AROUND TOWN
Ben’s memory will live on
to
infinity and
beyond
For many children growing up, their lives are shaped by the animated friends they see on films. Lessons are learned about courage, conscience and character. Role models are made like a brave flying elephant or a bunch of toys whose friendship triumphs all.
But for one young man in particular, Disney films gave him a sense of identity and helped him see the world in a different way. When Ben Heap was three, he was diagnosed with severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
finally given the diagnosis. In the UK, over one in 100 people have been diagnosed as autistic, Many don’t get diagnosed until later one in their lives – Susan Boyle for example, so we do not know
“Ben liked singing along to the songs and one day, his big sister Charlotte and I joined in. He just looked at us in shock like – ‘you get me!”
A typical baby to parents Melanie and Chris of Kimberworth, they originally noticed a change in their son around his first birthday when he appeared to be somewhat different, vacant.
As he got older, he struggled to respond to communication and was tested for hearing problems at 18 months. Another year and half later following visits to a clinical psychologist, Ben’s parents were
how many have autism “Early intervention is always better for both the child and their family. It was hard for us to come to terms with at first, but at least we had an answer. Some children are still not diagnosed at nine or ten,” Mel says.
After his diagnosis, Ben started at Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe, one of the eight schools in the UK run by the National
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Autistic Society. He stayed in education until he was 19 with the school offering him and his parents support throughout his childhood and beyond.
Like many autistic children, Ben had problems with social interaction and communication with limited and delayed language. Through the common
behavioural practice of echolalia, or repeating things, Ben taught himself how to speak by copying phrases from his favourite Disney films.
“Ben liked singing along to the songs and one day, his big sister
Charlotte and I joined in. He just looked at us in shock like – ‘you get me!’” Mel says.
While every person with ASD is different, some show behaviour similarities often having highly focused interests.
“Ben lived and breathed Disney - there was nothing he didn’t know. He had a photographic memory and created lists of all the film credits after they’d ended, naming the directors and voice cast off by heart. He automatically knew how to write, spell and type, it took our breath away,” Chris says. As Ben grew older – and grew
Walt & Ben
Ben and his Dad in Disney Land
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