Talk to Me: Children with Autism
By Vanessa Kaneshiro

"You have to adjust to the fact that there's no magic pill that will make it go away...A lot of parents say they totally accept their child for who they are and they wouldn't change a thing — I would change it in a heartbeat. It's hard; it's really hard...People don't understand that I feel like I've lost a child." From Talk to Me

Public school systems throughout the U.S. are experiencing a rapid rise in the number of children with autism in mainstream and special classrooms. In California, where the Department of Developmental Services has reported a nearly 100 percent rise in cases of autism since 1999, studies have shown that these increases are not related merely to changes in diagnostic criteria.

Seven-year-old Adre and Emma, and five-year-old Julian, are in the Autism Program of the Oakland, California, public schools. This engaging documentary takes viewers into their lives at home and at school, and profiles the valiant efforts of their parents and teachers to help them reach their maximum potential.

Whatever their incomes, these families struggle to obtain appropriate services for their children, and the film shows realistically that such resources are not always distributed fairly. Emma's parents have enrolled her in an at-home program, while Adre's single mother, who could certainly use such a program, isn't even aware that they exist. By the film's end we learn that, because of the state's budget crisis, some of the dedicated teachers and administrators we have seen will be laid off. Julian will be moving to a regular classroom, but Adre and Emma will remain in the autism program — and they are the lucky ones. There are still many children on the waiting list.

28 minutes
© 2003
Purchase $199 DVD
Order No. QA-382
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-919-3

Reviews
"Recommended for academic library collections with a child development, education, learning disabilities, or parenting focus. Examines the importance of providing quality education for autistic children." Educational Media Reviews

"Recommended, particularly for parents and others who work with autistic children of any age." Library Journal

"Engaging...an up close and personal look at the daily lives of children and their families." Science Books & Films

Awards & Conference Screenings
Achievement Award, Superfest
Perspectives Exhibition, American Film Institute
Sprout Film Festival
Silver Lake Film Festival
[De]Coded, Berkeley Film Archives
Moscow Disability Film Festival

Related Films
Refrigerator Mothers: From the 1950's through the 1970's, autism was widely blamed on cold and rejecting mothers. This film explores the devastating impact of this misdiagnosis through the stories of seven mothers and their children.

The Spectrum of Autism: Children with autism may display a wide range of symptoms. In this video, we share in the experiences of several families and professionals who care for children at different points on the spectrum of autism.

Don't Give Up: A year in the life of a four-year-old who has autism, focusing on a special therapy program designed to break through Adrian's communications barriers.

The Boy Inside: The harrowing story of the filmmaker's son Adam, a 12-year-old with Asperger Syndrome, during a tumultuous year in the life of their family. AS makes Adam's life in seventh grade a minefield, where he finds himself isolated and bullied. As he struggles to find a place for himself, his troubles escalate, both at school and at home.

On the Spectrum: Adults living with Asperger syndrome describe the ways AS has affected their lives, their work and their relationships. They discuss learning to cope with the disorder and the comfort and reinforcement of participating with others "like them" in an Asperger's support group.

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