>> morning! >> morning! >> in the rural english town of stroud, a hundred local women gather in a field. >> where's breakfast? is that supposed to be? i don't know about that. >> they're all here for one reason. >> hi, girls, how are you doing? ready to get your kit off? jolly good. >> to take off their clothes. >> can you hear me up there? >> [laughing] >> women of all ages and sizes have responded to a notice placed in the local paper by 33-year-old, kara morris. [applause] >> first of all, i just want to say how amazingly brave and wonderful you all are to do

this. hooray! [cheering and applause] >> it's part of kara's unusual strategy to fund the education of her daughter rosie, who's been diagnosed with the developmental disorder autism. >> [giggles] >> hey, hey, oh, don't take them all. it can be really tough. she doesn't sleep, she does have tantrums still nearly every single day. >> [shouting] >> in the uk, one in a 100 children are diagnosed with a condition on the autistic spectrum, ranging from mild social interaction problems... >> [shouting] >> to severe learning difficulties. rosie is at the most extreme end of the scale. >> people don't realize that it's a 24-hour thing. not just 24 hours, it's 24 hours and then another 24 hours, and another, and another, and it grows into years. >> at four and a half, she has the developmental age of a baby and still can't talk. >> one of the worst things is when she's crying, and she's really desperate, and you can see a look in her eyes.

something's not right, but she can't communicate it to you. and so you're there, feeling desperate cause you think, if-- i could just know what it was, and i could sort that problem out right now... >> but there are signs that rosie's trying to communicate. >> ♪ oh oh oh oh oh >> what are you trying to say? >> yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. >> really? what do you want to say to me? i'd love to know what she's thinking. i'd so love to know what she's thinking. ♪ tell me more >> yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. whoo, whoo! >> on a good day, i think that she has a lot in there, that she just can't express or can't see the point of expressing. >> she's got a great sense of humor, even though it's not, not speech at all.

in her spirit, she's right there, all there, 100%. >> whoo! >> whoo! >> [laughing] >> andy and kara have made a radical choice. they're unhappy with the progress rosie was making at the local state school. >> hurrah. >> so they've decided to travel to florida, for a tailor-made education program, which will train them how to teach rosie at home. >> if we could have more, you know, even basic communication, you know, that would just blow me away. >> [laughing] >> but for the price tag of 17,000 dollars a year for the program and travel costs, they're relying on stunts like this to raise the cash. they've got lucky, a national news channel has picked up on the story. >> i join 100 women getting their kit off for charity. tell us how you came up with this idea, then. >> well, i thought, "what can i do that will really create attention?" so i thought, aha, 100 naked women forming the word autism. eight tall people on the "i," please! what are you doing, the "u"?

>> ladies, what letter are you? >> we're "t." >> "s." >> "a." >> "t." [laughing] >> soon, they'll be photographed by helicopter, spelling the word "autism" for the front cover of kara's charity calendar, which will be sold to raise funds. >> [cheering] >> the fundraising has been a success, and the family have finally made it to florida. >> when we got here it was dark, so when we woke up it was like, oh, beautiful, sunny, palm trees. it was like, "oh, we've come to paradise." >> oh, look. >> look. >> this week could be a turning point in all their lives. >> hello! mwah! >> the family have never had a holiday abroad, so the beach is uncharted territory for rosie. and there's an unexpected thrill in store for her. >> look, rose. we're free.

>> okay, and sand. >> like many autistic children, rosie is fascinated by textures and sensations, and can completely lose herself in exploring tiny details of the world around her. >> [shouting] >> when we were on the beach, she was playing with the sand, she was so engrossed with the sand, i couldn't get through to her in any way, and i couldn't say to her, like, oh, you know, "look at this shell," or, you know, i couldn't interact with her at all in that way. so, in the end, i ended up holding up the sand, and she was like, she got--she sort of noticed me a bit then. then i looked over at this little boy, and he was playing with his bucket and spade, and he was pointing and looking out, and i sort of felt a bit of a twinge. and then i sort of looked at him

for a while and i thought, well, he hasn't got so many things that we have got with rosie. you just, with a normal child, but, there's something magical about rosie, and amazing, and beautiful about her autism. >> [laughing] >> there goes! there's a part of me that's just so blown away. she has got no fear. i'm so lucky, learning all the time. she's got no fear at all. [laughing] there is a part of me that's a bit brokenhearted i suppose, but i don't know if i want anyone to know that. >> there are dozens of approaches for teaching autistic children. but andy and kara believe the growing minds program is rosie's best chance of learning to communicate. >> ah, my god. it's finally happening! >> we traveled the whole world to get to this place.

