Watch Autism: The Sequel

Autism: The Sequel is a deeply moving and informative documentary that takes a closer look at the neurodiversity movement and the challenges and triumphs of life on the autism spectrum. Directed by Tricia Regan, this film is a follow-up to the 2007 Emmy award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical. The film picks up a decade after the first film left off, and we see where the performers are now. We get insight into the struggles of what life is like not only for those on the spectrum but for their families, therapists, and educators. The focus of this film is less on the entertainment aspect and more on the lives of these individuals and their families.

The documentary highlights the strides that have been made in the treatment and understanding of autism since the original documentary, showing the pioneers of their field, and how they've developed groundbreaking methods to help those on the spectrum to better communicate and engage with the world around them. We also see the long-standing misconceptions about the condition and the stigma that still exists and the work that still needs to be done.

Autism: The Sequel takes us on a journey through the lives of several autistic individuals and their families, giving us insight from the perspectives of those who live it every day. We meet Richard Cannon III, a young man who has just graduated from college and is starting his journey into the job market. His mom shares with us the challenges she faced in getting Richard the support he needed during his school years. We also meet Joe and Lexi Aaron, a father and daughter duo, Joe having been diagnosed later in life and Lexi, on the other hand, being nonverbal.

The documentary captures the passion and advocacy that both Joe and Lexi's father, Joe Aaron, have in ensuring that their daughter is given the same opportunities as anyone else. We see the lengths, he goes through to ensure his daughter's education suits her needs, documenting her progress as she learns to communicate through a nonverbal communication device.

The film takes us behind the scenes of the groundbreaking program at the UCLA PEERS clinic, dedicated to teaching teens and young adults with autism to socialize and make friends. Here we see a sprightly and vibrant group of young people struggling to find a place in the world and the amazing progress they make as they learn to connect with others.

This movie is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand more about autism and how it affects those living with it. The film dispels the myth that autistic people are lacking in empathy or that they cannot form meaningful relationships. It showcases how those with autism are more complex, more nuanced, and more interesting than we often give them credit for.

The documentary is deeply moving and inspiring in equal measure, highlighting both the struggles and the triumphs of those on the autism spectrum. Many of the stories shared will have viewers in tears, as we see the raw emotions and the honesty with which people share their experiences living with autism.

The film makes excellent use of footage from the original documentary to tie in the original relationships to where they stand today. The overall production quality is high, the cinematography is excellent, and the soundtrack suits the theme of the movie well.

In summary, Autism: The Sequel is a must-see documentary that offers an insightful look into the lives of those on the spectrum and demonstrates the incredible progress that has been made over the past decade. It is an emotional and inspiring journey through the lives of those with autism and those who have dedicated their lives to helping them. This film has the power to change the way we look at and treat those on the autism spectrum and should be essential viewing for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the condition.

Autism: The Sequel is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.