'Normal People Scare Me' screening to provide inside look at autism

DYNAMIC DUO- Keri Bowers and her son, Taylor Cross, 18, will screen their film "Normal People Scare Me" on Mon., March 5 at Westlake Village Twin Theater. It looks into the world of autistic people. Cross, who has autism, interviewed 65 people for the film.

A free screening of "Normal People Scare Me," a film about autism made by a teenager with autism, will be presented at 7 p.m. Mon., March 5 at the Westlake Village Twin Theater, 4711 Lakeview Canyon Road.

The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the teen, Taylor Cross, and his mother and director of the film, Keri Bowers.

The film provides an inside look at what it's like to live with autism. Cross, 18, was diagnosed with autism at age 6. His mother was told that he wouldn't walk or talk. However, Bowers continually challenged Cross to advance in his physical and emotional development.

With the help of teachers, Cross received his diploma this year from Newbury Park High School a semester early, having earned all A's and B's.

While in high school, Cross created a 10-minute documentary on living with autism and later expanded the film into a fulllength documentary that took two years to make. Cross interviewed 65 people for the film- children and adults with autism and their parents and siblings.

"In the film," said Bowers, "we wanted to show how people with autism see the world. Taylor was able to create a dialogue with autistic people that others without autism could not."

Since its release, the film has been shown around the world. The Center for Disease Control uses the video for training. Cross and Bowers have received thousands of letters, many from parents saying the movie helped them better understand their autistic child.

"This movie is changing lives," said Bowers. "Boys and girls with autism who are my son's age often feel isolated and depressed. We receive letters from these kids that say Taylor is giving them hope."

Bowers' next documentary, "The Sandwich Kids," will explore the lives of siblings of individuals with disabilities. Conejo Valley Friendship Circle, a local nonprofit group sponsoring Monday's screening, will be featured in the new film as one of the organizations offering programs for these siblings.

For more information on Cross and Bowers' films, visit www.normalfilms.com. To reserve seats for the screening, call the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle at (818) 865-2233.