UA Event ‘Something about Sam’ Focuses on Using Humor with Autism

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Rick Dowling, faculty-in-residence at The University of Alabama, and his wife will share their experience of using humor while raising a son with autism in “Something About Sam, Autism Told Through the World of Sitcoms,” Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium.

This event is part of the Honors College Faculty-in-Residence “Telling Your Stories” series, offering glimpses into the stories of everyday life through unusual sources.

Rick serves as faculty-in-residence for the Riverside Residential Community. He, along with his wife, Suzanne Dowling, and son, Sam Dowling, live in the dorm.

Sam, 20, has autism and attends UA’s Crossing Points Program.

The program will feature Rick and Suzanne sharing stories of raising a son with autism. Included in the program will be photos and videos from their journey, making the program a multi-media experience.

“We have always said our life is nothing like the shows on TV, but still fun. So, we thought, ‘why not do a program comparing TV families to ours?’” said Rick, an instructional developer for the UA Faculty Resource Center and an adjunct instructor in the College of Communication and Information Sciences.

UA faculty members who live in Honors College residence halls organize the Faculty-in-Residence Series. As mentors to the students, these faculty members provide formal and informal opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

The program is free and open to the public.

Other sponsors of the event are Housing and Residential Life and the Riverside Residential Community’s “What’s Your Green Eggs and Ham?” series.

For more information about the event, contact Rick Dowling at 205/348-6086 or rdowling@ua.edu.