This month Days of Our Lives will place a spotlight on autism when it’s revealed that Salem police Commissioner Abe Caver (James Reynolds) and wife Dr. Lexie Carver (Renee Jones), will find out that their son has the illness. This storyline has a great amount of sentiment for head writer Dena Higley especially since she too had a son that was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, just like little Theo Carver. Days have paired with group Autism Speaks, the country’s foremost autism advocacy group in order to give an authentic and accurate depiction as well as relaying information of families dealing with the disorder.
"We're telling the profound and life-altering story of a child with autism from his parents' point of view," said head writer Higley. "Their pain, their struggle -- and ultimately, their ability to find life-affirming hope in the midst of learning how to live day to day with this disability. This is a personal story for me...as my husband and I have walked in the shoes Abe and Lexie are now about to walk in."
Background on Autism
Autism is a brain disorder that hampers a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and i a person afflicted by it has extreme behavioral challenges. Autism is diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis. There is no cure for autism.
"This storyline realistically portrays the emotional trauma that every family faces when a child is diagnosed with autism, yet it also opens a window for viewers to see the hope and achievements that are possible as a family pulls together," said Alison Singer, Executive Vice President of Communications and Awareness for Autism Speaks. "We are honored to work with 'Days of our Lives' and applaud the show's commitment to shine a bright spotlight on the autism crisis and its effects on the whole family."
With all the crazy storylines that has been on DAYS since its inception I have to commend them with taking the time to build up a fantastic storyline in order to bring awareness to this growing crisis.
