Midnight in Chicago Mad Hatter Video in the News

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http://www.peterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1363929

Mom posts video on autism awareness

Posted By By FIONA ISAACSON/Examiner Staff Writer

Posted 4 hours ago

A local mother has posted a video on YouTube to help raise awareness about autism.

Elyse Bruce, a local performer and singer-songwriter, has posted a video for the song "The Mad Hatter" from her CD "Countdown to Midnight."

Her son, 13-year-old son Schofield, has Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism.

"Entertainment always draws people to causes," Bruce said.

"What I want people to do is learn the facts on what autism is instead of going on misinformation. . . . It's really to help people realize this isn't a disease. This isn't something to be avoided."

Autism is a "difference, a difficult difference," she said.

Bruce doesn't make any money from people viewing the video.

may have autism, but he looks "just like a regular kid," which the video shows, she said.

To see the video visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fm46b3Z68.

"I'm hoping it goes far," Bruce said.

Bruce founded the Midnight in Chicago initiative to help families and individuals dealing with autism. (http://www.midnightinchicago.com).

She also hosts mini-seminars on autism that can be downloaded for free from http://www.mic.mypodcast.com.

NOTE: Schofield was also diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare, complex neuromuscular autoimmune disorder, in April 2008. There are approximately 100,000 cases diagnosed worldwide. There is no cure.