The Reason I Jump

source: The Reason I Jump

This movie is probably the most important movie ever made, as it in part sheds light on the fact that people with this condition have motor issues, and without typing cannot demonstrate their intelligence. Not being taught to type leads to devastating, lifelong consequences for around 33 million people with non speaking autism worldwide. For me the main disappointment in the film was its segment filmed in Africa, stating that many in the community believed people with this disability were demon possessed. I was horrified as sitting next to me in the theatre as this aired, was my charge, who has autism and types to communicate (independently). He was traumatised immediately and demanded to leave (we were until then, thoroughly enjoying the movie). It was disastrous. The african girl (featured in the doco) also appeared to became distressed after hearing the 'demon possesion' conversations. This movie is NOT suitable for those with autism. It is still an important movie that I hope will rapidly dispel the misconceptions of non speaking autism. Those with the condition really don't need the additional adversity, that comes with not learning to type and remaining grossly underestimated. Typing transformed my charge's life. His frequent, lengthy, crying spells completely stopped, as did his outbursts and assaults. He has been happy, confident and drug free for nine years now. Teach the non speakers to type; it takes time to become an independent typer, but the benefits are immediate and profound.

This documentary (which feels more like a movie) is so special. The way it explores the perspective from people with autism lets you see the world from a whole other perspective. The macroshots of the people's perception are beautiful, and the music together with the narrated lines of the incredible book (which wrote a child!!) come amazingly together to this movie which lets you rethink about your views on autism, communication, strangers and the human kind. I did know some things about autism before but this visualisation what children on the spectrum really might experience is different and mind-boggling.

Tears in my eyes. This is such a beautiful film about autism. A must-see to understand the world of autistic people. Whatever is said about these people, they have feelings, intelligence and everything 'normal' people have in their personalities. Only their experience of expressing and seeing the world is different, would even say, to be more sensitive than us 'normals'. Their outbursts of anger and aggressiveness is only their expression of frustration and sadness for not being able to share anything with us 'normals'. How would you be yourself!!! Dare I even say, these people are more authentic than many others on this globe.

Everyone should see this movie, so we can understand autism, and stop treating Autism and autistic people badly a must watch.

Through understanding and listening to people, allowing them to communicate in their own way, we can all move towards better awareness, compassion and work towards ending misunderstanding and mistreatment. Many need to learn to look beyond external difference and see that there is a whole human being, with thoughts, emotions and as much of a right to fulfilling life as any other. I do wish though, that David Mitchell had stayed behind the scenes. Naoki Higashida's message is strong, it doesn't need to be 'neurotypical-splained'. There is enough domination of discussion of autism by parents of autistic children, sidelining actually autistic people who are able to share our own experiences.

Shares how those on the non verbal autism spectrum process their environmental data which is different for each of the 6 people this doc focuses on. Based on The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida.

The quotes from the book on which the film is based give the impression that locked within every autistic is a literary genius waiting to get out. But the moment author David Mitchell made an appearance it was difficult not to see the whole thing as a middle class fantasy of what it is like to be autistic. Indeed, a little research shows that there is scepticism amongst medical professionals over the authenticity of the original text. Perhaps if there had been less style and more content we could have more easily decided for ourselves. As it was I felt more manipulated than informed.

This starts a little slow, but once we meet the British family, it quickly becomes maybe the great autistic POV film ever made, one that will forever change how I think about the autism community. The spelling boards were mind-blowing...though I suppose my inspired astonishment at it serves as proof of my (and, I imagine, many other's) ignorance about autism. As the film says: "Neurotypicals are rubbish at understanding anything that isn't neurotypical."

This movie was stunning and impressive. I just saw it at Sundance and everyone walked out uplifted and overwhelmed. It's a must see.