http://nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/enter...039s039day.html

NBC'S 'DAYS OF OUR LIVES' ADDRESSES GROWING AUTISM CRISIS AS HEAD WRITER DENA HIGLEY AND AUTISM SPEAKS COLLABORATE TO TELL PROFOUND STORY OF COUPLE WHO DISCOVER THEIR SON HAS THE DISORDER

Published: June 10, 2008

Dr. Lexie Carver (Renee Jones) and Commissioner Abe Carver (James Reynolds) Learn Their 3-Year-Old Son Has Autism Beginning in the June 24 Episode of "Days of our Lives"

BURBANK, Calif. – June 10, 2008 – The growing autism crisis – which has recently drawn increasing national attention -- is addressed in a personal manner beginning in the June 24 episode of NBC's daytime drama "Days of our Lives" in an insightful story based on the experiences of the series' head writer, Dena Higley, who, with her husband has raised an autistic child of their own. NBC joins with Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization, to help convey a message of hope and useful information during the course of the storyline.

In the creative arc to continue through the summer, Dr. Lexie Carver (Renee Jones) and Commissioner Abe Carver (James Reynolds), are told their 3-year-old son, Theo, has autism. The news of Theo's diagnosis is understandably hard for the couple to comprehend, but through the love and support of family and friends, and the love for their son, they learn a lot about their family and how to cope with this tremendous, new challenge.

The Higleys' son, Connor, was diagnosed at age three. Now 19 years old, he recently graduated from high school. Higley and her husband's personal struggles and triumphs of raising a son with autism, plus three other children, are why she is so passionate about sharing her story -- one that hundreds of thousands of other American parents are also currently experiencing.

"We're telling the profound and life-altering story of a child with autism from his parents' point of view," said head writer Higley. "Their pain, their struggle -- and ultimately, their ability to find life-affirming hope in the midst of learning how to live day to day with this disability. This is a personal story for me...as my husband and I have walked in the shoes Abe and Lexie are now about to walk in."

"I am thrilled that 'Days' has decided to take on this very important topic," said Bruce Evans, NBC's Senior Vice President of Daytime and Drama Programming. "We are hopeful that this storyline will serve as a resource for our viewers, many of whom have already been touched by this critical issue."

"This storyline realistically portrays the emotional trauma that every family faces when a child is diagnosed with autism, yet it also opens a window for viewers to see the hope and achievements that are possible as a family pulls together," said Alison Singer, Executive Vice President of Communications and Awareness for Autism Speaks. "We are honored to work with 'Days of our Lives' and applaud the show's commitment to shine a bright spotlight on the autism crisis and its effects on the whole family."

In order to share the storyline responsibly, "Days of our Lives" has joined with Autism Speaks, the nation's leading nonprofit organization devoted to autism. The partnership between "Days of our Lives," whose loyal audience extends across generations for over 42 years, and Autism Speaks will help promote awareness about a disorder that is diagnosed in one in every 150 children in the United States.

Seven-time Emmy-nominated writer, Dena Higley, began her career at "Days of our Lives" in 1985, where she was a staff writer for 19 years. In 2008, she returned to "Days of our Lives" to become head writer.

Higley is married to Mark, her husband of 21 years, and together they have raised four children -- two biological and two adopted. Their eldest, son Connor, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Now 19, Connor drives his own Mustang, has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, recently graduated from high school and is preparing to go to college in Florida in the fall. Jensen, their second oldest, now 18 years old, is about to enter USC as a theater major. Helio, their third eldest, was adopted in 2003 from Ethiopia at age 8, and is now 13 years old and going into 7th grade. Adelle, the youngest, was adopted from Vietnam at 17 months in 1997 with her right leg missing below the knee and her fingers fused together. She is now a cheerleader, plays volleyball and is graduating from sixth grade.

About Autism

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism, founded Autism Speaks in February 2005. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. Wright also serves on the board of directors of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and Mission Product, LLC. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About "Days of our Lives"

NBC's "Days of our Lives" celebrated its 42nd year on the air in November 2007 and has already garnered numerous Emmy Awards and nominations, as well as multiple "Soap Opera Digest" and "People's Choice" Awards. The show's success derives from its consistent commitment to excellence in writing and storytelling -- supported by a diverse ensemble of performers -- and an uncanny knack for anticipating viewer interests. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the core families, the Hortons and the Bradys, are part of an eternal saga that can include anything from demonic possessions and serial killers to genre traditions such as baby switches, amnesia and classic love triangles.

"Days of our Lives" is produced by Corday Productions, Inc., in association with Sony Pictures Television.

I would expand but I don't want to get yelled at. Suffice to say that the Carver family isn't exactly huge to begin with and this condition...well I mean do autistic people have kids?

I mean do Abe and Lexie have other children. Who will continue their family into the next generation.

