Autism Documentary
Donazione protetta
I would like to make a film about my amazing son Jordan. Jordan is 14 years old and has profound autism. He was diagnosed at 2 and at the time I had a successful career as a film and television editor. I gave it all up to look after him. We ran a home therapy program for 8 years and he progressed well. He managed to learn how to read and communicate with limited speech and manage his behaviours.
When then turned to the education system in Queensland, Australia and were shocked. He was only able to attend primary school in a special education unit for 3 hours per day and he was deemed ineligible for special school as he didn’t meet the criteria of Intellectual Impairment (due to the fact that he could learn and retain information). After a year Jordan was not making any progress and was becoming increasingly stressed. We decided to move to the UK where Jordan was able to attend a special school that could cater to his needs. He attended the school for almost 3 years and thrived. He made his own friends and had a purpose and an interest in life.
Upon our return to Australia we were faced with the same situation that we had when we left. Although Jordan’s tolerance had improved he still found the ‘mainstream’ school situation very difficult. This has had an impact on his mental well being and he has regressed back into his autistic world.
I would like to make a film to bring awareness of what life is like for someone with autism and to show how in the right environment and with the right understanding children like Jordan can thrive.
Jordan is unable to tell his story on his own but I’m hoping that together we may be able to. I am seeking funding to purchase some small cameras and sound equipment that could capture Jordan with as little distraction as possible. I also have a lot of footage from the last 14 years that would need to be transferred into a usable format.
Secondly if we do raise enough money I would like to take Jordan back to the UK and film him reconnecting with his old friends. I would also like to interview some of his teachers and health workers on how the system works for them in the UK.
I can film and edit the film myself without hiring any crew initially. I have my own editing suite and won’t need to hire a facility. I just need some initial help to capture his story.
When then turned to the education system in Queensland, Australia and were shocked. He was only able to attend primary school in a special education unit for 3 hours per day and he was deemed ineligible for special school as he didn’t meet the criteria of Intellectual Impairment (due to the fact that he could learn and retain information). After a year Jordan was not making any progress and was becoming increasingly stressed. We decided to move to the UK where Jordan was able to attend a special school that could cater to his needs. He attended the school for almost 3 years and thrived. He made his own friends and had a purpose and an interest in life.
Upon our return to Australia we were faced with the same situation that we had when we left. Although Jordan’s tolerance had improved he still found the ‘mainstream’ school situation very difficult. This has had an impact on his mental well being and he has regressed back into his autistic world.
I would like to make a film to bring awareness of what life is like for someone with autism and to show how in the right environment and with the right understanding children like Jordan can thrive.
Jordan is unable to tell his story on his own but I’m hoping that together we may be able to. I am seeking funding to purchase some small cameras and sound equipment that could capture Jordan with as little distraction as possible. I also have a lot of footage from the last 14 years that would need to be transferred into a usable format.
Secondly if we do raise enough money I would like to take Jordan back to the UK and film him reconnecting with his old friends. I would also like to interview some of his teachers and health workers on how the system works for them in the UK.
I can film and edit the film myself without hiring any crew initially. I have my own editing suite and won’t need to hire a facility. I just need some initial help to capture his story.
Organizzatore
Kerry-Ann Morrell
Organizzatore
Labrador, QLD