Once again, I am collateral damage in someone's attempt to portray the essence of autism. My heart is beating too fast, a pain begins at the back of my head and I feel exhausted, but I am finally put to some kind of satisfaction. I have known Temple Grandin since she was a small child, through her books 'Thinking in Pictures' and 'Emergence: Labeled Autistic'. Nineteen years ago, I began taking her books, all marked, thoroughly worn and read, to the daycare, schools, and Sunday School Classes attended by my two autistic children, attempting to secure a more cooperative working relationship with these so-called educational professionals. Unfortunately, only two teachers took me up on my offer. But one of them, Cindy, went on to specialize in Autism and now trains other teachers.
This movie is excellent, the actors superb. Julia Ormond rendered brilliantly the affect of Temples distressed mother, suffering, at times, in a sort of PTSD haze, battle-scarred both from experiences with her daughter, as well as fighting the system to benefit Temple. At the conclusion, I feel drained, as though I have been fighting these wars again, for my own children. I hope and pray those who watch will respect the honesty of Temple's message and examine the easily obtained information about Autism in its various forms. 10/06/2010
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