Loving Lampposts

2010
Not Rated
1h 24min

NOTE IMDb

7,6/10

MA NOTE

As autism has exploded into the public consciousness over the last 20 years, two opposing questions have been asked about the condition: is it a devastating sickness to be cured? Or is it a variation of the human brain -- just a different way to be human?

After his son's diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner visits the front lines of the autism wars. We meet the Â“recovery movement,Â” which views autism as a tragic epidemic brought on by environmental toxins. Operating outside the boundaries of mainstream medicine, these parents, doctors, and therapists search for unconventional treatments that can Â“reverseÂ” autism and restore their children to normal lives.

We meet the 'neurodiversity' movement, which argues that autism should be accepted and autistic people supported. This group argues that the focus on treatments and cures causes the wider society to view autistic people as damaged and sick. Acceptance is the better way, but how do you practice acceptance of autism in a world where the very word can terrify parents?

And we meet a too often ignored group: autistic adults. It's these adults who show just how tricky it is to judge an autistic person's life. Is an autistic woman who directs academic research about autism recovered? What if the same woman has trouble speaking and uses text-to-speech software to communicate? Is an autistic man who lives in his own apartment recovered? What if his mother must hire people to do his laundry and take him out in the evenings?

This wide angle view of autism makes clear whatÂ’s at stake in the autism wars. Will we live in a world dominated by autism conferences where vendors hawk vitamins and hyperbaric chambers to parents desperate for a cure? Or will we provide the support that autistic adults need to lead the best lives they can? And can these two worlds possibly co-exist?

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Ajouter une intrigue dans votre langueWhat would you call a four year old who caresses all the lampposts in the park? Quirky? Unusual? Or sick? Such labels are at the center of the debate about autism. Is it a disease or a diffe... Tout lireWhat would you call a four year old who caresses all the lampposts in the park? Quirky? Unusual? Or sick? Such labels are at the center of the debate about autism. Is it a disease or a different way of being--or both? After his son's diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner visits the f... Tout lireWhat would you call a four year old who caresses all the lampposts in the park? Quirky? Unusual? Or sick? Such labels are at the center of the debate about autism. Is it a disease or a different way of being--or both? After his son's diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner visits the front lines of the autism wars. We meet parents desperate for a cure, visit conferences whe... Tout lire

Réalisation
- Todd Drezner
Casting principal

Voir les informations de production sur IMDbPro

NOTE IMDb

7,6/10

MA NOTE

Réalisation
- Todd Drezner
Casting principal

1avis d’utilisateur

Voir les informations de production sur IMDbPro

Commentaire à la une

7/10

A step in the right direction

This documentary exposes a wide range of viewpoints.

It demonstrates the flaws in the "mercury vaccine cause autism" argument.

It shows how different families handle the every day reality of living with and empowering autistic people.

It considers the effect of environment, and diet.

Personally, I've got the most mileage from "Disconnected Kids".

I now have optimism that Autism and ASD can be eliminated in some cases and certainly improved in all cases.

We will all need to become experts in Autism, Asperger's and ASD.

This movie has helped.