Autism Every Day
Encyclopedia
Autism Every Day is a 2006 film sponsored by Autism Speaks
, and produced by Lauren Thierry, Jim Watkins
and Eric Solomon.
It debuted at a fundraiser named "A New Decade for Autism" in New York City on May 9, 2006, and made its mainstream debut on Don Imus
show on MSNBC
the following day. It was selected by the Sundance Institute
as a special screening film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
.
said, "While the filmmakers capture hope, love and determination, the documentary also reveals the unrelenting stress and occasional despair in rearing children with autism." The New York Observer said the film was a
According to Stuart Murray, author of Representing Autism: Culture, Narrative, Fascination, disability rights advocates criticized the film for categorizing the disorder as "one of problems and difficulties, especially for parents", while ignoring the positive aspects. One interview in the film that drew significant controversy was that of a mother who contemplated driving off a bridge with her autistic daughter. Some have drawn a connection between the mother and Karen McCarron, a woman who murdered her autistic daughter on May 13, 2006.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
, and produced by Lauren Thierry, Jim Watkins
Jim Watkins
Jim Watkins was the anchor of the weekend editions of "PIX News at Six" and "PIX News at Ten" on WPIX-TV. He joined the station in 1998 where he co-anchored the weeknight news at 10 pm with Kaity Tong after three years working at WNBC-TV in New York. While at WNBC, Watkins anchored the weekend...
and Eric Solomon.
It debuted at a fundraiser named "A New Decade for Autism" in New York City on May 9, 2006, and made its mainstream debut on Don Imus
Don Imus
John Donald "Don" Imus, Jr. is an American radio host, humorist, philanthropist and writer. His nationally-syndicated talk show, Imus in the Morning, is broadcast throughout the United States by Citadel Media and relayed on television by the Fox Business Network.-Personal life:Imus was born in...
show on MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
the following day. It was selected by the Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981 that actively advances the work of filmmakers and storytellers worldwide...
as a special screening film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
.
Reception
The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
said, "While the filmmakers capture hope, love and determination, the documentary also reveals the unrelenting stress and occasional despair in rearing children with autism." The New York Observer said the film was a
"short documentary film ... about the lives of mothers of autistic kids. The film consists mainly of interviews with mothers (and scenes of them with their autistic children), mothers whose lives have been utterly transformed. The situation of these mothers is just unrelieved, unrelenting."
According to Stuart Murray, author of Representing Autism: Culture, Narrative, Fascination, disability rights advocates criticized the film for categorizing the disorder as "one of problems and difficulties, especially for parents", while ignoring the positive aspects. One interview in the film that drew significant controversy was that of a mother who contemplated driving off a bridge with her autistic daughter. Some have drawn a connection between the mother and Karen McCarron, a woman who murdered her autistic daughter on May 13, 2006.
External links
- AutismSpeaks.org - Autism Every Day video