Come Back Jack

In this unabashedly personal account, the family of young Jack Parish struggles with the diagnosis and social and therapeutic difficulties of autism. Soon after he'd celebrated his first birthday, Jack began to experience physiological problems--chiefly ear and sinus infections--that degenerated into intellectual and emotional stagnation by the age of two. Though a diagnosis of autism was long in coming and painful to hear, Jack's parents persevered in finding the best solution they could; in their case, the Language and Cognitive Development Center in Lynnfield, Mass. Via interviews with medical personnel, educational specialists, and Jack's parents, and scenes shot at home and in school, the family's therapeutic ups and downs are chronicled, ending with Jack's sixth birthday, by which time he'd begun to emerge from his "internal chaos." Even though the scenes with the medical and educational specialists are constructive, and Jack's story is inspiring, I have a real problem with this tape's price. Ninety-nine dollars is simply too high for what is essentially a home movie, complete with music written by Jack's brothers and production/direction/interview duties handled by Jack's father. Their story is perhaps a bit too personal and specific, as well; I'm not sure how widely their concrete experiences could be applied to others in this situation, especially since there is no "for further information" given. Recommended only for flush collections that already circulate more straightforward, informational materials on the topic, such as Day by Day: Raising the Child With Autism/PPD (VL-12/92). Aud: C, P. (K. Glaser)