I just watched the documentary Autism is a World about Sue Rubin who is a 26-year-old woman with autism. This film was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004 and produced and directed by Gerardine Wurzburg (Educating Peter, Wretches & Jabberers). This film tells the fascinating story of Sue who finds her voice, potential, and self through facilitated communication. Just like Larry and Tracy in Wretches & Jabberers, she uses a keyboard to communicate, which she started to use when she was 13.
Because she wasn’t able to communicate she was considered mentally retarded with an IQ score of 29 and age-equivalent of 2.5-months. Within weeks of using the keyboard she started to communicate. She was retested and received a 133 IQ score, which placed her in the 99-percentile (scored better than 99% of her peers)!
She was immediately put into mainstream classes and graduated from high school with honors. She currently studies Latin American History at Whittier College in Whittier, CA and works as an autism advocate; she’s written numerous articles; presented at over 100 conferences, workshops, and classes; and wrote the narration for Autism is a World. Sue needs 24/7 support, but is living an active, social, and successful life.
I definitely recommend this documentary for anyone interested in autism. It’s only 40 minutes and can be found at most public libraries. To see a video of Sue, Larry, Tracy, and other people talking with facilitated communication check out the Institute on Communication and Inclusion at Syracuse University.
Because she wasn’t able to communicate she was considered mentally retarded with an IQ score of 29 and age-equivalent of 2.5-months. Within weeks of using the keyboard she started to communicate. She was retested and received a 133 IQ score, which placed her in the 99-percentile (scored better than 99% of her peers)!
“I heard sounds, not words. It wasn’t until I got a communication system that I was able to make sense out of the sounds.”
She was immediately put into mainstream classes and graduated from high school with honors. She currently studies Latin American History at Whittier College in Whittier, CA and works as an autism advocate; she’s written numerous articles; presented at over 100 conferences, workshops, and classes; and wrote the narration for Autism is a World. Sue needs 24/7 support, but is living an active, social, and successful life.
I definitely recommend this documentary for anyone interested in autism. It’s only 40 minutes and can be found at most public libraries. To see a video of Sue, Larry, Tracy, and other people talking with facilitated communication check out the Institute on Communication and Inclusion at Syracuse University.
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