The Boy Inside

“Is my voice weird? Do I sound annoying? Am I retarded? Kids might think that,” 12-year-old Adam says during one of his many emotionally-charged conversations with his mother, filmmaker Marianne Kaplan. It's hard enough being an adolescent heading into the dangerous waters of puberty, peer pressure, and secondary school, but it's even more difficult for a kid with the autism-spectrum disorder known as Asperger syndrome. Intelligent, often academically gifted individuals with AS have difficulty reading other people's expressions, understanding social situations, and making changes in routines. Starting seventh grade in British Columbia, Canada, Adam hopes he'll do well, but by the end of the year things have gone badly—lying, stealing, and fighting all land him in trouble—despite help from a dedicated support team of educators and social workers, a trip to an AS conference in Chicago, and his family's unfailing love. But thanks to assistance from the government for respite care, and acceptance into a computer magnet high school, The Boy Inside ends on a hopeful note for a positive future. Kaplan's documentary presents a truly insider's look at Adam and his family, backed by interviews with classmates and footage of Adam's attempts at acceptable social behavior. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: also newly available is On the Spectrum, a documentary on adults living with Asperger syndrome (VHS: $199, DVD: $229).] Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)