nice to see you. >> here we are, rosie. >> how are you? >> great, how are you? >> great, good, thank you. >> behavior analysts dr. steven wertz and stefanie barenblat, have worked with hundreds of autistic children. >> hi, it's so nice to see you. >> oh, we like it here, don't we, rosie? >> [humming] >> andy and kara will be learning techniques which will form the basis of rosie's year-round home schooling. >> so in your materials, you wrote that her cognitive ability was really low. >> in that help form, you know, how many hundreds of questions, and then, you know, it ended up being about ten that she was capable of doing. and it was, like, so depressing. >> yeah, ten answers that she could do. >> it wasn't to depress you. >> no, no, no. >> [laughing] >> yeah. >> we like to get a... >> yeah, i know, of course. >> a kind of, an idea of where she is. >> a picture, yeah, of course. >> [screaming] >> ready? >> is there anything to put in that bottle? >> yeah, let's do it.

>> rosie's teaching will take place behind this mirrored observation window. >> oh, really? >> and it's time for her first lesson. >> do we have a picture of a baby's b-o-t-t-l-e? >> [screaming] >> steven helps rosie to hand over a picture of a bottle, to indicate she wants a drink. >> bottle! >> [screaming] >> see? look, it looks like the bottle. drink. >> ah-choo! >> bless you. >> you probably sort of could tell already, i don't know, but um, when she's pulling at you, and she's pulling at--pulling you backwards, it means she wants you to, uh, lift her up and hold her. >> i know she might have had her idea, but i had my idea, so... >> yeah, of course. that's what i thought, yeah. yeah, yeah. >> uh, so, uh, we had her use that pictogram because we don't want her to feel that she got the bottle... >> as a reward for the crying. >> by throwing a wobbly. >> yeah. >> over the past months, steven has watched home videos of rosie, and now that he's met her, he thinks he knows what could be the root of her problems.

[flute playing] >> wow! >> it's a duet. we believe that she has trouble producing certain behaviors on time, on demand. there might be something she wants to say to you, or something that she wants to do with you, but she herself has trouble doing that right now. >> steven's theory is that rosie's brain has trouble converting what she wants to do into an action. >> the human brain, all brains, adapt based on the way that they're used. maybe there's only five little occasions during the day, where she's really given a strong demand to do something, and really does it. >> thank you. take car. >> and then, let's say that you learn more about how to do this, and you really help her do that 500 times a day. >> nicely done! >> then what you're looking at is, what kind of changes might she make... >> yeah. >> in order to adapt to the demands that are placed on her nervous system. does that make sense? >> so i suppose the key is

to build up your repertoire of demands that you have on her? >> you can help her by asking more of her. you're going to get better at that. >> yeah. >> you're going to get better at because we're going to help you with that. >> because we're so used to doing everything for her. >> we noticed that. [laughing] >> yeah, we're trying to back off a bit. but it's hard when you want to get in there and help her. >> from now on, rosie will have to complete 500 trials each day, such as simple manual tasks. >> give the ball to daddy. >> and copying actions. >> do this. go ahead. >> but rosie who's not used to having demands made of her... >> get it in, come on, come on, you can do it! >> reacts the only way she knows how. >> [screaming] >> [clapping] >> ooh! ooh! >> while steven and stefanie aren't fazed by rosie's behavior... >> [screaming] >> it's tough for doting parents, andy and kara. >> [whispers] are you finding it quite emotional?

>> it's quite hard work, you know, quite hard. >> [crying] >> but then stefanie makes a discovery which puts the tears into perspective. >> [whispers] often, crying behavior can be very social. so i stepped out to watch her, and to see, will she sooth herself? and within a few seconds, she stopped crying. and when i went back in, she started again, crying. let me wipe your nose. >> [screaming] >> this suggests that, just like any other child, rosie sometimes cries for attention, and she's ready for some discipline in her routine. >> the fact of the matter is, that she is somewhat tough. she's, uh, she's a feisty little kid. >> oh! >> she has an opinion and she's willing to make it known. >> right. no pity for you, rosie. >> hello? [laughing] >> it's possible that some of these emotional things are actually tougher for mom and dad than they are for rosie.

>> we've got to not have any sort of negative, "oh, boy, it'll go." >> i do that all the time. >> i know. >> that's my main thing. >> i know. >> [screaming] >> i've been feeling a bit, um, clueless, and a bit stripped away, and we have to change up all the habits that we got into as, um, parents, over the years, because the way we interact with her is not giving her the opportunity to change. >> [screaming] >> it feels like, um, it feels a bit impossible, you know. do you feel we can't somehow see the way through? >> i just know we've got to go through this. >> [screaming] >> as the week progresses, everyone starts to feel calmer. >> aha! >> aha! >> did she sleep till seven? >> she did. >> yay, we slept till seven!