There are plenty of Brady's and Dimieras they could have done this with...

But I'm not a huge watcher of Days so ultimately it doesn't really affect me. Just my thoughts on the situation.

See, this is why i love it. Abe & lexie have needed a story for years and years, and nopw they are getting one - and a damn good one! the bradys get so many storylines that its about time another couple or family did.

Theo can carry them into the next generation - just because he has this doeant mean he is dead.

Theo is DiMera.

Matters to me. I'm no longer buying the "this is DAYS" excuse. I'm over that. This is just Higley making Theo 3 once again because her son was 3 when he was discovered to be autistic and the dumb bitch can't write unless she's copying something from something else and putting into her writing. This is just another case of her molding the characters (and their ages too) around the plot. She's a plot-driven writer.

I guess i just dont hold DH to another standerd than any other writer ive ever seen write this show.

Days has been so blah lately. I mean, the show is boring as it could possibly be. The triangles hold no real point. It's like Reilly, with no one to root for and no drama or "moment of truth" at hand. Atleast there was some sort of end game that would matter with Reilly at the helm. With Dena, it's like musical beds with no substance. I want to see some sort of plot direction without becoming too plot driven. This show is not building up to anything, and like it or not, that is what serialized drama is about. ANY serial is about the big moment, and everything leading up to it. Days is a ship drifting aimlessly, with a bunch of boring, small moments that stand for nothing. I don't want Reilly back, but would Beth Milstein or Sheri Anderson be too much to ask for? They wrote storylines that had an ebb and flow. They wrote for "the big moment"

As for the autisim storyline, this is good. I'm just hoping it's not the only good thing we will see this year from Days. I hope it's well written and puts new layers on Lexie and Abe's characters. They are the most under appreciated characters on this show, and I'm pleased with Dena's choice for the storyline, and pleasantly surprised. My hope is that Ed Scott still works on the lot in Burbank. He will help this play out well on screen. And, even though I'm no fan, with Dena's history on the subject, it will serve her well writing this. This is a brave and gutsy storyline, and I think this is the first time I can commend Higley as a head writer.

I think she was a brilliant script writer, BTW. She did great work with Sheri Anderson, and Tom Horton's funeral was a classic episode she did a great job writing. Thats her calling. However, on the state of the ENTIRE show right now, Blah. Bland. Snooze.

Well I may be the minority on this but I definitely would like to see Reilly come back. If he does, they just need to pair him up with a co-head writer. Didn't he co-headwrite with Sheri Anderson in the 90s? If not her then someone else. He is very creative when he puts his mind to it and that's what the show needs right now. I hardly had boring moments watching DAYS when Reilly was writing. Even when some of the storylines were dumb and predictable, I was never bored. Everything was a cliffhanger...even the commercial breaks. And of course every show ended in a way that made you want to see the next one. That's what I loved about DAYS...It was interesting...Thank God that YouTube allows me to relive those DAYS!

Well that is good if they have a storyline oif their own, i agree that they haven`t had much storylines, as someone said that black actors on Y&R, get screentime, what about B&B, where there isn`t an black character, i dont think hardly that there is an latino character, i think B&B, have more problems with that then Days.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Andrew

Well I may be the minority on this but I definitely would like to see Reilly come back. If he does, they just need to pair him up with a co-head writer. Didn't he co-headwrite with Sheri Anderson in the 90s? If not her then someone else. He is very creative when he puts his mind to it and that's what the show needs right now. I hardly had boring moments watching DAYS when Reilly was writing. Even when some of the storylines were dumb and predictable, I was never bored. Everything was a cliffhanger...even the commercial breaks. And of course every show ended in a way that made you want to see the next one. That's what I loved about DAYS...It was interesting...Thank God that YouTube allows me to relive those DAYS!

Marlenafan, being a longtime fan who remembers the show Pre-Reilly, I just can't say I want him back. The show was altered under his reign and has never (and will never) return to normal. It's not just the cast that he altered, it's the entire concept of what made Salem tick. However, I would prefer him to Higley, and I agree that he made the show interesting at points.

Him co-headwriting with Anderson would be cool. I would be ok with that. One thing you can give Reilly is he knew who to write for. He gave the big four storylines and kept them front and center. He just dumbed down the show. He gave us good guys with no brains, and bad guys with no motives, and nothing in between. He never gave us character depth, which is something Anderson does well.

I loved 91-94, so I would be for an Anderson/Reilly team, but I doubt we'll ever get that lucky again!

Why are people so surprised that black characters over 40 are getting a socially relevant story?

This has been happening on Y&R for YEARS.

Because they are idiots?

When most of us see spoilers like these we think "great, they have been supporting characters for long, finally they get their own storyline".

