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BenX

10/6/2016

 
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An Autistic boy finds himself at the butt of most jokes in his school until he utilizes his online gaming skills in order to seek courage and revenge.

Ben is a young high school student who falls on the Autism Spectrum Scale. Because he is different, many students find it acceptable to pick and bully Ben. Consequently, he finds himself disassociating during these traumatic experiences and honing in on his online video game persona. Through his process of gaming, Ben builds a relationship with a girl coined his “helper”. His      helper assists him in building not only courage in standing up for his rights but revenge on the bullies.


Neuropsychological Review
Behind the Eyes of a Boy With Autism
Lisa Vallone

BenX is a heart-wrenching tale regarding an Autistic boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While Ben is known as somewhat of a social pariah, he excels in learning, his store of knowledge, and most importantly, video gaming.  Due to his social differences, Ben finds himself the victim of many merciless pranks at the hands of school bullies. At school Ben is different, but online he is just as good, if not better, than any other player.
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Mary and Max

1/19/2015

 
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An 8 year old girl from Australia becomes a pen friend to to a middle aged man in New York City with Asperger's Syndrome.

This quirky animated black comedy explores the friendship of two social misfits through their letters.  Among Max's  mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, he is also diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. He calls himself an Aspie and goes on to describe the traits he has which fit what others call his "disability". Max stands firm in his self-assessment that he doesn't feel defective or need to be cured. He simply doesn't understand how humans can be so illogical.  When Mary writes a book about his disorder, their friendship is sorely tested. This film doesn't hold back on black humor nor the effects of not being accepted.  A movie about friendship.

Story of Luke

1/15/2014

 
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A young man on the autism spectrum sets out to find a job and a girlfriend in order to demonstrate his independence. 

Luke's rigid lifestyle is disrupted when his grandmother and primary caretaker passes away forcing Luke and his grandfather  to move in with Luke’s dysfunctional family.  Not wanting to  be a burden to his family or to be viewed as disabled due to his autistic spectrum diagnosis, Luke embarks on a journey to gain independence and demonstrate that he is just as capable as any other member of society. Heeding his grandfather’s advice, he sets out to obtain a job and then find love, two factors that his grandfather tells him are necessities in life. In his quest, Luke learns how to cope with his condition while changing the lives of those he encounters in the process.


Neuropsychological Review
Social Perception Technology in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Adept or Just Pretending?
Mary V. Spiers & Kristina E. Patrick 

Previously published in Spiers, M.V. & Patrick K. E. (2013) Social perception technology in autism spectrum disorder: Adept or “just pretending”?  [Review of film (2012) The Story of Luke]. PsycCRITIQUES, 58(34), Doi: 10.1037/a0033962.
Copyright APA.  This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.


The Story of Luke (2012) explores relationship issues in a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who is on a quest for an independent life... 


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Adam

5/8/2013

11 Comments

 
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In spite of his social challenges, Adam, a lonely man with Asperger's Syndrome, begins a romantic relationship with his neighbor Beth.

Adam, a socially-awkward but intelligent man with Asperger's, struggles to get his life back on track after the death of his father and the loss of his job.  Adam copes by rigidly following a regular schedule that includes engaging in the same activities day after day.  He is thrown for a loop, however, when he meets Beth.  The two start up a friendship that blossoms into a romantic relationship.  As their relationship develops, the couple face increasing challenges as they try to understand one another and they begin to question whether a relationship between a man with Asperger's and a neurotypical woman can survive.

Neuropsychological Review
Romantic Relationships for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome 
Kristina E. Patrick

Movies often depict individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as loners who reject opportunities for social relationships.  In actuality, those with high-functioning... 


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Rain Man

4/23/2013

 
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 An egotistic man embarks on a cross country trip with his autistic savant brother.    


 Charlie Babbitt is a successful car dealer in Los Angeles. When his father leaves most of his inheritance to his long-lost autistic brother Raymond, Charlie is determined to find him and claim what he believes is his. Charlie liberates Raymond from his care facility and sees an opportunity to exploit his brother’s extraordinary savant memory and make a fortune in Las Vegas.  But, Raymond's lack of social awareness and rigid routine irritate his brother on the trip.  Throughout their trip, Charlie learns more about his brother, autism, and savant syndrome, and what true brotherhood is.  

My Name is Khan

4/18/2013

21 Comments

 
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A Muslim man with Asperger’s Disorder must deliver a message to the president to reclaim the woman he loves.

Rizwan Khan is a young Indian man with Asperger’s Disorder. A literal interpretation of an angry statement from his estranged wife Mandira leads him on a quest to deliver a personal message to the President of the United States that he is not a terrorist. Khan’s quest to fix things with Mandira leads him into adventure, misfortune and friendship as his Asperger’s Disorder, and with it its proclivity towards restricted interests and obliviousness to social cues, both helps and hinders Khan’s efforts to win Mandira back. 

Neuropsychological Review
Julia Grayer

My Name Is Khan isn’t a film about Asperger’s Disorder; rather it is a film about a man with Asperger’s Disorder. Before we ever meet Rizwan Khan, we learn from a placard... 


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