The Filmmakers

Melissa Collins-Porter discovered the use of narrative to teach her autistic son organizational, behavioral and social skills by teaching him video production to create his own stories. In 2014, she worked with a noted speech and language therapist to pilot a program using video to help autistic students solve social conflicts. Using video came naturally to Melissa, as she had taught film production at San Diego State University and has taught film studies at MiraCosta College since 2002.

    

As Melissa became concerned about her own son’s future and the futures of thousands of other children, she knew the best way to bring awareness to this issue would be a documentary film. Aging Out examines the scarcity of options available to people with autism once they are no longer eligible for school district support.

 

Melissa is available for speaking engagements and can be reached at collinsporter@gmail.com