Neurodiversity exists in everyday life, and it is important that media portrayals accurately depict the experiences of people living with neurodivergence. Autism, in particular, is defined by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, according to the DSM-5. Still, the nuances of the disorder are as varied as personality traits from person to person. When an individual or a family sits down to enjoy a movie and see themselves represented on screen, there is an opportunity to feel seen and understood. It is also a chance to raise awareness with others who want a better understanding of what it is like to live on the autism spectrum. The films below capture autism in all its diverse presentations in an honest, accurate, and relatable way.
The Best Family-Friendly Movies About Autism
With so much information to digest about the disorder, family-friendly movies offer a starting point for those seeking to understand autism spectrum disorder(ASD). These movies provide a learning experience that is relatable and thorough which every family member can share. The following movies about people with autism cover multiple presentations of the disorder in an honest and relevant way.
1. 
A Brilliant Young Mind (2014)
Making new friends can be challenging for people with autism and especially during one’s teenage years. This family-friendly movie explores how a brilliant young man who has difficulty forming relationships builds friendships with a girl when he earns a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad. The inspiring story shows that while challenging, forming new bonds is possible if you live with ASD. The whole family will root for his team and his new bond.
2. Please Stand By (2018)
A bold young autistic woman writes a 500-page Star Trek script and will stop at nothing to submit it to a Hollywood writing competition. She escapes her caregiver on her mission and, following Mr. Spock as her guide, journeys into the unknown for an adventure of a lifetime. A comedy-drama of adventure that shows how some people with ASD navigate the world with their perspective, Please Stand By, opens up a discussion about what level of independence some people on the spectrum can or should have.
3. The United States of Autism (2013)
One man’s search for answers about his autistic son leads him on a 40-day, 11,000-mile journey across America to interview 20 families and individuals impacted by ASD. The families he visits represent diversity in faith, color, culture, and resources and paint a big picture of the wide-ranging experiences people affected by ASD have in America. The life-changing adventure is a perfect documentary-style movie for the whole family.
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The Best Autism Movies for Young Adults
Young adults with autism experience the desire for love, connection, and understanding like their peers without the disorder. Movies allow young adults with autism to see their coming-of-age stories on the big screen, as seeing characters with the same condition accurately portrayed aids in helping young people with the disorder to feel seen and heard and for others watching to have an accurate understanding of how the disorder impacts young adults they encounter with autism.
4. Jack of Red Hearts (2015)
A teenage orphanage runaway cons her way into a caregiver job looking over an autistic 11-year-old. Though challenging at first, both, feeling isolated in the world, form a bond that at first seemed impossible. The heartwarming tale is one of relationships, redemption, and how what seems impossible can become possible.
5. Keep the Change (2017)
This film not only has characters with ASD, but the actors are on the spectrum as well. In this romantic and endearing story, David and Sarah meet at a support group for adults living with ASD, and sparks fly. The movie follows their romance from the perspective of the two main characters’ love story and is about first love and romance.
6. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
While the subject of this film is a 9-year-old boy, the level of content might be most appropriate for young adults. The young boy with ASD lashes out at his mother when his father dies. He discovers a message his father left for him and a mysterious key that unlocks something unknown. His adventure to find the lock leads him on an adventure of meeting people, self-discovery, and learning more about his family than he expected.
The Best Autism Movies for Adults
Movies portray autism spectrum disorder in many ways, and regardless of age, accurate representation of the condition is important for furthering understanding and empathy. Movies with adult subject matters shed light on the complicated and nuanced experiences of adults with the disorder. This list features movies adults will love.
7. Mozart and the Whale (2005)
People with ASD who live with Asperger’s syndrome may struggle to form relationships with others. This film takes on that challenge showcasing a love story between two adults living with Asperger’s syndrome and the challenges their disorder causes. Based on the true story of Jerry and Mary Newport, it is a story of hope, love, and inspiration.
