autism. When traditional therapies did not work for
her son, Neal, adopted from a Russian orphanage and diagnosed
with autism, Elaine trained actors, musicians, and other creative
people to join Neal's world, whereby over time, he emerged into
our world. Ultimately, this experience guided her towards her
stated life purpose of creating bridges through art and compassion
which unite us all.
Elaine lives in Santa Monica, California with
Neal and newlywed to her husband, Play Therapist, Jeff Frymer.
She believes in Miracles, and will make you believe in them too!
