'Touch' TV actress gets expert autism advice from WesternU faculty member
TV actress Roxana Brusso was looking for more than a touch of information about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to better prepare herself for a character she is playing on a new TV show on FOX.
In doing so, she got some expert advice from Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy Education at Western University of Health Sciences.
Brusso plays the role of recurring character Sheri Strepling, a director and physical therapist of a facility on Fox’s new show “”Touch,”” starring Kiefer Sutherland. The autistic 11-year-old son of Sutherland’s character lives and is cared for at the facility.
The show centers on Sutherland, a single father, who discovers his son can predict events before they happen through hidden patterns and connections.
More than 12 million viewers watched the “”Touch”” pilot episode on January 25, 2012. The first episode, “”1+1=3,”” airs Thursday, March 22 at 9 p.m. on FOX following an “”American Idol”” results show. According to Brusso, episode one is considered the show after the pilot.
The episode will also be shown as a worldwide premiere in more than 100 countries, marking the first time an original show will be seen in so many households.
Brusso came to WesternU in Pomona, Calif., on February 1 after an earlier phone conversation with Schilling. They spent about two hours together, talking about autism, the show, her role on the show, and how Brusso might understand Jake’s behavioral issues. Schilling also showed her a PowerPoint and videos that she uses when teaching in the area of autism.
“”This really gives me insight into the world of autism and where my character comes from, and what their function is at this boarding care clinic,”” Brusso said. “”It helps me with my attitude and helped me find the foundation of where my authority comes from. That’s a huge thing, and a basis for who I am on the show. It’s helped me approach the lines and where it’s coming from.””
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States has an ASD, crossing all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Autism is four to five times morelikely to occur in boys than girls.
“”When confronted with disability, people often seek knowledge from a variety of resources, especially in the case of individuals who have autism enter their lives,”” Schilling said. “”Finding an answer is really important, and since TV becomes a readily accessible resource, it’s critical that we be as accurate as possible. For some individuals, TV may be the only resource they have.””
