Tue, Apr 19, 2005 page2

• New film studies `savant syndrome' in children

  MULTIPLE DISABILITIES A documentary sponsored by the National Science Council focuses on talented autistic children, and how their special qualities are overlooked

  • By Chiu Yu-Tzu / STAFF REPORTER
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  A government-sponsored research project on savant syndrome resulted in a production of a documentary, which shows not only how Taiwanese who are blind or autistic have pursued their dreams, but also the urgency of creating a supportive environment for special people with multiple disabilities.

  The documentary, Capturing Dreams in the Dark (黑暗中追夢), released yesterday was directed by Wan Ming-mei (萬明美), a special education professor at National Changhua University of Education.

  Wan spent two years on the film with the assistance of her son, Lin Hwai-sheng (林懷生), the film's producer, editor and cinematographer.

  

  Chuan Fu-hua, left, and Lu Wen-kuei yesterday perform during a press conference in Taipei. The event was held to promote a documentary featuring a group of specially-challenged youth.

  PHOTO: SUNG CHIH-YUAN, TAIPEI TIMESN

  "Everyone, no matter how severely disabled, must have his or her own special talents and different ways of communication," Wan said yesterday at a preview of the film held in Taipei.

  Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which people suffering from mental retardation, autism or schizophrenia nonetheless possess an unusual ability in a single field, one most often related to music, art or numbers.

  Taking Lu Wen-kuei (呂文貴), 21, one of the film's subjects for example, Wan said that the totally blind and mentally retarded Paiwan Aboriginal was once socially isolated when he was nursed and cared for by a low-income family in Santimen, Pingtung County. Teachers did not recognize Lu's musical talent and perfect pitch until he first touched a piano at age 12, when he played all the songs he had ever heard with no difficulty.

  Later, teachers found that Lu could play many kinds of musical instruments and use them to play whatever he had ever heard, even though he could not even solve the simplest arithmetic problems, such as three plus five.

  In the film, Lin Wei-chih (林偉智), 19, a congenitally blind and mentally retarded autistic person, can pinpoint any date in the last decade.

  In the first seven years in his life, he was misunderstood as a mute. Now, only using the sense of hearing, Lin can easily recognize types of trains passing by.

  "I wish I could see a train timetable, buy tickets, and go up and down stairs at train stations," Lin, a railroad enthusiast, said in the film.

  Chuan Fu-hua (莊馥華), 21, has suffered from visual impairment, paraplegia and communication disorder since she got hurt in a fire at the age of 10.

  By using a special tool for typing and wagging her head to express her thought in phonetic symbols and Morse code, Chuan has written more than 200 poems. Some of her pieces have been published in mainstream newspapers and magazines. Her persistence won her the Presidents' Award of Education in 2004.

  However, Taiwan's existing educational system cannot offer her an opportunity to go to college.

  At the preview yesterday, three subjects smiled and laughed when they were introduced to viewers, many of whom shed tears after being touched by the persistence of the three young people's hearts.

  Hsiao Yeh (小野), a well-known writer and playwright, told the Taipei Times that the one-hour documentary has the potential of drawing both domestic and overseas attention.

  "In the film, Wen-kuei said three plus five equals to ten. It's possible. Life is not like mathematics. The documentary can even inspire normal children, who also suffer setbacks in daily life," Hsiao Yeh said.

  Wan said that all proceeds earned by the program will be donated to the private Huei-ming School and Home for Blind Children. Currently, the DVD is available by ordering through the school.

  "So far, we have not planned to have the film shown in public. But we hope people know that special ways of communication for many other kids are just waiting to be discovered," Chen Li-yu (陳麗玉), the school principal said.

  Officials of both the National Science Council and the Ministry of Education said that more investment has to be made, not only to encourage related research but also "to create friendly environment in society."

  "Today kids like this rely on families more than the society. Parents devote themselves. If I were in their shoes, I'm not sure I could've done better," Deputy Minister of the National Science Council Shieh Ching-jyh (謝清志) said.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Alcaraz struggles to 4th round in Paris

  • 2

    PSG crush Inter to win trophy

  • 3

    Control Yuan member quits over misuse of vehicle

  • 4

    Taipei ranks 60 in ‘Global Cities Index,’ up five spots

  • 5

    Greek basketball finals suspended following scuffles