Autism Soccer: Autism Documentaries You Should Watch

These documentaries allow you to see a more human side of autism, leaving aside the pessimistic view that some people have of this disorder.

Most of the time, parents seek for a way to portrait and understand their children’s condition from a different angle. The usual places you’ll eventually find yourself into are websites, blogs and even Youtube videos containing information about autism. Just for the sake of helping you out, dear reader, we brought you a list of documentaries about this complex disorder.

Watch the following documentaries and avoid getting distracted (if your children allow it). Also, if you can, make some annotations if you find it necessary.

1.- Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism

This documentary follows a mother seeking for answers about autism. Margret finds herself in a hard situation as she tries to be enough for Keli, her autistic son. In this film you’ll see her travel from Iceland to Europe, passing through the United States, learning how autism works and discovering different approaches to this – still – enigmatic disorder.

Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism is a reflection of how a mother can connect with others and share their stories, to understand it from a different perspective. Once you watch it, you’ll be getting both ideas and inspiration to continue trying, for the sake of your children.

2.- Autism under the lens

As the title says, this episode of VICE (on HBO) portraits autism under the lens: All mainstream opinions, taboos, and misconceptions are exposed and debunked in an informative and concise way. VICE’s Gianna Toboni is in charge of showing all the work that has been done concerning the autism disorder. And more than that, you’ll discover the self-advocacy movement and members of the autistic community that seek for a change in thought and acceptance from their peers and society.

3.- Dad’s in heaven with Nixon

Dad’s In Heaven with Nixon tells the history of Tom Murray, a man with autism.The title refers to his father’s hate towards Richard Nixon (37th president of the United States), and during the film, he hopes he is in good terms with him in heaven.

This documentary is surrounded with the climate of the Great Depression, which adds to the complicated relationships of the Murray Family. It can be somewhat hard to watch, but it deserves a chance.

The path autistic children go through is often filled with hardships, but with your help as a guiding parent, things don’t have to look so dim and too challenging for them. After you watch these documentaries, sit and contemplate what it is you can do better from now on.