5 Documentaries About Autism You Should Watch

By Clara H

About 1 in every 68 people in the world live with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There is only a number of them that have a documentary about what it's like living with the condition.  

Of course, there is not just one that is the best out of all of them. They all work to spread awareness and acceptance in their own unique ways.

I decided to write about five Autism focused documentaries that I find are the most interesting and that I think you should watch too.
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5. Neurotypical

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Neurotypical is a 52 minute, educational film that has autistic individuals interpret what the outside world is like to them. It does a good job showing that autism can appear in anyone no matter the person's age, gender, or race. A four-year-old girl, a teenage boy, and an adult woman are only a few of the different types of people they show. They all have autism but they all experience it differently.
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4. Asperger's Are Us

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Asperger's Are Us is great to watch when you're wanting some inspiration. It shows the lives of a comedy troupe of four young men with high functioning Autism as they prepare for their final show. The comedians use their talent to help them step out of their comfort zones in order to change people's views on ASD. It received a full 100% on rotten tomatoes because of how heartwarming it is.  


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3. Autism In Love

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Autism In Love explains what love is through the eyes of multiple varieties of the Autism Spectrum. It explorers the lives of a couple (both have ASD), one who is single, and someone who has a wife with a terminal illness. They all have very different perspectives on what romance means. Each story is very touching and has tear-jerking moments. It even went on to be a nominee for an Emmy award in the year 2017.


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2. Best Kept Secret 

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Best Kept Secret follows a special education teacher as she gets ready to let go of 4 incoming graduates with Autism and living in poverty. You can really feel the love that the teacher feels for her students by seeing her help them reach their greatest potential. This emotional documentary is a must-watch. It even won Peabody Awards for Best Film two years in a row.

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1. Life Animated 

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Life Animated tells the story of a young man with ASD who was unable to speak as a child until he discovered a unique way to communicate by using Disney animation films. You cannot watch this documentary without smiling at least once. It shows how anything can help you get through the rough moments in life, you just have to find the right motivation. The film won 19 awards including three Emmys in 2018.

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