An eye-opening documentary about conflict within the autism research and treatment community, Citizen Autistic largely focuses on a war of words between a longtime non-profit group called Autism Speaks and the non-traditional Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Although other players are involved in this ongoing drama—including scientists, autistic individuals, and family members—filmmaker William Davenport devotes most of the running time here to exploring the fault lines between 1) the standard approach to autism that views the condition as a mental illness treatable by institutions and professionals, and 2) the activist demands of people with autism who want to be seen as capable of running their own lives. Davenport's sympathies clearly tilt toward the latter, and indeed spokespersons for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network here make a strong case that they are doing just fine, noting that they would prefer to see research dollars being spent not on bloated, self-congratulatory charities but rather on improving communication technologies to aid autistic people. Members of Autism Speaks are afforded a chance for rebuttal, but the overall argument made here is that independence is best. Likely to spur discussion, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Citizen Autistic
(2014) 68 min. DVD: $19.95. Cinema Libre Studio (avail. from most distributors). Volume 30, Issue 1
Citizen Autistic
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