>> [shouting] >> [laughing] >> with rosie's tantrums more under control... >> you try. >> steven can analyze how andy and kara interact with their daughter. >> blow into that. >> your instruction, it was never the same thing twice in a row. you did something with a musical instrument, then you said, okay, then you go. blow into that, try this one. okay, now daddy do it. >> look, rose, look, look. rose, look at daddy. >> we're going to recommend that you get her attention and say, "do this." and then perform the action. ready? you blow. if the instructions for her are made so clear... blow. she can spend her time processing how to do it... >> good try. >> rather than processing what to do. >> when rosie was born, she seemed like any other baby. >> [burbling] >> [laughing] >> we were just the most proudest parents ever. it was a really blissful time. we didn't have any worries.

how could you ever tell? >> [gurgling] >> but gradually, kara sensed something was wrong. >> rosie. look, your teddy. it was as if she was so far away, as if i was reaching into a well and trying to pull her back. >> ♪ happy birthday to you >> i do remember a strange feeling on her first birthday. >> ♪ ...dear rosie >> the cake was brought in, but rosie didn't notice. [cheering and applause] and it bothered me. >> smile. rosie? rosie? >> [whistling] >> [laughing] >> when rosie was three, she was diagnosed with autism. >> it was the most agonizing thing, because i couldn't express it to anybody. >> cheers to everybody! >> cheers! >> the pain of knowing that their future's never going to be the same, the fear of the unknown, is so huge.

it takes your breath away. hello, you couldn't come and sit and eat some of your [indistinct], rosie. >> come on, rosie. >> but there's one aspect of rosie's personality that's always given them hope. her love of music. >> [beatboxing] >> she can almost, like, hear a song and then you won't, you won't--no one will hear it for a few days, and it will just come out. you know, it'll be the first time she's heard it. but she's got all, she's got hundreds of songs in her head. >> ♪ ah ah ah ah >> ♪ la da da di da ta ta da i love your song. ♪ la la la la rosie is such a fascinating person. >> oh. >> this little girl has music in her soul. >> [humming] >> this suggests that there's some, some good memory, uh, there's some good sensory perception and some good

cognitive ability. >> if andy and kara are to tap into this potential, they must work hard to look out for any signs that rosie's trying to communicate. >> chicken. >> but they're not yet convinced her words have any meaning. >> she's asking for food. >> no, no, no. >> is she? >> i think so. >> really? >> yeah, yeah. it's interesting, wasn't it? cause we're not necessarily picking up on everything. >> food, toys, or anything rosie takes an interest in, can be used as rewards to encourage her to complete tasks. >> [laughing] >> now, we can, you can face this way, and if she wants, she can come and ask you for it. you say, hold the spoon. >> okay. rosie, hold the spoon. >> if rosie falters, she's given a manual prompt. >> 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and prompt. you take her hand, and help her hold the spoon. >> hold the spoon. >> nice! good girl. >> with enough practice, rosie should learn to complete these movements unaided. >> but it's not just rosie who's learning. >> ahh. okay, so you're taking a long time. >> use this book as a

reinforcer, and you're going to do a few more trials. >> as her main teachers, andy and kara will need to be precise and disciplined. >> touch tractor. >> touch tractor. >> you don't give the instruction twice. >> no, right, okay. >> put it in. >> put the bowl really close. >> prompt her hand up, don't, don't have her touch it, but put her hand up. >> touch dress! >> touch bear. >> okay, next time, we want to say instead of "touch... bear." >> [laughing] >> no, no, no. touch bear. >> okay. >> and it's really good, cause they're telling you how to constructively teach her, and be with her. >> all right, so are you ready, papa? >> [humming] >> very nice, okay, ready? >> ahh! >> touch cat. we have a joke, stefanie and i, you know, that the children, they change every week, the real miracle is when the parents change. [tambourine playing] >> good, just keep prompting for it. >> good girl, you did it. >> did it hit?

>> a bit...well, not really. >> yeah, then don't say it if it's not true. >> okay. we're still in the dark, in a way. it's not just learning a few things, it's how to incorporate learning into everything that you do. >> andy and kara are starting to realize just how big a challenge lies ahead of them. >> take horse. >> [screaming] >> the only negative feeling that i've got, it's not really a negative feeling, but it's just like a non-faith in yourself. do you know what i mean? >> it's a non-faith, that's exactly what it is. >> it's the teasing, the intelligence out of her. >> [screaming] >> it's getting her to do things, it's understanding her mind, you know, you have to make it your life. are we going to be that brilliant teacher who's going to, um, come for kind, you know, completely change her life? >> steven has been building up to a trial which could give rosie a brand new communication tool. picture exchange communication, or pecs.

