Human Camera set for the big screen
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
14/03/2008
Extraordinary former Queensmill School pupil goes back to his roots
Pupils and staff from Queensmill School will be featured on a television programme later this month about a remarkable former pupil known as the ‘human camera’.
Stephen Wiltshire is a 33-year-old autistic man with an extraordinary talent. He is one of less than 100 people in the world who is recognised as an autistic savant - a person with a rare and extraordinary ability. Whereas some savants excel in mathematics or music, Stephen is an accomplished artist, capable of drawing massively detailed landscapes entirely from memory.
He will be feautured on a documentary entitled ‘Extraordinary People, Stephen Wiltshire – The Human Camera’. The programme will be aired on Channel 5 on Wednesday 26 March at 9pm.
At the age of five, Stephen was sent to Queensmill School in Clancarty Road, a school for children with special needs, where it was noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings.
The teachers at Queensmill School encouraged him to speak by temporarily taking away his art supplies so that he would be forced to ask for them. Stephen responded by making sounds and eventually uttered his first word -"paper." He learned to speak fully at the age of nine.
As part of filming for the documentary, Stephen went back to Queensmill School for an emotional reunion. He met up again with two of his former teaching assistants, Pat Oliver and Mary Jenkins, who both still work at the school. To celebrate his visit, the school held an art day where pupils took part in a clay project, outdoor painting activities and a papier mache workshop.
Jude Ragan, Headteacher at Queensmill School, said: "It is important to state that not every child with autism has this amazing ability. However, it does show that autistic children do have talents and if we can find the right one and nurture it, then it is there for them to use as an adult in either a work related or leisure related environment. I know that all of our pupils enjoyed meeting Stephen and I am sure that he found it quite emotional to come back to Queensmill. "
Cllr Antony Lillis, Cabinet Member for Community and Children’s Services said: "We will all watch the documentary with great interest. Stephen truly is a remarkable person and an inspiration to all. Queensmill School does excellent work in educating children with autism and learning difficulties and it’s good to know that Stephen has such fond memories of his time at the school."
‘Extraordinary People, Stephen Wiltshire – The Human Camera’ will be aired on Channel 5 on Wednesday 26 March at 9pm.
