Autism & Knowledge

   I struggled with this post because I felt like it was a cop-out somehow, but I've reconciled myself to it, and am sure that a big part of people becoming familiar with autism is by watching it. They say knowledge is power, and I really believe power from this knowledge will change the way people see autism. 
   Today I have a few video trailers from films that really touched me, taught me, and challenged me and how I saw autism in my son, and in others. I hope you take the time to watch the trailers, but more than that, I hope you write yourself a little note to remember to actually watch these in full. 

Autism: The Musical

   This HBO documentary "Autism: The Musical", and documents children with different levels of autism coming together to celebrate their differences, and their unique talents. 

Temple Grandin

   Another HBO film titled "Temple Grandin" (based on the book "Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism" by Temple Grandin) is such a wonderful movie. Claire Danes, who plays Temple, did so much research into how Temple talked, her mannerisms, and what made her who she was. A wonderful film that you will want to watch, and tell other to watch too! The book is also amazing, and worth reading.

The Horse Boy

   This last film, a documentary called "The Horse Boy", may seem strange. This family travels across the world to visit Shaman (a Shaman is a person thought to have access to, and influence in the world of the supernatural) in an attempt to help their autistic son. What I love about this is watching a family come together, working together, learning from each other, and coming out better for it. 
   This movie also touches me because I see in their son a lot of what my Caleb used to be like a few years ago; they share a lot of the same problems and mannerisms, and it breaks my heart to see their son struggle. The book "The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal his Son" by Rubert Isaacson is a great read, and gives a lot more details than the documentary. 

   The truth about me watching movies and documentaries (and reading books) about autism is that I need a reminder, I need empathy, I need to see autism in more ways, but I especially need to see it from my sons eyes.
   It can be easy for me to get into "the groove" of dealing with Caleb, and I forget to stop and see how beautiful he is, how amazing he is, how far he's come. I get frustrated with his limitations, and see what he does wrong through the lens of my "normal" brain, not his autistic brain. 
   Caleb struggles, but he also fights everyday to overcome the things that could (should) hold him down. I don't give him the credit he deserves for what he has to do every day to function and survive. Watching others (especially kids) with autism gives me a new, outside-looking-in view of Caleb, and my life with him. I watch a movie or documentary, or read a book, and see Caleb in it. It reminds me to be patient, to show grace, to love the things that make him who he is, and see how strong he is. When I see autism that way, it inspires me to be better for Caleb, the way Caleb works everyday to be better for me.