>> we'll have some pictures for her of items she might want, and then we'll teach her how to hand them to us, to communicate what she wants. >> training rosie to use the picture cards, will be a joint effort. >> so let's say that i'm here, and you're rosie. >> andy will prompt rosie to hand over the card. >> okay, be rosie, go ahead. >> okay. >> she is fast, as well. >> and kara will provide the reward. >> all right. yeah, brilliant. so she reaches out her hand, and then you prompt her straight away into that. you're basically changing her impulse. >> you do a communication. >> yes. >> to hand over the card, rosie will need to fight her desire to touch and grab. >> actually, we'll take that. >> [screaming] >> her impulse with pictures, right, is to scrunch them. >> no. >> her impulse with pictures is not to hand them across. the real possibility is that if we practice this, she'll develop a new pattern, and, uh, if she gets that pattern, then we're gold.

>> it's time to find out whether this week's training has prepared rosie enough for this more challenging trial. >> i just want to make a little speech to her, okay? part of the reason, honey, we're using these pictures, is until you learn how to say the word, you could use the picture. you can give mommy the picture, and she'll give you avocado. prompt her from the elbow. >> just push her elbow. >> there you go. >> yay! >> nice! >> slide her the picture. >> having been prompted, will rosie grasp the vital concept of using pictures to express what she wants? >> we're going to wait her out just a bit. >> hello, hello. >> hello, hello. >> [crying] >> that's not going to work.

go ahead, kara. nice work. >> to see her pushing a pec across the table for avocado was like my idea of heaven to see that. it was just so amazing. >> i could see, oh, my god, we have got a way in. do you know what i mean? it's, like, not as--not anywhere near as hopeless as i thought. in fact, it's not hopeless at all. >> yes! >> yay! [clapping] >> nicely done! >> [laughing] >> thrilled. >> big smile. it's great to see that. >> the cool thing is, the more you match, the more you get what you want. >> right! >> this little girl has cognitive ability, she has a mind, there is some real intelligence there that wants to be stimulated. >> try this. [tambourine playing] yeah! >> nicely done!

>> i was concentrating so much on the divineness of rosie and how amazing she was, now i'm thinking, actually, that was holding her back in life and don't lift her up. she's just an ordinary kid. >> well, we should work our way out to the car. >> bye, bye. >> ooh, that was so nice. >> the door's open, rose. >> yay, yay. >> let's step out. >> thanks so much, stefanie. >> [laughing] bye, rosie. >> blow. [flute playing] whoo-hoo! >> a year and a half later, rosie is nearly seven. >> let's do one more. >> she spends five days a week with kara in their home classroom. [xylophone playing] >> brilliant. before we went to america, she had nothing. she didn't have any communication at all. she couldn't do anything constructive. at one point i thought she couldn't understand a single

word i said, you know. nice, well done! >> rosie can now say around 100 words. >> open it. >> open it, okay. >> but the miracle recovery they hoped for has yet to come. >> just to get her to put, you know, to feed herself, or to put a block on top of another block, or to play that connect four game, has taken thousands and thousands of trials, carefully coordinated and praised. excellent, well done. it was taking us years and years and years and years to get somewhere where a normally developing child might get like that. >> and they're now more realistic about their goals for rosie. >> okay, i'm pink. >> we kind of realized, after a while, we're not going to get a complete cure. >> one. >> two. >> and for some people, it may not look as though she's made incredible amounts of progress. >> six.

seven. >> we know that it's completely different to how it was. >> nine... >> ten. >> well done. whoo-hoo! [laughing] [guitar playing] >> whatever the dream is for rosie to talk, she'll always find other ways to speak to the people around her. >> ♪ well, my name is daddy >> [laughing] >> when i see how to communicate with her, where both laugh on each other's eyes, she looks so directly into you, and she like--she looks into your soul. there's no barrier at all there, and that kind of is the deepest bond anyway i feel between people. ♪ 'cause i want to see you do something for me now, that'll make me very happy thank you ♪ >> whoo-hoo! [guitar playing] >> ♪ i think you're the best ♪ [guitar playing]

>> jorge and alex are best friends. since they were just eight and 12 years old, they've worked together in the tin mines of bolivia. now they are teenagers, each looking for their own way out. jorge looks to the military, but alex is still tied to the mines. [trumpet fanfare]