8. Black Boy Joy (2019)
Running only 17 minutes, Black Boy Joy is a short film that shares the story of two generations of black men who live in the same home and face the demands of raising an autistic son. This new normal is sparked after the death of a loved one and is a reflective movie for adults caregiving or raising someone on the spectrum.
9. The Accountant (2016)
This action-packed movie follows a math-savant living with ASD who lands himself in trouble as he rearranges public-facing financial information for a new client. When the Treasury Department gets wind of his activity, he goes from accountant to wanted man in a heartbeat. This movie features a rare action hero character with ASD. There are a lot of sensory-loaded moments in this film in terms of sound, so please be aware of this and skip it if you are sensitive.
Resources For Autism
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Documentaries & Movies About Autism Based on a True Story
Telling a real story of a person’s lived experience is a powerful way to shed light on autism or neurodivergence. Documentaries, in particular, allow for a peek behind the curtain of someone else’s unscripted reality in a way that fosters connection and empathy for their experience. The movies below will take you through the real-life experiences of love, life, and creative processes for people living with autism.
10. Dina (2017)
Dina is an endearing documentary about the relationship between an outgoing and personable 48-year-old woman on the spectrum, Dina Buno, and her soon-to-be husband, who is also on the spectrum. The documentary feels like a rom-com, touching on independent living and finding on the spectrum. Still, it doesn’t shy away from struggles with sexual intimacy and losing Dina’s first husband to cancer. This true story is an inspiring one of never giving up on the life you desire.
11. Life, Animated (2016)
After almost giving up the hope that their silent son will be able to connect with the world, a family and a boy diagnosed with autism named Owen discover the ability to use Disney films to help him communicate. The discovery opens up a new world for Owen as he gradually begins to explore the ideas he learns through Disney in real life. He learns about heartbreak and love and experiences his versions of them when no one thought these would ever be possible.
12. Autism: The Musical (2007)
Five autistic children and their parents work for six months to create an original musical production in this eye-opening documentary. Each child selected has a talent or ability that needs some fostering to thrive. The film has a mix of hope, inspiration, and hard-hitting truths about the strained relationships of parents that can occur when raising autistic children.
The Best Shows About Autism
Television shows allow watching characters to develop over time, providing deep insight into a person’s character and world experience. Shows about autism spectrum disorder offer exactly this showcasing the main character’s nuances and how ASD impacts their family members. The shows below offer stellar writing, performances, and character development that offer portrayals of ASD that feel real.
13. Atypical (2017)
An 18-year-old young man with autism is on a mission to find a girlfriend, and he won’t let his mother’s protectiveness stop him. His quest sends his entire family into a tailspin of finding their independence and discovering how much caretaking someone with ASD has taken a toll. It’s an inspiring, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking show all in one.
14. The Good Doctor (2017)
In The Good Doctor, a young autistic surgeon and a savant with a troubled background heads from quiet Wyoming to bustling San Jose, California, to work at a renowned hospital. His extraordinary gift and abilities as a surgeon keep him going as he navigates relationships and other challenges in a new environment. This series is an excellent medical drama that highlights the beautiful, unique, and complex contradictions of life with ASD.
15. The A Word (2016)
Families who experience a new diagnosis for an autistic child are often thrown into a new world of experiences and responsibilities. When their youngest son is diagnosed with autism, it forever changes the Hughes family’s lives. The A Word is about navigating this diagnosis and the challenges, joys, and triumphs that come with it.
Continuing Your Understanding Through Therapy
Movies about autism spectrum disorder offer a great starting point or additional resource for understanding the disorder, but they’re not a replacement for professional help. Seek out the support of a licensed therapist with the best online therapy options and an online therapist directory. If you or a loved one is looking to understand ASD further or believes they may be on the ASD spectrum, talking with a licensed professional offers a safe environment to explore what you’re experiencing.
Additional Resources
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Sensory Enrichment Program For Autism
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