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1 3 | Friday O c to b e r 6 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m AspieCom ic is m aking a difference continued from p.12 that has been the story of my life for a very long time; it follows you everywhere. So I went, `OK I'm going to use this as a template to sort of confront that and confront my feelings about being consumed by this thing. W hat I ultimately settled on doing was attacking that with humour in trying to exorcise some of those demons." With each appearance its important to Michael that the performance is powerful and special to the particular audience. "It' s one thing to make a roomful of people laugh, but as a comedian you're providing people with mental respite. They want to have a good time. You're just trying to tell them to forget how miserable they are by telling them how miserable you are," he joked. His audiences are both neurotypical and ASD audiences, meaning they are filled with support workers, neurologists, psychologists and self advocates (people on the spectrum). After his performances, Michael makes a point of sitting down with his audience to hear about their life experiences. "Oh man, you have to. I like to have a nice little chat with people afterwards. Honestly I could not compare (audiences). An audience is an audience; you have good ones you have bad ones. Sometimes you're the problem. There are things that an ASD audience will get that a neurotypical audience will never get, but it' s more that when you've lived it, it hits a little harder. His son' s performance success does not come as a surprise to Doug. "What I find most gratifying about what he does are two things that most people don't see because they don't take place on stage: the first is how hard he works at writing new material and honing his craft by taking classes, working with experienced comics and listening to their advice. "The second, is how he takes time after shows to meet with, and really engage with, others on the spectrum who have come to see him perform." He is passionate about talking to self advocates, and humbled when he can facilitate an environment where those on the spectrum can vent, release their angst, and laugh about it. The most surprising aspect of Michael' s success, however, is the opportunity he has had to meet and perform with some of Canada' s best known comics and performers on some of the biggest stages, added Doug. "You can' t stop and think about it; if you think about it too much you get overwhelmed," said Michael. "You have to acknowledge that it' s cool and that it' s a wonderful opportunity. It is a big deal because you're getting exposure working with some of the best people in the industry and you have to be conscious of that and respectful. You just go up and you do your job. I'm not trying to suck the grandeur out of it. I haven' t always thought that way. You have those moments and you do freak out a little bit." Has he made a difference in how people see those with autism or in understanding the disorder? "I like to think so," he said. To see a clip of Michael' s routine, visit https:// wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=8MncZ1_Kj-E. W ag Jag SignupOnline W a g J a g .c o m Buy Online UP TO 86% OFF S P iN A L D EC O M PRESSiO N AT TR EAD W E L L iN B U R LiN G TO N *metrolandm edia ^ e P o st. The Review, ^pfanchampion. The Beaver. URUWTON RJUMOBOUPH _ MILTON _ _ OAKVILLE Authentic Montessori at its Best - For Ages 18 mo.-12 yrs. ·A n empowering curriculum that engages children ·Individual focus to define your child's learning ·Com m unity atmosphere that makes students feel included and valued when you purchase select w indow shadings. B o n u s P o w e rV ie w ® H u b * 2 0 0 Rebate 2512 Old Bronte Rd. Oakville ·Creative expression allows your child to explore their own interests and talents OPEN HOUSE Sat. Oct. 21 st. 10:00 a .m .- 1:00 p.m * C C M A 905-827-3331 w w w .fa s a d a .h u n te rd o u g la s .c a O fferva lidfromS ep te m b e r 1' D ece m be r3 1 ,2 0 1 7 . fa s g c fc WINDOWS-DOORS-COVERINCS F A IR V IE W G LEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL 9 0 5 .6 3 4 .0 7 8 1 · f a i r v i e w g l e n .c o m HunterDouglas ® Gallery- 'Receive a $200 rebate for every five units, any combination, o f Silhouette*, Pirouette* or Luminette® purchased. "Add FtwerView® Motorization to a qualifying purchase and receive a bonus PowerView Hub. Lim it one Hub per order per household. Valid at participating retailers only. The rebate will be issued in the form o f a Hunter Douglas Prepaid American Express* Card.THE PROMOTION CARD is a trademark of The Hunt Group. All Rights Reserved. THE PROMOTION CARD is a Prepaid American Express® Card issued by Amex Bank of Canada. ® Used by Amex Bank o f Canada under license from American Express. For full details, visit hunterdouglas.ca.