Eddie's Room

Eddie Cassidy is an eight year old autistic boy living in Swansea, Wales. Eddie has difficulty making sense of social and emotional interactions as well as communicating his feelings, ideas, wants and frustrations to others. He does not talk and does not like to look people in the eye. Eddie’s mother Karenza Cassidy joined Eddie in an American autism treatment program called Son-Rise three years ago. An essential part of the Son-Rise program is a specially constructed ‘playroom’ within the family home, where Eddie spends large chunks of his day playing either with his mother Karenza or one of the number of adult volunteers she has arranged to work with him. The adult’s role in the playroom is to encourage Eddie into interaction by mimicking his behaviour and movements as well as provide approval for his actions. Karenza’s dream is that through the Son-Rise program Eddie would gain the ability to speak and interact with others, give and receive love, especially from his two brothers and sister.