The documentary, Sounding the Alarm: Battling the Autism Epidemic looks at the lives of 12 families whose children have autism The families discuss the challenges they face raising children with autism. The documentary is available on Netflix.
At the start, we meet the Lawrence family whose 3-year-old son, Bradley, has autism. The family is moving from their home in North Carolina to Indiana, which they state has better insurance coverage for autism.
We also meet the Mojica family whose 14-year old son Adam is autistic. They talk about their concerns for Adam's future. They state that these concerns prompted them to set up a trust for Adam instead of buying their own home.
We also meet John D’Eri who opened a car wash to employee people with autism. D’Eri’s inspiration was his son who is autistic.
We also meet the Mojica family whose 14-year old son Adam is autistic. They talk about their concerns for Adam's future. They state that these concerns prompted them to set up a trust for Adam instead of buying their own home.
We also meet John D’Eri who opened a car wash to employee people with autism. D’Eri’s inspiration was his son who is autistic.
A significant part of Sounding the Alarm is dedicated to the story of Bob & Suzanne Wright, the founders of Autism Speaks. It describes how they started Autism Speaks in 2005 after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism. Bob Wright states that Autism Speaks was started to- Raise awareness
- Advocate for people with autism
- Support families
- Support research
After watching this documentary, I am concerned about the impression it gives of people with autism. The abilities and disabilities of people with autism vary tremendously, however this documentary focuses on those who have significant problems because of autism. The only employed people with autism we meet are John D’Eri's son and others who work in the car wash. Viewers learn nothing about people with autism working in other types of jobs or the recruitment of people with autism by large tech companies such as SAP.
The families express concerns common to many of us with a child on the spectrum including:
- Costs of treatment
- Waiting lists
- Lack of insurance coverage
- Little or no support services for adults with autism
- If placed in care, their nonverbal children would not be able to report abuse
However, most of what we see and hear from the families focuses on the negatives – people selling their homes to pay for therapy, parents injured by their children and unable to have social lives. Very little family happiness is shown or discussed. Although we are told about the cost of therapy, little information is provided about children making progress because of these therapies.
This documentary lacks information provided directly by people with autism. There are a few sound bites, but nothing substantive. We do not meet anyone with autism who is attending college, practising self-advocacy or just living a happy life. No one with autism is asked how it affects them or what services would help them.
If you know nothing about autism, you won't get a balanced view from this documentary. But, watching it will educate people about some aspects of autism including:
Have you seen this documentary? If so, what did you think?
Disclosure:
If you know nothing about autism, you won't get a balanced view from this documentary. But, watching it will educate people about some aspects of autism including:
- Challenges faced by parents on a daily basis
- Financial costs to families
- Need for respite services for families
- Lack of services for adults with autism
Have you seen this documentary? If so, what did you think?
Disclosure:
I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and have received a free Netflix subscription and streaming device as part of my membership. All opinions expressed within this post are my own.
©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action
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