Autism is a social and neurological disease that is poorly understood. People who are autistic or neurodiverse navigate the world in particular ways. It might be difficult to define what is deemed neurotypical or normal. In fact, it was thought that autism was a type of schizophrenia that only affected children and that it manifested as the use of naive illusions to cope with the harsh facts of life. Autism and neurodiversity teach us to be more accepting and that everyone’s idea of “normal” is unique through their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and words. April marks Autism Awareness Month and programmes promoting the growth and daily lives of those on the spectrum.
A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
Nathan Ellis, a nine-year-old maths prodigy, is the subject of A Brilliant Young Mind, also known as X+Y in Britain and starring Asa Butterfield. After being diagnosed with autism and losing his father, who was his strongest supporter, he finds it difficult to relate to other people. In addition to his maths teacher and a student who help him prepare for a maths competition, Nathan finds refuge in numbers. He has paralysing distress due to his emotions and problem-solving abilities when his contact with the pupil is disallowed. In the end, Nathan decides not to compete and expresses his emotions.
Adam (2009)
Adam centres on the romance between neurotypical Beth Buchwald (Rose Byrne) and Adam Ranki, a man with Asperger syndrome. After his father passed away, Adam moved out on his own and soon lost his job at a toy manufacturer. Although Adam is typically introverted, he wishes he wasn’t so lonely. After learning how Adam thinks, Beth, a teacher and children’s book author, falls in love with him. Though she accepts and enjoys his idiosyncrasies and naïve honesty, she concludes that the relationship cannot survive due to his lack of feelings.
Joyful Noise (2012)
In Joyful Noise, Queen Latifah plays Vi Rose Hill, a director of a gospel choir whose son Walter (Dexter Darden) has Asperger syndrome. Whether the singers should sing in a modern or traditional style is a topic of discussion in the town church. A lonely Walter is battling how people perceive him in the meantime. When Walter tells his mother that he despises the way God made him, she responds by telling him that God formed him precisely the way he is and that he should be that way. Walter learns to play the piano for the choir as a result of his self-love.
Keep the Change (2017)
A romantic comedy about adults with autism is called Keep the Change. Sarah and David meet in a social support group, but they each have a unique outlook on life. David has a playboy reputation and an abrasive sense of humour, and he wants the clichéd “good life.” David is able to see his strengths thanks to Sarah, who is more realistic. Learning about one another’s perspectives on the world helps the two become truly close.
Life, Animated (2016)
The television show Life, Animated is based on Ron Suskind’s book Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism. The documentary focuses on Owen Suskind’s son’s autism diagnosis. Since he was three years old, Owen had autism and retreated into nonverbal silence. When he started to watch Disney animated flicks, he started to open up. Owen was able to express himself by combining the stories into his own. Owen discovers as an adult that life is more complex than what a two-hour or less animated film can convey.
Please Stand By (2017)
In the movie Please Stand By, Dakota Fanning plays a young autistic woman named Wendy who was raised in a group home. Wendy develops a 450-page script for Paramount Pictures and is a fan of Star Trek. In an effort to repurchase her childhood house, she makes the trip to Los Angeles to give the script to the production company. Wendy took a risk and stepped outside of her comfort zone, demonstrating her independence.
Rain Man (1988)
The plot of Rain Man centres on two brothers and their father’s estate. Tom Cruise’s character, Charlie Babbitt, makes a living by selling classic vehicles and has an egotistical desire to inherit his father’s wealth. He receives rosebushes and his father’s automobile, which they battled acrimoniously about. However, his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), who he was unaware of, receives the money. With autism and savant syndrome, Raymond adheres to tight regimens. Charlie battles for Raymond’s custody in order to selfishly claim the inheritance, but he also develops a relationship with and cares for his brother.
Temple Grandin (2010)
The biographical drama Temple Grandin is about the same-named animal behaviourist. Temple (Claire Danes) was reared by her protective mother and grew up with no social skills. She works on the ranch owned by her aunt and uncle and gains knowledge about the treatment of livestock at slaughterhouses and cattle ranches. Animals often feel uneasy when being herded, so Temple created the squeeze or hug machine for them. The therapeutic gadget paved the path for farm animals to be treated humanely. Temple’s creativity also enabled her to advocate for other people on the spectrum and convey her need for and aversion to touch.
The Reason I Jump (2020)
The documentary The Reason I Jump is based on the Naoki Higashida book of the same name. Since the author has nonverbal autism, professionals in paediatrics and psychology have criticised his writing and writing process. Questions that are frequently posed to autistic people are used to tell the story in both the book and the video. Higashida also talks about times when he was unable to express his emotions to the people he loved.
The Story of Luke (2012)
The young guy Luke (Lou Taylor Pucci), who has high-functioning autism, is the subject of the film The Story of Luke. He searches unsuccessfully for a job and a relationship. He rides the bus to work like everyone else while looking for a job without knowing where to apply first. He takes dating advise to heart, telling a female coworker that he wants a girlfriend who doesn’t bug him and enjoys travelling. The events in Luke’s life serve as both obstacles and opportunities for the autism community, as well as a window into the intricacies and complexity of autistic persons.
