The Reason I Jump

You can see the love and craft in every frame of this movie. There were certain characters I would like to have seen more of, but I understand the constraints. The way it renders autism is very humanistic and he film does a really great job of bringing the viewer into this world. I saw it at the Hot Docs online and really wish I could have seen it on the big screen It reminded me of another film I saw at Sundance a few years ago called Notes on Blindness which does a phenomenal job of 'seeing' the day to day of what a blind person's life could be like in an extraordinary way.

This movie is probably the most important movie ever made, as it in part sheds light on the fact that people with this condition have motor issues, and without typing cannot demonstrate their intelligence. Not being taught to type leads to devastating, lifelong consequences for around 33 million people with non speaking autism worldwide.

For me the main disappointment in the film was its segment filmed in Africa, stating that many in the community believed people with this disability were demon possessed. I was horrified as sitting next to me in the theatre as this aired, was my charge, who has autism and types to communicate (independently). He was traumatised immediately and demanded to leave (we were until then, thoroughly enjoying the movie). It was disastrous. The african girl (featured in the doco) also appeared to became distressed after hearing the 'demon possesion' conversations.

This movie is NOT suitable for those with autism.

It is still an important movie that I hope will rapidly dispel the misconceptions of non speaking autism. Those with the condition really don't need the additional adversity, that comes with not learning to type and remaining grossly underestimated.

Typing transformed my charge's life. His frequent, lengthy, crying spells completely stopped, as did his outbursts and assaults. He has been happy, confident and drug free for nine years now.

Teach the non speakers to type; it takes time to become an independent typer, but the benefits are immediate and profound.

Tears in my eyes.

This is such a beautiful film about autism. A must-see to understand the world of autistic people. Whatever is said about these people, they have feelings, intelligence and everything 'normal' people have in their personalities. Only their experience of expressing and seeing the world is different, would even say, to be more sensitive than us 'normals'. Their outbursts of anger and aggressiveness is only their expression of frustration and sadness for not being able to share anything with us 'normals'. How would you be yourself!!!

Dare I even say, these people are more authentic than many others on this globe.

This movie was stunning and impressive. I just saw it at Sundance and everyone walked out uplifted and overwhelmed. It's a must see.

This documentary (which feels more like a movie) is so special. The way it explores the perspective from people with autism lets you see the world from a whole other perspective.

The macroshots of the people's perception are beautiful, and the music together with the narrated lines of the incredible book (which wrote a child!!) come amazingly together to this movie which lets you rethink about your views on autism, communication, strangers and the human kind.

I did know some things about autism before but this visualisation what children on the spectrum really might experience is different and mind-boggling.