Having recently shown the NOVA video, "Secret of the Wild Child", I wanted to give my students some additional information if possible. Dr. Susan Curtiss was generous enough to answer my questions. Here is the latest on Genie: 1. Genie is in an Adult Care Facility that Dr. Curtiss describes as "atypical" in that it offers exceptional exposure to events and activities. Each year Genie travels, with her group, to Las Vegas to play slot machines and explore. They go on regular outings and have "balls" or socials at the care home. 2. Dr. Curtiss said that, unfortunately, Genie's language skills have deterioriated as has her ability to sign (she really has no one with whom she can sign). Despite these setbacks, Dr. Curtiss says Genie is still a "powerhouse of zest for life". 3. Since she knew so much about Genie, I assumed she saw her on a fairly regular basis. In fact, Dr. Curtiss told me that not one member of the team is permitted to see Genie. Her mother is still the legal guardian and does not allow them to see Genie. Dr. Curtiss receives her information from Genie's social worker. (Dr. Curtiss is friends with this woman.) 4. I also asked Dr. Curtiss for her thoughts on why Ivar Lovaas was not included as a member of the team since he was at the time working on effective language development approaches with autistic children. Her thoughts were that the team felt that Dr. Lovaas' approaches were not well suited to Genie who required nurturance, affection, love, and an opportunity to experience the world. I'd like to express here, again, that I am very grateful to Dr. Curtiss for her willingness to share her knowledge and time. Shannon Gadbois Shannon Gadbois, M.Ed., Ph.D. Brandon University [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (204)727-7306
