My Journey with Autism, Video Learning & Digi Uncle
My experience with an Autism Spectrum son, and using video as an educational and instructional tool, dates back to the early 1990s. At that time, very little research existed on the power of visual learning — whether for neurodivergent or typical learners.
Just months earlier, my life was turned upside down when Harry, my firstborn son, was diagnosed with Autism. I remember asking myself — What does this mean? How did this happen? In those quiet moments, I often cried, grieving dreams I thought were lost.
Harry no longer waved goodbye, avoided eye contact, and didn’t respond to verbal cues — leading me to believe he might even be deaf. But I noticed he did respond to television shows like Sesame Street and Wheel of Fortune. When their theme songs played, he ran to the TV, sat down, and focused.
The Birth of a Learning Method
Soon, other families wanted copies of these videos. The Autism Society of America published our story, and I received hundreds of letters worldwide. Parents and educators were encouraged to try video modeling for their children, and many saw remarkable results.
Back then, I called my project Special Kids. We weren’t in it for profit; we were in it for impact. And indeed, thousands of children in over 30 countries and 500+ U.S. school systems benefited from these resources.
Effective Video Modeling Strategies I Used
- Speaking slowly and softly, like I was teaching Harry directly
- Combining visuals + verbal identification + text graphics
- Short chapters with simple transitions to hold attention
- Minimal background music to avoid distraction
- Using peers (like Harry’s younger brother, Eric) to model skills
- Presenting handwriting with spoken letters under images
Bringing It Forward with Digi Uncle
Today, under the new brand Digi Uncle, we are expanding this mission with a holistic curriculum and innovative media resources for neurodivergent learners of all ages — children, teens, and adults.
We’re creating:
- 18+ new programs (9 original themes + 9 new for teens & adults)
- Visual, digital, and social learning tools
- FREE access for families, educators, and caregivers worldwide
