Recommended Reading & Films for Autism Acceptance Month
#CelebrateDifferences
Recommended Reading & Films for Autism Acceptance Month
In April we shine a spotlight on recognizing the experiences, challenges and contributions of individuals with Autism. Through literature and film, we can gain deeper insight into their lives—their triumphs, their struggles and the unique perspectives shaping their journeys. This curated selection of books and films highlights authentic stories, offering a window into the realities of Autism in both everyday life and broader society. With ongoing changes in policies and public discourse shaping disability rights, it is more important than ever to uplift authentic stories, challenge stereotypes and broaden awareness. Whether exploring the beauty of neurodivergent creativity, the fight for inclusion or the personal stories behind the diagnosis, these works foster empathy, understanding and acceptance.
Books
1. Hard Landings: Looking Into The Future for a Child with Autism by Cammie McGovern (2021)
After twenty-one years of raising her son Ethan, who has autism and an intellectual disability, Cammie McGovern faces a daunting reality: once Ethan turns twenty-two, he will age out of the school system and lose access to most social, educational and vocational resources. Despite years of training in life skills, he is prepared for jobs that don’t exist and a future that seems out of reach. As Ethan navigates adulthood, McGovern confronts the most difficult question of all: how to secure an independent, fulfilling life for her child once she is no longer there to support him. This powerful narrative offers hope and insight for parents striving to ensure a meaningful future for their children.
2. Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in The Digital Age by Meryl Alper (2023)
An ethnographic study of diverse children on the autism spectrum and the role of media and technology in their everyday lives. With an emphasis on what autistic children bring to media as opposed to what they supposedly lack socially. Alper offers practical suggestions for the education, healthcare and technology sectors to promote equity, inclusion, access and justice for autistic kids at home, at school and in their communities.
3. Intelligent Love: The Story of Clara Park, her Autistic Daughter, and the Myth of the Refrigerator Mother by Marga Vicedo (2022)
Drawing on previously unexamined archival sources and firsthand interviews, science historian Marga Vicedo illuminates the story of how Clara Park and other parents fought against medical and popular attitudes toward autism while presenting a rich account of major scientific developments in the history of autism in the US. This book is a fierce defense of a mother’s right to love intelligently. It highlights the value of parents’ firsthand knowledge about their children and affirms an individual’s right to be valued by society.
4. A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll (2022)
A neurodivergent girl learns that her small Scottish town once burned women accused of witchcraft simply for being different. Determined to honor their memory, she campaigns for a memorial to raise awareness of this dark chapter in history. As she navigates her journey, the story delves into themes of acceptance, identity and the courage to challenge societal norms. It highlights the lasting impact of intolerance and the importance of standing up for what is right.
5. Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll (2023)
Also written by Elle McNicoll, this heartwarming and heroic novel follows twelve-year-old Cora, a neurodiverse girl introduced to a groundbreaking new technology that gives her a chance to reconnect with her best friend who has passed away. However, as she becomes more involved with the company behind the innovation, she uncovers disturbing secrets about its true purpose. With courage and determination, Cora realizes she is the only one who can expose the truth. This moving story celebrates friendship, self-acceptance and the power of standing up for what is right.
Note: Books 4 & 5, while by the same author, are not direct sequels but they share similar themes of neurodiversity and empowerment.
Films
1. The Stimming Pool (HBO MAX & Apple TV)
This uplifting UK documentary in which neurodiverse people record their life experiences combines live-action and animation footage including scenes of gory violence within an animated horror film. Created by a collective of neurodivergent filmmakers in an attempt to provide an alternative and artistic take on what it's like to live with neurodivergence in a chaotic world not made for those who are different.
Screenings are designed to make cinema experience more relaxing, enjoyable and accessible for people with Autism. Special Features: Low level lighting and sound. Allowance for increased levels of movement and noise. No adverts or trailers before the film.
2. The Unbreakable Boy (AMC Theaters)
A young boy with both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism transforms everyone around him with his joyous, funny and life-affirming world view. The Unbreakable Boy is a faith-based family drama that tells the story of Austin, a young boy with both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. His joyous, funny and life-affirming world view connects and inspires those around him, highlighting the transformative power of joy and resilience in everyday life.
These AMC Theater screenings are designed to make cinema experience more relaxing, enjoyable and accessible for people with Autism. Special Features: Low level lighting and sound. Allowance for increased levels of movement and noise. No adverts or trailers before the film.
3. Guardians Of The Galaxy 1, 2 & 3 (2019) | Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Guardians of the Galaxy introduces Drax the Destroyer, a character whose blunt honesty and straightforward nature has been interpreted by the Autism Community as behaviors often associated with autism spectrum traits. Drax’s inability to pick up on social cues, his literal interpretation of language and his direct approach to communication make him a unique character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For the autism community, Drax's character offers a powerful representation of someone who doesn't conform to social norms but is still capable of great strength, loyalty and depth.
4. The Reason I Jump (Apple TV)
Based on the bestselling book by Naoki Higashida, THE REASON I JUMP is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida’s revelatory descriptions of his autism, written when he was just 13, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe.
5. Brainstorm Productions- 1st Autistic Animation Screening (AMC- April 9th in CA; check listings for local AMC showings after April 9th)
Brainstorm Productions is hosting a screening of nine animated short films written and directed by neurodiverse artists who have graduated from their program. The screening is in honor of Autism Acceptance Month and will take place on April 9th, 202512. Additionally, Brainstorm Productions is creating an original, animated, half-hour special consisting of all original short films for World Autism Month in 2024.
Autism is not a condition to be tolerated. It is a part of the rich diversity of our human experience. By reading these stories and watching these portrayals, exploring the lived experiences and perspectives shared in these books and films, we deepen our collective understanding of autism beyond labels or misconceptions. This selection serves as a reminder, acceptance is more than acknowledgment. It is also about creating a world where individuals with Autism are truly seen, valued and supported. We encourage you to engage with these recommendations and continue advocating for genuine inclusion.
