Project Miracle aka The Miracle Project
About
The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theater, film and expressive arts program focused on building communication, self-esteem, job and social skills for individuals with autism and all abilities – speaking and non-speaking. Using groundbreaking and evidence-based methods developed by our founder, Elaine Hall, The Miracle Project focuses on the strengths and abilities inherent in each participant while developing a unique neurodiverse community.
Through shared experiences with peers and volunteers, individuals with autism and other disabilities:
- Find their voice
- Develop their talents
- Rehearse for life.
Our Mission
To create a neurodiverse community where the voices, passions and stories of individuals with and without disabilities are celebrated, elevated, supported and belong.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every individual – regardless of ability – belongs and is celebrated for who they are.
TMPs programming is specifically tailored to build on the strengths of neurodivergent participants with a wide-range of life experiences. Some participants are significantly impacted by their developmental delays and need specialized support navigating their environments, while others are academically high-achievers but are severely challenged by their social anxiety. TMP also serves many participants who identify as multimodality communicators, meaning they are minimally speaking or non-speaking and communicate through alternate methods, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. These participants, many of whom type to communicate, are often excluded from music and performance-based programs because funders and even social service agencies fail to recognize the efficacy of the expressive/performing arts in enhancing communication among non-speaking individuals.
TMP’s artistic home, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, is an ADA accessible building, meaning that our students with physical limitations are able to attend all of our classes and programs, ensuring that TMP can serve a diverse group of individuals who do not always have access to arts education programs. Additionally, TMP offers sensory friendly performances and community events, which allows for audience members who are prone to physical dysregulation and sensory overload to participate.
Though TMP’s programs are tuition-based, most participants qualify for services funded by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) through their local Regional Center or through the DDS’s Self-Determination Program.
While some of TMP’s classes are not currently covered by Regional Center or Self-Determination funding, TMP’s administration is actively pursuing alternate funding options including a new regional center vendor code which will allow families to use DDS funding for additional expressive and performing arts classes.
Additionally, partial, and in some cases, full scholarships are available to families who do not qualify for this funding on account of the participant’s diagnostic profile. Scholarships are offered based on financial need, and individualized payment plans are available to all families so cost is not prohibitive to participation.