Autistic
people see without seeing you and hear without hearing you. One third of them
do not speak and many display extremely anxious behavior and even self-mutilation
as a result of their inability to communicate. Often they withdraw into a "bubble,"
with no concept of time and space. This enlightening film produced in France covers all aspects of the debate swirling around the treatment of the autistic. We witness autistic children, adolescents and adults and learn their histories from interviews and from a few rare diaries. Their parents and health care professionals are shown struggling to teach them to communicate, join human society and participate in work programs in adulthood. The results are mixed.
Several small "life skills centers" have been created by parents and professionals working together in the absence of government involvement. We visit one, Belle Chambre Farm, where the staff has found innovative ways to improve their patients’ lives by teaching them skills tailored to their individual capacity. They gain a sense of self-esteem and acceptance by the local community by selling farm products at regional markets. Belle Chambre’s vision creates hope for the autistic and their parents who have struggled to reach them.
The film shows that with persistent and sensitive intervention, the autistic can be drawn out, make connections, and live a fuller life.
