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Adam is a 12-year-old who has Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. This documentary about Adam and his father, mother, and elder sister was produced by his mother, Marianne, who also appears in and narrates the program.
Adam, not good at reading people's feelings, cannot communicate well with them. Classmates criticize him as he "interrupts people in conversations" or "sometimes cries and gets angry when he doesn't get things his way." Often being ignored and bullied, Adam says, "Its not that I dislike school, but I don't have anything to look forward to." He had to leave his previous school because a classmate put a knife to his neck.
Adam confesses he feels awful as he stole things and lied and his parents are shocked to learn about his anti-social behavior. Phone calls from school reporting Adam's trouble with his schoolmates have become almost a daily routine. Feeling they are on the verge of a crisis, his parents send Adam to foster care for a while. For his father, it is hard to think about his son being in the care of the state.
Seeking help, Marianne and Adam visit Chicago to attend a conference on autism, but they hear only discouraging stories. A mother of two autistic children says through tears, "It's really hard when you see your children rejected."
Adam says, "For some people the bad times far outnumber the good time. That's my problem...", but he graduates Grade 7, and is delighted at the news that a technical immersion program will eventually offer him a place. He also goes to a dance and dances his heart out. Marianne says, "But for now I'll enjoy the moment - it's a place Adam lives everyday." |
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