Shannon Kintner, “Charlie Living with Autism” (Student Visual Essay)

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Shannon KintnerStudent Visual Essay

Charlie Living with Autism

In this excerpt from a photo essay, we get a glimpse into the life of Charlie, a five-year-old boy diagnosed with non-severe autism. Shannon Kintner took this series while a student at the University of Texas, though not for a class nor as part of her job at the Daily Texan. She did the project on her own to learn more about autism, to gain experience, and to develop her portfolio, a collection of work that demonstrates one’s interests and abilities.

1

“You go bye-bye?” says Charlie Minto, 5, to Kari Hughes, a behavioral therapist. Charlie was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (in lay terms, non-severe autism) in October of this past year. He receives in-home behavior therapy five days a week. When he’s finished with it and ready for playtime, he doesn’t keep it to himself.

2

“No, Charlie, it’s not time for me to go yet,” Hughes responds. In one year, however, Charlie might be saying “bye-bye” to his therapists forever.

3

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the guidelines used to diagnose different types of disorders, will be released in its fifth edition in May 2013 with its first set of revisions in seventeen years. While the changes are not yet complete, the proposed new definition of autism may be more rigorous than the current one. Many families are worried that, due to the revised wording of the definition, their loved ones will lose the diagnosis, and with it, their services through state, school, and insurance companies.

4

Mindy Minto, Charlie’s mother, worries that the costs for the behavioral, occupational, and speech therapies that Charlie needs will be prohibitive.“My fear is that he won’t get the help he needs and that he won’t . . . be the Charlie that he can be, he won’t rise to his full potential. And that’s concerning.”

302

image
Mindy Minto, Charlie’s mother, wipes pizza sauce off Charlie’s shoulder during dinner one night. Charlie has echolalia, which means he repeats certain phrases to apply to all scenarios; he often says “popcorn, please” to indicate that he is hungry.
Shannon Kintner.
image
A behavioral therapist guides Charlie’s hand while writing his name. Charlie just wrote his name by himself for the first time in mid-April.
Shannon Kintner.

303

image
Charlie plays with his dog, Lola, before dinner. Both of Charlie’s parents have described the two as best friends.
Shannon Kintner.
image
Kari Hughes, a behavioral therapist, asks Charlie to point out certain objects pictured on flashcards. His at-home therapy balances between a few minutes of playtime for every five achievements he makes, such as identifying flashcards or completing a puzzle.
Shannon Kintner.
image
Delia Minto, 8, Charlie’s sister, plays with Charlie after dinner one evening. Sometimes Charlie may flap his hands or push when excited or anxious, but he never plays aggressively.
Shannon Kintner.
image
Kari Hughes, a behavioral therapist, teaches Charlie how to use a zipper during a few minutes of playtime.
Shannon Kintner.
image
Mindy Minto, Charlie’s mother, helps Charlie put on pajamas after a bath. Charlie sticks to a usual nighttime routine that consists of a bath, some ice cream and a bedtime story.
Shannon Kintner.

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Questions to Start You Thinking

Meaning

  1. What story does the selection of images tell?

  2. The photographer shows Charlie eating with his family, learning with his teacher, and playing with his dog. How does this variety enhance the viewer’s experience?

  3. Autism is a complex condition that can affect language ability, intellectual functioning, and behavioral patterns. Some symptoms often generally linked to autism include repetitive behavior; restricted interests; trouble having easy-flowing, “back-and-forth”-style communications; and difficulty with social interactions, which depend on the ability to read facial expressions and other cues. However, autism, as expressed in individuals, varies a great deal from person to person and from setting to setting, and it changes as a person with autism grows and develops. How does this photo essay help us to better understand—and to put a human face on—a word one often hears: autism?

Writing Strategies

  1. How would you describe the nature of Kintner’s written text? Why do you think that she uses this approach?

  2. What is the effect of Kintner’s title for her photo essay?