A Princeton New Jersey school has produced a new documentary that is giving hope to families of children with autism across America and in the UK.
Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) has produced the feature-length film Adults With Autism: The Journey Home.
The film follows four autistic individuals from age three to adulthood.
Living independent lives
With successful intervention, all are living relatively independent lives and working regular jobs, effectively refuting the stereotype that autism is an untreatable condition that requires significant lifelong care.
It is believed to be one of the first films of its kind to address older individuals with autism.
The severe behaviour problems often associated with autism make these fears very real for parents caring for children with the condition. Parents of children with autism are under significant stress and isolation.
The compelling film offers new hope and help to parents who worry about what will happen when their child leaves school or when the parents can no longer care for them.
Watch the film trailer on YouTube:
Considerable progress can be made
The film’s Producer, Ed Fenske, has over 40 years’ experience working with individuals with autism and says: “Our hope is that this film will inform parents of autistic children that while there is no medical cure at this stage, considerable progress can be made through the science of applied behaviour analysis.
“Adults on the autism spectrum can and are living semi-independent lives and working in the community at satisfying, professional jobs.”
The film’s Director, Casey Lawrence, says: “The most exciting part of this project was that it was not going to simply be another tear-jerking exposé of sadness and despair. The documentary world is replete with films discussing the problems of autism.”
This film, he says, reveals the hope and positive changes that can and are being made at PCDI and in similar programmes.
Today, PCDI offers programmes for children of all ages, from early intervention for toddlers to life skills for young adults, and is internationally recognized as one of the leading research and treatment centres for individuals with autism.
Powerful interviews
The film was the vision of Roland and Pamela Machold, who raised money to fund the project and served as executive producers. They are also the parents of a 50-year-old adult with autism.
Fenske adds: “In addition to seeing first-hand how these four adults overcame daunting obstacles, anyone who views this film will no doubt be moved immensely by the powerful interviews from the parents and the experts from PCDI who have seen this progress. Autism can be a very emotional subject for parents to discuss on camera, and uncovering the rarely seen archival footage of these adults as children is stunning. Seeing the deficits and limitations they faced at ages two and three provides a compelling contrast to the new footage we captured of them living and working in the community today.”
Adults with Autism is available now on DVD HERE 
For more information about the Princeton Child Development Institute: www.pcdi.org
