Autistic Like Me: A Father’s Perspective by Charles Jones (Lawrence, NY USA)
Fourteen strangers attend a weekend retreat. All of them men and fathers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The weekend is a collection of clinical groups and free time spent engaging in sport activities and bonding. The clinical groups are facilitated by renown clinical psychologist, Dr Robert Naseef, also a father of a child with Autism.
This weekend is an opportunity for these men to express feelings and thoughts up until that weekend had been suppressed. All of these fathers are at different stages in their journey to accepting the fact that they are now raising children with Autism.
Of the fourteen men, five were selected to be profiled at home with their families. These men and their families provided unfiltered honesty and insight to the difficulty that Autism has had on the family structure.
In today's society men are often in the role of protector and provider for their families and showing vulnerability is never an option. Strength and composure is the order of the day. Men are often overlooked when the conversation of 'providing family support' to a family that is newly diagnosed. Because of society's view of men - often these Dads are suffering silently and are in dire need of a healthy outlet of some kind. This documentary, 'Autistic Like Me:A Father's Perspective' (ALM) shows by example the power of talking and expressing the gnawing feelings, of pain - guilt, shame, hurt and denial.
Where: Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center - 10 College Street, Norcross, GA 30071
Located at College and Britt Streets in the College Street Playhouse Building -- in the Ballroom -- across the street from the Lillian Web Park. The building actually looks like a church. Free parking is available in the back of the building. Look for UMFF 2014 signs.
