Library / Neurodivergent Identity
Watch this when
The Reason I Jump
Just because someone doesn't speak doesn't mean they have nothing to say.
Who it's for
The film uses immersive sound and image to evoke how an environment might feel overwhelming, which can help parents and carers build empathy for sensory experiences they can't see.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Directed by Jerry Rothwell, this 2020 UK/US documentary is based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, which he wrote at 13. It combines portraits of five young nonspeaking autistic people from around the world with narrated passages from Higashida's book, linked by scenes of a young Japanese boy travelling through a sweeping landscape.
Where to find it
Theatrical release via Kino Lorber (US); rent or buy on major digital stores. Streaming availability rotates; check JustWatch.
Before you start
Heads up: Disability stigma and distress.
Age: Not verified (suggested 10+)
To define is to limit.Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Chapter XVII
