RETURN TO AUTISM
A woman with autism tries to survive a feature film production. (Documentary, 90 min)
All her life, she has struggled with autism spectrum disorder. For years it ruled her, unable to speak at times, challenged with sensory overloads and volatile meltdowns. But, now she is being asked to go back into autism, to once again set herself apart from her “typical” peers! Can she do it?
FOLLOW AUTISTIC MARTY MURPHY
Based on characteristics and traits of Marty Murphy before her remarkable transformation, with the support of her Director, Autism Coach and personal Psychiatrist, follow Marty during the making of a film, as she emotionally and psychologically returns to a place that she has worked so hard to leave.
LEARN BREAKING AUTISM FACTS
While following Marty’s Return to Autism, we simultaneously embark on an in-depth exploration within the international world of autism, from cause to cure, moral arguments to social impacts, therapies, to medications, and genetic discoveries to the great philosophical division brewing within the autism community itself.
Among a diverse group of people featured in the documentary, leading figures like Dr. Temple Grandin, Tony Attwood, in addition to Deepak Chopra, Jeff Drazen, Editor in Chief from the New England Journal of Medicine, Distinguished Parker B. Francis Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Diane Twachtman-Cullen of Autism Spectrum Quarterly and a first ever interview with Dr. Albert Kanner (son of Leo Kanner, who originally identified autism) will also share their unique perspective and most current view on autism today.
LIFE BEYOND NORMAL
Born in 1963, Marty Murphy grew up in Normal, Illinois. By the time she was 5, it was clear that she was a special needs child.
Because she was very functional in some areas and there was very little understanding about her unusual behaviors of flapping, stemming, and her inability to handle social situations, along with frequent sensory overloads and meltdowns, she slipped through the cracks of her local school system.
By the time she was nine, she came to believe that she was mentally retarded, barely surviving mainstream schooling both emotionally and academically.
Despite such obstacles, Marty graduated High School and attempted to further her education in Bloomington, Illinois where she eventually received her first official diagnosis of ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyscalculia.
In the darkest time of her life, Marty turned to an isolated selective/elective mute life, often inflicting injury on herself during increasingly violent meltdowns.
But, against all odds, today, Marty is a highly celebrated public speaker, offering first-hand perspectives on autism. She works with school districts across the country to help put supports in place for particularly challenged children, while also holding a full time job.
THE LATEST IN AUTISM
Return to Autism will also provide a breakthrough journey into the world of autism. By focusing on some of the top issues that face families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) such as:
•Unemployment – examples of employers who are doing a great job of hiring people with autism Necessary Employment/Vocational Skills
•Social and Economic Impacts – the high costs on families and society, with an emphasis on the growing population of people of approaching adult age with autism and the need for Assisted Living Programs
•Education that includes Positive Behavior Approaches and Social Skills Training; The need for increased attention to the socialization and communication issues that plague even highly intelligent adults on the spectrum
•Medical Findings - Possible causes? Genetic links?
•Therapies – what’s on the horizon
•Research and Statistics – the latest on population reporting and latest research that is happening, the debate of growing population vs. more accurate reporting
•Aging Community – social impact – the growing up of the children with autism and impact on society
•Tragic stories of misdiagnosis – importance of accurate diagnosis and early diagnosis for a better quality of life
•Inspiring stories of success – show the stories of success from a variety of angles and how what works for one may not work for another but to demonstrate the importance of trying to find the right solution for your family member
•Insurance for effective treatment
•Awareness Programs
•Secondary Education supports and technical training programs for individuals on the spectrum
•Adolescent and adult issues from sexuality and relationship-building to vocational training and finding employment
•The lack of understanding that still exists in the general population regarding the challenges associated with autism.
