Tag Archives: Autism

Arts, Community, Health

West Van director raises autism awareness with ‘When Time Got Louder’

By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It can be a double edged sword, inclusivity in film. The two steps forward taken by the industry when representing otherwise marginalized or excluded communities are often followed by a step back when that community isn’t represented as accurately as it could be.

It is the driving force behind much of Connie Cocchia’s work. The LGBTQ+ writer and producer, originally from West Vancouver, has made creating accurate representation in film her raison d’être. Now, for her directorial debut, she’ll be releasing a film that has a character with autism at its centre – but not in a way that you’ll likely have seen before.

Unlike films like Rain Man and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which depict those with autism spectrum disorder as savants or hyper-logical detective types, Cocchia’s character bears a relationship to neurodiverse people who live regular lives.

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Health

New lease on life through early intervention

By Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Needing a heart transplant at seven months old to stay alive, Hudson Suh’s story is one of strength and determination.

After spending nearly the entire first year of his life in a hospital bed, when he was finally well enough to leave, the young boy had challenges in his physical development.

So when the Suh family, Joe and Tiffany,  relocated to the Okanagan in 2020, they enrolled “Huddy,” who is now four, at the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. There he underwent the life-changing, early intervention services including occupational and physiotherapy and speech pathology.

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