But there will always be some idiotes that have to make it about color.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Sindacco

Because this is DAYS and that doesn't happen.

You haven't watched Days long have you?

You haven't watched Days long have you?

I've been watching DAYS since the early 90's.

Would you have rather I said "Because this is DAYS and that doesn't happen on a regular basis anymore?"

I've been watching DAYS since the early 90's.

Would you have rather I said "Because this is DAYS and that doesn't happen on a regular basis anymore?"

Yes

Yes

Hell, I can't remember the last time a person of ANY color had a socially relevant story on Days.

And no, I don't count Iraq OR that All-Women-Who-Have-Had-Abortions-Must-Pay garbage.

I still think this is just a lame excuse for Lexie to sleep with Daniel, but that's just my opinion. We'll see two-three weeks of autism, and then Lexie will be on her back.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by brimike

^ Oh, I'm totally aware that most kids are diagnosed at three, but like you said, that doesn't mean a five year old couldn't be diagnosed with autism. It's perfectly normal. It's just that three is ususally the common age, probably because that's when the cognitive skills become displayed in children. But a five year old could be diagnosed as well.

It's juts one more thing that pits me against Higley. To me, she can't write. The only successful storyline that I will give her in all of her times as head writer for OLTL and DAYS, it was the storyline on OLTL, which she ripped from the Lacey Peterson murder, and wrote pretty much event for event. She can't come up with ideas on her own. And that's being proven right now. She was doing okay in the beginning, but that was because she was ending Hogan's stories. And the dumb bitch F'ed up there because she ended them too soon. A head writer should always take a couple of months wrapping up the previous writer's stories because that gives them a couple of months to plan future stories. But Higley doesn't know what she's doing and now we're stuck with this painfully boring show right now.

I'm usally not a stickler for SORASing. I don't have a problem with making a character older to enhance the story. I do wish that soaps would allow characters to age naturally, but that's never going to happen. It's a soap staple. They need to do more stories for more generations, and time doesn't permit characters to age naturally. However, I will never understand the point of ♠. Why?

I know. I'm currently taking care of s boy who just got diagnosed and he's five. But like we've mentioned a couple of times already, 3-ish is the most common age. I just think TPTB wants to tell this story this way, they want it to be credible. I would bet my house there would be upset people if Theo got diagnosed while he was 5-6. Just like during the Irak-story etc.

I get that you don't like Higley. I just don't think this something to pin her for.

I don't like de-aging either, but I would be more then willing to let this one pass. I don't think it's a big deal. Plus if they hire a new kid who's 3 it's more likely he'll pass as autistic, then to tell a 5 year old to act in a certain way that wouldn't be normal for him. jmo

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Cheyenne

Hell, I can't remember the last time a person of ANY color had a socially relevant story on Days.

And no, I don't count Iraq OR that All-Women-Who-Have-Had-Abortions-Must-Pay garbage.

I still think this is just a lame excuse for Lexie to sleep with Daniel, but that's just my opinion. We'll see two-three weeks of autism, and then Lexie will be on her back.

The biggest storyline for a person of color that I can remember came back in 1978 with the interracial coupling, material that won Days its only Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama.

The biggest storyline for a person of color that I can remember came back in 1978 with the interracial coupling, material that won Days its only Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama.

It was groundbreaking and Ted Corday pushed forward with it despite hate mail and threats against the show. You know there had to be a few housewives in my neck of the woods that started out hating it with a passion, but finally saw that honestly, race is a non issues in matters of the heart. Thats what daytime should be partially about. Not preachy, but informative to a degree. Thank God we've come further now, but what made that story great was the boldness to tell the RIGHT story. To make it not about race, even though it was a gutsy move. People started rooting for Dave and Val because of the connection, and put their disgusting perceptions aside. Days made headway by writing for two diverse characters, and doing it like it was any other couple.

Not to mention the acting was superb.

Edited June 13, 200817 yr by DaysFanatic777

It was groundbreaking and Ted Corday pushed forward with it despite hate mail and threats against the show.

Actually, Ted Corday died a few months after DAYS premiered. It was Betty Corday who was in charge then. I'm anal about the finer details.

It was groundbreaking and Ted Corday pushed forward with it despite hate mail and threats against the show. You know there had to be a few housewives in my neck of the woods that started out hating it with a passion, but finally saw that honestly, race is a non issues in matters of the heart. Thats what daytime should be partially about. Not preachy, but informative to a degree. Thank God we've come further now, but what made that story great was the boldness to tell the RIGHT story. To make it not about race, even though it was a gutsy move. People started rooting for Dave and Val because of the connection, and put their disgusting perceptions aside. Days made headway by writing for two diverse characters, and doing it like it was any other couple.

Not to mention the acting was superb.

Imagine that. A producer forging ahead with what she knew was right despite mail. Sigh...if only..........